Local News

The Oregon Department of Transportation is highlighting Saturday, June 6th, National Secure Your Load Day, in an effort to reduce road hazards as summer travel season begins.

Lumber, tires, ladders, and mattresses are just some of the items that can fly off truck beds and car roofs, potentially striking other vehicles. ODOT is sharing tips that will protect you and others while on the road.

Tie your load down with rope, netting, straps or tarps. Tie large objects directly to your vehicle or trailer. Drivers are also encouraged to cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting. Do not overload your vehicle or trailer, and always double-check your load to make sure it’s secure.

Oregon law requires all vehicle loads to be fully secured to prevent dropping, shifting, leaking, or falling. Unsecured loads on public highways can result in traffic violations, fines, and potential criminal charges if the load causes injury or property damage.

Drivers are responsible for safe operation of their vehicle. Before driving, determine if there's any chance of debris or cargo falling or blowing out of your vehicle. Check and see your load is secured at the back, sides, and top. No matter what you’re hauling or how far you’re going, securing your load keeps roads safe.

 

Oregon Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) will be issued to families who are automatically eligible beginning today, June 5th.

According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, Summer EBT is a food benefits program that helps address hunger in Oregon when children are on summer break and don’t have easy access to healthy meals at school.

Families should check their EBT card balance at www.ebtedge.com to confirm receipt. Summer EBT provides $120 for each eligible child to buy food. This is the third year of Oregon’s Summer EBT program, and the program expects to serve about 360,000 children this year.

Families who didn’t automatically get Summer EBT today should check program requirements before applying. Families will get benefits automatically on their Oregon EBT card if they have children between the ages of 6-18 and have received SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or foster care services.

Families can find details about Summer EBT at sebt.oregon.gov. 

 

The Grants Pass Sister City Committee will welcome its first official delegation from Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico, from June 16th through the 22nd. This will mark an exciting new chapter in the city's long tradition of international friendship and cultural exchange. The visit follows the establishment of a new Sister City partnership between Grants Pass and Autlán. Nine delegates will spend a week in Southern Oregon experiencing local attractions, meeting community members and sharing their own culture and traditions with residents of the Rogue Valley. Community members are invited to meet the visiting delegates during a fundraiser dinner June 19th at Cartwright's Taprock Northwest Grill. Tickets may be purchased at https://givebutter.com/grants-pass-sister-city-fundraiser. Proceeds will support future cultural exchange programs and the continued growth of the Grants Pass Sister City Program. The Grants Pass Sister City Program was established in 1990 through the international Sister Cities movement founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle traffic accident Thursday evening.

The incident was reported at the 200 block of Crooks Creek Road in Selma, prompting the response of emergency crews.

A thorough search of the area was conducted. No individuals were found in the vicinity of the vehicle, so it was subsequently marked for identification. Law enforcement was informed of the incident.

 

A vegetation fire occurred in the 5700 block of Holland Loop Rd in Cave Junction Thursday at 4:37 p.m.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, and the U.S Forest Service responded to the fire estimated to be at one fourth of an acre in size.

Crews were able to extinguish the blaze, and mop-up operations have been completed. Neighbors and bystanders assisted in tackling the fire before firefighters arrived. The incident is under investigation.

 

Medford Police, in coordination with Jackson County Mental Health and the Mobile Crisis Team, responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place Thursday to conduct a welfare check. Officers were unable to make contact with the resident and observed a deceased cat in plain view within the residence. Based on those observations and information gathered during the initial investigation, a search warrant was obtained. Officers later located and contacted the resident prior to the execution of the warrant, which was subsequently served at the property. As the investigation developed, the Medford Police Livability Team, Code Enforcement, and Jackson County Animal Control responded to assist. Investigators located multiple live and deceased cats on the property. Wendy Diamond, 65, is facing seven counts of Animal Neglect in the First Degree, a felony. Additional charges may be pending. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has been consulted as part of the investigation. Jackson County Animal Control is taking custody of the live cats located on the property and will oversee their care and evaluation. The investigation remains ongoing.

 

Applications are being accepted to fill a vacant seat on the Urban Tree Advisory Committee.

The term will expire September 30th, 2027. The purpose of the committee is to review, develop, and implement programs and activities that promote, protect, and enhance the urban forest as a part of the Tree City, USA program.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. July 9th.

They will be reviewed by the committee July 13th, and appointments will be made by the Council at their meeting scheduled for August 5th.

 

A woman reported a domestic violence incident to Grants Pass Police, leading to her boyfriend's arrest.

Dispatch was notified of the incident around 9:41 p.m., reportedly 10 minutes after an argument became physical between the woman and suspect. He had, at one point, prevented her from calling 911 by taking her phone, and reportedly threatened her life.

She was able make the call at the Mobile Integrative Navigation Team in Josephine County, and refused medical attention. She said the suspect was known to run from law enforcement, and that he may still be at the incident location in the 1700 block of Rogue River Highway.

Officers coordinated with the woman to meet at Bi-Mart where probable cause was found to charge the suspect with Menacing, Strangulation, and Interfering with Making a Police Report.

He was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on his charges, as well as a Parole Violation Detainer.

 

A man wanted on two methamphetamine possession warrants provided a false name to law enforcement before his arrest.

Ian Hogue was contacted by Grants Pass Police at Resting Site 6 South Wednesday afternoon. He identified himself as Thomas Riddle, then proceeded to run into traffic causing several vehicles to stop.

Officers advised Hogue he was under arrest for Disorderly Conduct, but he refused orders to stop. While being taken into custody, Hogue resisted and was taken to the ground. Police located a meth pipe and paraphernalia in Hogue's possession, and took him into custody around 2:29 p.m.

His true identity was confirmed, as were his police department warrants. Officers proceeded to lodge Hogue in jail for his warrants, an additional Possession of Meth charge, Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, and a parole violation detainer.