Local News

Deputies Arrested Motorist for Impaired Driving after Traffic Stop in South GP
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving in south Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by a 32-year-old male subject at the car wash near the intersection of Williams Highway and New Hope Road on Saturday shortly after 6 p.m.. Deputies said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so he was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering because he had his 6-year-old son as a passenger. The boy was picked up by his mother.
Posted on 3/17/25 9:57AM by Sam Marsh
 

OSP Arrested Motorist for DUII after He Caused Wreck on Highway 199 in CJ
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after he caused a weekend crash on Redwood Highway in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle wreck on US Highway 199 at Hanby Lane on Friday at 9:30 p.m.. Troopers said the 24-year-old driver of a Saturn Ion failed to obey a traffic control device and went into oncoming traffic, resulting in a T-bone collision with a Chevrolet Cruze driven by a 55-year-old Cave Junction woman. No one was hurt. According to OSP, the driver of the Saturn showed signs of impairment and he was taken to the Cave Junction Substation where he provided a breath sample that was twice the legal driving limit. The suspect was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. Both vehicles were recovered by Jerry's Towing.
Posted on 3/17/25 9:55AM by Sam Marsh
 

Convicted Felon Arrested for Possession of Guns and Narcotics in Grants Pass
Grants Pass Police jailed a convicted felon for possession of firearms and drugs late last week. Last Thursday, police officers were called to a residence on NW D Street to assist Josephine County Community Corrections after firearm parts were found during a home visit of 30-year-old Killian Mavity who was on supervised release from jail. Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) -- consisting of investigators from the Grants Pass Police Department, Oregon State Police and Community Corrections -- also responded to the scene to assist with a search warrant. During execution of the warrant, investigators recovered two loaded firearms, two 3D printed "Ghost Gun" lower receivers, two lower receivers with obliterated serial numbers and numerous firearm components and manufacturing apparatuses. In addition, three scales and drug packaging materials were found covered with cocaine and methamphetamine residue. Mavity was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for the weapon and drug crimes plus Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. The investigative report has been forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office for review and prosecution.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:43AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Collared Man on Local Warrant after Friday AM Domestic Disturbance
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant late last week after he allegedly roughed up his ex-wife at a residence near the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 700-block of NW D Street early Friday morning. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she and her ex-husband became involved in a physical altercation in which he threw her to the ground. She also stated that her ex was wanted on a warrant and he was under the influence. Officers arrived on scene and found the two yelling at each other outside the home. The man -- identified as 47-year-old Jonathan Glenn Wilder -- advised his ex-wife started the physical fight and that he pushed her away after being struck in the face. There was no evidence of physical injury to either subject so no charges were filed. A routine records check showed Wilder was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for Probation Violation related to a previous arrest for Methamphetamine Possession. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:42AM by Sam Marsh
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IVFD, AMR and OSP Responded to Back-to-Back Motor Vehicle Accidents in CJ
Back-to-back motor vehicle accidents in Cave Junction kept the Illinois Valley Fire District and other first responders busy at the start of the weekend. On Friday at 8:21 p.m., IVFD, American Medical Response and the Oregon State Police were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision on Redwood Highway at Elwood Lane. IVFD officials said one patient was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with minor injuries. OSP was investigating the cause of the crash and Jerry's Towing removed the involved vehicles. On Friday at 9:27 p.m., state troopers discovered another two-vehicle crash while responding to the first accident. This one occurred in the 100-block of West Hanby Lane. IVFD and AMR crews responded to assist. Officials said all occupants were examined and released at the scene. OSP was conducting an investigation and Jerry's Towing removed the vehicles
Posted on 3/17/25 5:40AM by Sam Marsh
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Widespread Flooding and Power Line Problems Caused Issues in Illinois Valley
Widespread flooding and power line problems occurred in the Illinois Valley on Sunday. The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a downed power line caused by a fallen tree in the 1300-block of Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien at 3:34 p.m. yesterday. Pacific Power crews secured the line and restored service to affected customers. IVFD responded to another downed power line in the 3400-block of West Side Road at 4:21 p.m.. Officials said the incident also involved a tree that was knocked down by high winds. Pacific Power crews secured the line and restored power to the affected area.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:32AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police & Firefighters Logged another Active Week of Community Protection
Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged an active week of community protection. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 589 calls for service along with 381 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 36 arrests, 45 citations, 60 warnings and seven highly intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 100 traffic stops in the city and they made 26 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 115 potential troublemakers while arresting four people, citing four more and warning eight others. The CRT unit also trespassed eight individuals and posted 90 transient camps. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 61 calls last week including 19 for emergency medical service, three for reports of fire or smoke, 11 lift assists, four rescue situations, two assists to other agencies and three false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 958 emergency calls last week.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:31AM by Sam Marsh
