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Women’s Crisis Support Team Receives $1,000 Neighborhood Grant

Women’s Crisis Support Team is honored to be selected as a recipient of a $1,000 Neighborhood Grant from The Starbucks Foundation. This grant recognizes the Crisis Support Team’s work providing lifesaving support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Josephine County and was awarded through the advocacy of a local Starbucks partner. Since 1977 the Women’s Crisis Support Team has served as Josephine County’s primary provider of domestic and sexual violence advocacy services, offering confidential support, safe housing, legal and medical advocacy, housing assistance, prevention education, and rural outreach. The Team partners with schools, law enforcement, and community organizations to build a safer, more connected community. The Neighborhood Grant will support their 24/7 crisis response and emergency shelter programs—ensuring survivors fleeing abuse have access to safe shelter, support, and hope.

Posted on 7/14/25 11:12AM by Chuck Benson

GP Officers Show Quick Response to Report of a Displayed Firearm

The report off a man with a pistol in his hand had Grants Pass Police scurrying to the parking lot of Udders Ice Cream Sunday night at 9:45. Officers contacted the suspect, identified as Billy Deiontre Woods, 26, in the parking lot of the business and determined what appeared to be a handgun was a torch lighter which presented as a replica of a Glock firearm.However, Woods was found to be in possession of fentanyl, cocaine, baggies, drug paraphernalia and a scale. Woods was on conditional release and found to be in violation of his release agreement. He was arrested and lodged on charges of contempt of court and possession of fentanyl. All evidence was logged. It was Wood’s third incarceration this year for various charges including trespass, theft II and other possession charges. He remained in custody Monday morning.

Posted on 7/14/25 11:01AM by Chuck Benson

Frequent Police Contact Lands Man in Jail for Meth Possession

A Frequent flyer arrested by Grants Pass Police Sunday night for meth possession, his seventh arrest since March for possession of the narcotic. At 10:29 Sunday night a Grants Pass Police officer recognized Christopher Caleb Davis, 42, crossing 7th Street headed toward River City. After confirming Davis was wanted the Officer detained Davis on the warrant for failure to appear on a possession of methamphetamine out on a $10,000 bail. Upon being placed into custody Davis admitted to having meth on his person. A baggie was found during a consent search and confirmed to be methamphetamine. Davis was lodged on the warrant plus the additional charge of possession.The arrest was the 7th arrest since March on several charges including trespass, theft II and unlawful entry into a vehicle, all accompanied by charges of possession.

Posted on 7/14/25 10:27AM by Chuck Benson

Sandal Theft Sends Woman to Jail

Pilfering a pair of sandals valued at $39.99 sends 51-year-old woman to the Josephine County Jail. Grants Pass Police Officers were summoned to Big 5 Sporting Goods at 7:36 Sunday night with the report of the theft with the suspect still in view of the store. A quick law enforcement response was documented in the Police log noting the suspect was arrested at 8:02 p.m. The suspect, identified as Gennette Elise Hudgins, admitted to the theft after hearing her Miranda rights and was till in possession of the sandals. Hudgins was also in possession of stolen items from Dollar Tree and Grocery Outlet. She was trespassed from all three locations, then lodged in the County Jail on a charge of theft III.

Posted on 7/14/25 10:05AM by Chuck Benson

Downtown Window Breaking Rampage Lands Perp in Jail

A window breaking rampage in downtown Grants Pass lands perpetrator in the county Jail. Grants Pass Police first responded to the report at about 2:09 Saturday morning of a white male adult with no shirt breaking windows downtown. Witnesses observed the man, identified as Matthew Nicholas Emily, 34, walking south on 6th Street throwing rocks through the window of the Josephine County Republican Party, the large window at Umpqua Bank and a window at the Food Studio. Officers located Emily at the corner of 7th and G Street and advised him he was under arrest. Emily resisted, was overcome and transported to the jail where he remains locked up facing three counts of criminal mischief I-Criminal damage and one count of resisting arrest.

