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GP Police Arrested Man for Meth Possession in Gilbert Creek Park Bleachers

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for narcotics possession after he was caught doing drugs at a northwest city park yesterday. The Police Department reports officers observed a group of people sitting in the softball field bleachers at Gilbert Creek Park on NW Hawthorne Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. Monday. Police said they spotted a 32-year-old male subject with a glass pipe that had a burning white crystal substance that was consistent in color and texture with methamphetamine. The substance was tested and proved positive for meth. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 9/3/24 10:33AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man Who Tried to Elude Officers and Crashed Car into Rogue

Grants Pass Police jailed a man wanted on statewide and out-of-state warrants after he tried to elude officers and crashed into the Rogue River at Baker Park. The Police Department reports officers arrested 41-year-old Jesse Lee Cox after he was fished out of the river on Sunday at 4:14 p.m.. Police said they observed a black Ford Escape traveling on East Park Street, with the driver -- later identified as Cox -- looking through his side-view mirror at the patrol vehicle numerous times. They said he failed to signal at least two times, so an officer activated his emergency overhead lights to initiate a traffic stop. Cox failed to yield, sped away at about 60 miles per hour and a short pursuit was initiated. The suspect turned into Baker Park at a high rate of speed and never attempted to slow down as he jumped the curb and landed in the river. There were five people on the riverbank at the time who were placed in extreme danger. According to the report, Cox continued to flee from law enforcement by trying to swim in the river. However, a Josephine County marine deputy responded and placed him into custody. The car was removed from the river by Goodfellas Towing and impounded. DEQ officials were alerted to a small oil slick. Turns out Cox was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation and a Shasta County, California, warrant for Felony Probation Violation. He was lodged in jail on the warrants plus Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Reckless Driving, five counts of Reckless Endangering and Aggravated Driving While Suspended. He was being held on three no-bail detainers.

Posted on 9/3/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Well-Known Offender for Bike Theft and Narcotics Possession

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known criminal offender after he stole a mountain bike and was found with narcotics last weekend. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the bicycle theft at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Sunday at 8:47 a.m.. Police said the owner of the specialized mountain bicycle had taken the front wheel off the bike while he was in the store for about 45 minutes. As he exited the store, he discovered his bike, water bottle, air pump and pouch valued at $500 was gone. Video surveillance showed a man whom GPPD identified as 43-year-old Donn Reeves Fincher had stolen the bike from the rack at WinCo. He was located a short time later at O'Reilly Auto Parts, but he would not admit to the theft or the location of the bicycle. A consent search found the suspect to be in possession of a glass pipe with a white powdery substance later identified as methamphetamine. Fincher was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for probable cause of 2nd-Degree Theft and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail. The stolen bicycle was found later in the day near the intersection of East Park Street and Clara Avenue. It was placed in safekeeping until the owner could be notified of its recovery.

Posted on 9/3/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared IV Man Wanted on Outstanding Warrant at O'Brien Residence

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended an Illinois Valley man who was wanted on an outstanding warrant in O'Brien last weekend. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested the 33-year-old male subject at a home in the 700-block of Lone Mountain Road on Sunday at 2:27 p.m.. Deputies said they responded to a complaint from the subject's mother who stated her son was letting his dogs and children go into her vacation dwelling. She did not wish to pursue charges because there was no damage to the dwelling other than dog feces on the floor. She was upset and wanted assistance from law enforcement. During the investigation, deputies ran a records check on the son and discovered that he was wanted on a Klamath County Corrections warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for Felon in Possession of a Weapon. The subject was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. He was awaiting transfer to the jail facility in Klamath Falls.

Posted on 9/3/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed "Frequent Flyer" for Another Demonstration of Bad Behavior

Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" for yet another demonstration of bad behavior last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the reported incident at Booth Street Storage on Sunday around 9:40 p.m.. Police said 31-year-old Whitney Ann Word was called in for throwing rocks at the exterior of business's office building. They contacted her and found her to be way too impaired by a narcotic stimulant to properly care for herself. She was told she was under arrest, but she walked away and resisted being placed into custody. During a consent search, the suspect was found to be in possession of a glass pipe containing a white crystal residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. It was seized for destruction. Word was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest and Possession of Meth. Her belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping and she was trespassed from the storage facility, which sustained little or no damage.

Posted on 9/3/24 5:56AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Woman for Drug Possession in Contact near City Campsite

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for drug possession following a weekend contact near the designated camping property at the new water treatment plant. According to the Police Department, officers contacted the 45-year-old female subject and a male companion in the 700-block of SE J Street on Sunday shortly after 2 p.m.. Police said they contacted the pair after stopping their vehicle for impeding traffic approximately 100 yards from the main entrance to the campsite for the unhoused population. They said they could see a methamphetamine pipe next to the woman's seat. The subject denied the pipe belonged to her, but a search of the vehicle located a small plastic baggy with the pipe and both tested positive for meth. She was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. Her male companion was warned for the traffic violation.

