Local News

Grants Pass Police were alerted to two suspects smoking an unknown substance Thursday afternoon.

A call to 911 reported the two suspects were smoking something across the street from Rogue Valley Mortgage LLC at 222 NE B Street. The caller reported the suspects had been there for about 10 minutes inside a red Dodge Neon, and were trying to get high.

Officers contacted one of the suspects, Michael Yelle, upon arrival. He was initially detained and read his rights for suspicion of Possessing a Controlled Substance, but was then released after facts changed according to the police report.

Yelle was released and advised he was free to leave, however, he then willingly relinquished drug paraphernalia to police. He was taken back into custody, then cited to appear for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department announced a significant achievement, the successful completion of the Oregon State accreditation process.

According to a post on the department's Facebook page, the Northwest Accreditation Alliance Professional Standards Committee reviewed the assessor’s report from the department's recent agency assessment May 12th.

The committee unanimously recommended that the Grants Pass 911 Communications Center be granted accredited status.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man for Attempted Aggravated Assault after he physically and verbally threatened the victim.

Dispatch was alerted to the incident when a man called 911 Thursday at 11:06 p.m., reporting the suspect had just swung at him and kicked him a few times in the 100 block of Merlin Road. The suspect had reportedly been harassing the victim before punching him.

The caller described the suspect as wearing a gray tank top, carrying a black backpack, and having black hair. The victim then reported the suspect said it was lucky he didn't have a gun otherwise he would have shot the victim.

Deputies responded and located the suspect at the corner of Galice Road and Robertson Bridge Road. He was identified as Christopher Muth, and was taken into custody for Fourth Degree Attempted Assault. Deputies lodged Muth in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Applications are being accepted for one position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission.

According to the city website, the committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary. It's also meant to promote the community's historic preservation, to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation; and to identify areas and buildings of historic or archeological significance.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. The position is for a representative who is the owner of a business located within the Central Business District of the City of Grants Pass.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. August 7th.

Applicants will be interviewed by the commission at the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission meeting August 13th, and by the Council during their workshop August 31st. Appointments will be made September 2nd at the City Council Meeting.

 

As Oregon enters the hottest months of the year, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging people to take steps now to protect themselves, their families and their communities from heat-related illness.

Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly and can become life-threatening. Older adults, infants and young children, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, pregnant people and those with chronic health conditions face a higher risk during periods of extreme heat.

Spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible and limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Schedule outdoor work and recreation for early morning or evening hours, and utilize cooling methods such as cool showers, damp cloths and misting.

Everyone is also encouraged to wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing, drink plenty of water while avoiding alcohol or caffeinated, sugary drinks, never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in parked vehicles, and check on neighbors, family members and friends who may be more vulnerable to heat.

People should also know the warning signs of heat-related illness. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps.

 

The Medford Police Department unveiled a new K-9 Memorial today alongside City Councilors, leadership, retired MPD K-9 handlers, family, and friends.

According to the department's Facebook page, the memorial, located in front of the Medford Police Station, replaces the vandalized tribute to K-9 Oxer, who served alongside handler Tony Young as part of Medford’s first police canine team. It recognizes K-9 Oxer and the many police dogs who have faithfully served the Medford community.

In addition to the names of MPD's canines, the memorial bears the inscription, “In gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of Medford Police K9 teams. May their courage, loyalty, and service inspire us always.”

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police lodged a man at Resting Site 7 Wednesday morning.

The suspect, Larry Knight, was found to have been trespassed from the 712 NE 7th Street site back on April 20th. He returned unlawfully to the location without any reported reason to do so.

Law enforcement contacted Knight and arrested him for Second Degree Criminal Trespass at the scene. He was promptly taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility, before being released due to a lack of available jail resources.

 

A man and woman trespassing at Resting Site 6 South were apprehended by arriving police units.

Officers located Sean O'Keefe at the 704 NW 6th Street resting site Thursday around 9:35 a.m. He had been issued an exclusion order the day before, which he admitted to understanding.

While officers took O'Keefe into custody, Elizabeth Krol was also observed trespassing at the site. She had received an exclusion order the day before as well, so officers detained her. O'Keefe and Krol were both issued 90 day exclusion orders, and lodged in jail for charges of Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Krol was later released due to a lack of resources, and the charge against O'Keefe was dismissed by the District Attorney according to jail logs.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a report of a man causing a disturbance at the corner of NE 7th Street and NE Manzanita Avenue.

Wednesday around 7:51 a.m., Brandon Stradford was called in to police after he was seen acting disorderly. He was reported as having a Monster logo tattooed on his left cheek, and wearing a gray shirt and black track pants. He appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine.

Arriving officers contacted Stradford, and he admitted to the use of meth. His parole officer was contacted, which led to a detainer being requested. Stradford was arrested at the scene and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on his detainer.