Local News

As the weather continues to trend toward warming and drying, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has moved into Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions across the local forest. Restrictions run from 12:01 a.m. today until November 30th. The Forest's fire danger rating has increased to "moderate" while the Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at "1." Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions allow campfires in designated campgrounds only, propane fire pits outside of designated campgrounds, and for a portable lantern, stove or campfire that is fueled with gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuels and has a shut-off valve in a cleared area at least five feet away from any flammable material. Operating chainsaws for the collection of firewood is regulated by permit, but electric chainsaw use is exempt from this order and allowed all day with a required 30-minute fire watch. The Wild & Scenic Rogue River Stage 1 Restrictions apply both to those traveling down the river on a watercraft as well as to those hiking the Rogue River National Recreation Trail. The rules are designed to limit fire danger to the extent possible. Additional fire restrictions are expected to be put in place as fire season progresses. If you're planning to recreate or utilize equipment on public lands this summer, please keep current regarding fire safety notifications and regulations in southwest Oregon.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on four outstanding warrants yesterday after he was caught driving a stolen vehicle just east of Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 36-year-old Brian William Domin, Jr., on Thursday at 3:34 p.m. following a traffic stop near the intersection of West Jones Creek Road and Foothill Boulevard. Deputies said they stopped Domin because he was driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen by the Eugene Police Department. The suspect told deputies he had permission to use the vehicle by the owner until next week. However, the owner of the vehicle told the suspect that if he did not give the car back immediately, he would report it stolen -- which he did. Further investigation revealed that Domin was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from an assault conviction, a Wasco County warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and two Josephine County warrants for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was placed into custody and two passengers were released. Domin was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and was being held on a no-bail detainer. The registered owner made arrangements to drive down from Eugene and retrieve his vehicle.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for starting a fight at and near a downtown resting site yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a disturbance involving multiple people at the NW 5th Street homeless encampment on Thursday around 4:15 p.m.. Police said numerous callers reported the incident involving 31-year-old Shane Codyglen Weidman. The callers advised several individuals were in the middle of the street engaged in a physical altercation. Many of them dispersed upon the arrival of law enforcement. An investigation determined that Weidman was the aggressor in the incident. He was causing issues inside the resting site and engaged in violent and threatening behavior by swinging a closed fist at a another man while hitting him in the chin. Weidman was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for cutting down and stealing the United States and State of Oregon flags at the Josephine County Courthouse early today. The Police Department reports officers tracked down and arrested 48-year-old James Matthew Brockmann at the NE 7th Street resting site at 5:35 this morning. Police said Brockmann was observed as he cut down the US and Oregon flags in front of the Courthouse around 4 a.m.. The suspect then took part of the rope and both flags without having any right to do so. He was seen folding up the flags and putting them in a cart behind his bicycle before he rode away. Officers searched the area until they received a tip that Brockmann had entered the homeless campground near GPPD headquarters. Upon contact, he confessed to the incident and his bicycle, the cart and the flags were located at 110 NE A Street. Brockmann was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. The stolen flags were returned to the Courthouse today by dayshift officers.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a teenager for causing a motor vehicle accident on Azalea Drive late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency crews responded to the wreck on Azalea Drive near Ewe Creek Road on Thursday around 4:15 p.m.. Deputies said the crash occurred between two Ford pickups -- one white and one burgundy -- when a 16-year-old male driver T-boned one of the trucks. No other information was available except that there were no injuries and the other driver was not happy. Both damaged pickups were towed to Grants Pass. The at-fault driver -- whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile -- was charged with four counts of Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center. The reason for the severity of the charges was not disclosed by the Sheriff's Office. According to the report, the young driver was also cited for Following Too Closely.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for violating her post-prison supervision after a trespassing complaint at a northeast city residence late last night. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the call at a home in the 1300-block of NE 10th Street on Thursday at 10:31 p.m.. Police said the homeowner reported that 43-year-old Dion Micki Cleek -- who had been trespassed from the property before -- was in the kitchen of the residence. The occupant told the woman to leave several times, but she refused to do so. Upon arrival, officers contacted Cleek and found her to be in possession of two daggers. She is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing any weapons. Cleek was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. She was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant after a traffic hazard in the Sunny Valley area yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were performing a patrol check on Thursday at about 11 a.m. when they spotted 55-year-old Scott Wayne Chitwood near a disabled vehicle at the intersection of Placer Road and Sunny Valley Loop. Deputies said Chitwood initially declined to identify himself to them. After they learned his identity, it was discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous robbery conviction. Chitwood was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. The disabled vehicle was pushed out of the roadway and was no longer a hazard.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for multiple crimes yesterday during a patrol check at a Cave Junction supermarket. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies contacted 37-year-old Floyd Argus Greenlee, III, near the Shop Smart on West Watkins Street at 12:42 p.m. Thursday. Deputies said they had probable cause to arrest Greenlee for Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass related to a previous criminal incident. He was also found to be in the company of an unidentified person who was legally protected from him. Greenlee was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass and Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.

 

A Josephine County resident is among three defendants who made their first appearances in federal court yesterday after committing various offenses during ongoing protest gatherings near a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in south Portland. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon reports 20-year-old Aziel Chambers of Merlin has been charged with the misdemeanor offenses of Assault on a Federal Officer, Creating a Hazard on Federal Property and Failing to Obey a Lawful Order. According to court documents and information shared in court, several individuals gathered near an ICE office where, for weeks, individuals have repeatedly targeted the building and federal law enforcement officers with threatening statements, discharging pepper spray, and throwing rocks, trash and bricks. On June 24th, Chambers allegedly pointed a laser pointer at a federal officer, striking the officer in the eye. Chambers was also charged with failing to comply with an officer's orders to leave the premises on June 17th and for throwing an object at federal property on June 20th. Chambers was released on conditions pending future court proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI and ICE. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.