Local News

The Oregon Department of Forestry is investigating 11 roadside fires that were extinguished along Table Rock Road in the Sams Valley area yesterday. ODF reports three of the fires erupted in the morning and eight in the evening. All the fires were extinguished, with the largest being a half-acre. On Monday just after 11 a.m., ODF and Jackson County Fire District #3 were dispatched to a report of a fire along the 13,000-block of Table Rock Road near Highway 234. Upon arrival, two more fires were located in the same area. An aggressive initial attack resulted in all three fires being quickly extinguished. A preliminary investigation found the fires were likely vehicle-related. Around 6:30 p.m., a new fire in the same area was reported. Both agencies once again responded and found eight fires between the 11,000- and 13,000-blocks of Table Rock Road. All eight fires were stopped at 1/10th of an acre or less. Following a continued investigation, the cause of the fires has been determined to be vehicle-related and the incidents remain under investigation. Investigators have ruled out chip-sealing conducted by Jackson County Roads as a potential cause. Help prevent human-caused fires this summer by keeping common vehicle-related fire causes in mind and mitigate risks whenever possible. Ensure your vehicle is regularly serviced by a mechanic, check tow chains to ensure they're secure and park in areas clear of dry vegetation.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged another busy week of activity while protecting the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 584 calls for service along with 239 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 39 arrests, 32 citations, 42 warnings and seven highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 68 traffic stops in the city and they made 22 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 17 potential troublemakers while arresting five people, citing seven more and warning four others. The CRT unit also trespassed three individuals from homes and businesses. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 92 calls last week including 41 for emergency medical service, six reports of fire or smoke, 12 lift assists, six rescue situations, seven assists to other agencies and nine false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,080 emergency calls last week.

 

Josephine County's recently elected Treasurer has resigned, effective immediately. Mark DeYoung issued a statement on Monday, saying that he was writing to inform citizens of his decision to officially resign his position as Josephine County Treasurer. DeYoung said "this has been a very difficult decision to make, but due to unforeseen personal reasons I can no longer continue my employment with the County." He added that he is "very confident that the staff will continue their good work until a suitable replacement is found." Swept into office as part of a conservative slate of candidates supported by the Josephine County Republican Party, DeYoung ousted incumbent Treasurer Eva Arce by winning 55% of the vote last November. However, various reports indicate that DeYoung allegedly failed to carry out core responsibilities of the Treasurer's Office and he had handed off most job functions to a Chief Deputy Treasurer who was appointed quietly without public knowledge. Several county employees had come forward recently, claiming DeYoung openly admitted he was unqualified for the position. In Monday's statement, DeYoung said he wishes to express his deepest appreciation to all who encouraged and supported him. He said "it's been an honor to serve, but I know this is the right decision for me at this time."

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is expressing its appreciation to the Board of Commissioners for taking decisive action at their budget adoption meeting to fund the Sheriff's Office in a way that closely reflects the department's original request. After deliberation and public input, the Board last week voted to make meaningful changes to the Budget Committee's recommendation and bring the final adopted budget in closer alignment with the Sheriff's proposed plan. Chamber President Terry Hopkins said the outcome honors the commitment made to voters in 2023 when the Law Enforcement Service District was passed with the expectation that it would restore 24/7 patrol coverage and strengthen public safety. The Sheriff's original budget included strategic investments made possible by the new service district -- including the addition of patrol deputies, detectives and support personnel -- while also requiring $2 million less in general fund support than in previous years. Hopkins said the action by the Board moves the County substantially closer to achieving those goals. He said their decision sends a strong message that public safety remains a top priority in Josephine County.

 

Residents who show their Josephine Community Library Card at nine local food trucks in Josephine County this summer will receive a 10% discount on their meal and an exclusive sticker while supplies last. Participating food trucks include 541 Fusion, Blaze-N-Monkeys, Chunna's Food Stop, Grip-N-Grub, Mad Dawgs, My Island Kitchen, Scoop-N-Sips, Soulwise Coffee and The Food Lab. Josephine Community Library Director Kate Lasky said "Food for Thought" is a fun way to bring the community together. She said they're grateful to the food truck owners for doing something special to celebrate summer reading and the importance of using your library. To get a library card, community members can visit their preferred branch in Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Williams or Wolf Creek during open hours. Annual library card sponsorships for children and adults who live in Josephine County -- but do not live within library district boundary -- are made available thanks to funding from the Josephine Community Library Foundation.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for multiple crimes after he entered the residence of his legally protected mother and then fought with officers when they arrived to arrest him. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 23-year-old Joseph Randall Bakewell at a home in the 400-block of West Harbeck Road on Saturday at 7:55 p.m.. Police said Bakewell violated a no-contact order protecting his mother when he entered her residence due to a prior case involving domestic violence. After acting in a manner that threatened his mother, he secured himself in a bathroom and refused to submit to lawful detention and arrest. According to the report, Bakewell intentionally used physical force to resist arrest. During the encounter, he tried to assault uniformed officers by wildly thrashing and kicking toward them. He also utilized a detached showerhead to drench two officers with water during the incident. A Taser was deployed to subdue him. Bakewell was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. He was medically cleared and then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest, Domestic Harassment and Contempt of Court. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two people for felony drug trafficking after a weekend welfare check in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers contacted 39-year-old John Thomas Steel, II, and 27-year-old McKayla Nicole Harris in a silver hatchback parked in the 800-block of SE 8th Street on Saturday around 10:30 p.m.. Police said they were alerted to a man and woman laying over in the car with some items on the roof of the vehicle. They initially contacted Steel and discovered that he was wanted on a Medford felony warrant for Aggravated 1st-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Burglary. He had a glass pipe and admitted to the use of fentanyl. A consent search of the car uncovered greater quantities of fentanyl, a scale and a large sum of money. A search of Harris's purse revealed more fentanyl, a scale, a glass pipe and a small amount of methamphetamine. She confessed that she and Steel sell and trade fentanyl. They were placed into custody and all the narcotics and paraphernalia were seized as evidence and for eventual destruction. Steel was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Felony Possession and Delivery of Fentanyl. Harris was jailed for Possession and Delivery of Fentanyl as well as Methamphetamine Possession. Both were being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for impaired driving and more after she was caught operating a vehicle with five juvenile passengers inside early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a Honda sedan driven by 34-year-old Deanna Marie Price at the A-1 Market & Deli at 7th and B streets on Sunday around 1 a.m.. Police said a man had driven Price and the young passengers to a concert in Medford. They said he was the designated driver for the group and when they returned to Grants Pass, a highly-intoxicated Price jumped into the Honda and drove away with the juveniles in order to attend a party in the Merlin area. The unidentified man called 9-1-1 because Price was obviously impaired when she drove away. Officers searched the city until they located the suspect and her car. She displayed strong signs of impairment and a consent search revealed her to be in possession of brass knuckles with a spring-loaded knife. They also discovered that she had prior felony convictions before she was placed into custody. Price was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and five counts of Reckless Endangering. She was being held without bail and her car was impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for "dining and dashing" from a downtown restaurant over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a reported theft from Taqueria Mexico on SE H Street on Saturday at about 7:30 p.m.. Police said the restaurant manager reported that a female subject later identified as 29-year-old Kalissa Amy Rocha ordered and consumed $92.25 worth of food and beverages before leaving the business without paying. The manager followed the suspect while talking to dispatchers and directed officers to Wells Fargo Bank. That's where officers placed Rocha into custody when she admitted that she did not have any money and never intended to pay for the meal. Rocha was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft.