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Firefighters Continue Mop-Up and Push Board Shanty Fire Containment to 20%

Firefighters working the Board Shanty Fire south of Grants Pass have pushed containment to 20% and cooled the perimeter 200 feet into the incident from the fire's edge. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 reported this morning that the wildfire was 469 acres while the Watch Duty app reported the incident to be 474 acres. Members from a local ODF Type 3 incident management team will shadow the complex incident management team today to prepare for taking over command of the incident on Wednesday morning. Resources devoted to the Board Shanty Fire today total 641 personnel including 24 hand crews, 19 engines, 16 water tenders and 12 bulldozers. Helicopters and other aviation assets assigned to the nearby Grizzly Complex remain on standby for the local wildfire. Firefighters continue to push further toward the interior of the fire, bolstering the strength of the lines. Today, crews will extinguish hotspots identified and flagged by nightshift crews using handheld infrared cameras to detect heat. While mop-up continues, there still may be visible smoke from burning material in the interior of the incident. Josephine County Zones JCU-436, JCU-437 and JCU-448-A are now under a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. All other evacuations have been lifted. Unless things change significantly on the Board Shanty Fire, there will be no more evening updates provided by ODF -- although morning updates will continue.

Posted on 7/22/25 11:46AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Pair Involved in Series of Domestic Violence Calls near Hugo

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two people involved in a series of domestic violence incidents in the Hugo area yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 45-year-old Robert Clarence Beard and an unidentified woman after responding to a domestic disturbance in the 10,300-block of Monument Drive on Monday around 12:45 p.m.. Deputies said they were called to the residence twice on Sunday before yesterday's incident. The woman called 9-1-1 Sunday and reported that Beard had choked her and broke her ribs. She called back yesterday when both parties accused each other of continued domestic violence. She was said to be hostile and uncooperative. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that Beard was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Contempt of Court-Violation of a No Contact Order and Furnishing False Information to Police. He was also found to be a registered sex offender who was out of compliance with reporting requirements. Beard was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant as well as for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The female party was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. A charge of 4th-Degree Domestic Assault against her was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.

Posted on 7/22/25 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Apprehended Nationwide Fugitive in Redwood Highway Stop near Wonder

The Oregon State Police apprehended a nationwide fugitive who was also wanted on a local warrant last night during a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in Wonder. OSP reports state troopers pulled over a Dodge Ram pickup driven by 26-year-old Zildjian Alexander Lukei near milepost 14 of Highway 199 at 7:38 p.m. Monday. Troopers said they stopped Lukei for traffic violations and quickly discovered that he was wanted on a nationwide extraditable warrant out of Virginia. He was also wanted on a local bench warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and he provided a false name to law enforcement. Lukei was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus a new charge of Furnishing False Information to Police. He was being held without bail pending possible extradition to Virginia. The pickup was left with Lukei's passenger who was identified as a 33-year-old Cave Junction woman.

Posted on 7/22/25 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Theft & Drug Crimes after WinCo Shoplifting Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for theft and drug crimes after she was caught stealing merchandise from a local supermarket early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Monday shortly after 5 a.m.. Police said a WinCo employee requested that a female subject identified as 35-year-old Brittany Rae Adams be trespassed from the store. Adams -- who had been previously trespassed from WinCo -- was observed leaving the store with items she had not purchased. Officers detained Adams outside the store and -- during a consent search -- she was found with more stolen items and a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue. She admitted to stealing merchandise and was placed into custody. Adams was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass, 3rd-Degree Theft and Methamphetamine Possession. She was held without bail.

Posted on 7/22/25 11:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man for Violating Court Order by Sleeping on Party's Porch

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order by sleeping on the front porch of the protected party's residence. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 2500-block of Keegan's Court on Sunday afternoon. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that 54-year-old Jason Meacham was sleeping on her porch and she had a valid restraining order protecting her from him. Officers verified that the man was barred from being at the woman's home. Meacham was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation, 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass and 2nd-Degree Theft. Jail records show one of the Contempt charges and the Theft charge were related to probable cause from a previous case.

Posted on 7/22/25 11:40AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Motorist for Impaired Driving after Interstate Stop in Merlin Area

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving following a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Merlin late last night. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Mercedes Benz driven by 33-year-old Victor Coronado, Jr., of Vancouver, Washington, on I-5 near Exit 61 on Monday at 10:58 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Coronado for a traffic violation and he displayed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was well over the legal driving limit. Coronado was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Endangering because there was a 7-year-old male passenger with him at the time of his arrest. His Mercedes was impounded and towed to Grants Pass.

