Local News

Oregon Community Trees (OCT) has honored a certified arborist from Talent with the organization's President's Award. The award recognizes Michael Oxendine's exceptional contributions to urban and community forestry including his work as president of the nonprofit OCT in 2022-23. This accolade follows closely on the heels of Oxendine's recognition in April when he received the Oregon Heritage Tree Program's 2024 "Tree Hero Award" during Oregon's Arbor Month celebrations. Both awards are in addition to his work with the City of Talent to restore tree canopy after the devastating Almeda Fire, which led to the Oregon Department of Forestry naming Talent as Oregon's "Tree City of the Year" in 2023. Oxendine is the first person in Oregon to receive both the President's Award and Tree Hero Award in the same year. His work with Our Community Forestry -- the nonprofit organization he founded last year -- is transforming Southern Oregon and positioning the region as a leader in equitable urban forestry.

 

A shop and several outbuildings were destroyed and a home was heavily damaged in a three-alarm structure fire in west Grants Pass last night. On Wednesday at 6:25 p.m., Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and the Grants Pass Police Department were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 1200-block of SW Jordan Street. Initially, the fire was thought to be on SW Hall Street just off G. The first unit arrived within five minutes to find a fully-involved structure and flames spreading to a second structure, with other nearby buildings imminently threatened. A third alarm was sounded to bring additional resources from Josephine and Jackson counties to the scene. Eleven fire engines with more than 30 firefighters battled the wind-driven fire, bringing it under control in just over an hour. Grants Pass police officers provided critical road closures and patrolled the area, looking for spot fires. Several were detected and extinguished without further damage. American Medical Response evaluated two firefighters for heat exposure. None required transport to the hospital. There were no injuries reported. The Oregon State Fire Marshal was investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a young woman for slapping and kicking her elderly grandmother yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 900-block of NE Savage Street on Wednesday around 11:10 a.m.. Police said the 18-year-old female subject was upset because she was unable to find her drugs, so she began tearing up the house she shares with her mother and grandmother. When her grandmother confronted the girl and told her to stop, she slapped her with a wooden spoon and repeatedly kicked the elderly woman. According to the report, the grandmother refused medical treatment -- but she wanted to pursue charges against her granddaughter whom she accused of being a frequent user of methamphetamine, marijuana, mushrooms and "whip-its." Upon arrival, officers interviewed both parties before placing the suspect into custody. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mistreatment and Physical Harassment. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man on a statewide felony warrant following a display of strange behavior outside a Redwood area retailer early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call at the Dollar General store on Redwood Avenue on Wednesday shortly after 7 a.m.. Police said a store worker called 9-1-1 to report a male subject dancing around and talking to himself with his pants almost down to his knees directly in front of the business. The caller said they believed the man was under the influence of drugs. Upon arrival, officers contacted the 28-year-old man and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from past burglary and theft convictions. A consent search found him to be in possession of two Dodge vehicle key fobs, which he claimed to have found the night before at Tussing Park. They were seized for safekeeping. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass woman for felony impaired driving late yesterday following a traffic complaint on Rogue River Highway. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Toyota Tacoma driven by a 30-year-old female subject near milepost 2 of Highway 99 on Wednesday at 4:54 p.m.. Troopers said they were dispatched to a traffic complaint, the suspect vehicle was located and a traffic stop was initiated. Upon contact with the driver, they said she showed several signs of impairment and was found to have felony revoked driving privileges. She was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. Based on the results of the blood draw, the suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Felony Driving While Suspended and Reckless Driving. She was being held without bail and her vehicle was impounded.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an Illinois Valley woman on a local felony warrant this week following a brief pursuit in Cave Junction. Sheriff's deputies eventually placed the 33-year-old female subject into custody at Taylor's Country Store on South Redwood Highway on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said they spotted the woman who was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief in the downtown area and she took off running toward Taylor's. The suspect was located hiding in the restroom of the business and she was placed into custody without further incident. She was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail in lieu of posting $30,000. Jail records noted she was not to be released due to overcrowding.

 

Grants Pass Police issued several citations and evicted three people from city parks during Wednesday patrol checks. At Fruitdale Park, officers cited a camper for Fentanyl Possession and trespassed him for 30 days. Five campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to the United Community Action Network (UCAN). At Riverside Park, a camper was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Misuse of Open Spaces. She was issued a 30-day exclusion. Property and garbage abandoned by a man was removed from the park. Wet biohazard items that were infested by flies and maggots were disposed of at Southern Oregon Sanitation. Seventeen campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to UCAN. At Tussing Park, a woman was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Misuse of Open Spaces. She was trespassed for 30 days. Thirteen campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to UCAN. At Baker Park, officers cited the driver of an Oldsmobile for illegally parking in a boat trailer space. Two other people were warned for parking in boat trailer spaces.

 

Summer is here and Oregonians are eager to hike, camp, boat, climb and explore. In recognition of "Search and Rescue Month," several state agencies are sharing best practices on how to keep outdoor adventures safe for people and Oregon's scenic landscape. On average, more than 1,000 Search and Rescue (SAR) missions are conducted each year in Oregon. During the last decade, 99% of people needing SAR help lived outside the county where they were rescued. Lack of preparedness was often the common denominator. While traveling for a few hours or a week, people should know their physical limits and plan for activities that won't exceed their experience. Before heading out, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) recommends best practices including Know the Trail and Conditions, Make a Plan and Tell Someone, Practice Situational Awareness, Listen to Your Body, Watch for Hazards, Stay on Marked Trails and Respect Trail Closures. Pack the Day Hike 10 Essentials including proper equipment, extra food, water and supplies. Leave no trace to minimize your impact on the environment. Stay in touch as there might not be cell coverage and reception on the trail. Wear proper shoes and prepare for the weather by bringing sun protection and lots of water on hot days. Practice water safety before you head out. Check water levels, tide levels, obstructions, local regulations and boating access.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man wanted by the Grants Pass Police Department this week after a welfare check on a woman residing at a home just east of the city. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the residence in the 2200-block of West Jones Creek Road around midday Tuesday. Deputies said they were requested to check on a woman who had a caregiver that was barred from contacting the woman due to a court order. On their way into the property, they contacted three people who were reportedly squatting on the land. One of those people was identified as 49-year-old man who was wanted by GPPD for probable cause of Felony 1st-Degree Theft and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle related to a recent criminal investigation. He was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for the mentioned charges plus Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.