Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted for crimes committed in northern California over the weekend in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 31-year-old male subject in the 1900-block of Laurel Road on Sunday at 5:44 p.m.. Deputies said they responded to a physical fight between two men at the home where one of them was armed with a gun and the other was armed with a knife. They said the two men are neighbors and no one was hurt after one of them was told by dispatchers to return to the inside of his house. Upon arrival, officers discovered that one of the combatants was wanted on a felony warrant issued by the Weed Police Department for failing to appear in court for Felon in Possession of Ammunition and Making a False Representation. After the warrant was confirmed, the man identified as "James Wilson" was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and was being held pending extradition to Weed.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for kicking in the front door of a residence near the downtown area last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call in the 200-block of SW Central Avenue late Saturday night. Police said a 65-year-old male subject was allowed to stay at the incident location for a few days, but he was kicked out by the homeowner after he started yelling that people were after him. The subject appeared to be impaired by narcotics, which caused to him to hallucinate that a mob was going to get him. The man refused to leave the premises and he began kicking the front door of the home until it broke. Arriving officers placed him into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and he was being held without bail.

 

A paraglider was seriously injured when he crashed into the south face of Mount Sexton early yesterday. On Monday at 9:25 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the mishap on the mountain north of Grants Pass. Rural Metro officials said the paraglider clipped some trees after launching from Mount Sexton and came down in an open area next to the access road leading to the communications and fire observation towers. Officials said the glider's injuries were serious, but they did not appear to be life-threatening. Friends of the unidentified patient were able to provide basic care until rescue crews arrived on scene. Rescue crews were assisted by an Oregon Department of Forestry supervisor. A Mercy Flights helicopter landed at the Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance yard next to Interstate 5 Exit 66 to transport the patient to the hospital.

 

Units from Rogue Valley Strike Team #1 were mobilized to a fire at Roseburg Forest Products in Medford late yesterday. On Monday afternoon, Medford Fire-Rescue responded to a three-alarm fire at the wood products manufacturer. It was upgraded to a fourth alarm and a total of 12 engines, two ladder trucks and six chiefs went to work. Rogue Valley Strike Team #1 is composed of Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Rural Metro Fire Department, Jackson County Fire District #1, Illinois Valley Fire District and Applegate Valley Fire District. Officials said the fire appears to have started in the mill's ventilation system. Crews worked for several hours to knock down the flames as well as pockets of fire located within the roof system. The local team was released at 10:30 p.m.. There were no injuries reported and the amount of damage was not disclosed. Officials said the cause of the fire was accidental and the specific origin is under investigation in cooperation with facility staff.

 

As local children return to school this week, emergency first responders say safety on the road becomes more important than ever. The Illinois Valley Fire District is sharing some tips to help keep everyone safe. Watch for school buses. Slow down and stop when the bus lights are flashing. Yield to pedestrians. Kids can be unpredictable. Keep an eye out at crosswalks and in school zones. Avoid distractions. Stay focused on the road, with no texting or multitasking behind the wheel. Plan your route. Expect more traffic during school hours. Give yourself extra time to avoid rushing around. IVFD officials said together, we can make this school year safe for everyone.

 

As the new school year begins this week, families have a limited window to secure essential food assistance through the new Summer EBT program. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. With the application deadline approaching on September 2nd, it's crucial for eligible families to act now. Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Department of Education are urging families to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, you have 122 days to use them. Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28th, if their households participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or are Oregon Health Plan members in households with incomes under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. However, families who did not receive benefits automatically should still apply to determine their eligibility. Families are encouraged to visit "sebt.oregon.gov" or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at 1-(833)-ORE-SEBT to verify their eligibility and apply.

 

The City of Grants Pass has announced that applications will open next month for rehabilitation and weatherization grants for low-income homeowners. The City of Grants Pass application period for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) runs from September 3rd through September 30th. The CDBG program is offered for city residents only and only for owner-occupied stick-built homes. Mobile homes, manufactured homes or rentals are not eligible. The grants must be used for repair and rehabilitation, weatherization, accessibility upgrades and/or lead delineation. Household income qualification standards are set at $45,300 for one person, $51,800 for two persons, $58,250 for three persons, $64,700 for four persons, $69,900 for five persons and $75,100 for six persons or more. The CDBG program allocates funds each year for these types of projects based on the annual award the city receives from the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency. The funds are limited, applications must meet the income level and not all repairs are eligible. Apply online at "grantspassoregon.gov" or you can pick up an application in the Community Development Department Office at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street. For more information, call Amber Neeck (541)-450-6060.

 

Applications are being accepted for two three-year appointments on the Grants Pass Housing Advisory Committee due to expiring terms. The Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) explores opportunities to facilitate the provision of housing for all income levels and it makes recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council. The HAC also promotes public awareness of housing resources and promotes public participation in identifying and addressing housing issues and needs. The City Council may authorize the HAC to conduct public hearings as specified in the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Citizen Participation Plan. Special qualifications for these positions are one representative from a financial institution or lender, and one representative who is a renter in the low- to moderate-income category. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 11th.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant at a local fast food restaurant late last week. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 31-year-old male subject at Carl's Jr. on NW 6th Street last Friday morning. Police said an officer spotted the subject at the fast food eatery and knew that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. He was taken into custody without incident and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested for violating his parole three times since March of this year.