Local News

Grants Pass Police cited two people for city ordinance violations at downtown resting sites early yesterday. On Wednesday at 8:40 a.m., officers were performing a patrol check at the 712 NE 7th Street site when they cited Michael Gendernalik for Public Consumption of Alcohol. It was his first citation for the violation at that location. On Wednesday at 9:03 a.m., officers were performing a patrol check at the 704 NW 6th Street site when they cited Jeremy Nordstrom for Utilization of Space. It was his first citation for the violation at that location. Both men were warned that additional citations would result in 30-day exclusions.

 

Grants Pass Police cited a woman this week for squatting in an unsafe building in the northeast part of the city. GPPD officers said they observed a woman they identified as "Ashley Jennings" emerging from the residence in the 900-block of NE 12th Street on Tuesday morning and it was her second violation of an Unsafe to Occupy order. Jennings was cited for the building code violation, which carries a $495 fine. The ordinance violation was discovered when a neighbor reported tall grass and weeds on the property. The property owner was warned that the deadline for compliance is July 8th or they will be cited.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley woman for beating up a man and threatening him with an axe at a Selma area residence. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Jenny Rebecca Rose for the incident at a home in the 700-block of Thompson Creek Road on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said the victim's 17-year-old daughter called 9-1-1 to report that Rose hit her father with a double-headed axe during an altercation in which Rose was the aggressor. The caller said her father had a black eye and then stated the suspect did not hit him with the axe, but she swung it at him. He declined medical attention. Responding deputies contacted the victim at the Lakeshore Drive Grange Hall, interviewed him and photographed his injuries before placing Rose into custody. Rose was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 2nd-Degree Assault, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Domestic Menacing. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for attacking another woman at a city park this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Kelsie Coledean Bare for the incident at Kesterson Park on NE Evelyn Avenue on Tuesday morning. Police said the victim they identified as "Shannon Dendy" was confronted by Bare at her tent in the park because she owed $40 to Bare. An investigation determined that Bare punched the victim multiple times and caused physical injury while the suspect's dog also bit the victim on the leg. According to the report, Bare proceeded to steal three bags of cans worth about $25 from the victim without permission or the right to do so. The victim refused medical treatment and the suspect was placed into custody. Bare was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery, 4th-Degree Assault and 3rd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail. Her daughter drove to Grants Pass from Medford to take possession of the dog along with her mother's personal belongings.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for vandalizing a fence and possessing narcotics in a northeast city neighborhood this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a vandalism complaint at a residence in the 700-block of NE Savage Street on Tuesday evening. Police said 31-year-old Jacob Levi Reeder intentionally caused damage to the complainant's fence when she told him to stop sitting on it. They said he smashed it with his hands and broke the horizontal support beam before leaving on foot. Officers located Reeder near the corner of NE Mead and 9th streets where they found him to be in possession of a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue. It was seized for destruction. Reeder was booked into the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Meth Possession. Jail records show he was no longer in custody this morning.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving in the Jones Creek area of east Grants Pass this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a traffic complaint near the corner of West Jones Creek Road and Mina Lane early Tuesday morning. Deputies said a caller reported a white truck in the middle of the road with its engine running and lights on. The male driver appeared to be passed out in the pickup with the door open and his legs outside the vehicle. The caller said she called out to the man, but he did not respond. Deputies and medics arrived on scene, contacted 40-year-old Nathan Davidson and determined that he was highly impaired. After being checked out by medics, he was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Davidson was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and lodged at the Sobering Center. His pickup was impounded and his dog was taken to the Animal Shelter.

 

Firefighters knocked down a small fire in northeast Jackson County this week. On Tuesday afternoon, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Jackson County Fire District #4 responded to a reported blaze in the 17,000-block of Highway 62. ODF officials said arriving units found a quarter-acre fire burning alongside the highway. They mounted an aggressive attack and stopped forward progression of the fire at an estimated one acre. Crews lined the fire and began mopping up. According to ODF, the cause of the fire was under investigation.

 

The Rogue River City Council should make quick work of a light agenda for its monthly meeting this evening. Following Committee Reports and Public Input, the City Council will first consider a funding request from Rogue Food Garden. Another request from the Wards Creek Restoration Initiative to use the City logo will also be decided. There is one resolution where the Council will decide whether to approve a Master Fee Schedule for the City of Rogue River. The municipal panel will then convene as the Contract Review Board to consider awarding a bid for the 7th Street Fire Hydrant and Water Main Improvements Project. People who wish to speak regarding an agenda item are asked to sign in before the start of the meeting that begins at 6 p.m. at Rogue River City Hall, located at 133 Broadway Street.

 

The Oregon Health Authority has issued a recreational use advisory for Lost Creek Lake in Jackson County due to the presence of cyanobacteria blooms. The harmful algae blooms are naturally occurring, with some of the bacteria producing toxins that can cause serious illness in humans as well as illness or death in animals, which are more sensitive. OHA officials said warm weather and nutrients in the water can cause bacteria to multiply rapidly, forming a "bloom." Officials said people should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities -- such as water skiing or power boating -- in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present because the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure due to their size and level of activity. People should alert health care providers if they or a family member are ill due to possible exposure to cyanotoxins. Pet owners should alert their veterinarians to suspected exposure if they seek care. OHA encourages people to visit Lost Creek Lake and enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking.