Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trespassing at a downtown business and leaving a big mess behind last night. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a complaint at GG Sugarplum's Bakery on SE 6th Street on Monday at 8:50 p.m.. Police said they contacted 51-year-old Robert David Smith near the business as a subject who was trespassing and refusing to leave. They said Smith was located with the business owners who reported telling him to leave several times. He became hostile toward them and then threw trash at their storefront. Officers said the discarded trash included two blankets with visible feces and urine, which were collected and disposed of as a biohazard. Smith was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Offensive Littering and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was also trespassed from GG Sugarplum's as well as another nearby business.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a Selma man on an outstanding felony warrant while investigating a domestic violence complaint last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident in the 3400-block of Deer Creek Road on Sunday around 11:30 a.m.. Deputies said they received a call from a woman who claimed her ex-boyfriend was trying to attack her because he was trying to take her mother's car, but she did not want to give it to him. The man identified as 25-year-old James William Posey, Jr., was reportedly beating on the trailer with a rake. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with Posey and he denied causing harm to the caller, claiming he was the one who was assaulted when the caller threw him to the ground and broke a small stool over his head. However, he had no visible injuries. A routine records check showed Posey was wanted on a Medford felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on warrant, weapon and drug charges during a patrol check near Caveman Bridge. The Police Department reports officers contacted 37-year-old Kevin Marshall Reeves and placed him into custody on SW 6th Street on Sunday afternoon. Police said they were aware that Reeves was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. They said he was found to be in possession of a concealed weapon and a loaded syringe. Both were seized as evidence. Reeves was also found to be in possession of a wallet that did not belong to him. Reeves was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Methamphetamine Possession. He was being held without bail. The wallet was returned to its owner.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to two crashes within 30 minutes late yesterday. On Monday at 4:43 p.m., IVFD, American Medical Response and the Oregon State Police were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision in the 18,000-block of Redwood Highway near Selma. IVFD officials said one patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicles from the highway. OSP was investigating the cause of the crash. On Monday at 5:13 p.m., IVFD, OSP and the Oregon Department of Transportation responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 24,300-block of US Highway 199 in Kerby. This time, no injuries were reported. Traffic control from ODOT was utilized to keep the highway open. Jerry's Towing assisted in removing at least one of the vehicles. The scene was turned over to OSP for investigation.

 

The Grants Pass City Hall complex is getting a new roof and temporary fencing has been erected around those buildings. Public access to City Hall and the City Council Chambers will be somewhat restricted, especially in the parking lot between City Hall and the Josephine County Courthouse. Except for a few limited closures, the best option for parking is on A Street adjacent to City Hall between 5th and 6th streets. The City Hall roofing project is scheduled to be finished in late August. As the project continues, the contractor will need to alter the fencing layout and access points. The City plans to issue updates for significant changes to this layout.

 

The Josephine County Fair Board has rescheduled its monthly meeting to Monday, April 21st, at 6 p.m. in the Floral Building. The change is due to conflicting schedules and the Easter holiday. The normally scheduled third Tuesday of the month will resume in May. All Fair Board meetings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend to stay informed and involved in the Josephine County Fairgrounds. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Recreation Director Tamra Martin at (541)-476-3215.

 

The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team arrested two people while making a large narcotics bust in the Eagle Point area late last week. Last Thursday, MADGE detectives served a search warrant at a residence on Ponderosa Way following a two-month investigation into cocaine distribution. The investigation was initiated after multiple community complaints were received. During execution of the warrant, investigators seized more than 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms including "ghost guns", approximately $48,000 in cash, four vehicles and one motorcycle. Two residents were placed into custody and lodged at the Jackson County Jail. Fifty-five-year-old Ulysses Timothy Chappel, III, was charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Delivery of Cocaine as well as Felon in Possession of a Firearm, while 52-year-old Stacy Lyn Cramer was also charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Delivery of Cocaine. The MADGE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts and dismantles local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven and prosecutor-supported approach.

 

The Grants Pass City Council is exploring the possible privatization of Caveman Pool. During the Monday workshop session, Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins gave an update on potential renovations to the city-owned municipal pool located near the campus of Grants Pass High School. Hopkins reminded the Council that a Caveman Pool Committee was appointed in May 2023 and the committee came up with a $6.5 million proposal to renovate the facility in September 2024. However in January of this year, the newly-seated City Council voted to halt the project and redistribute the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to improving public safety communications. Hopkins presented a new plan to renovate Caveman Pool at a total cost of just over $1.5 million, but it was not well-received by members of the Council. Councilor Kathleen Krohn floated the idea of transferring ownership of the pool to the Grants Pass School District or Grants Pass Family YMCA. It was decided that City Manager Aaron Cubic will reach out to the school district and YMCA to see if they might be interested in taking over the municipal pool.

 

Britt Music & Arts Festival is sharing some exciting announcements with the community regarding this summer's events. The time has come for Britt to release its final official list of shows for the 2025 season. This installment brings the summer season to 37 shows including 29 Britt "Live" concerts and eight Britt Festival Orchestra performances. Tickets for most Britt concerts are already on sale to the general public including shows featuring Natasha Bedingfield, Wynonna Judd, Andy Grammer, Taj Mahal, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Chicago. The Britt Education Department is also sharing its summer schedule of free kids concerts. This year's roster offers a dynamic mix of artists and musical styles, with shows available in both Jackson and Josephine counties. As part of its work to expand its reach, several Britt Kids Concerts will be held at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. For more information on all concerts and tickets, please visit "brittfest.org."