Local News

The Oregon State Police warned a motorist for causing a two-vehicle crash in downtown Cave Junction late yesterday. According to OSP, troopers and emergency crews responded to the accident in the 100-block of North Redwood Highway on Monday at 5:36 p.m.. Troopers said a 52-year-old Cave Junction man was driving a Nissan Titan pickup when he pulled out in front of a BMW 328 sedan driven by a 29-year-old Crescent City, California, man. Both drivers reported they were not injured. At least one of the vehicles was damaged and towed to a secure lot. Following the investigation, the Cave Junction man was warned for Failure to Yield Right of Way While Entering a Highway.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office captured a suspect who was attempting to flee from a weekend shooting in White City. On Sunday at 11:15 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to a report of shots fired and someone running from the scene near the intersection of 29th and Falcon streets. Deputies located the shooting victim within minutes and provided life-saving measures before the victim was transported by Mercy Flights to a local hospital where they were in serious but stable condition. Meanwhile, a deputy located the suspect attempting to flee and detained him without incident. The suspect -- identified as 33-year-old Romualdo Balero of White City -- was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of 2nd-Degree Attempted Murder, 1st-Degree Assault, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Menacing and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Jackson County Public Information Officer Aaron Lewis said sheriff's detectives are handling the investigation, which is open and ongoing.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has reported an in-custody death at the jail facility in Grants Pass. Last Friday evening, the Sheriff's Office reports an adult-in-custody was found unresponsive in their single cell at the jail on NE F Street. Undersheriff Travis Snyder said medical assistance was rendered until personnel from Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response arrived and took over attempted life-saving measures. Despite the efforts of first responders, 32-year-old Zachary Dumont of Brookings was pronounced deceased. Dumont was in custody for Physical Harassment after he intentionally spit on an emergency room nurse at Three Rivers Medical Center. Snyder said detectives from the Oregon State Police are investigating the incident, which includes determining the cause of death. He said no further information will be provided by the Sheriff's Office at this time.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for causing a weekend disturbance at a downtown watering hole while under the influence of "magic mushrooms." The Police Department reports officers arrested the 49-year-old male subject for the incident at River City Grill on SE K Street on Saturday night. Police said a female caller reported the man was at the bar causing a disturbance after he consumed psilocybin mushrooms. The caller said he was clearly unable to care for himself as he was arguing with customers and threatening to fight them for no reason. He was also hallucinating and unable to hold a conversation with police. The suspect was advised he was under arrest, but he refused to comply with lawful orders and made threats toward officers while posturing aggressively. He was eventually subdued and placed into custody without injuries. The suspect -- who was identified as a worker at the business -- was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Menacing and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail.

 

Police arrested a man for causing public alarm while wielding a baseball bat near the Grants Pass Growers Market. Grants Pass Police responded to the incident at the corner of NW 4th and F streets on Saturday morning. Police said the 47-year-old male subject was causing public alarm by swinging a baseball bat and hitting food trucks in the area of the growers market. One caller advised the man was yelling at anyone who looked at him while hitting trees and the ground with the bat. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Damage to the food trucks was not disclosed. Officers placed the man into custody and discovered that he was wanted on a GPPD warrant for Failure to Report as a Convicted Sex Offender. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving and more last weekend after he crashed a vehicle onto private property east of Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck in the 3800-block of Foothill Boulevard on Sunday at 4:45 p.m.. Deputies said a 48-year-old man was driving a Chevrolet Suburban when he lost control of the vehicle, rolled into a residential yard and took out a large section of fence. Damage to the fencing was estimated to be well over $1,000. According to the report, the driver was contacted as he was walking away from the crash scene. He had a visible scratch on his head, but refused medical treatment. He was placed into custody after displaying obvious signs of impairment. A search warrant was obtained and the suspect was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. He was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Criminal Mischief. His wrecked SUV was towed to the impound yard.

 

The Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) is a common tool carried by local firefighters to help save lives and property. It provides the ability to detect unseen heat. Rural Metro Fire officials said the TIC is critical when looking for injured or trapped people in zero visibility such as dark or smoky conditions. Used not only inside burning structures, the TIC has helped locate vehicle crash victims who have been ejected into the brush and even scared pets who have run off due to a traumatic event. Law enforcement and search & rescue teams often use a TIC to search for missing or fleeing objects in dark conditions. Officials said the ability to use the TIC to locate hidden fire behind walls, ceilings and even flooring has led to quickly stopping fire spread, ultimately preventing thousands of dollars in property loss.

 

Pacific Power is hosting a public forum in Central Point today to discuss its latest efforts to mitigate the threat of wildfire. The public forum is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mace Watchable Wildlife Memorial Center at the Jackson County Expo. The forum will also be livestreamed at "us06web.zoom.us." During this conversation, Pacific Power representatives will detail the important steps they take during wildfire season to keep customers and communities safe. This forum is an opportunity to learn about the company's comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans in Oregon. Key topics include ongoing efforts to strengthen their system, advance weather monitoring capabilities, enhanced vegetation management practices, enhanced safety setting for wildfire season and Public Safety Power Shutoffs -- an important tool when wildfire risk makes it necessary to turn off power to ensure safety. Pacific Power officials said protecting their customers and communities while providing safe, reliable electricity is their highest priority. If you have any questions or would like to request a reasonable accommodation to attend this event, please call 1-(888)-221-7070.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is inviting the public to share their thoughts about the draft management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The BLM will host one virtual and three in-person public meetings on the proposed plan. The virtual meeting will feature an overview of the draft plan and a summary of the alternatives and analysis. The in-person meetings will be an open house format, where members of the public will be able to meet with specialists to learn more about the draft plan and provide substantive comments. The virtual meeting will be held Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.. To register, visit "bit.ly/CSNMdraft." In-person meetings will occur on May 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Medford Armory, May 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Klamath Community College and May 18th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Pinehurst School near Ashland. The BLM's Draft Resource Management Plan will consolidate management of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, providing consistency for land managers and the public. The monument is currently managed under three separate plans. Interested parties may also submit written comments to the BLM by July 5th.