Local News

Dispatch was notified of a man trespassing at the Jelly Donut, later to find he was wanted for Fentanyl Possession Thursday.

An employee of the 1695 NE 7th Street shop reported the suspect was on crutches and possibly under the influence outside the business at 10:14 a.m. He was having a hard time standing up, and was playing with construction equipment on the sidewalk per the employee.

It was requested the suspect be trespassed, and law enforcement conduct a welfare check. The suspect proceeded across the street towards the nearby Dutch Bros., where he was soon contacted by Grants Pass Police.

Officers identified him as John Johann, and found he was wanted out of the Police Department for Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl. He was arrested for his warrant, and consented to a search, which resulted in the identification of a small silicone container with a white crystalized powder in his pocket.

The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine. Johann was then transported to jail to be lodged on his warrant and Meth Possession charge. He was also trespassed from the Jelly Donut.

 

Further details have been released into the recent Williams Highway Missing Person case. Andrew Forrest Odom, 67, of Incline Village, Nevada, was reported missing to the Medford Police Department on October 1st. The initial investigation found Odom had traveled from Carson City, Nevada, to Medford on September 21st. His last known whereabouts were in Josephine County on September 22nd. As the investigation progressed and suspicious circumstances were identified, the investigation was transferred to the Oregon State Police and the Josephine County Major Crimes Team was activated. OSP detectives contacted a subject during the follow-up investigation October 6th in the 10,000 block of Williams Highway. During the contact, the subject fled into a residence and fired shots at detectives. Tactical resources from the Grants Pass Police Department and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area.

 

Multiple fire units responded Thursday near East Glenwood and Cheslock Road to a kitchen fire on Cheslock around 3:16 p.m.

According to Rural Metro, firefighters gained quick control of the flames and determined all occupants were safely accounted for in the Murphy incident.

As a result of this fire, and the fact it is Fire Prevention Month, firefighters are re-issuing the following safety tips:

- Excessive yard accumulation can challenge firefighter access and hose maneuverability.
- Take precautions to avoid leaving range top burners on and unattended.
- Maintain a charged fire extinguisher in a strategic location to quickly apply when fires are small.
- Always have working smoke alarms on all levels of the home, especially near sleeping areas.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is developing a proposal to improve forest habitat on about 1,600 acres near Eagle Point.

The area is overly dense with vegetation, causing increased competition between trees, limited habitat complexity, and increasing susceptibility to wildfire. The project would include limited timber harvest to speed the development of nesting habitat for the northern spotted owl and maintain healthy streams.

The BLM opened a 30-day public comment period on October 7th, for input on potential issues, impacts, and alternatives to be addressed in an upcoming environmental assessment.

Additional information about the project, including how to comment, is available at the BLM NEPA Register. Learn more by visiting www.eplanning.blm.gov.

In western Oregon, the BLM manages timberlands under the Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, which ensures sustainable forestry practices that support communities and livelihoods. Revenue from timber harvested on Oregon and California lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties.

 

A Grants Pass man pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally possessing a gun he stole in a burglary, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. Matthew Bertrand, 45, pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He had been previously convicted five other times for Burglary and Theft. According to court documents, on January 5th, 2024, Central Point Police responded to a burglary in progress. A witness told police that a man seen wearing a black ski mask, a black jacket, and blue jeans jumped the fence and went inside a home. When police arrived and spoke to the homeowner, they saw Bertrand flee through the back of the home. Police caught Bertrand after chasing him through multiple backyards. Police recovered the gun belonging to the homeowner. Bertrand admitted to "rob[bing] the house", stealing the gun, and being in the victim's house on a prior occasion. On June 6th, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Bertrand with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. He will be sentenced on March 11th, 2027.

 

Get ready for the Great ShakeOut, the world’s largest earthquake drill, on October 15th at 10:15 a.m.

Join millions of individuals throughout Oregon and across the globe as they practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. This annual event provides an opportunity for people in homes, schools, and businesses to assess their disaster preparedness, improve their emergency safety plans, and practice what to do in the event of a real earthquake.

For more information and resources to plan your drill, visit shakeout.org/Oregon.

Completing a few small tasks ahead of time, such as assembling a basic emergency supply kit and determining your shelter strategy, makes sure that you and your family will know what to do and have the supplies you need to be safe wherever you are. For more preparedness resources and tips, visit ready.gov.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police cited a woman attempting to steal merchandise from a Dollar Tree.

The suspect was reported to dispatch Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. The manager of the 1200 NW 6th Street store said the suspect was concealing items in her purse valued at $4.50. She walked out of the store, and the manager requested officers respond, and trespass the suspect.

She was identified as Fawn Cromwell by officers who located her down the street in front of the Mini Pet Mart. She admitted to stealing the items, which were returned. Cromwell was cited to appear for Third Degree Theft, then released. She was also trespassed from the Dollar Tree.

 

Dispatch was notified of a man screaming, dragging his dog up and down the street, and causing public alarm Wednesday morning, leading to the suspects arrest by Grants Pass Police.

The caller reported the suspect, who had red hair and was wearing a light colored shirt, was on the sidewalk in front of the NE Terry Lane Arby's at 6:12 a.m. The situation had been occurring since the caller arrived at work.

Officers arrived and identified Titus Bierly as the suspect. His dog exhibited signs of abuse by cowering when approached, and Bierly had a TJ Maxx shopping cart filled with wet blankets, garbage, and perishables.

His actions caused public alarm, and he spilled his belongings along the sidewalk. Units retrieved the perishable and biohazard articles for destruction, with some able to be taken for safekeeping. No physical injuries were observed on the dog, so no probable cause for Animal Abuse was filed.

The dog was transported to the Josephine County Animal Shelter, while Bierly was transported to jail. He was lodged for a charge of Disorderly Conduct, and warned for littering.

 

A Dairy Queen cake thief was arrested and lodged by Grants Pass Police for the reported theft and an out-of-county warrant.

Dispatch was alerted to the theft at the 610 Redwood Highway drive-thru Wednesday at 3:36 p.m. The suspect had grabbed a cake and walked out of the building, and it was requested she be trespassed and charged with theft. She was reported to be heading northbound on Ringuette Street.

She was soon contacted near Tussing Park by arriving officers and identified as Hanna Fierro-McGarry. According to the police report, she had stolen the $27 cake out of anger for staff not letting her use the restroom at the Dairy Queen. She advised officers where she had placed the cake, and it was recovered.

Police found Fierro-McGarry was wanted on a warrant out of the Roseburg Police Department for two counts of DUII, and Possession of Methamphetamine. She was transported to and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for the warrant and a charge of Third Degree Theft. Due to a lack of jail resources, she was later released.