Local News

The Illinois Valley Fire District snuffed out a recreational vehicle fire in Cave Junction last night. On Monday at 8:02 p.m., IVFD crews responded to a reported structure fire in the 100-block of South Hussey Avenue. IVFD officials said the arriving engine found a smoking travel trailer, with the occupants attempting to put the fire out with a garden hose. There was no spread to the rest of the trailer or nearby vehicles. After the fire was confirmed to be fully-extinguished, a preliminary investigation determined it to be a possible electrical incident. There were no injuries reported.

 

Authorities were looking for a person who started a small fire at Illinois River Forks State Park late yesterday. On Monday at 6:32 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a reported grass fire at the state park in the 26,900-block of Redwood Highway just south of Cave Junction. IVFD officials said arriving units found a small spot fire that was quickly put out. Once the fire was completely out, firefighters searched the park for the person responsible for starting the fire without success. Anyone with information on the fire is encouraged to call IVFD at (541)-592-2225.

 

In light of the incident that took place on Sunday, Hellgate Jetboat Excursions would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who made the safety of those involved their highest priority. On Sunday at 12:39 p.m., a Hellgate Excursions jet boat collided with a private jet boat on the Rogue River at Two Bit Riffle about two miles downstream from Robertson Bridge Boat Landing. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports all injured people were taken to the Hellgate River Lodge by boat to be evaluated by medical personnel. Five people were transported by ground ambulances to a local hospital. Responding agencies included the Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue. Hellgate officials said they are grateful for the actions of their pilot and all crew members who ensured the passengers were kept safe and cared for. They also appreciate the professionalism and care offered by responding emergency units. The Grants Pass company said it continues to gather information to learn about what occurred as it cooperates with the investigation. As with any evolving investigation, the company encourages everyone to take pause and wait for the official report so the facts of the incident can be shared accurately. Due to the ongoing investigation, Hellgate said it is not in a position to offer details or further comment at this time.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley woman for an alleged incident of domestic violence last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1,000-block of Hays Cutoff Road near Cave Junction at about 9 p.m. Saturday. Deputies said a 38-year-old woman called 9-1-1 to report a man pushed her to the ground so he hit him in the head with a shotgun. Moments later, the man called dispatchers to report he was bleeding from the temple of his head after absorbing the blow from the firearm. He was advised to apply direct pressure to the wound. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and determined the couple were arguing over finances when the woman started throwing dishes. The man tried to restrain the woman and she struck him in the head with the shotgun. The woman requested medical assistance due to a sore neck, but both parties refused transport to the hospital. A Mossberg 500 shotgun was seized as evidence. The woman was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for vandalizing his girlfriend's car last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the vandalism incident near the corner of NE Grable and Beacon drives on Sunday around 12:15 a.m.. Police said a 22-year-old male subject used a knife to slash a tire on his girlfriend's 2024 Nissan Versa for an unknown reason. They said the woman was unsure if she wanted to pursue criminal charges, hung up the phone and then called back stating that she did. Officers contacted the suspect at his residence and he admitted to intentionally slashing his girlfriend's tire. He did not say why he did it. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

 

A truck driver was cited for causing a motor vehicle accident that sent a Grants Pass woman to the hospital last weekend. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes on Interstate 5 at 9:47 p.m. Sunday. Troopers said a 36-year-old man was driving a Freightliner towing another semi when he blocked all travel lanes of I-5 on Mount Sexton and a Toyota Camry driven by a 62-year-old woman crashed into the Freightliner. According to OSP, the female driver sustained obvious injuries in the wreck and she was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center. Both the semi and the Camry were towed into Grants Pass where the semi was impounded. Following the investigation, the truck driver was cited for Reckless Driving.

 

One person was injured in a motor vehicle accident on Redwood Highway in the Kerby area. On Monday at 2:54 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the 25,100-block of US Highway 199. IVFD officials said arriving units found a single vehicle off the highway, with debris in the roadway. They said the single occupant of the vehicle was transported by AMR to a local hospital. Traffic control was established while Jerry's Towing arrived and removed the vehicle. Officials said the cause of the wreck was under investigation.

 

Applications are being accepted for a vacant position on the Grants Pass Tourism Advisory Committee. This position expires on March 31, 2025. The goal of the Tourism Advisory Committee is to encourage visitors and residents to engage in community activities while enhancing the positive image of Grants Pass through marketing, promotions and destination management. The purpose of the committee is to review and advise the work of the city's Tourism Contractor. This includes reporting findings and making recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council as needed. The special qualification for this open position is a person representing lodging properties within the City of Grants Pass. 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 Friday, September 27th.

 

The Grants Pass City Council is showing moderate interest in building a new fire station to replace the Hillcrest facility and the panel is showing strong interest in a $6.5 million rebuild of Caveman Pool. During its workshop on Monday, City Manager Aaron Cubic and Interim Fire Chief Randy DeLonge presented options to the Council for the Hillcrest Fire Station which is more than 50 years old. Both said there are livability issues for firefighters when they are on duty, but it is their best site for firefighter training. Delonge said the current fire station was built in 1971 with some modest seismic upgrades and other improvements since that time. The City Council plans to explore renovation options for Hillcrest or an alternative location for a new north-city fire station. In 2019, a study estimated it would take around $2 million to renovate the station. The Council requested city staff update those numbers to 2024 as well as estimated costs for a new fire station. Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins presented two options for Caveman Pool. The first is a $6.5 million proposal to rebuild the municipal facility including one large pool with a two-meter diving platform, 3/4-meter diving board and water slide, plus a sprayground, new pumphouse, renovated main building and no new parking. The Council showed strong interest in that option as opposed to another option that would cost just over $1 million. A final decision has not yet been made, but Councilors agreed the $6.5 million option could last as long as 50 years and there is already more than $6.3 million available for the Caveman Pool project.