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GP City Council to Tackle Variety of Important Issues at Workshop Session Today
The Grants Pass City Council will tackle a variety of important issues during its bi-weekly workshop session today. The City Council will open the workshop with a Budget Policy Update followed by a Lands and Buildings discussion. Next up are staff presentations on the Humanitarian Services Permitting Process and City Urban Campground Sites. The session will conclude with a presentation on a Building/Planning Task Force and a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop starts at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:30AM by Sam Marsh
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Heavy Rainfall and Rising Water Caused Widespread Flooding Throughout Region
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Heavy rainfall and rising water levels caused widespread flooding in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties on Sunday. In the Grants Pass area, Rural Metro crews were initially dispatched to Upper River Road at Hunt Lane for a disabled vehicle stranded in high water. While crews escorted the occupants to dry ground, the adjacent levy failed on the swollen irrigation ditch next to Fort Vannoy Elementary School. As water levels quickly rose and entered the unoccupied school, firefighters scrambled to place sandbags at entry points of the buildings. Additional 9-1-1 calls started coming in reporting people stranded in vehicles and homes in the Merlin area. Welfare checks were conducted on Abegg Road, Ward Road and Barker Drive. Some occupants were escorted to safety while others sheltered in place. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reported weather-related closures in the 5200-block of Upper River Road, Ward Road and Pleasant Valley Road. There were landslides and washouts on Galice Road in the Rand Recreation Area and near Chair Riffle, Winona Road, Lower Grave Creek Road and Livingston Road. There were culvert problems on Hoffman Way, Sunny Valley Loop, Placer Road, Lower Grave Creek Road and Hamilton Lane. High water reports were widespread including Williams Highway at New Hope Road. Due to concerns about unsafe road conditions this morning, all Grants Pass District 7 and Three Rivers District schools are operating on a two-hour delayed schedule.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:20AM by Sam Marsh
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OHA Encourages People to Get Vaccinated Due to Significant Influenza Activity
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The state's 2024-2025 influenza season is the worst since the Oregon Health Authority began tracking the virus nearly 15 years ago. OHA officials report people are continuing to be hospitalized at a time of year when statewide influenza activity traditionally begins winding down. That means it's still not too late for people to get the influenza vaccine, particularly as Oregon could see a late-season uptick in flu incidence of the virus as it has in recent years. Influenza is a contagious, respiratory tract infection cause by influenza viruses. Symptoms of influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness including hospitalization and even death. OHA data shows that fewer people are getting flu shots. Vaccinations are down 4% from last year and they have been steadily dropping since 2022. Certain groups -- including older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions -- are at higher risk for serious complications from influenza. The hospitalization rate is highest for people 65 and older.
Posted on 3/17/25 5:18AM by Sam Marsh
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Wynonna Judd and Natasha Bedingfield to Headline at 2025 Britt Music Festival
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Britt Music & Arts Festival has announced the second slate of 10 shows for the 2025 summer season. While there are still more announcements to come, this batch of diverse artists are an exciting addition to Britt's existing lineup of entertainers. Britt is honored to host legendary country artist Wynonna Judd, pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield, world-renowned blues and rock duo Taj Mahal & Steve Earle, and other notable Britt first-timers like Dirtwire with special guests Free Creatures and a much anticipated performance from Tash Sultana. Other artists included in the second Britt announcement include Watchhouse, Gin Blossoms with special guests Spin Doctors, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. With this announcement, there will be a member pre-sale before tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 28th. Tickets for Britt shows from the first announcement are already on sale. All tickets are available at "brittfest.org."
Posted on 3/17/25 5:17AM by Sam Marsh
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Detectives Investigating Assault that Resulted in Stabbing in Rural Eagle Point
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is investigating an assault that led to a stabbing in rural Eagle Point early yesterday. It was an apparent case of self-defense. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies, Jackson County Fire District #3 and Mercy Flights were dispatched to a reported stabbing in the 2100-block of Rogue River Drive on Thursday at 8:31 a.m.. Deputies secured the scene and an ambulance transported the wounded suspect to a local hospital. During the investigation, detectives learned a commercial electrician was in the area working when a man approached and assaulted him. The electrician used his pocket knife to stop the unprovoked attack, wounding the suspect in the process. The suspect underwent surgery for superficial wounds and was in stable condition. Charges for the suspect are pending review by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. The suspect's name will be released pending charges. Detectives are continuing their investigation.
Posted on 3/14/25 10:07AM by Sam Marsh
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