Local News

Five people were able to escape with only minor injuries after their house caught fire in the Jerome Prairie area last night. On Sunday at 6:25 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the reported structure fire on Sleepy Hollow Loop. Rural Metro officials said arriving units found the home well-involved with fire, with everyone out and accounted for. Unfortunately, one pet dog did not survive. Officials said injuries were mostly from broken glass as family members escaped out a window. They were evaluated by AMR medics and released at the scene. According to Rural Metro, an investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing with assistance from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

 

One person was injured yesterday when two vehicles collided in the Merlin area. Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash at the intersection of Merlin Road and Jaime Lane on Sunday around 1:45 p.m.. Rural Metro officials said it took firefighters about 15 minutes to remove the roof of an overturned pickup blocking the intersection so they could remove the driver. Once freed, the driver claimed not to be injured and turned down an ambulance trip to the hospital. However, the driver of the other vehicle that ended up in the ditch was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center with minor injuries. The Sheriff's Office was investigating the cause of the collision.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for assaulting his girlfriend in the Wilderville area late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 300-block of Fir Canyon Road on Friday morning. Deputies said they received a call from a woman who reported her 31-year-old boyfriend hit her in the face. The victim initially was not sure whether she needed an ambulance, but she later declined medical transport to the hospital. Sheriff's records show there had been one other domestic incident at that address. According to the report, the woman told dispatchers she was safe because her boyfriend was asleep in the other room. That's where he was placed into custody. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for crashing into a fence along Interstate 5 and fleeing the scene late last week. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident in the 2400-block of NW Vine Street on Friday afternoon. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a tan soft-top Jeep went onto the embankment between Vine Street and I-5, taking out two sections of ODOT fence and causing heavy damage. The caller followed the suspect vehicle and witnessed it turning into Legacy RV Park on Monument Drive. Officers obtained video surveillance from Cascade Self Storage and were able to identify the driver as "Peter Bishop." They contacted him at the RV park and he admitted to driving into the embankment. There were no signs of impairment. Bishop was cited to appear in court for Reckless Driving. Charges of Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and Criminal Mischief were referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. ODOT was notified of the property damage.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to at least two motor vehicle accidents over the weekend. On Friday at 3:50 p.m., IVFD and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 3700-block of Holland Loop Road. Upon arrival, units discovered a vehicle had collided with a tree. The occupant was not injured and they told deputies they lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid a dog in the roadway. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicle and hauled it to Cave Junction. On Saturday at 1:50 p.m., IVFD crews responded to a single-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Holland Loop Road and Hays Cutoff Road. IVFD officials said the vehicle went off the roadway and into a vineyard, causing minimal damage. The driver was not hurt and they arranged for their own towing.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will hold an Unhoused Services Discussion with several local agencies during its workshop session today. The City Council will ask each agency questions regarding Measuring Success, Mental Health and Treatment, Collaboration and Support, and Future Needs and Goals. Each agency will have four minutes to respond to each question. The agencies include Gospel Rescue Mission, Hearts With a Mission, Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT), OnTrack, Options for Southern Oregon, United Community Action Network (UCAN) and U-Turn for Christ. Following the discussion, the City Council will conclude the workshop with a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged another busy week of activity protecting the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 551 calls for service along with 388 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 27 arrests, 63 citations, 111 warnings and five highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 152 traffic stops and they made 18 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 190 potential troublemakers while warning 22 people. The CRT unit trespassed six individuals and removed trash from 53 transient campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 93 calls last week including 45 for emergency medical service, four reports of fire or smoke, 13 lift assists, four rescue situations and 13 assists to other agencies. Firefighters also performed 14 business inspections, led two public education/prevention programs, assisted the public seven times and properly installed four child car seats. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 959 emergency calls last week.

 

It appears the National Weather Service underestimated the winter storm that has hit the Southern Oregon region. The Winter Weather Advisory below 2,500 feet in Josephine, Jackson and eastern Curry counties remains in effect until 10 o'clock this evening. By 1:30 this afternoon, Grants Pass had up to three inches of snow on the ground and virtually all local schools had announced their students would be released early for their safety. That included District 7 as well as the Rogue River, Eagle Point, Ashland, Butte Falls and Pinehurst School Districts. Wet snow below 2,500 feet is expected to continue, with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and up to 6 inches near 2,500 feet. Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute in the Illinois Valley especially US Highway 199 and Caves Highway. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Visit "tripcheck.com" for updated road information.

 

The Southwest District of the Oregon Department of Forestry is recruiting for multiple positions for the upcoming fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties. ODF Southwest is seeking applicants for entry-level and experienced firefighters, dispatchers and detection specialists. There is a total of around 130 jobs available. These seasonal positions generally span from June through October. However, the duration may vary depending on conditions. Both Medford and Grants Pass offices are actively hiring, with benefits that include medical, dental and vision health coverage plus paid holidays as well as personal business, vacation and sick leave. The deadline to apply for all positions is February 28th -- but the first pull of applicants for review will begin February 6th, so applying early is encouraged. All jobs are listed on the ODF Southwest District website at "swofire.com."