Local News

Emergency crews were alerted to a traffic accident that occurred Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. between Kerby and Selma.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police responded to the two-vehicle incident at the corner of Redwood Highway and Eight Dollar Road.

According to OSP, scene evidence indicated a white Dodge 1500 attempted to make a dangerous left turn from U.S. Highway 199 northbound when it collided with a southbound black Audi A4.

The operator of the Dodge was warned for making a Dangerous Left Turn, and was cited for Driving Uninsured. The driver of the Audi, who was transported to the hospital for minor injuries, was also issued citations for Driving While Suspended and Driving Uninsured.

The Oregon Department of Forestry witnessed the event and managed the scene until additional fire units arrived. The Oregon Department of Transportation provided support with traffic management. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is reminding travelers they can expect delays of up to 15 minutes on Interstate 5 south of Grants Pass this evening.

Beginning at about 5 p.m., watch for rolling slowdowns in the northbound and southbound lanes between Rogue River Exit 48 and Exit 55 at South Grants Pass while utility crews replace power lines over the interstate.

During a rolling slowdown, traffic control vehicles hold traffic to a slow but steady pace to give utility crews time to access the power lines. This allows crews to work safely while keeping traffic moving, avoiding lengthy road closures. Emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through as needed.

The work will be completed in about 45 minutes. Expect congestion, watch for pilot cars, and use caution when traveling through the work zone. Use an alternate route or postpone travel until traffic clears to avoid delays. Check TripCheck.com for the latest information.

After a break for the holiday weekend, utility crews will return up to three more times in the coming weeks to complete the power line replacement.

 

Grants Pass's City Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to close resting beds when beds are available at Parker's Place. Elk Island Trading Group has been preparing Parker Place to accommodate 150 persons, but unforeseen complications have slowed the completion of the site. A portion will be complete very soon and will open with a 40-person capacity. There is a waiting list for those beds. The remaining buildings are expected to follow soon. The vote to approve was 4 to 3 with Councilors Victoria Marshall, Kathleen Krohn and Erich Schloegl voting no.The Grants Pass City Council approved an ordinance adopting a public installed reimbursement district for the Allen Creek Road Regional Storm water pond. This allows the City as the applicant to recover a portion of the costs. Property owners that will receive benefit from the storm water pond will be required to pay upon application to connect to the facility. A second ordinance was approved creating a developer installed reimbursement district for Consolidated Estates. The project will install about 350 lineal feet of street and water improvements and 323 feet of sewer improvements from the west end of Southwest J Street to Lincoln Road. Properties receiving benefit from the improvements will be required to pay upon connection.Councilors approved a supplemental budget for fiscal year 2026 creating changes in the general fund. Most of the changes have very little impact and are incorporated with the recommended fiscal year '27' operating and capital budget.A request for permission for commercial activity and a waiver of park fees except for the security deposit was approved to allow Blaze-N-Monkey's LLC to create the fourth annual 4th of July free community. The Council, acting as the Urban Renewal Agency, approved a resolution establishing vandalism grant program.

 

A man passed all points of sale at Safeway with stolen goods, leading to their arrest for theft and trespass charges by Grants Pass Police Tuesday.

Dispatch was notified by an employee of the 115 SE 7th Street grocer at 8:50 p.m. that the previously trespassed suspect, Sean MacDowell, was yelling by the bathrooms, claiming someone was dying inside.

The bathroom was confirmed to be clear by employees, and MacDowell proceed to exit the building, still yelling and screaming, with what appeared to be bottles of wine in his pockets. He was described to dispatch as having a salt and pepper pony tail and wearing an Oregon State Beavers sweater.

A response from law enforcement was requested, and officers located MacDowell in the alley between G and H Streets and 6th and 7th Streets. He was found to be in possession of just over $54 worth of merchandise, including summer sausage, deli meats, and one bottle of wine.

Officers took MacDowell into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. He was lodged for Second Degree Trespass, and Third Degree Theft.
A man passed all points of sale at Safeway with stolen goods, leading to their arrest for theft and trespass charges by Grants Pass Police Tuesday.

