Local News

Grants Pass fire officials will follow the Oregon Department of Forestry by raising the city's fire danger to level to "extreme" on Friday. Wildfire danger in an around the City of Grants Pass has increased, so a return to extreme fire danger begins at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those that begin Friday affects the public use of power-driven machinery such as chainsaws and mowers. The use of power-driven equipment; the grinding, cutting and welding of metal; and the use of other spark-emitting equipment -- such as wood-splitters and generators -- will be prohibited in areas of flammable vegetation. Open wood-fueled fires are prohibited -- including campfires, cooking fires and warming fires -- except in locations designated by the City Fire Marshal. Wood smokers, charcoal barbecues as well as propane- and natural gas-fueled ornamental fires are allowed. Motor vehicles -- including motorcycles and ATVs -- are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation except for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle, in a boat on the water, or in a cleared area within a designated campsite. The Grants Pass Fire Marshal or an authorized representative may -- in writing -- approve a modification or waiver of these requirements. For more information about fire season regulations, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (541)-450-6200.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for repeated threats against his neighbor's house-sitter in the Jerome Prairie area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 52-year-old male subject in the 800-block of Sleepy Hollow Loop on Wednesday at 4:28 p.m.. Deputies said they were alerted to an ongoing issue between a male and female at that location. The woman had called 9-1-1 to report the man was threatening her via phone and text. She said she was afraid because the man has a gun and he had discharged it in the past. She added that the situation was escalating. Following an investigation, deputies determined the man had called and texted the house-sitter after a Labor Day incident involving dogs and that he had threatened serious physical injury to the victim. Messages were left advising he would beat the brains out of the victim and he had fired warning shots with his firearm. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order protecting a former girlfriend who lives at a residence in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 700-block of SW Foundry Street on Wednesday around 7:25 a.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 and reported her 45-year-old ex-boyfriend was outside her home. The caller said her doors were locked, but the man has a key to get inside. She added that he has threatened to kill her in the past, which prompted her to obtain a protective restraining order. Upon arrival, officers learned that the man is prohibited from having any form of contact with the woman and he must stay at least 150 feet away from her. They said he had violated the court order by sending the woman several threatening text messages and sitting outside her residence in his vehicle. Police contacted the suspect and he admitted that he knew he was violating terms of the court order. He was charged with three counts of Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation and one count of 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief before being lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for attacking his friend during an argument over a song containing racy lyrics. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a reported disturbance near the corner of NE 6th and D streets on Wednesday at about 1:40 p.m.. Police said two men got into an argument over one of them playing music that contained sexually-suggestive lyrics. They said a 39-year-old male subject accused the other man of "assaulting" him with his music, so he punched the man in the jaw. He then took the other man's skateboard, broke it in half and stole it. The two men chased each other around and yelled loudly, causing public alarm. The suspect was located and admitted that he broke the skateboard before throwing it in the bushes. The victim was seen by medics, but he refused hospital transport. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Petty Theft. He was being held without bail. The victim told officers he would search for his skateboard pieces and bring them to the police station for photographs.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for attempting to enter a house between Grants Pass and Merlin yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a trespassing complaint at a residence on Forest Glen Drive near Azalea Drive on Wednesday at 11:20 a.m.. Deputies said they were alerted to an intoxicated male subject who unlawfully went onto a property and tried to open the door to the house. They said the occupant confronted the subject and the man fled the scene on foot. After searching the area, deputies found the barefoot man lying on the ground and crawling in the 4700-block of Azalea Drive. They had probable cause to believe the man had attempted to unlawfully enter the dwelling, so they placed him into custody. The entire incident was captured on video surveillance. The suspect was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was booked for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist on multiple charges after he crashed his vehicle into a fence in a southeast-city neighborhood last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to a possible "road rage" incident involving a red Chevrolet Camaro in the 700-block of SE Riverside Avenue on Wednesday around 7:30 p.m.. Police said a 30-year-old male subject was in a disturbance at that location after he drove his vehicle in a reckless manner and crashed into a fence, causing about $800 in damage. Video of the wreck was filmed by the residents who wished to pursue criminal charges against the driver. The driver whom police identified as "Anthony Michael Eller" was placed into custody and found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine, which was seized for destruction. Eller was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Meth Possession. A friend took possession of his car.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for petty theft and drug possession after she tried to steal merchandise from Walmart early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on NE Terry Lane on Wednesday shortly before 8 a.m.. Police said Walmart loss prevention officers stopped the 40-year-old female subject after they observed her conceal store goods and pass all points of sale without paying for them. The jewelry and party supplies were valued at $76.70. Upon police contact with the woman, she admitted committing the theft and to having drugs on her person. A consent search uncovered a small amount of a powdery substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl. She was also found to be in possession of another unspecified narcotic substance. The suspect was lodged at the nearby jail facility for 3rd-Degree Theft, Possession of Fentanyl and Possession of a Schedule 4 Controlled Substance. She was being held without bail and she was trespassed from the big box retailer.

 

The Grants Pass City Council last night reaffirmed the right of police to enforce rules for two designated public campsites related to proper spacing. All eight City Council members were in attendance, but Mayor Sara Bristol was absent so Council President Vanessa Ogier led the meeting. The Council voted 8-0 to approve an ordinance amending Grants Pass Municipal Code pertaining to the utilization of open city park space for the sites at SE J Street and the corner of 6th & A streets, and declaring an emergency. The emergency declaration was made to ensure the new ordinance went into effect immediately. City Manager Aaron Cubic stated that the ordinance is a clarification of the Grants Pass Police Department's authority to ensure proper spacing of tents at the new sites now that the unhoused population has been removed from city parks. Tents can occupy a space no larger than 8-by-8-feet and campsites must be at least six feet away from each other. In other business, the City Council approved an appeal of system development charges associated with a new RV park on NE Greenfield Road. The Greenfield RV Resort was facing a one-time SDC payment of more than $242,000 for sewer service, but the panel voted 6-2 to reduce the amount by over $72,000 based on a 50% reduction in the number of fixtures per unit for recreational vehicles.

 

Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a fast-moving grass fire that erupted near Ashland and shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 yesterday. On Wednesday afternoon, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Jackson County Fire District #5 and Ashland Fire & Rescue responded to the fire near milepost 11.5 of I-5. Arriving agencies engaged in an aggressive initial attack that included orders for air tanker and helicopter drops of water and retardant. The initial size of the fire was estimated to be five acres and the Oregon Department of Transportation shut down the southbound lanes of I-5 due to its proximity to the freeway. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order for one zone and a Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notice for another. The evacuation notices were left at Level 2 overnight as crews continued to mop-up the blaze. By 3:05 p.m., firefighters had the fire 90% wetlined and were keeping it in check with helicopter water bucket drops. Forward progress of the blaze was stopped and retardant loads were canceled. Resources continued lining the fire and bolstering containment lines. In a final update at 7:20 p.m., ODF reported the fire was GPS-mapped at 13 acres and it was 100% lined. Firefighting resources remained engaged in mopping up the incident through the night. ODOT reopened one travel lane on southbound I-5. ODF officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.