Local News

Saturday, fire crews continued forward progress on containment lines on the East Evans Creek Fire, with more than 200 feet of mop-up adjacent to the fire perimeter. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, firefighters continued overnight patrolling for any signs of smoke. The fire is 15,580 acres and 66% contained. Monday at 6 a.m. ODF's Complex Incident Management Team 1 will transfer command of the fire to Florida Complex Incident Management Team 1. Weather today will bring elevated fire conditions with temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s and breezy winds. Firefighters will watch for changes in fire behavior and be prepared for any new fire starts in the area. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

 

Firefighters continued securing and mopping-up the East Evans Creek Fire perimeter yesterday, while improved accuracy in mapping showed the reduced acreage for the incident at 15,580 acres with 46% containment. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews overnight continued mopping up adjacent to the control line, gridding for hot spots or visible smoke. Today, operations will continue increasing mop-up depth along the perimeter. Seven helicopters are assigned to the incident, available to support ground resources for aerial reconnaissance and water drops. Temperatures in the upper 80’s, improved relative humidity and shifting winds are expected to create elevated fire conditions today. Traffic is heavy along the roadways in the fire area as crews continue to patrol and mop-up the fire edge, use caution when traveling the area around the fire. Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1 is transitioning command of the fire to a Florida Complex Incident Management Team on Monday at 6 a.m. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

 

A woman smoking outside the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce was arrested on a Fentanyl Possession warrant by police.

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department were dispatched to 1995 NW Vine Street following a report of two women in front of the caveman on the property. One of them was sitting and rocking, the other was bent over and smoking something out of tin foil.

Officers arrived and contacted Shannon Dendy, who was found in possession of less than one gram of fentanyl following a consent search. She was also found to be wanted on a police department warrant for Fentanyl Possession.

Dendy was trespassed from the Chamber property, and her warrant was confirmed. She was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged for her warrant and misdemeanor Fentanyl charge.

 

Two suspects were lodged in jail for warrants by the Josephine County Sheriff's Department Thursday afternoon.

The first suspect, Kristle Smart, was located walking northbound on U.S. Highway 199 near E Hanby Lane. She was known by law enforcement to be wanted on an active Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.

Smart was taken into custody and transported to the Adult Jail Facility to be lodged. Due to a lack of resources at the jail, she was then released.

One other suspect, Juan Carlos Granados-Gonzalez, was taken into custody around 2:22 p.m. and lodged in jail after his two warrants were confirmed. He was wanted out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for DUII, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

Granados-Gonzalez also had a Grants Pass Police Department warrant charging him with Assault, three counts of Felony Strangulation Constituting Domestic Violence, and Domestic Menacing. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail at 2:41, then posted bail by 5:33 p.m.

 

Emergency crews were dispatched today around 12:22 p.m. to a fire that occurred at the intersection of S Redwood Highway and Caves Highway in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District promptly responded to a campfire located behind the Chevron station.

Firefighting units successfully extinguished the fire, ensuring no threat to the surrounding wildland. ODF is conducting an investigation into the incident.

 

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after he was caught trying to steal merchandise from Walmart.

Dispatch was notified by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store that the theft suspect had been apprehended, and identified himself as Jeremiah Bentley. He had reportedly attempted to conceal $8.40 worth of merchandise in his pants before exiting the store.

He had passed all points of sale without attempting to pay, after which loss prevention stopped Bentley. He was cooperative and returned the merchandise. Upon arrival, officers took him into custody by 6:28 p.m.

Bentley was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Third Degree Theft. He was given a 24 hour ban from the store, then released on his own recognizance.

 

Two suspects were apprehended for active warrants by Grants Pass Police Thursday afternoon.

Law enforcement observed Aria Echavarria walking west on East Park Street near S Park Drive at 4:31 p.m. She was known to have a valid warrant out for her arrest, so she was taken into custody.

Her Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant charged her with Third Degree Robbery, and she was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility. A gray backpack in her possession was logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Then, around 5:07 p.m., Zachary Gatten was seen walking near the corner of SW Jordan Street and SW Hall Street. After running him through dispatch, officers found he was wanted on an active and serviceable warrant.

He was wanted out of the Oregon Parole Board for Larceny, so he was contacted at the Caveman Pool. Officers advised Gatten of his warrant and told him he was not free to leave. He was placed into custody, a consent search was conducted and he was subsequently lodged in jail.

 

The suspect from a June 4th animal neglect case has been indicted by the Jackson County Grand Jury.

According to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office Facebook page, Wendy Lea Diamond, 66, has been indicted on two counts of felony Animal Neglect in the First Degree, and five counts of felony Animal Neglect in the Second Degree.

The charges relate to an investigation and search warrant executed at a residence in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place in Medford by the Medford Police Department, with assistance from Jackson County Animal Services. At that time, officers successfully rescued 15 neglected cats and recovered multiple deceased cats from the residence.

Diamond's next court appearance will be an arraignment on the indictment, to be scheduled by the Jackson County Circuit Court. Due to the pending criminal proceedings, no further details will be released at this time.

 

The Eagle Point Police Department responded Thursday around 5:45 a.m. to a business alarm at the Old Highway 62 Purple Parrot where a burglary had taken place.

Two subjects were seen in the area. The officer attempted to stop them, but they fled on an electric scooter. Additional deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to assist and began searching. Officers quickly confirmed that the business had been burglarized.

An Eagle Point Police Department drone and a Jackson County Sheriff's Office K-9 team were deployed for the investigation. One of the subjects who had fled, Jennifer Grinnals, was located hiding near the Harnish Wayside Park. It was determined the other subject involved was possibly heading to a vehicle located near Hillside Elementary School at the Old Schoolyard Park.

Officers located the male, identified as Kenneth Banes from Klamath Falls, sitting in a vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident. It was determined he was on probation out of Klamath Falls for Burglary, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Theft, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. A detainer was placed on him after his parole officer was contacted.

Officers lodged Banes at the Jackson County Jail for his charges and detainer. Grinnals was lodged for Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the First Degree.

The business was closed for several hours while officers processed the scene. The amount of damage is believed to be well over $1,000. The case is still under investigation, and other agencies are being contacted to review evidence located during this case.