Dispatch was notified by an employee of the 115 SE 7th Street grocer at 8:50 p.m. that the previously trespassed suspect, Sean MacDowell, was yelling by the bathrooms, claiming someone was dying inside.

The bathroom was confirmed to be clear by employees, and MacDowell proceed to exit the building, still yelling and screaming, with what appeared to be bottles of wine in his pockets. He was described to dispatch as having a salt and pepper pony tail and wearing an Oregon State Beavers sweater.

A response from law enforcement was requested, and officers located MacDowell in the alley between G and H Streets and 6th and 7th Streets. He was found to be in possession of just over $54 worth of merchandise, including summer sausage, deli meats, and one bottle of wine.

Officers took MacDowell into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. He was lodged for Second Degree Trespass, and Third Degree Theft.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended two suspects camping near the railroad tracks in the 4000 block of Foothill Boulevard.

Both suspects were reportedly camping near Tom Pearce Park Tuesday morning at 8:33 when police units parked in front of the incident location. Deputies contacted William Contos and Courtney Hall, and proceeded to take them into custody.

They were charged with a count each of First Degree Criminal Mischief, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Offensive Littering, and Depositing Trash within 100 Yards of Water. Both were lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested and trespassed a man from A-1 Market for a probation violation and trespassing charge.

The suspect, identified as Nicholas Knowles, was reported at the 605 NE 7th Street business by the store's owner. Dispatch learned Knowles had been previously trespassed from the property, and was told to leave twice by staff.

Police arrived and contacted Knowles outside by the ice machine. He was found to have been consuming intoxicants, which was a violation of his probation. Law enforcement took Knowles into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

He was lodged on a detainer and Second Degree Criminal Trespass charge. The police report stated Knowles may be in violation of his sex offender registration requirements. Charges will be referred to the District Attorney's Office.

 

Evergreen Federal Bank has donated $40,000 to the Mid Rogue Foundation in support of the Hillcrest Veterans Village.

A news release from the bank highlighted the initiative and its focus on providing permanent, high-quality housing and specialized services for veterans in Josephine County. Doug Walker, President of the Mid Rogue Foundation and project manager said the organization is "excited to move forward with this much-needed project."

The development is currently under construction on NE Hillcrest Drive in Grants Pass, and will include 36 one and two-bedroom apartments, some ADA-accessible, along with a community room, conference space, and offices for service providers and on-site staff.

According to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, local veterans face an elevated risk of homelessness, often due to a gap between military service and stable housing. Hillcrest Veterans Village is designed to address this need by offering affordable housing amid rising community housing costs.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man that smashed out a window at Affordable Truck and RV Tuesday.

An employee of Bi-Mart called 911 to report the incident at the 324 Redwood Highway business, saying someone was breaking windows and throwing things. Employees at the lot confronted the suspect before he ran off towards Paradise Auto.

Officers responded and contacted the suspect, David Dues, before calling Affordable to gather more information about the crime and see if employees wished to pursue charges. Dues reportedly caused about $200 in damages, and the general manager wanted him not only charged, but trespassed from the business.

Law enforcement took Dues into custody. He was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for charges including Second Degree Burglary, Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.

 

A fence-climbing burglary suspect was reported to 911, leading to her arrest by Grants Pass Police Tuesday night.

The 911 Dispatch Center was alerted to the woman attempting to jump a fence in the 1300 block of Rogue River Highway. The caller said the suspect was asking people to pass items over the fence.

An officer checked the area and observed the woman, later identified as Mary Chen, still inside the gated property, but she walked away behind cars when the patrol vehicle pulled up to the gate. It was reported to the officer that Chen wasn't supposed to be on the property.

Law enforcement learned Chen had entered a building on the property and proceeded to take clothing valued at about $100. She attempted to exit the property over the fence by using a ladder, but was unsuccessful. Security camera footage further confirmed the attempted theft.

Chen was taken into custody but was uncooperative. She was transported by police to the Adult Jail Facility where she was lodged for Second Degree charges of Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Trespass. She was further trespassed from the incident location and the Union Avenue Rogue Credit Union.