Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trespassing at a local bar and making a mess out of their bathroom. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the Lucky Lizard on Rogue River Highway at about 10:20 a.m. Thursday. Police said the bar manager called 9-1-1 to report the 37-year-old male subject had been in the bathroom for more than 30 minutes. The caller told dispatchers the man advised that he was constipated when told to leave and he refused to do so. According to the report, the subject severely clogged the toilet. The manager was very upset because he was not a paying customer and wanted him trespassed from all the company's locations in Grants Pass. The man was already wanted on a GPPD warrant for trespassing at the other businesses. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for a new charge of Criminal Trespass. He was also trespassed from the Lucky Lizard, River City Bar & Grill, Purple Parrot and Mario's.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two teenage boys and questioned another after they allegedly threw rocks at commercial vehicles passing through Sunny Valley on Interstate 5. According to OSP, state troopers responded to several reports of male juveniles throwing rocks at semis traveling in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 71 early yesterday. Troopers searched the area and located the young suspects who eventually confessed to the crimes. They also admitted to having done it on several other occasions. An investigation determined at least 10 truck drivers had reported damage to their mirrors and windshields totaling several thousand dollars. Two of the juveniles -- a 15-year-old Wolf Creek boy and a 13-year-old Sunny Valley boy -- were charged with Criminal Mischief and lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center. A 13-year-old Grants Pass boy was questioned, but he was not arrested.

 

Authorities were investigating a small wildfire that erupted in the Shan Creek area of Josephine County last night. Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a fire burning in brush and trees near the 500-block of Dutchy Way on Thursday at 9:21 p.m.. Rural Metro officials said the after-dark blaze presented only a moderate rate of spread and was easily contained. They said additional ODF resources were called in to finish mop-up overnight. It was halted at about a half-acre. Officials said the fire burned near an area that firefighters had visited on May 31st, which also involved about a half-acre and damaged a number of vehicles. The remote location with limited access for fire apparatus that day resulted in a suppression effort that lasted eight hours.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass man for roughing up a 3-year-old child to get him to be quiet and go to sleep. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested the 26-year-old male subject for the incident at a home in the 200-block of Jasmine Drive off Lower River Road on Wednesday. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night. Deputies said an investigation determined the subject placed his hand over a young child's mouth to stop him from crying while trying to put him to bed. The child tried to push the man's hand away, but was unable to do so. The subject grabbed the child's arm and shook him violently. According to the report, the little boy sustained multiple bruises with fingerprint welts to his face and arm. The child was tended to by medics, but it was unclear if he was taken to the hospital. The suspect was working in Medford at the time of the call. He agreed to drive back to Grants Pass and meet with a deputy, he admitted to the crime and was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Assault, Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mistreatment and Strangulation. The Oregon Department of Human Services was notified about the incident.

 

An Eagle Point man is in custody for threatening his family members this week. The Eagle Point Police Department reports officers responded to a report of a male subject threatening family members in the 400-block of Merlee Circle on Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses indicated the subject might be armed with a pistol. EPD officers were advised that 28-year-old Jacob Daniel Johnson is on probation and a stipulation of that probation is no contact with residents of that location. He had left on a bicycle before the arrival of law enforcement. Officers cleared the home as a precaution and then searched the area for the male transient. A short time later, family members reported that Johnson had returned to the home. When officers approached the house, his bike was in the garage while the only family member on scene exited the house and said he was inside. Officers set up a perimeter and made announcements requesting the subject exit the house. Several attempts were made to negotiate with Johnson and resolve the situation, but he did not comply. The homeowner granted permission for police to enter the residence and the suspect was placed into custody without incident. Johnson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for 1st-Degree Burglary, Menacing, Probation Violation and Interfering with a Police Officer. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for breaking into a barn and guest house in the Wilderville area this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the incident in the 3300-block of Cheney Creek Road on Wednesday afternoon. Deputies said the property owner called 9-1-1 to report a male subject had broken into his barn. The caller said he observed the incident on video surveillance and believed the subject was possibly under the influence of drugs. He had no vehicle. According to the report, the subject initially told the property owner that he lived in the guest house and was taking care of horses. He went in and out of the guest house several times. The door had been locked, but it was forced open. Upon arrival, deputies placed the 27-year-old suspect into custody. He was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Burglary, Attempted 1st-Degree Theft, 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

The sustained heatwave combined with extremely dry fuel conditions have prompted federal and state land managers to increase campfire restrictions on lands located within the boundaries of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Starting today, there is a complete prohibition on building, maintaining or using a fire. Charcoal briquettes also will not be permitted. Commercially produced stoves that use liquid fuel or propane are allowed. Cooking areas need to be naturally free of vegetation. All groups traveling on the river must have a shovel and a bucket. Smoking is only permitted while on watercraft on waterways or in areas that are on vegetation-free sand and gravel bars located between the river and the high-water mark. These restrictions will be in place through November, unless rescinded sooner. The wild section of the Rogue flows from Grave Creek to the mouth of Watson Creek. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry. The BLM administers the stretch of river between Grave Creek and Marial where ODF Southwest provides initial attack for fires. The Forest Service manages from Marial downriver to the mouth of Watson Creek.

 

Pacific Power is planning to conduct a series of inspections this month on transmission, distribution and substation facilities in Southern Oregon and Northern California using commercial drones. Company officials said the inspections are part of their ongoing efforts to ensure their electrical system is safe and reliable. They said the drones are specifically designed for powerline inspections. Officials said drones capture high resolution photos and infrared images that help identify any potential defects or problems with equipment in need of repair. Crews will use the drones to inspect facilities in Medford and Grants Pass as well as in Weed and Yreka, California, through July 31st. PacifiCorp serves over two million customers as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. For more information, visit "pacificorp.net."

 

Containment continues to increase on the Salt Creek Fire as firefighters push forward on mop-up operations across the incident in Jackson County. The Oregon Department of Forestry reported this morning that the wildfire burning between Eagle Point and Butte Falls was 3,990 acres with 24% containment. ODF officials said containment indicates the amount of line that has been mopped up, which strengthens and further secures that portion of the fire. The wildfire crossed a small section of line on the southwest corner of the incident last night, but firefighters were able to catch it an estimated two acres. Resources remained in that area this morning, mopping up and securing the fire-line. There is still potential for flare-ups especially in areas within the perimeter that still have unburned vegetation. Managers are watching closely for increased fire activity. A total of 750 personnel were assigned to the incident today including 27 20-person hand crews, backed by 19 engines, 12 water tenders, nine bulldozers and eight tree-fallers. Aircraft -- including helicopters and air tankers -- are available upon request. Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management remain in effect, but no structures or homes are threatened at this time. According to ODF, the estimated cost of fighting the Salt Creek Fire so far is $4.5 million. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.