Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for domestic violence after he assaulted his father during a physical altercation last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 32-year-old male subject for the incident on SW Central Avenue on Sunday at 11:22 a.m.. Police said the subject wrestled his father to the ground and got on top of him, hitting the man and breaking his glasses. They said the father was not seriously hurt and he declined medical treatment. According to the report, the suspect caused physical injury to his father, resulting in a mandatory arrest. The suspect was placed in handcuffs and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a California man for stealing a semi-truck and trailer from his employer during a weekend traffic stop on Interstate 5 in the North Valley area. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Peterbilt tractor-trailer rig driven by a 23-year-old Los Angeles man in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 61 on Sunday at 2:35 a.m.. Troopers said they spotted the stolen commercial vehicle and were able to conduct a traffic stop on the freeway just past the Merlin Exit. The driver admitted to taking the semi-truck and trailer without the owner's consent because of a disagreement regarding pay. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two felony counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He was being held without bail. The stolen vehicles were towed by Star Towing to their secure yard.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on an outstanding warrant after she tried to sell some stolen jewelry to a downtown pawn shop late last week. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the incident at Cash Connection on SW 6th Street on Friday. Police said a 36-year-old female subject attempted to pawn some jewelry that an employee believed was stolen. They said the woman fled the store when he called law enforcement. She was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for a weapon offense and what they called "violent tendencies." The suspect was located later in the day at the former Spalding Mill on the east side of the city. She fled on foot from officers and decided to cool off by jumping into the pond on the edge of the property. She was eventually convinced to climb out of the pond and she was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and she may face new charges if the jewelry she tried to sell is identified as stolen.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for breaking into a vehicle at a city park last weekend. The Police Department reports officers contacted the female subject during a Sunday afternoon patrol check at Riverside Park. Police said they could hear a woman yelling "Get out of my car!" The woman advised she observed another woman reach into the driver-side window of her Chrysler minivan and grab a black-beaded rosary from her gear shift. The victim pointed officers to a female in a black dress walking south through the park. According to the report, the suspect initially refused to identify herself, but officers identified her and located the stolen rosary around her ankle. A witness at the scene told officers that she made the rosary for the theft victim. The 46-year-old suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and 3rd-Degree Theft.

 

The Central Point Command of the Oregon State Police has received multiple reports of citizens receiving calls from individuals impersonating state troopers. OSP wants to remind the public that the law enforcement agency does not ask for bank account information, credit card information or any other form of payment information required to complete a financial transaction via phone call. In addition to account information, OSP investigators will not request personal information required to access financial institutions. Please remind your loved ones and those vulnerable to these types of scams that law enforcement will not attempt to resolve arrest warrants by financial payment -- especially over the phone. Never provide any sort of financial payment via phone to avoid an arrest, whether for yourself or a family member. While investigators face significant challenges in locating and arresting suspects related to these scams, incidents may be reported to the local police agency in which a resident lives.

 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended an Air Quality Advisory affecting parts of Jackson County due to wildfire smoke. According to DEQ, the advisory affecting northern Jackson County is expected to last until at least Wednesday afternoon. Also affected are northern Klamath County, Lake County, Deschutes County and northern Harney County. DEQ expects intermittent smoke until at least Wednesday afternoon in southern Jackson County, eastern Douglas County, eastern Lane County, southern Grant County and Hood River County. Josephine County is not included in the advisory. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Smoke can irritate eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung disease. Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high. Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it's too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.

 

The Josephine County Fair Board has created a master plan for the Fairgrounds that was on display in the center of the Commercial Building at last week's fair. In 2017, the Fair Board recognized the need for a Master Plan to determine priorities for making improvements to aging facilities and utilities to assure the Fairgrounds would continue to serve the community for generations to come. In 2019, the design team of PLACE and Gerlitz Engineering Consultants began to develop a comprehensive 15-year Master Plan. Presentations were made to business leaders, county and city administration, and many others. Input was gathered as well. In 2021, the Josephine County Fairgrounds & Event Center Master Plan was adopted by the Fair Board and endorsed by the Board of Commissioners. It reflects the vision of the Fair Board and the community while providing an analysis of current and future needs of the facilities, programs and services as well as an implementation strategy and budgets. In 2023, the Friends of the Josephine County Fairgrounds, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, agreed to partner with the Fairgrounds to attempt to find funding sources through grants and donations.

 

Event organizers are preparing for the 21st Annual Art Along the Rogue Festival in downtown Grants Pass on October 4th, 5th and 6th. Organizers are currently accepting applications for volunteer artists for the popular street chalk art and music festival. The theme this year is "Unsolved Mysteries" such as Bigfoot, Area 51, DB Cooper or other mysteries that inspire artists. Plenty of 10-foot-by-10-foot and 8-foot-by-8-foot volunteer spaces are available, with applications being accepted until 5 p.m. on September 8th. Applications for vendors and sponsors are also open. There are more than 60 spaces available. Since its conception in 2003, Art Along the Rogue has become one of Grants Pass' premier community events. It's one of the state's leading street chalk and music festivals, attracting thousands of visitors to River City every autumn. For more information, contact James Conway with the Grants Pass Economic Development Department at (541)-450-6071.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an Illinois Valley man for violating a court order by allegedly harassing his estranged wife late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1600-block of Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien on Friday afternoon. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report her husband showed up at her house yelling and being "nasty." The caller advised that she has a valid restraining order protecting her from the 40-year-old man whom law enforcement has flagged for carrying knives and other weapons on his person. According to the report, the subject starting calling and texting his estranged wife and daughter before arriving at the residence where a young child was also present. Upon arrival, deputies found the suspect's vehicle parked in front of the gate to the property. After confirming the court order, the suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.