Local News

Grants Pass Police responded to a local Carl's Jr. where a woman was reported to be trespassing and threatening staff.

Dispatch was notified of the incident at the 1802 NW 6th Street business around 6:55 p.m. An employee called 911 to report the suspect, later identified as Shani Fedosky, had returned to the restaurant after having been previously trespassed.

She had ordered food, then began yelling at and threatening staff, before going outside. The employee said this has been an ongoing issue with Fedosky, and officers reported to the scene.

Fedosky was detained and trespassed from, not just the Carl's Jr., but the nearby Wendy's and Lucky Duck as well. Police lodged Fedosky in the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, a charge that was not filed by the District Attorney. She was released at 10:08 a.m. this morning.

 

An officer with Grants Pass Police apprehended a man driving a stolen vehicle outside Novus Glass after an observed unsafe lane change.

Tuesday around 5:24 p.m., the officer was traveling north in the South Y when a Honda Pilot cut across all four lanes and pulled into the dirt parking lot at the 205 E Park Street business.

A traffic stop was initiated. Upon contacting the driver, Christopher Davis, it was determined the vehicle was stolen, and Davis was a listed suspect out of the Red Bluff Police Department in California.

The officer transported Davis to jail and lodged him for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The stolen vehicle was towed from the scene to later be transported back to California.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies stopped and arrested the suspect in a street bike chase for eluding and reckless driving.

Eric Olson was attempting to elude law enforcement Tuesday at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic in the process. After taking exit 55, he returned to a normal speed, and was detained around 3:03 p.m. on NE Terry Lane.

Deputies took Olson into custody for charges including Felony Elude and Reckless Driving. He was transported to and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility. His bike was towed from the scene and impounded for being uninsured.

 

A Wilderville fire was quickly engaged and put out this morning according to Rural Metro, with crews reminding the public that certain fire restrictions are still in effect.

Firefighters fully contained and overhauled the grass and brush fire in the 300 block of Dexter Way around 8:51 a.m. Kept at just 1/10th acre, the fire didn't damage any structures, and the cause is currently under investigation.

It serves as a reminder that conditions are still conducive to fire spread despite cooler weather. Rural Metro reminds the public that caution must be taken with any outdoor activity that may create a spark. Residents should carefully review restrictions still in effect by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District.

 

Grants Pass Police detained and lodged a suspect wanted on a detainer and found with drug paraphernalia Tuesday afternoon.

Officers observed Kyle Palomino at the Rogue River Highway Market and Deli. He was detained by 12:18 p.m., and his parole officer requested a detainer. Palomino informed law enforcement that he had a syringe in his sock, which was found to have a white, crystalline residue inside.

The plunger of the syringe field tested positive for the presumptive presence of methamphetamine. Officers then took Palomino to the Josephine County Jail to be lodged on the detainer and Meth Possession charge, the latter of which was not filed by the District Attorney's Office.

 

An American Medical Response rate increase was approved during the Commissioner's Weekly Business Session.

AMR was requesting a 10% increase, believed to be necessary to offset labor costs. There will be no retroactive billing or financial impact on Medicare and Medicaid. The impact will be solely bared by insurance companies.

A motion to approve the increase passed 3-0. Public education, mobile home parks, and the community's elder population were brought up during public comment, and the consent calendar was approved unanimously.

 

Emergency crews were dispatched today at 3:01 a.m. to a local house fire.

Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District were dispatched to the fire in the 600 block of Timber Lane. Reports indicated that someone was trapped inside.

Crews performed a search of the building while knocking down flames, but were unable to locate the occupant. The fire was confined to the interior, with no spread to surrounding vegetation.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office later located the occupant on Interstate 5 near the Manzanita Rest Area, who was eventually transported by American Medical Response to the hospital for an evaluation. With assistance from the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Rural Metro is investigating the cause.

 

Containment on the Anderson Butte Road Fire has increased to 50% following another day of hard work by firefighters. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire remains at 78 acres, with all control lines holding as crews continue to secure the perimeter and extinguish remaining heat. Firefighters have now completed mop-up approximately 200 feet inward from the perimeter, further securing the fire’s edge. Snagging operations have also been completed throughout the areas crews have been able to safely access. Some smoke remains visible in the interior of the fire, particularly in a steep drainage where heavy concentrations of hazardous trees make access difficult. Crews continue to assess these areas and address remaining heat where they can do so safely.

 

The County Commissioners moved to amend an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation for the Althhouse Creek Bridge replacement project.

During their 1:30 p.m. workshop, the board was unanimous in approval of the rehabilitation. Funding of about $2.7 million is currently in place. Also approved was an ODOT agreement amendment for public transit funds, adding 25 cents to the agreement amount to help cover preventive maintenance expenses. No county funds will be spent.

Transit's software renewal agreement with Spare was approved unanimously, with an annual fee of $50,400 paid for by federal and state funds. Motions to appoint five new members to the Economic Development Committee, re-appoint Karl Heackler to the Fair Board, and task Nate Sanders with being Project Coordinator for Josephine Regional Inter-Operational Systems carried 3-0.

Commissioner Colene Martin gave a County Communications update, saying she met with the Emergency Manager of Grants Pass to discuss a complete communication system overhaul. An independent power developer was identified that could build towers on county properties. It would own and work on said structures, potentially providing better coverage. A Homeland Security Grant will be applied for.

All Human Resources position requisitions were approved without objection, and a Finance board order motion to temporarily delegate signing authority during an upcoming absence of the director passed unanimously.