Posted on 7/22/25 10:42AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving after Redwood Highway Stop

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving early yesterday following a Redwood Highway traffic stop in SW Grants Pass. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a Toyota pickup driven by 28-year-old Cameron Masters on US Highway 199 near Dowell Road on Monday at 1:04 a.m.. Deputies said they stopped Masters for observed traffic violations and he showed several indicators of impairment. He was placed into custody after he performed poorly in field sobriety tests. Masters was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and lodged at the Grants Pass Sobering Center. His pickup was impounded.

Posted on 7/22/25 10:41AM by Sam Marsh

Crews Continue Mop-Up & Prepare to Transition Command of Board Shanty Fire

Crews on the Board Shanty Fire south of Grants Pass continued mop-up operations along all sides of the fire as they work to cool the perimeter with water until heat is removed. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 reported last night that the fire was 469 acres with 14% containment. However, Watch Duty reported the fire was 474 acres with 20% containment. ODF Team 3 is preparing to hand off the incident to a local incident management team. The new team will shadow Team 3 today and take command of the incident on Wednesday morning. On Monday, crews mopped up 100 feet toward the interior of the fire along the entire line and up to 200 feet in some areas. Work continues to push further toward the center of the fire, bolstering the strength of the lines. Josephine County Zones JCU-436, JCU-437 and JCU-448-A are now under a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. All other evacuations have been lifted. Incident resources yesterday totaled 809 personnel including 31 hand crews, 35 engines, 14 water tenders, 12 bulldozers and 12 helicopters. Aviation assets helped extinguish hot spots within the fire and remain on station for initial attack. Unless things change significantly on the Board Shanty Fire, there will be no more evening updates provided by ODF -- although morning updates will continue.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Incarcerated Pair Involved in Weekend Case of Domestic Violence in CJ

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed two people who were involved in a weekend case of domestic violence in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident at a home in the 200-block of Schumacher Street late Saturday night. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she was shoved down and items were being destroyed by a man identified as 45-year-old Jerry Laurence Teixeira. He reportedly was assisted in the fight with his sister-in-law by a woman identified as 33-year-old Kylia Madison Cooper. According to the report, Teixeira not only destroyed property in the residence -- he also broke the front door so it wouldn't shut. There was a great deal of damage, but no one was seriously hurt. Both suspects struggled with deputies while being placed into custody. Teixeira -- who was hobbled for deputy safety -- was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Probation Violation. He was held on a no-bail detainer. Cooper -- who was placed in a body wrap for the ride to Grants Pass -- was lodged in jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. She was also being held without bail.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Weekend Domestic Violence Incident on SE Grandview

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for a domestic violence incident in the southeast part of the city last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Gerald L. Proffit for the incident in the 800-block of SE Grandview Avenue late Saturday night. Police said Proffit and a woman were involved in a physical altercation when he threw a fan at her and struck her while she was in the bathroom of the home. They said the woman went to grab her purse in the hallway when Profitt shoved her to the floor and pushed an electric scooter at her. He then struck her with his fists and kicked her while she was down before dragging her into the dining room. Upon arrival, officers noted the female victim had bruises, abrasions, small cuts and lacerations from the altercation -- but she refused medical attention. A broken fan was located in the bathroom and blood was located on the wall as well as on Profitt's T-shirt. He was immediately placed into custody. Profitt was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and he was being held without bail. The victim was provided with a domestic violence resource card and left in the care of a friend.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:37AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Snared Man for Outlandish Behavior on West Harbeck Road

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for his outlandish behavior in the south part of the city last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a requested welfare check involving 28-year-old William Gene Bruhnsen-Studzinski in the 800-block of West Harbeck Road on Sunday at 6:15 p.m.. Police said Bruhnsen-Studzinski was observed going on random residential properties, knocking on doors, messing with items and crossing into traffic. He was contacted in a church parking lot, warned for his behavior and advised that any more calls would result in his arrest. It didn't take very long. Bruhnsen-Studzinski immediately crossed the street in front of a patrol vehicle and was placed into custody for intentionally obstructing vehicle traffic. Bruhnsen-Studzinski was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was held without any scheduled bail.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Stealing ID Reader from SE City Watering Hole

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing an identification reader from a southeast city watering hole last weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint at Flespy's Bar & Grill on Fruitdale Drive on Saturday night. Police said the bar manager called 9-1-1 to report that 55-year-old Jeffrey Raymond Shields had been observed on surveillance video grabbing an ID reader valued at $995 and leaving the business. The incident occurred early Saturday morning and the manager called when Sheets returned to the bar that evening. Upon arrival, officers contacted Shields who admitted to taking the reader and throwing it in the blackberry bushes near Flespy's. However, officers were initially unable to locate the stolen item. Shields was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. It was unclear in the report if the stolen ID reader was ever found.

Posted on 7/22/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

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