Local News

A Murphy area man was jailed this week for a racially-motivated crime involving weapons. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a disturbance in the 100-block of Stanford Way on Monday night. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that a male subject came to her home brandishing a firearm and threatened her husband, telling him that he wanted to use his shotgun on him. The caller described the firearm as a handgun. She said she did not know the man and he walked away toward Williams Highway with his dog. Responding deputies located the man and found him with multiple firearms. The man stated that he is a neighbor to the female caller even though she claimed not to know him. Statements were taken from all parties and he was placed into custody. The 53-year-old suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of 1st-Degree Bias Crime, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Menacing and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. The guns were seized as evidence.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorcyclist for endangering his young daughter while riding recklessly just north of Grants Pass on Memorial Day. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a road rage incident in the 700-block of Granite Hill Road on Monday afternoon. Deputies said an off-duty police officer called 9-1-1 to report a motorcycle rider was trying to hit another vehicle and caused the other vehicle to crash. There were no injuries reported. The motorcyclist had his 4-year-old daughter in his lap. The 37-year-old suspect was riding a 2022 Harley Davidson and he was finally pulled over next to the Josephine County Courthouse on NW C Street. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Reckless Endangering and Reckless Driving. His motorcycle was picked up by a friend. The suspect's young daughter was picked up by her grandmother. She was not hurt, but deputies notified the girl's mother as well as the Oregon Department of Human Services.

 

The Josephine County District Attorney's Office is deciding whether to file charges against a Wolf Creek man who was caught driving a stolen vehicle when he was stopped by the Oregon State Police in Merlin this week. OSP reports troopers pulled over a 28-year-old man driving a GMC Sierra pickup on Merlin Avenue near Pleasant Valley Road on Monday afternoon. Troopers said they stopped the motorist for traffic violations and discovered that the truck had been stolen from the Portland International Airport on May 23rd. However, the vehicle theft had not been reported due to the owner traveling. According to the report, the investigation is continuing and no arrest was made. Charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and 1st-Degree Theft against the suspect were referred to the DA's Office for consideration. The stolen vehicle was towed to a local impound yard.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing call in a northwest neighborhood early yesterday and then arrested the caller for firing an antique gun to frighten the trespasser. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the trespass complaint at a home in the 300-block of NW Manzanita Avenue on Tuesday at 12:22 a.m.. Police said a 33-year-old man called 9-1-1 to report a male subject was standing on his property and would not leave. They said the caller retrieved a 1911 pistol from his bedroom and fired a bullet into a patch of grass about 10 feet from the subject. Officers said the subject fled the yard after the firearm was discharged and he was not located. Due to laws against discharging a firearm within Grants Pass city limits, the caller was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a felony charge of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for violating his post-prison supervision by stealing items from the north Dollar Tree store this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting call at the store on NW 6th Street on Monday night. Police said a 28-year-old male subject with a criminal conviction on his record was seen by a Dollar Tree worker stealing items. Officers arrived on scene and found the man eating out of several bags of candy and consuming a fruit drink. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft plus Felony Parole Violation stemming from a recent unspecified conviction. Jail records show the suspect has been arrested for violating his parole 10 times in the past year.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners should make quick work of a very light agenda for its weekly business session this morning. There are no public hearings, action items, presentations or proclamations on the agenda. There will be Requests and Comments from Citizens in which participants are given up to three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is encouraging Oregonians to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season by staying informed, having an emergency plan and packing a go-kit. People can find an evacuation checklist, "live" wildfire and evacuation maps, and wildfire preparedness and prevention tips at "wildfire.oregon.gov. OEM Director Erin McMahon said Oregon follows a three-level evacuation notification system structured around the readiness need and threat level. She said people should be familiar with the "Be Ready, Be Set, Go Now" evacuation levels and their meaning. Level One (green) means BE READY to evacuate. Be aware of the danger in your area and prepare to leave. Level Two (yellow) means BE SET to evacuate. There is significant danger in the area and people should be ready to leave with short notice. Level Three (red) means GO NOW. Leave immediately because there is extreme danger and it is unsafe to stay. People should also evacuate anytime they feel unsafe as conditions can change rapidly. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the 2024 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties will begin this Saturday, June 1st.

 

Multiple fire agencies from across Southern Oregon are participating in a wildland training exercise through Thursday in Merlin. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Rural Metro Fire Department are sponsoring the event, which is taking place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and tomorrow in the Acorn Street area and at the end of Ort Lane. The training event started Tuesday. Grants Pass Battalion Chief Brandon Rigaud said this training is crucial for preparing firefighters to respond effectively to real wildland fire emergencies. During the exercise, participants are practicing critical skills like construction of fire-line, hose deployment, "live" fire evolutions and communication. Rigaud said residents in the vicinity may see a small amount of smoke due to the "live" fire training exercises. He said fire engines and firefighters will be on scene throughout the training to ensure safety and control the fire.

 

The US Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Region will be waiving fees at most day-use recreation sites in national forests across Oregon and Washington this Saturday in celebration of "National Get Outdoors Day." National Get Outdoors Day aims to connect Americans with the great outdoors and inspire them to lead healthy, active lifestyles. By waiving fees on this day, the Forest Service hopes to encourage the public to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities available on their national forests. This fee waiver applies to day-use fees at trailheads, picnic areas, visitor centers and other recreation sites across the region's 17 national forests and grasslands. Other fees -- such as those for camping, cabin rentals or special permits -- will remain in effect. Sites operated by concessionaires may participate at their own discretion.