Local News

Police arrested a man for causing public alarm while wielding a baseball bat near the Grants Pass Growers Market. Grants Pass Police responded to the incident at the corner of NW 4th and F streets on Saturday morning. Police said the 47-year-old male subject was causing public alarm by swinging a baseball bat and hitting food trucks in the area of the growers market. One caller advised the man was yelling at anyone who looked at him while hitting trees and the ground with the bat. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Damage to the food trucks was not disclosed. Officers placed the man into custody and discovered that he was wanted on a GPPD warrant for Failure to Report as a Convicted Sex Offender. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving and more last weekend after he crashed a vehicle onto private property east of Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck in the 3800-block of Foothill Boulevard on Sunday at 4:45 p.m.. Deputies said a 48-year-old man was driving a Chevrolet Suburban when he lost control of the vehicle, rolled into a residential yard and took out a large section of fence. Damage to the fencing was estimated to be well over $1,000. According to the report, the driver was contacted as he was walking away from the crash scene. He had a visible scratch on his head, but refused medical treatment. He was placed into custody after displaying obvious signs of impairment. A search warrant was obtained and the suspect was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. He was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Criminal Mischief. His wrecked SUV was towed to the impound yard.

 

The Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) is a common tool carried by local firefighters to help save lives and property. It provides the ability to detect unseen heat. Rural Metro Fire officials said the TIC is critical when looking for injured or trapped people in zero visibility such as dark or smoky conditions. Used not only inside burning structures, the TIC has helped locate vehicle crash victims who have been ejected into the brush and even scared pets who have run off due to a traumatic event. Law enforcement and search & rescue teams often use a TIC to search for missing or fleeing objects in dark conditions. Officials said the ability to use the TIC to locate hidden fire behind walls, ceilings and even flooring has led to quickly stopping fire spread, ultimately preventing thousands of dollars in property loss.

 

Pacific Power is hosting a public forum in Central Point today to discuss its latest efforts to mitigate the threat of wildfire. The public forum is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mace Watchable Wildlife Memorial Center at the Jackson County Expo. The forum will also be livestreamed at "us06web.zoom.us." During this conversation, Pacific Power representatives will detail the important steps they take during wildfire season to keep customers and communities safe. This forum is an opportunity to learn about the company's comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans in Oregon. Key topics include ongoing efforts to strengthen their system, advance weather monitoring capabilities, enhanced vegetation management practices, enhanced safety setting for wildfire season and Public Safety Power Shutoffs -- an important tool when wildfire risk makes it necessary to turn off power to ensure safety. Pacific Power officials said protecting their customers and communities while providing safe, reliable electricity is their highest priority. If you have any questions or would like to request a reasonable accommodation to attend this event, please call 1-(888)-221-7070.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is inviting the public to share their thoughts about the draft management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The BLM will host one virtual and three in-person public meetings on the proposed plan. The virtual meeting will feature an overview of the draft plan and a summary of the alternatives and analysis. The in-person meetings will be an open house format, where members of the public will be able to meet with specialists to learn more about the draft plan and provide substantive comments. The virtual meeting will be held Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.. To register, visit "bit.ly/CSNMdraft." In-person meetings will occur on May 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Medford Armory, May 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Klamath Community College and May 18th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Pinehurst School near Ashland. The BLM's Draft Resource Management Plan will consolidate management of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, providing consistency for land managers and the public. The monument is currently managed under three separate plans. Interested parties may also submit written comments to the BLM by July 5th.

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is bringing "Lemonade Day" back in 2024. Last year, over 300 local kids participated. Lemonade Day will be Friday, August 2nd, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Grants Pass. Lemonade stands will be placed all over town where these young entrepreneurs will be selling their final product. Prizes will be given for the best product and most creative lemonade stand. Participants will also have a chance to be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Throughout the course of this free program, these young entrepreneurs learn how to start, own and operate their own business -- a lemonade stand. They will learn business skills, financial literacy, goal-setting and teamwork. As in previous years, the Chamber will be partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to host a Resource Fair. The fair will provide helpful tips and booths on topics such as customer service, budget and financial assistance, creating a product, choosing a stand location, and answering any questions. Registration for Lemonade Day opened May 1st and closes June 21st. Register now at "lemonadeday.org/grants-pass."

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for causing a weekend disturbance at a downtown watering hole while under the influence of "magic mushrooms." The Police Department reports officers arrested the 49-year-old male subject for the incident at River City Grill on SE K Street on Saturday around 9:50 p.m.. Police said a female caller reported the man was at the bar causing a disturbance after he consumed psilocybin mushrooms. The caller said he was clearly unable to care for himself as he was arguing with customers and threatening to fight them for no reason. He was also hallucinating and unable to hold a conversation with police. The suspect was advised he was under arrest, but he refused to comply with lawful orders and made threats toward officers while posturing aggressively. He was eventually subdued and placed into custody without injuries. The suspect -- who was identified as a worker at the business -- was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Menacing and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail.

 

Police arrested a man for causing public alarm while wielding a baseball bat near the Grants Pass Growers Market. Grants Pass Police responded to the incident at the corner of NW 4th and F streets on Saturday at about 8:45 a.m.. Police said the 47-year-old male subject was causing public alarm by swinging a baseball bat and hitting food trucks in the area of the growers market. One caller advised the man was yelling at anyone who looked at him while hitting trees and the ground with the bat. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Damage to the food trucks was not disclosed. Officers placed the man into custody and discovered that he was wanted on a GPPD warrant for Failure to Report as a Convicted Sex Offender. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing merchandise from Walmart over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on NE Terry Lane on Saturday at 3:15 p.m.. Police said the 36-year-old male subject entered Walmart and concealed more than $109 worth of items in his backpack. They said he was detained by loss prevention officers, but was uncooperative and left the scene in a white Dodge pickup. The suspect vehicle was located a short time later at the Grants Pass Shopping Center. The manager at Famous Footwear called in and advised that the theft suspect had just exited that store and left a change of clothes inside. The man was found hiding in a restroom at Rite Aid. He refused to identify himself, but admitted the clothes in Famous Footwear were his, so he was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail.