Local News

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man for drugged driving this week after he caused a motor vehicle accident on Redwood Highway in Kerby. OSP reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle crash on US Highway 199 near East 6th Street on Tuesday afternoon. Troopers said a 37-year-old motorist was driving a vehicle north on the highway when he collided with a southbound vehicle. The unidentified driver of the second vehicle was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. According to OSP, the Grants Pass man displayed signs of impairment at the scene, performed poorly in field sobriety tests and provided a negative breath sample. Impairment by narcotics was confirmed by a drug recognition specialist. The suspect was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was lodged for Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances. Both vehicles were damaged and towed to Cave Junction.

 

During the holiday season, many items and gifts bought online for Christmas will sit exposed on doorsteps and porches until brought inside. This creates a perfect opportunity for "porch pirates" to steal those unattended packages. Christmas is a notorious time for "porch pirates" to strike -- but delivered items can be stolen anytime, not just the holiday season. As online sales have skyrocketed, so have package thefts. According to Forbes Home, nearly 40% of Americans had a package stolen in 2023 -- and 115 million packages valued at an estimated $9 billion were stolen last year. If you suffer a costly loss -- or damage to your home due to a theft -- homeowners or renters insurance may help you recover from the loss. But it's also a good to follow some simple steps to help protect your home and deliveries from these opportunistic thieves. Keep in mind that filing an insurance claim for a stolen package is subject to your deductible and may only be helpful if the stolen item's value is well above your deductible amount. You may also want to consider the impact filing a homeowners claim for a stolen package will have on your future premiums.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners -- minus former Chair John West -- took care of a large number of items during its final business session of 2024. Following a public hearing, the Board adopted a fee schedule for the Community Development Department that begins at the start of next year. The new fee schedule was tabled on November 27th after the bulk of the new fees were approved, but a universal fee funding code enforcement and administration was questioned. Community Development Director Mark Stevenson testified that he was concerned about the elimination of the universal fee that had provided about $134,000 annually over the past eight years. Under Administrative Actions, the Board approved the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Project Plan for Josephine Community Transit for 2025-2027. Transit Director Scott Chancey said he will submit the plan to the state for funding. In other business, the Board approved a purchase and sale agreement with Ireland Investments for a county-owned property on Caves Camp Road, a personal service contract between Josephine County Community Corrections and Options for Southern Oregon, and an intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Corrections that will provide additional state funding for treatment services.

 

Grants Pass residents will be paying more for city utilities at the start of next year. On January 1st of each year, City of Grants Pass utility rates are subject to a cost-of-living increase which is determined by the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The rate increase beginning January 1st, 2025, is 3.02%. All city service rates in Grants Pass -- except the Water Treatment Plant Replacement Fee -- will be assessed. The increase will start with bills generated in January. A comprehensive list of the 2025 rates will be available on the city's website at "grantspassoregon.gov" no later than January 1st. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Grants Pass Customer Service office at (541)-450-6035. Utility billing specialists are available to help you Monday through Friday -- excluding holidays -- from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. You can also send your questions by email to "cstsrvc@grantspassoregon.gov."

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and The Home Depot invite the community to view beautifully decorated storefronts and then vote for their favorites. While taking in the holiday sights, be sure to patronize these local businesses. We are very fortunate to feature so many unique shops featuring one-of-a-kind gifts. Public voting in the Holiday Window Decorating Contest will continue through December 30th. For more information, call the Chamber at (541)-476-7717 or send an email to "cswafford@grantspasschamber.org."

 

Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night on Rogue River Highway in southeast Grants Pass. The Grants Pass Police Department received multiple calls reporting shots being fired in the 1400-block of Highway 99 on Tuesday around 9:30 p.m.. Grants Pass police officers immediately responded to the scene and located several bullet casings in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The suspect or suspects had fled before the arrival of law enforcement. Due to the seriousness of the shooting, Grants Pass police detectives and the Chief Deputy District Attorney for Josephine County conducted the initial investigation. It was determined that multiple gunshots were fired at occupied apartments, but no persons were struck by bullets. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab collected numerous items of evidence from the scene. The investigation continues with additional assistance from the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, OSP, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE), and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The suspect or suspects in this case should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information or video of this incident should contact the Grants Pass Police Department at (541)-450-6260.

 

The Josephine Board of Commissioners -- minus former Board Chair John West -- took care of a large number of items during its weekly business session this morning. Following a public hearing, the Board adopted a fee schedule for the Community Development Department that begins at the start of 2025. The new fee schedule was tabled on November 27th after the bulk of the new fees were approved, but a universal fee funding code enforcement and administration was questioned. Community Development Director Mark Stevenson testified that he was concerned about the elimination of the universal fee that had provided about $134,000 annually over the past eight years. Under Administrative Actions, the Board approved the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Project Plan for Josephine Community Transit for 2025-2027. Transit Director Scott Chancey said he will submit the plan to the state for funding. In other business, the Board approved a purchase and sale agreement with Ireland Investments for a county-owned property on Caves Camp Road, a personal service contract between Josephine County Community Corrections and Options for Southern Oregon, and an intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Corrections that will provide additional state funding for treatment services. After testimony from representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Board did not approve a collective bargaining agreement, a non-union policy decision or policy manual amendments for administration and personnel. Those issues will be decided in the near future. Outgoing Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and Andreas Blech closed the final meeting of 2024 by bidding farewell and stating that it has been honor to serve the citizens of Josephine County.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man early today for allegedly breaking into a northeast-city apartment and forcefully stealing a bicycle late last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested 45-year-old Jeffrey Brian Madden for the incident in the 100-block of NE A Street at 12:22 this morning. Police said the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call from the apartment around 11 p.m. Tuesday when dispatchers overhead a man and woman yelling at each other. A female voice was heard yelling to give back her items and a male voice was heard threatening to kick the woman. Dispatchers also heard things being slammed around the apartment along with pounding and grunting. Upon arrival, officers determined that Madden had used force to enter the unit by kicking down the door and causing about $800 in damage. Once inside, the suspect ransacked the apartment and stole a Schwinn bicycle valued at $1,000. The victim tried to stop the suspect who shoved him down and threatened to kill him. Police located Madden with the stolen bike a short time later and placed him into custody. Upon arrival at the Josephine County Jail, officers located a pipe in the patrol car with white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Madden was lodged in jail on felony charges of 1st-Degree Burglary, 3rd-Degree Robbery and 1st-Degree Theft along with misdemeanor charges of 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman yesterday for interfering with an American Medical Response technician who was attempting to help her elderly mother at a residence near Murphy. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 68-year-old Pamela LaVigne Borba at a home in the 5200-block of Williams Highway on Tuesday at 4:20 p.m.. Deputies said AMR had responded to assist an 85-year-old woman who had shown signs of severe illness early yesterday. Borba had reportedly left the residence and her mother called 9-1-1 while she was away. She returned and was combative. According to the report, Borba struck an AMR technician in the face and arms before fleeing the scene in a Honda Accord and then returning to the residence. Responding deputies contacted the woman and gathered enough evidence to develop probable cause for arresting her. Borba was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted 3rd-Degree Assault. She was being held without bail.