Local News

Grants Pass Police officers responded to a vehicle complaint Tuesday night.

The reported vehicle had been parked at the Southern Oregon Aquatics and Pond property at 710 SW Foundry Street for over a week without moving. Trash surrounded the vehicle and the door was open with the light on.

A welfare check was requested, and officers arrived, contacting several potential suspects. One of the suspects, Kayanna Snyder, was found to be the owner. Officers, following a search of Snyder, also found her to be in possession of cocaine.

Snyder was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a charge of Possession of Cocaine, plus a warrant for Parole Violation and Larceny out of the Oregon State Parole Board.

 

Grants Pass Police contacted a suspect at Resting Site 6 while on an unrelated call Tuesday morning.

The suspect, Jason Oachs, was observed in the 704 NW 6th Street site. He was known by officers to be wanted on two valid warrants.

Both warrants charged him with Theft in the Second Degree, and said to not cite and release Oachs, nor release him due to overcrowding.

Oach's identity was confirmed, and officers transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

 

Dispatch received multiple calls for service regarding a woman at Walmart this morning.

Around 1:04 a.m., one caller said the woman seemed to be having a mental health issue on the east side of the 135 NE Terry Lane store. She was pacing back and forth, screaming, and pulled up over 15 vehicle's windshield wipers.

Officers arrived, contacted the woman, and subsequently took her into custody. No damage was observed on any of the vehicles.

On the way to the jail facility, she began hitting her head and spitting on the windows of the patrol vehicle.

She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail, and a charge of Third Degree Criminal Mischief was referred to the District Attorney's Office.

 

A Grants Pass Police officer observed a man with a knife in his vehicle parked at Grover Electric and Plumbing Tuesday.

The man was moving things into the back seat of the vehicle while parked at the 1001 Rogue River Highway store, and the officer saw a large knife in the suspect's left side pocket.

The suspect's vehicle was boxed in and he complied with officer's commands. He was contacted and identified as James Johannes. Officers learned he had two warrants, one out of the GPPD, and one from Eagle Point, charging him with Attempt to Elude Police, Second Degree Theft, and Shoplifting.

Johannes was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on his warrants and for a charge of First Degree Theft.

 

December marks the final opportunity for survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires to apply for the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP).

KDRV reports that, since opening in March 2024, HARP has assisted 70 survivors in buying a new home, and has reimbursed 31 other homeowners.

The program is part of ReOregon, funded by a $422 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has expanded eligibility criteria for recovery pathways to help more survivors apply before the December 31 deadline.

Those wanting to learn more or to apply can call the ReOregon Call Center at 877-510-6800 or 541-250-0938.

 

During a general discussion, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners heard four presentations from four applicants regarding economic development.

Chamber President and CEO Terry Hopkins presented to the board the Business Retention and Expansion committee business survey, with a request for $5,000 to allow for research. The survey's purpose would be to gather the voice of local businesses. The board moved to approve the request.

Next, Chad Hanson with Patriot Solutions, LLC advocated to be the arms, hands, and feet to put economic development dollars to work in the county. He requested $125,000 that would be used for personnel as needed. A motion to support Patriot Solutions for the first six months of operations for $62,500 paid upfront, then have a review session at the end of the six months to assess before moving to the next step passed 3-0.

Connor Kirkpatrick with 2 Guys 1 Truck, LLC and Thrift Right Here 501c3, requested $68,145 for a used 30-yard commercial dump truck and dump trailer with three bins, aiming to create 5 new, entry level, full time jobs.

The positions would include labor and hauling specialists, crew leader drivers, and a sorter/thrift store runner. A motion to approve his request carried 2-1, with Commissioner Ron Smith the lone dissenting vote.

Toni Webb with Josephine County Economic Development presented to the board a 6 month economic development project plan that could then be followed by evaluation.

The plan included preparation for the tourist season, and outreach to companies to consider opening divisions here or relocating, as well as having a focus on remote work. The board agreed to a proposal that she come back after six months to revisit the plan.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies were called out to the 300 block on Pinewood Way for a reported verbal dispute between a woman and her ex-boyfriend.

The woman reported around 2:24 p.m. that, 10 minutes prior, she and her ex had gotten into a verbal argument, stating he had been angry all day. He had come outside while she was vacuuming out her vehicle and kicked a bag of cans and the vacuum.

The suspect then proceeded to throw a drink on the woman, took their 4-year-old son, and drove off in a grey Jeep Wrangler. He was reported to be driving erratically. She told deputies he wasn't intoxicated and didn't have any weapons.

Deputies were able to locate and contact the suspect, identifying him as Carl Stewart. He was taken into custody, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a Harassment charge. His vehicle was towed back to the Pinewood Way property.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a reported flue fire in the 10,000 block of Takilma Road in Takilma this morning.

Upon arrival around 9:30 a.m., a significant amount of heat remained within the flue. The occupant, however, had successfully managed the incident prior to the crew's arrival.

I.V. Fire conducted a thorough inspection to ensure there was no fire extension into the attic or roofline and confirmed the absence of any further issues.

 

This year, The Salvation Army Grants Pass experienced unprecedented growth, serving nearly 5,000 people, up from just 1,500 last year, a 230% increase. With families lined up and 122,000 pounds of food distributed, the Corps urgently needed to expand and reorganize its food pantry to meet the demand. After learning about the need, Mason Smith, whose global platform reaches millions and who has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and been honored with a Webby Award, used his influence to uplift the local effort. What began as a simple introduction soon became an outpouring of nationwide support, with Lowe’s donating 18 industrial shelves. Mason repainted and refreshed the pantry, adding a new accent wall, while his national sponsors, including Tree Top, Olipop, and Lesser Evil, donated snacks and drinks for families. Monetary donations came in to help stock the pantry, and Mason returned days later with a truckload of toys to support four children through Angel Tree. Captain Yohani, Corps Officer, said that because of what Mason and everyone he inspired did, the Salvation Army Grants Pass pantry is equipped to serve thousands more families.