Local News

The Oregon State Marine Board has opened rulemaking for the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County. The Marine Board asked staff to schedule a local meeting in early October to hear invited testimony with representatives from all sides and to have an open public comment period for anyone interested in participating in the process. The Board will consider the information they receive at the public meeting on whether to pursue a rule for boat operations on the Upper Rogue at its October 23rd quarterly meeting. If the Board approves a new rule, there will be an additional public comment period on the proposed rule language between the end of October and the January 2025 quarterly meeting. For the meeting replay link, detailed PowerPoint presentations and other materials, visit the Oregon State Marine Board's Public Meetings Page.

 

Jackson County Vector Control reports West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected on July 23rd in northwest Central Point. It's the first West Nile virus detection in Jackson County this year. In August 2023, the virus was identified in 10 mosquito samples. The mosquitoes were collected by the Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program. Residents are advised to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should consult their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms -- especially in people over 50 years of age with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Health care providers can contact the Jackson County Health Department for information on West Nile virus. Testing is available at private laboratories. The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated farm animals. Horse owners should get their animals vaccinated for West Nile virus. Horses with neurologic disease should be examined by a veterinarian. The Jackson County Vector Control District suggests several steps to protect against mosquitoes.

 

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $17.3 million to the state under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP grant program funds airport infrastructure projects such as improvements to runways, taxiways, passenger boarding bridges,, airport signage, airport lighting and airport markings to strengthen the nation's aviation infrastructure. By far the largest recipient of AIP funding is the Portland International Airport, which will receive over $7.7 million. The Bend Municipal Airport will receive $3.75 million and the Roseburg Regional Airport will get over $2.1 million. The Grants Pass Airport is the only airfield in Josephine and Jackson counties to receive AIP funding. The airport near Merlin will get $274,180 for unspecified infrastructure improvements. Wyden said Oregon airports play a key role in emergency response along with their everyday reliability for medical supplies, passenger travel and moving small business products. He said he's gratified that these airports have secured federal funding that will enable them to achieve these goals more safely and effectively.

 

The Salvation Army in Grants Pass is pleased to announce the appointment of Captains Taurean and Yohani Ortiz as its new Corps officers. Bringing a wealth of experience and a heartfelt dedication to service, the Ortiz family is ready to lead and inspire the community. Captain Yohani Ortiz hails from Honduras in Central America. Her journey to service began with personal challenges including the loss of her father and a move to California at the age of seven. During a particularly difficult Christmas, The Salvation Army provided gifts and food for her family, leaving a lasting impression of hope and kindness on her young heart. Born in Portland, Captain Taurean Ortiz experienced his first encounter with The Salvation Army when he received a Seattle Mariners plush teddy bear during a challenging period in his childhood. This simple act of compassion ignited his lifelong passion for service. The couple attended Crestmont College for Officership Training where they were commissioned and ordained as ministers.

 

The Grants Pass Nuggets AAA American Legion baseball team’s Cinderella run in the state tournament came to an end this afternoon when they lost to the Roseburg Doc Stewarts 9 to 8 in a game with several lead changes.

The Nuggets won a play in game over Dallas 6 to 2 to get into the championship tournament and then lost their 1st game to Eugene 6 to 2. Then in the loser’s bracket the Nuggets eliminated the Medford Mustangs yesterday with a 6 to 5 win at Swede Johnson Stadium in Eugene.

The Doc Stewarts next face either Portland or Eugene tomorrow in a game where the winner advances to the Championship on Wednesday.

 

The Oregon State Police jailed a man on an outstanding warrant containing felony marijuana charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Grants Pass late last week. OSP reports state troopers pulled over a Hyundai Palisade driven by a 42-year-old male subject in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 53 on Friday afternoon. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and quickly learned that the driver was wanted on a local felony warrant. Charges contained in the warrant included Felony Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana and two counts of Felony Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. According to OSP, the subject was cooperative while being taken into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and he was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for violating terms of his probation after a weekend trespassing complaint at a local church. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 50-year-old male subject at Parkway Christian Center off NE Beacon Drive on Sunday at 9:15 a.m.. Police said the man wandered onto the property prior to the start of church services and became verbally aggressive by screaming in people's faces. They said the situation started escalating when he started getting physical with church security. According to the report, the man's violent and tumultuous behavior caused public concern, so he was placed into custody and his corrections officer was contacted. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and the resulting Probation Violation related to previous arrests for Disorderly Conduct and Public Indecency. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on an outstanding felony warrant during a weekend incident in a southeast city neighborhood. According to the Police Department, officers were looking for the 51-year-old female subject when they located her abandoned vehicle near the intersection of SE Grandview Avenue and Sky Crest Drive on Sunday shortly after 1 a.m.. Police said the subject was not there, but a short time later they learned that she was involved in a disturbance at a nearby apartment complex. Officers responded and located the woman who was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation. The related conviction for unspecified crimes occurred in 2021. The woman had sustained injuries when she was bitten by a dog on Saturday evening, so she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment. After being medically cleared at the hospital, the suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and she was being held on a no-bail detainer. The dog that bit her was reportedly hurt in a fight with another dog on Saturday night.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for violating his post-prison supervision while investigating a weekend report of suspicious activity near the shopping center. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a citizen report of two people sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex on NE Victoria Street on Friday at 10:20 p.m.. Police said an apartment occupant called 9-1-1 to report a dark-colored sedan containing two people that was parked behind their patio door for 90 minutes. The caller requested they be contacted and warned for trespassing. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the vehicle occupants, including a 30-year-old man who was found to be wanted on a Marion County warrant for failing to appear in court for shoplifting. The man -- who was determined to be a convicted felon -- was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.