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Crews Continue Mop-Up & Prepare to Transition Command of Board Shanty Fire

Crews on the Board Shanty Fire south of Grants Pass continued mop-up operations along all sides of the fire as they work to cool the perimeter with water until heat is removed. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 reported last night that the fire was 469 acres with 14% containment. However, Watch Duty reported the fire was 474 acres with 20% containment. ODF Team 3 is preparing to hand off the incident to a local incident management team. The new team will shadow Team 3 today and take command of the incident on Wednesday morning. On Monday, crews mopped up 100 feet toward the interior of the fire along the entire line and up to 200 feet in some areas. Work continues to push further toward the center of the fire, bolstering the strength of the lines. Josephine County Zones JCU-436, JCU-437 and JCU-448-A are now under a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. All other evacuations have been lifted. Incident resources yesterday totaled 809 personnel including 31 hand crews, 35 engines, 14 water tenders, 12 bulldozers and 12 helicopters. Aviation assets helped extinguish hot spots within the fire and remain on station for initial attack. Unless things change significantly on the Board Shanty Fire, there will be no more evening updates provided by ODF -- although morning updates will continue.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Incarcerated Pair Involved in Weekend Case of Domestic Violence in CJ

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed two people who were involved in a weekend case of domestic violence in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident at a home in the 200-block of Schumacher Street late Saturday night. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she was shoved down and items were being destroyed by a man identified as 45-year-old Jerry Laurence Teixeira. He reportedly was assisted in the fight with his sister-in-law by a woman identified as 33-year-old Kylia Madison Cooper. According to the report, Teixeira not only destroyed property in the residence -- he also broke the front door so it wouldn't shut. There was a great deal of damage, but no one was seriously hurt. Both suspects struggled with deputies while being placed into custody. Teixeira -- who was hobbled for deputy safety -- was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Probation Violation. He was held on a no-bail detainer. Cooper -- who was placed in a body wrap for the ride to Grants Pass -- was lodged in jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. She was also being held without bail.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Weekend Domestic Violence Incident on SE Grandview

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for a domestic violence incident in the southeast part of the city last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Gerald L. Proffit for the incident in the 800-block of SE Grandview Avenue late Saturday night. Police said Proffit and a woman were involved in a physical altercation when he threw a fan at her and struck her while she was in the bathroom of the home. They said the woman went to grab her purse in the hallway when Profitt shoved her to the floor and pushed an electric scooter at her. He then struck her with his fists and kicked her while she was down before dragging her into the dining room. Upon arrival, officers noted the female victim had bruises, abrasions, small cuts and lacerations from the altercation -- but she refused medical attention. A broken fan was located in the bathroom and blood was located on the wall as well as on Profitt's T-shirt. He was immediately placed into custody. Profitt was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and he was being held without bail. The victim was provided with a domestic violence resource card and left in the care of a friend.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:37AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Snared Man for Outlandish Behavior on West Harbeck Road

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for his outlandish behavior in the south part of the city last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a requested welfare check involving 28-year-old William Gene Bruhnsen-Studzinski in the 800-block of West Harbeck Road on Sunday at 6:15 p.m.. Police said Bruhnsen-Studzinski was observed going on random residential properties, knocking on doors, messing with items and crossing into traffic. He was contacted in a church parking lot, warned for his behavior and advised that any more calls would result in his arrest. It didn't take very long. Bruhnsen-Studzinski immediately crossed the street in front of a patrol vehicle and was placed into custody for intentionally obstructing vehicle traffic. Bruhnsen-Studzinski was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was held without any scheduled bail.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Stealing ID Reader from SE City Watering Hole

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing an identification reader from a southeast city watering hole last weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint at Flespy's Bar & Grill on Fruitdale Drive on Saturday night. Police said the bar manager called 9-1-1 to report that 55-year-old Jeffrey Raymond Shields had been observed on surveillance video grabbing an ID reader valued at $995 and leaving the business. The incident occurred early Saturday morning and the manager called when Sheets returned to the bar that evening. Upon arrival, officers contacted Shields who admitted to taking the reader and throwing it in the blackberry bushes near Flespy's. However, officers were initially unable to locate the stolen item. Shields was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. It was unclear in the report if the stolen ID reader was ever found.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

BLM to Offer Up to 54 Million Board Feet of Western Oregon Timber This Week

The Bureau of Land Management will offer several timber sales this week, totaling about 54 million board feet from nearly 1,900 acres across western Oregon. Timber produced by these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries plus support jobs across local economies. The Roseburg District will offer two sales near Oakland in Douglas County -- the Mean Mustard and Sternbreaker timber sales. The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 10 a.m. today at the Roseburg District Office. The Medford District will offer the Big Dog Timber Sale near Butte Falls in Jackson County. The BLM will accept written and oral bids at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Medford District Office on Biddle Road. The Northwest Oregon districts in Salem and Springfield as well as the Coos Bay District will offer four additional timber sales from Wednesday through Friday. The BLM manages 2.4 million acres of some of the most productive forests in the world in western Oregon and is committed to supplying a reliable, secure and resilient domestic supply of timber.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:21AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon DOJ Consumer Hotline Warns of New Phone Number Transfer Scam

