Local News

Three traffic accidents occurred over the weekend, leading to a response from the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

The first incident involving two vehicles occurred Friday at 1:34 p.m. on Kerby Mainline Road in Kerby. Crews were dispatched to the scene, where five individuals received medical evaluations.

One person was transported by AMR for non-life-threatening injuries.
The involved vehicles were towed from the scene, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation.

Early Saturday at 2:41 a.m., the second accident occurred in the 700 block of Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien. Crews were again dispatched to the single-vehicle incident.

Units arrived to find the vehicle located on the property's patio, resting against the residence. The driver sustained no injuries, and the Sheriff's Department investigated.

Yesterday at 2:49 p.m., another traffic accident took place on the Redwood Highway at Reeves Creek Road in Kerby. Crews responded to the incident involving the Oregon State Police. No injuries were reported, and deputies took over the investigation.

 

Oregon State Police troopers arrested two suspects in separate cases regarding a bench warrant and a parole violation detainer respectively.

While attending a hearing for traffic court in the Josephine County Courthouse Thursday, troopers found suspect Shaylee Smith, 31, of Talent, was wanted on an active, out-of-county, misdemeanor warrant. She was arrested at her hearing around 1:38 p.m. and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Early this morning, troopers initiated a traffic stop on a BMW 535 for observed violations at the corner of Applegate Avenue and Paradise Drive. Both the driver and passenger were contacted when the latter voluntarily identified himself as Easton Foley, 19, of Grants Pass.

He was on post-prison supervision, and his parole officer was contacted. A detainer for Foley's arrest was issued, so troopers took him into custody around 1:16 a.m. He was transported to and lodged in jail.

 

A woman was arrested for trespassing at the Lil' Pantry Shell Station after having previously been reported to police.

Dispatch was alerted to the suspect's presence at the 2017 NW Vine Street location Thursday at 9:28 a.m. She had been reported at the same location previously for trespassing, and the caller wanted her removed.

She was described as wearing a white beanie, pink and blue plaid coat, and blue jeans. Arriving officers with Grants Pass Police contacted her, however, she refused to identify herself.

The store manager showed law enforcement security footage of the suspect from her previous trespass, and officers advised her she was under arrest for Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

She was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was positively identified as Jenifer Scott. Officers then promptly lodged her on her charge.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is highlighting Saturday, June 6th, National Secure Your Load Day, in an effort to reduce road hazards as summer travel season begins.

Lumber, tires, ladders, and mattresses are just some of the items that can fly off truck beds and car roofs, potentially striking other vehicles. ODOT is sharing tips that will protect you and others while on the road.

Tie your load down with rope, netting, straps or tarps. Tie large objects directly to your vehicle or trailer. Drivers are also encouraged to cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting. Do not overload your vehicle or trailer, and always double-check your load to make sure it’s secure.

Oregon law requires all vehicle loads to be fully secured to prevent dropping, shifting, leaking, or falling. Unsecured loads on public highways can result in traffic violations, fines, and potential criminal charges if the load causes injury or property damage.

Drivers are responsible for safe operation of their vehicle. Before driving, determine if there's any chance of debris or cargo falling or blowing out of your vehicle. Check and see your load is secured at the back, sides, and top. No matter what you’re hauling or how far you’re going, securing your load keeps roads safe.

 

Oregon Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) will be issued to families who are automatically eligible beginning today, June 5th.

According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, Summer EBT is a food benefits program that helps address hunger in Oregon when children are on summer break and don’t have easy access to healthy meals at school.

Families should check their EBT card balance at www.ebtedge.com to confirm receipt. Summer EBT provides $120 for each eligible child to buy food. This is the third year of Oregon’s Summer EBT program, and the program expects to serve about 360,000 children this year.

Families who didn’t automatically get Summer EBT today should check program requirements before applying. Families will get benefits automatically on their Oregon EBT card if they have children between the ages of 6-18 and have received SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or foster care services.

Families can find details about Summer EBT at sebt.oregon.gov. 

 

The Grants Pass Sister City Committee will welcome its first official delegation from Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico, from June 16th through the 22nd. This will mark an exciting new chapter in the city's long tradition of international friendship and cultural exchange. The visit follows the establishment of a new Sister City partnership between Grants Pass and Autlán. Nine delegates will spend a week in Southern Oregon experiencing local attractions, meeting community members and sharing their own culture and traditions with residents of the Rogue Valley. Community members are invited to meet the visiting delegates during a fundraiser dinner June 19th at Cartwright's Taprock Northwest Grill. Tickets may be purchased at https://givebutter.com/grants-pass-sister-city-fundraiser. Proceeds will support future cultural exchange programs and the continued growth of the Grants Pass Sister City Program. The Grants Pass Sister City Program was established in 1990 through the international Sister Cities movement founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle traffic accident Thursday evening.

The incident was reported at the 200 block of Crooks Creek Road in Selma, prompting the response of emergency crews.

A thorough search of the area was conducted. No individuals were found in the vicinity of the vehicle, so it was subsequently marked for identification. Law enforcement was informed of the incident.

 

A vegetation fire occurred in the 5700 block of Holland Loop Rd in Cave Junction Thursday at 4:37 p.m.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, and the U.S Forest Service responded to the fire estimated to be at one fourth of an acre in size.

Crews were able to extinguish the blaze, and mop-up operations have been completed. Neighbors and bystanders assisted in tackling the fire before firefighters arrived. The incident is under investigation.

 

Medford Police, in coordination with Jackson County Mental Health and the Mobile Crisis Team, responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place Thursday to conduct a welfare check. Officers were unable to make contact with the resident and observed a deceased cat in plain view within the residence. Based on those observations and information gathered during the initial investigation, a search warrant was obtained. Officers later located and contacted the resident prior to the execution of the warrant, which was subsequently served at the property. As the investigation developed, the Medford Police Livability Team, Code Enforcement, and Jackson County Animal Control responded to assist. Investigators located multiple live and deceased cats on the property. Wendy Diamond, 65, is facing seven counts of Animal Neglect in the First Degree, a felony. Additional charges may be pending. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has been consulted as part of the investigation. Jackson County Animal Control is taking custody of the live cats located on the property and will oversee their care and evaluation. The investigation remains ongoing.