Local News

Community service officers (CSOs) and patrol officers from the Grants Pass Police Department cleaned up the homeless encampment on SE J Street early yesterday. According to GPPD, the cleanup of the designated campsite was accomplished by filling a large dump trailer to the top along with two CSO trucks. While waiting for the trailer to be dumped, officers cited a woman for Illegal Camping and Utilization of Space. She was trespassed from the campground for 30 days.

 

The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested three men while raiding an illegal marijuana growing operation in Azalea this week. On Tuesday, DINT -- with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office -- served a search warrant at a residence in the 700-block of Yeust Road. During execution of the warrant, detectives located more than 1,200 marijuana plants in various stages of growth along with about 20 pounds of processed pot and nine pounds of cannabis extract, commonly referred to as BHO (butane honey oil). They also found lots of evidence of illegal marijuana production and distribution. Detectives located several other drugs including psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax, Oxycodone, Tramadol and anabolic steroids. They found numerous firearms, some of them strategically placed around the growing operation as presumed protection. There were also code and water use violations that are being addressed by those respective agencies. DINT reports 46-year-old Michael Long of Azalea was arrested at the scene and charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Delivery of Marijuana; Unlawful Possession and Delivery of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances, and Unlawful Possession of Schedule 3 Controlled Substances. Two other Azalea men -- 59-year-old Daniel Roy and 24-year-old Angel Ortega -- were also arrested. Roy was charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Delivery of Marijuana while Ortega was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for attacking a man who accused her of stealing his wallet and cell phone this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 30-year-old Kristina Rose Barker on Tuesday morning for the incident that occurred at a home on SE M Street. Police said they contacted a man at his residence regarding the theft of his wallet and cell phone valued at more than $100. During the investigation, officers found the man had severe swelling around his neck. The victim advised Barker came up from behind him and strangled him with his own shirt. According to the report, Barker displayed extreme indifference to the value of the man's life, stating "I don't care if you die. I am going to kill you." The victim said he could not escape because the woman's knees were on his chest, preventing him from being able to move. The initial call came in around 5:45 a.m., but Barker left before the arrival of law enforcement. She returned as officers were interviewing the victim and that's when they placed her into custody. She admitted to her actions and reported that she broke her thumb while physically assaulting the victim. Barker was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Assault, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Strangulation, Menacing and 2nd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on two outstanding felony warrants this week during a traffic stop near Wolf Creek. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a white Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 36-year-old Christopher Lee Myers in the 100-block of Speaker Road on Tuesday afternoon. They stopped him because the vehicle had no license plates. Deputies said they were familiar with Myers from previous law enforcement contacts and they knew he was wanted on two felony warrants issued by Douglas County Circuit Court, both for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Myers was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. He was being held without bail pending transfer to the Douglas County Jail in Roseburg.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving this week following a traffic complaint in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a light-blue Toyota Prius swerving and almost hitting several vehicles in the area of NW A and 5th streets on Tuesday night. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report they were following the suspect vehicle with an older female behind the wheel. The caller advised the woman was driving dangerously at varying speeds and they suspected she might be impaired. They advised officers that the suspect vehicle had parked on NW Highland Avenue in a "No Parking" zone. Officers eventually tracked down the 72-year-old driver at a residence in the 1600-block of Sue Circle. They said she answered the door with a strong odor of alcohol coming from her person. When questioned, the woman admitted to consuming adult beverages before driving to her home. The suspect refused to participate in field sobriety tests, so a search warrant was obtained and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. She was medically cleared and then lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

 

Josephine Community Library invites families to a storytime with Grants Pass Police Officer Ken Frownfelter from 11 a.m. to noon at the Grants Pass branch located at 200 NW C Street. It's part of the "Neighborhood Heroes Story Squad Program" at the local library. Children and their families can join a special program featuring community hero Officer Frownfelter who will read "Mikey and the Dragons," by Jocko Willink, a story about courage and bravery. After the story, participants will have a chance to ask Frownfelter questions about what it's like to be a police officer and learn more about how he helps keep our community safe. Stick around after the Q&A to make your own officer-themed craft. This program is free and open to the public. A library card is not needed to participate. For more information about library programs, visit "josephinelibrary.org," e-mail "info@josephinelibrary.org" or call (541)-476-0571.

 

The US Forest Service is making $190 million available to help private forest landowners adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and retain working forestlands. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said climate change threatens people, communities, infrastructure and natural resources across the country. He said healthy, resilient forests can better withstand climate change impacts and contribute to solutions by storing additional carbon. The long-term exclusion of restorative, low-severity on fire-dependent forests is already challenging forest health in the Pacific Northwest, something the Forest Service is addressing through its Wildfire Crisis Strategy and other fuels reduction programs. Continued climate warming and related changes in rainfall and drought cycles further raises the stakes. Past and predicted climate changes are exacerbating stress for native trees and other vegetation, affecting water temperature, quality and supplies, and contributing to the hotter, drier conditions and increased fuel loads that can produce larger, higher severity wildfires. For more information about the available funding opportunity including eligibility and how to apply, visit: "fs.usda.gov/ira-forest-landowner-support."

 

The City of Grants Pass is seeking applicants for seven positions on its newly-formed Public Safety Advisory Committee. These will be staggered three-year terms. The Public Safety Advisory Committee will serve as a collaborative platform for community engagement and guidance on public safety issues. The committee aims to bridge the gap between the Grants Pass community and City Council, ensuring that public safety strategies align with the needs and resources of the community. The City Council desires to have a balance of viewpoints and demographic representation on the advisory committee including one Budget Committee member, one Chamber of Commerce representative, one business representative inside the city limits, one downtown business owner, one city resident who is not a business owner and two at-large members. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, November 18th.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners made quick work of a light agenda during its weekly business session on Wednesday. Following a public hearing, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the annexation of a 5.33-acre property on Cloverlawn Drive into the Josephine Community Library District. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger was absent. During the hearing, the Grants Pass couple who attempted to opt out of the library district spoke against all past, present and future annexations. Mike and Winnie Pelfrey also hinted that they are still trying to find a way to get out of the district. During the public comment period, Mike Pelfrey urged residents to vote "no" on all statewide and local ballot measures while voting "yes" for all candidates who are conservative members of the Republican party. He also said he doesn't trust the US Postal Service, adding that voters should drop off their ballots in person instead of placing them in the mail.