Local News

GP Police Collared Young Man on 3 Local Felony Warrants at Boatnik Festival
Grants Pass Police apprehended a teenager wanted on three local felony warrants at Riverside Park during the latter part of the Boatnik Festival. According to the Police Department, officers spotted the 19-year-old male subject near the Lower Beer Garden at the city park festival on Sunday around 11:15 p.m.. Police said they recognized the young man and knew that he was wanted on two Grants Pass felony warrants for 3rd-Degree Assault and 2nd-Degree Robbery as well as a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for Intimidation. The young suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. He was being held in lieu of posting $285,000 bail.
Posted on 5/28/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
 

Cave Junction City Council Meets This Evening Due to Memorial Day Holiday
Due to the Memorial Day holiday yesterday, the Cave Junction City Council will meet this evening. Mayor Meadow Martell and City Council members Ethan Lane, Tina Casey Jones, Jean Ann Miles and Jesse Dugas will open the meeting by reviewing the minutes of April's regular meeting and considering an OLCC liquor license recommendation for La Zapoteca Market. Following the public comment period and re-appointment of budget committee members Patrick Sculley and Angela Evans, the Council will consider two ordinances. The first ordinance would amend an existing ordinance pertaining to the zoning map and comprehensive plan while the second would amend City Code relating to water and sewer rates. In other business, the Council will review the city contract with the Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Substation before authorizing the mayor's signatures. Tonight's meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Cave Junction City Hall, 222 Lister Street.
Posted on 5/28/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh
 

City of Talent Receiving Over $1.1 Million in FEMA Wildfire Resiliency Grants
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US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding the City of Talent more than $1.1 million through Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuel Reduction grants. The Senators from Oregon said the investments will help the Jackson County community boost forest management efforts and reduce dangerous fuels to build increased wildfire resiliency, which is vital as Talent continues to recover from the catastrophic 2020 Almeda Fire. Talent was hit especially hard, losing hundreds of homes and businesses in the Almeda Fire. Federal funding stemming from the disaster declaration continues to help the city and communities across the state recover, rebuild and increase preparedness to face future wildfire threats. Through the FEMA grants, Talent will receive $1,038,835 to fund the mitigation of wildfires to local residential and commercial infrastructure by reducing the threat to human life and property. The project will be implemented within two miles of homes and other structures specifically covering 74.8 acres of the Bear Creek Greenway and 5.82 acres of the Wagner Creek Greenway. Talent will also receive $69,250 to fund the city's management costs to mitigate wildfire risks to local and commercial infrastructure.
Posted on 5/28/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh
 

