Local News

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a suspect attempting to steal merchandise from Walmart.

Dispatch was alerted to the suspect that had been detained by loss prevention around 8:22 p.m. It was reported Rachael Lowden had walked past all points of sale with $75 worth of items concealed on her person before being apprehended by staff.

She was cooperative with loss prevention and, upon arrival of officers, was taken into custody. Her parole officer requested a detainer, so law enforcement lodged Lowden in jail for Third Degree Theft, and the detainer. She was also trespassed from the 135 NE Terry Lane store.

 

A Land Use Hearing regarding a request for an appeal objecting to the Director's Decision to approve a cannabis processing facility with access off of 2581 Dick George Road was held at 10 a.m.

During the planning staff review of the application, staff received comments regarding the proposed Processing Facility. Comments raised concerns related to topics such as Methods of Processing, Traffic, Water Usage, and Odor.

In response, the applicant said traffic would be reduced due to processing on-site, drip irrigation systems with moisture sensors would be used to reduce unnecessary water use, and fencing requirements are established through OLCC regulations and are required for compliance purposes.

The Director and staff drafted a decision addressing the comments, and the application appealing the decision raised concerns regarding the applicant's operations and representation, plus the percentage of the farm crop proposed that will be produced on the farm.

A Non-Volatile Cannabis Processor Proposal was presented next, with video showing the process. Three connex units would be used on the 100 ft. by 100 ft. premises, with minimal off-site impact. Kief Production is already a producer privilege.

On the opposition, it was stated their road was going to be affected by the factory. It was said the Kief machines would be 55 to 70 decibels, potentially going through insulation and long distances, causing problems for people and animals. Ambiguity, wells, and danger to families were mentioned as worries.

A motion to continue the hearing Monday, August 31st at 10 a.m., and that the record remain open, passed 3-0.

 

Grants Pass Police observed a vehicle failing to use a turn signal, leading to the drivers arrest for an Oregon Parole Board warrant.

Sunday at 5:22 p.m., a white Buick was seen turning westbound on G Street and failing to use a signal. The officer initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Jessy Randall, at the corner of SW G Street and SW 6th Street.

It was determined Randall was wanted on a Parole Board warrant for a violation and was driving uninsured. The officer took him into custody and the vehicle was impounded. During an inventory check, drug related items were located inside the Buick, later to be logged for destruction.

Randall was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for his warrant.

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley announced a $390,000 gift from an anonymous donor, made through a Donor Advised Fund held by Four Way Community Foundation.

The gift represents the largest grant made by Four Way Community Foundation since 1994 and will make a significant investment in transportation and teen services for young people throughout the Rogue Valley.

The funding will support four key priorities: the purchase of a new bus for Club field trips, the purchase of a van to transport youth, operating support for the new Grants Pass Teen Center, and a partial renovation of the Teen Center’s outdoor space. The new Teen Center is scheduled to open in January 2027.

The gift comes at a pivotal moment as Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley prepares to open its new Grants Pass Teen Center in January 2027. The gift will provide operating support during the Center’s opening phase and help fund improvements to its outdoor space, expanding opportunities for teens to gather, connect and participate in activities.

Designed specifically for teens, the Center will provide a welcoming, dedicated environment where young people can build relationships with trusted adults and peers, receive academic and career support, participate in enrichment opportunities and develop skills for life after high school.

The grant also marks a significant milestone for Four Way Community Foundation as its largest grant since 1994, demonstrating the important role donor advised funds can play in connecting local philanthropy with significant community needs.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to three calls for service regarding the same individual Saturday night.

The incident occurred at the Bohemian Bar and Bistro around 7:18 p.m., where the subject from a previous call reportedly returned to the 221 SW G Street restaurant after police left the scene. He had reportedly been yelling at customers, pulled out vodka from his bag, and was blocking traffic.

The suspect, Martin Lynch, was taken into custody, but began using physical force to prevent detainment. He was ultimately placed into a wrap, and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Resisting Arrest.

 

A woman reported to be acting erratically was arrested by Grants Pass Police on a Parole Violation Detainer and Methamphetamine Possession charge.

Dispatch was notified Saturday around 11:54 a.m. that the allegedly intoxicated suspect was affecting business at the Jelly Donut. It was requested that law enforcement conduct a welfare check, and that the suspect be trespassed.

Officers arrived and took Brittany Adams into custody. She had been wandering around the parking lot and, while being placed into handcuffs, a green tooter fell out of her left pocket, which field tested positive for meth.

Adams was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for Meth Possession, and a detainer by request of her parole officer.

 

Debo Park will be leased by the Children’s Museum, according to a City press release.

Starting September 8th, 2026, the park will be turned over to the Oregon Center for Creative Learning and will no longer be open to the public as a park.

The Center will lease the property as part of its operation for early learning facilities and programs for young children at the Museum, occupying the former headquarters for Dutch Bros.

 

Emergency crews tackled a structure fire and responded to a single vehicle accident Sunday.

A structure was reported to be on fire around 5:31 a.m. in the 4900 block of Happy Camp Road in Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Josephine County Sheriff's Office crews were dispatched to the scene.

The fire extended into the wildland, but was successfully brought under control. An investigation into the fire followed.

That same day at 12:06 p.m. IVFD, American Medical Response, and the Sheriff's Office responded to a single vehicle rollover accident involving a tree in the 6700 block of Takilma Road in Cave Junction.

One individual was extricated from the vehicle and transported for medical attention due to non-life-threatening injuries. The scene was subsequently handed over to the Sheriff's Office for further investigation.

 

Oregon Department of Forestry crews tackled a Butte Falls grass fire Sunday afternoon, halting forward progress by 3:45 p.m.

According to the department's Southwest Oregon District, firefighters responded to the blaze along Prospect Road. A Type 3 and two Type 2 helicopters along with multiple ground crews conducted an aggressive initial attack.

Through these efforts, the fire was held at an estimated two acres despite hot, dry, and windy conditions. Crews continued to strengthen the perimeter and secure the fire.