Posted on 9/3/24 5:55AM by Sam Marsh

GP Parks Staff Begins Process of Shutting Down Caveman Pool for Off-Season

Grants Pass Parks has begun the process of closing Caveman Pool for the off-season. The process includes draining the pool, flushing chemical lines, winterizing drinking fountains and showers, and securing outdoor furniture. Staff replaced three damaged restroom sink faucets at different park locations with new, more durable units to improve facilities and reduce water waste. Additionally, staff have been applying herbicides to manage and control invasive plant species including Japanese Knotweed, following all state regulations and best practices. Last week, the City of Grants Pass introduced the new MOVMNT play feature at Eckstein Park on SE Portola Drive. This electronic game tests agility and speed, offering a single- or multi-player experience. City officials said this location was chosen due to space constraints for a traditional play structure, ensuring families in the the Portola neighborhood still have a play element in their local park.

Posted on 9/3/24 5:53AM by Sam Marsh

USFS Issues Update on Release of Draft EIS for Amendment to Northwest Forest Plan

The US Forest Service is informing partners, collaborators and the public that the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the amendment to the Northwest Forest Plan -- initially anticipated at the end of August -- is now expected in October. When released, the draft EIS will be published in the Federal Register, which will start a 90-day public comment period allowing all interested parties to provide input on the proposed amendment. The Forest Service is amending the Northwest Forest Plan to address changed conditions with a focus on five key areas: wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, tribal inclusion, sustainable communities, and conservation of old growth ecosystems and related biodiversity. The agency is committed to preserving elements of the plan that are working while incorporating the latest science to help forests adapt to social, economic, cultural and ecological changes. The Northwest Forest Plan covers 24.5 million acres of federally-managed lands in Oregon, Washington and California. It was established in 1994 to address threats to threatened and endangered species while also contributing to social and economic stability in the region. For more information, visit "fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/nwfp."

Posted on 9/3/24 5:49AM by Sam Marsh

"Secret" Timber Sale Auction Date Extended on the RR-Siskiyou National Forest

A timber sale that was scheduled for auction last week was recently extended until September 19th. The timber sale is named "Secret" and it's located on the Wild Rivers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. New Forest Supervisor Molly Juillerat said she decided to extend the auction in order to have additional time for an internal review. She said that will help her make a more informed decision, ensuring the project aligns with forest management goals. The Secret Timber Sale was authorized under the Upper Briggs Final Decision Notice, which was signed in August 2019. It is the fourth timber sale to be implemented under the Upper Briggs Environmental Analysis. The timber sale footprint is approximately 4,017 acres with 329 acres of treatment units that will generate 4.3 million board feet of timber. The sale is in the vicinity of Secret Creek and Secret Valley. The project's primary purpose is to create forest resiliency to fire and other natural disturbances as well as achieving long-term climate change objectives. Thinning activities include some cutting of large Douglas fir trees in order to release and promote the growth of other tree species that are more resilient to warmer temperatures.

Posted on 9/3/24 5:38AM by Sam Marsh

National Weather Service Posts Heat Advisory for SW Oregon and NW California

Residents in southwest Oregon and northwest California should prepare for what is likely going to be the last big heatwave of the summer. The National Weather Service has posted a Heat Advisory that runs from midday Wednesday through Friday night. High temperatures of 100 to 105 degrees are expected, which will be around 20 degrees above normal for this time of year. The Advisory is for Josephine, Jackson, central Douglas and eastern Curry counties in Oregon and Siskiyou County in California. Affected cities include Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Cave Junction, Merlin, Rogue River, Gold Hill, Applegate, Shady Cove, Canyonville and Roseburg. Weather experts warn hot temperatures combined with high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors -- especially the elderly. Never leave young children or animals unattended in vehicles, which can heat up to 20 degrees above the outdoor temperature.

Posted on 9/3/24 5:36AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Allegedly Beating Up Girlfriend at Jaynes Drive Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for allegedly beating up his girlfriend early yesterday at a rural residence south of Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 52-year-old male subject for the incident in the 800-block of Jaynes Drive on Sunday at 9:17 a.m.. Deputies said they responded to a 9-1-1 call from a man who advised he got a call from his brother's girlfriend stating that his brother was beating her up. The caller said his brother kneed the woman in the chest during an argument over car keys. The woman called 9-1-1 a short time later and she was having trouble breathing. She told dispatchers her 300-pound boyfriend put all his weight on her chest and she heard something crack. She called from the bathroom after locking the door. According to the report, medics checked out the victim who refused transport to the hospital. The suspect was placed into custody on the porch of the residence. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault, Strangulation and Menacing -- all constituting domestic violence. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 9/2/24 10:56AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Stealing Merchandise from WinCo Foods Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trying to steal a considerable amount of merchandise from an eastside supermarket over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting call at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Saturday shortly after 2 p.m.. Police said the 44-year-old female subject attempted to deprive WinCo of nearly $253 worth of grocery items by concealing them in her cart and passing all points of sale without paying. She was detained by loss prevention as she left the store. The subject reportedly admitted to stealing some of the items in her cart. She was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. Her paid-for items were placed inside her vehicle in the parking lot. Her dog was released to the care of Josephine County Animal Control.

Posted on 9/2/24 10:55AM by Sam Marsh

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