OR National Guard Program Offers High School Students Credits & Career Skills
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High school students in Oregon will have a paid opportunity to learn professional technical training while earning academic credit as part of a newly-endorsed program call the Oregon Plan. Created by the Oregon National Guard, the plan received official approval last month from the Oregon Department of Education, which is required as part of its regular renewal process. Established in 1995 as the Military Career Education Cluster Concept, The Oregon Plan enables school districts across the state to award academic credits to students who complete qualified military training and instruction. Approximately 700 high school students have joined the Oregon Guard since 2020. Multiple high schools across Oregon have approved the program including schools in Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Klamath and Lake counties in Southern Oregon. By enabling credit proficiencies through military training, the Oregon National Guard and The Oregon Plan exemplify a commitment to developing educated, skilled and work-ready youth for future success. Many of the credits earned may also translate into college credits toward a higher education degree.
Posted on 5/28/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh
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Four Grants Pass High School Seniors Named 2024 Ford Scholarship Winners
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District 7 is proud to announce that four Grants Pass High School seniors have been named 2024 Ford Scholars. The Ford Scholars program is a highly competitive scholarship awarded to students from Oregon and Siskiyou County, California, who plan to complete a four-year degree in their home state. Selected students must demonstrate care for their community, a strong work ethic, leadership potential and outstanding character. The scholarship amount varies by student, but it provides 90% of unmet need -- up to $40,000 a year. Congratulations to GPHS seniors Jasmine Cruz-Aguirre, Camille Noriega, Lucia Paz Oyangoren and Haley Soy. Grants Pass High School's Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony is Friday. We Are GP!
Posted on 5/28/24 5:55AM by Sam Marsh
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Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Shares Important Memorial Day Message
Memorial Day is a day when we stand united as one nation to pause and remember. We pause to honor and pay respects to those who gave their lives in service to this county, in service of freedom, in service of a more peaceful world. We remember their sacrifice, their valor, and their grace. Since the Civil War, almost 6,000 Oregonians have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation. On Memorial Day, we honor them and the more than 1.2 million service members who have given their lives nationwide. Those who served in our nation's Armed Forces come from a diverse tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our heroes are as diverse as the country itself. Like so few things in the world today, the courage to give one’s life in service to one’s nation knows no boundaries or prejudice. Men and women. Rich and poor. Educated and dropouts. Our nation's fallen heroes are counted from every race, every color, every creed, every tribe and every corner of our great nation. And on Memorial Day especially, we remember that those lost are not numbers or statistics. They are faces and names and voices that must never be forgotten. They are the loved ones who were left behind, and for whom the pain never goes away, even with the passage of time. And so, we also remember and honor the sacrifices of our Gold Star families. They, too, paid a tremendous price for the freedoms we now enjoy. It's been said that a great nation reveals itself not only by the citizens it produces, but by the citizens it honors and remembers. Today, we remember and honor our nation’s fallen heroes because they represent the very best our country has to offer. Their unwavering commitment to our nation’s greatest ideals reminds us to follow in their example, and to strive to live a life worthy of their sacrifice. May you and your loved ones enjoy a safe, happy and meaningful Memorial Day holiday.
Posted on 5/27/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Motorist for Ramming Vehicle Containing Two While Impaired
Grants Pass Police jailed a motorist for eight crimes after he targeted another vehicle containing a mother and her child while impaired in the southwest part of the city this weekend. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested the 28-year-old male subject for the incident near Albertsons in the Allen Creek Shopping Center on Saturday shortly before midnight. Police said an investigation revealed that the suspect intentionally rammed the victims' vehicle numerous times as he targeted the vehicle and followed the victims while the mother was on the phone with 9-1-1 dispatchers. They said the victims were in fear for their lives as the suspect continued to ram them in the parking lot. Officers located the renegade motorist on Union Avenue a short time later and he displayed strong signs of impairment. He was uncooperative and physically resisted being placed into custody. He was eventually subdued, a search warrant was granted and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented an extreme level of inebriation. While at the hospital, the man displayed some medical concerns and he was admitted for observation. After he was cleared, he was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, two counts of Reckless Endangering, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail and his vehicle was impounded.
Posted on 5/27/24 11:12AM by Sam Marsh
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Physical Altercation between Siblings at GP Park Lands Man in Jail for 5 Crimes
A physical altercation at a Grants Pass city park landed a man in jail on multiple charges. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers were alerted to a fight between several people at Morrison Centennial Park on Rogue River Highway on Friday at 8:05 p.m.. Police said the 34-year-old male subject approached his sister and demanded that she turn over her pull-behind cart, which belonged to her boyfriend. Brother and sister got into a physical altercation with the sister trying to retain her property and the brother trying to use physical force to take it. According to the report, the man struck his sister with a collapsible baton and then attempted to strike her boyfriend with a large metal pole. He also used the pole to strike his sister twice, which broke two bones in her arm. In addition, the man used to pole to threaten his own mother before he fled from the park with the cart. Police searched the area and were unable to locate the suspect until early Saturday morning when they found him at Tussing Park. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Robbery, Felony 2nd-Degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Menacing. He was being held without bail. His sister was treated at Three Rivers Medical Center.
Posted on 5/27/24 11:11AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Arrested Man for Throwing Elderly Father to Ground at SW Home
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for pushing his elderly father to the ground at a residence in the southwest part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1500-block of SW Jordan Street on Friday at about 4:20 p.m.. Police said a 49-year-old man was intoxicated when he became involved in an argument with his family that escalated to him throwing his 82-year-old father to the ground. They said an investigation revealed that both parties struck each other with their fists before the subject grabbed his father and threw him down. According to the report, no one was seriously injured and the son had been acting aggressively toward other family members throughout the day. Responding officers interviewed family members and then placed the suspect into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment and was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/27/24 11:10AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Woman for Yelling at Elderly Man & Interfering with Parade
Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for threatening an elderly person at a trailer park before interfering with the Boatnik Parade. The Police Department reports officers from the Medford Police Department assisted them in arresting the 34-year-old female subject near the corner of 7th Street and Voorhies Way on Saturday at 10:32 a.m.. Police said the woman yelled at and threatened to kill and elderly man at Royal Trailer Park before she crossed over Caveman Bridge and decided to walk into the parade. They said she caused public alarm by shouting at multiple people, slapping a National Guard Humvee and exposing her bare breast to a security guard. MPD officers watching the parade assisted the security guard and Grants Pass police with placing the unruly woman into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct.
Posted on 5/27/24 11:08AM by Sam Marsh
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Motorist Hurt after Rolling Vehicle off Forest Service Road in the Illinois Valley
A motorist was injured yesterday when he rolled his vehicle off a US Forest Service Road in the Illinois Valley. On Sunday at 1:49 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash off Briggs Valley Road at Spaulding Pond near Cave Junction. IVFD officials said the driver swerved to miss an oncoming vehicle before going off the road. They said as he was attempting to exit the vehicle, his door opened and he fell approximately 20 feet down a hill. The driver was removed from the area by IVFD personnel who used a low-angle rope rescue. He was transferred to an awaiting AMR ambulance for transport to Three Rivers Medical Center. The Sheriff's Office was investigating the crash.
Posted on 5/27/24 6:46AM by Sam Marsh
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Firefighters Saved Horse Operation in Redwood Area of Grants Pass on Sunday
Firefighters saved a horse operation in the Redwood area of Grants Pass yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to the reported structure fire on Boundary Lane on Sunday at about 1:15 p.m.. Arriving units found an outbuilding and motorhome on fire next to a large occupied horse barn. Crews got a quick handle on the two-alarm blaze, keeping flames from spreading to the barn, a couple of horse trailers and nearby pastures. According to Rural Metro, there were no injuries to humans or horses. Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Posted on 5/27/24 6:45AM by Sam Marsh
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