Posted on 7/14/25 8:01AM by Chuck Benson

Loud Argument with Mom Lands 24-year-old in the County Jail

Grants Pass Police arrested and lodged a young felon Saturday morning after responding to a neighbor’s call that the man was intoxicated and in a loud verbal argument with his mother. Officers were sent to the 1000 block of Southeast Park Plaza Drive just after 1:00 a.m. and arrested 27-year-old Christian Anthony Bartell. Bartell, who has a relatively long record, was verbally aggressive with officers and was placed into handcuffs to be transported to the county jail. Bartell was also uncooperative at the jail and remains in custody on a post-prison sanction. It is his sixth incarceration in the last year.

Posted on 7/14/25 7:28AM by Chuck Benson

GP Officers Arrest Piston Toting DUII Driver

Grants Pass Police Officers were dispatched to the south Safeway parking lot to investigate a verbal argument early Saturday morning. Just after midnight officers detained 24-year-old Dustin Michael Brown who was involved in the argument. Brown showed indications of impairment and had previously been operating a motor vehicle. During a consent search during the DUII investigation Brown was found to have a small pistol in his back pocket. A warrant was applied for and granted by Judge Galli and a legal blood draw was conducted. Brown was lodged in the county jail on charges of unlawful possession of a concealed weapon and driving under the influence. He remained in custody Monday morning.

Posted on 7/14/25 6:55AM by Chuck Benson

High Heat Warning Extended through Tuesday Night

The National Weather Service has extended the High Heat Warning through Tuesday night at 8 p.m. High temperatures of 100 to 105 expected, except up to 110 in the valleys of western Siskiyou County. Low temperatures will be mainly in the mid to upper 60s. Impacted areas include California, Central Siskiyou County and Western Siskiyou County. In Oregon, Eastern Curry County and Josephine County and Jackson County. This includes the Rogue, Illinois, Scott, Shasta and Klamath River Valleys as well as the communities of Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Yreka, Montague, and Happy Camp. An increased chance of heat related illness for those without access to cooling facilities.Warm overnight temperatures will limit relief from hot daytime temperatures. Hot temperatures are likely to continue into mid-week.

Posted on 7/14/25 5:16AM by Chuck Benson

Dancing Felon Arrested on Valid Warrant

A wanted felon was arrested and lodged in jail by the Grants Pass City Police Saturday afternoon after being dispatched to the Human Bean on Northeast F Street. A report of suspicious activity was reported by the Human Bean staff after a man had been trespassed from the property. The caller reported the man to be holding a small black or blue pipe. When he appeared to be smoking it, he began to act differently and start dancing. Arriving officers contacted Brian Jay Steffen, 50-years-old, and found there was a valid warrant for his arrest. Steffen was initially uncooperative, but, with the release of a taser from the officer’s holster he became compliant. Steffen was lodged in the County Jail on a post-prison sanction. This is the sixth incarceration for Steffen since August of last yea

Posted on 7/14/25 5:10AM by Chuck Benson

Dancing Felon Arrested on Valid Warrant

Posted on 7/14/25 5:09AM by Chuck Benson

Deputies Arrest Repeat Offender for Disorderly Conduct

Callers reported an aggressive man pounding on vehicles and trying to start fights Saturday night just after 8:00 p.m. prompting Josephine County Deputies to the scene where the suspect was arrested.
Callers reported the man to be along the Merlin/Galice Road between Ray’s and Area 61 near a red truck. Deputies contacted and detained 44-year-old Darren Louis Pierce. Pierce was transported to the county jail where he was lodged for disorderly conduct II. This was Pierce’s third arrest since October of 2024 for various charges including DUII, driving while suspended and reckless driving. He remained in custody Sunday evening.

Posted on 7/14/25 5:08AM by Chuck Benson

COPA Funding leads City Council’s Workshop Agenda

Funding the Committee on Public Art’s request for funding for the Redwood Alley activation and Welcome Center mural leads the Grants Pass City Council’s workshop agenda this morning. In previous meetings the Council had asked for more detail before approving a $15,000 request from the Committee. The topic will then turn to Public Safety service and funding before Councilors review upcoming agendas. The workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in City Council Chambers at 101 Northwest A Street

Posted on 7/14/25 5:07AM by Chuck Benson

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