The Oregon Department of Justice's Consumer Hotline is warning Oregonians about a new scam involving unauthorized transfers of phone numbers to different wireless carriers. In the phone number "porting" cases reported, consumers receive unexpected text messages or emails saying their phone number was being moved to another provider. The message included a PIN and urged them to call their mobile carrier to "secure" their number. Unfortunately, when the consumer called their provider and shared the PIN, scammers were able to hijack their phone number. This caused service to be cut off and, in some cases, led to identity theft and financial loss. In one instance, a consumer discovered that their bank accounts had been accessed and money was stolen. This scam has impacted customers across multiple mobile phone carriers. The Oregon DOJ urges anyone who believes they've been targeted or affected to file a complaint at "oregonconsumer.gov." Scams are becoming more sophisticated, but staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Being Accepted for Seat on GP Public Safety Advisory Committee

Applications are being accepted for one position on the Grants Pass Public Safety Advisory Committee. This position will be for a three-year term. The Public Safety Advisory Committee serves as a collaborative platform for community engagement and guidance on public safety matters. The committee aims to bridge the gap between the community and City Council, ensuring that public safety strategies align with the needs and resources of the community. The special qualification or experience for this position is a citizen-at-large. 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 by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 15th. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Tuesday, August 19th. The appointment will be made by the Grants Pass City Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 3rd.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon Heritage Awarded Grants for SOU Plastic ID Study and Talent Town Hall

Oregon Heritage, a division of the state Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 20 grants totaling $300,000 for historic properties and archeology projects. Six of the grants were awarded in the "Diamonds in the Rough" category. This grant funds façade enhancements that restore the historic character of a property. The other 14 grants were in the "Preserving Oregon" category for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and archeology projects. Locally funded projects include a Southern Oregon University study to develop a plastic identification tool. Another local project is preservation of Talent Town Hall. Potential future projects include preservation of the Caretaker's Cottage at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. For more information about the grant program, please visit "oregonheritage.org."

Posted on 7/22/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Weekend Domestic Violence Incident on SE Grandview

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for a weekend domestic violence incident in the southeast part of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Gerald L. Proffit for the incident in the 800-block of SE Grandview Avenue on Saturday at 10:45 p.m.. Police said Proffit and a woman were involved in a physical altercation when he threw a fan at her and struck her while she was in the bathroom of the home. They said the woman went to grab her purse in the hallway when Profitt shoved her to the floor and pushed an electric scooter at her. He then struck her with his fists and kicked her while she was down before dragging her into the dining room. Upon arrival, officers noted the female victim had bruises, abrasions, small cuts and lacerations from the altercation -- but she refused medical attention. A broken fan was located in the bathroom and blood was located on the wall as well as on Profitt's T-shirt. He was immediately placed into custody. Profitt was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and he was being held without bail. The victim was provided with a domestic violence resource card and left in the care of a friend.

Posted on 7/21/25 10:54AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Woman for Assaulting Her Husband at SW Bridge Street Home

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for assaulting her husband at a southwest city residence late last week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Patricia Diane Gilbert for the incident in the 700-block of SW Bridge Street on Friday around 5:30 p.m.. Police said Gilbert's husband called 9-1-1 to report that his wife had punched in the face during an argument. They said the man told them his wife had threatened him recently and she was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. Upon arrival, officers noted redness and swelling on the victim's face so the suspect was placed into custody. Gilbert was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and she was being held without bail. Her husband refused medical treatment, but he was provided with a domestic violence victim's card.

Posted on 7/21/25 10:53AM by Sam Marsh

Police Snared Felon for Weapon and Narcotics Crimes near GP Shopping Center

Police arrested a felon for weapon and drug crimes during a weekend encounter near the Grants Pass Shopping Center -- and he may be facing additional charges. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 42-year-old Joshua Francis Pitts in a vehicle parked in the 900-block of NE D Street on Saturday at 4:15 a.m.. Police said they observed in plain sight a water bong used to smoke narcotics and a loaded syringe. A consent search of the vehicle revealed the suspect to be in possession of methamphetamine and seven restricted weapons. Also found were burglary tools and clothing which matched a suspect in several recent burglaries. Pitts was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for seven counts of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Methamphetamine Possession. Additional charges were pending the continuing investigation.

Posted on 7/21/25 10:51AM by Sam Marsh

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