Local News

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded to a theft complaint at the Redwood Highway Dollar General Monday.

The manager of the store called 911 to report the suspect entered the store wearing a gray sweater and green backpack. He took $6 worth of popsicles and pudding, ate some of the merchandise, then left the scene on a bike without paying.

Deputies contacted the suspect, identified as Adam Jackson. He admitted to stealing the items, which was further confirmed by security footage provided by the manager. Jackson was trespassed from the store, then transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for Third Degree Theft, and a detainer as requested by his parole officer.

 

An intoxicated man called 911 saying he wanted to be taken into custody, then resisted arrest by arriving officers Monday.

Dispatch was notified around 4:56 p.m. that the suspect wanted to be arrested because he was drunk. He didn't want to provide his name until officers arrived, and said he would stay near the Taco Bell drive-thru at 195 NE Terry Lane.

The suspect stated he got drunk and cursed at people around him, and said he didn't want to go to the sobering center. Officers arrived and identified him as Litan Dobrinov. He was told he was under arrest, but he proceeded to physically resist by tensing his body and pulling away from law enforcement.

Dobrinov was ultimately secured and taken into custody. While en route to the Josephine County Jail, he attempted to damage the back of the patrol vehicle. He was lodged for Resisting Arrest.

 

Medford Fire Department personnel responded early Sunday morning to a reported structure fire in the 1900 block of Alpine Court.

The occupants had been alerted by a working smoke alarm and quickly evacuated after they observed smoke in the residence. Crews arrived and found smoke coming from the structure.

They accessed a separated room that was attached to the residence and discovered the fire had mostly self-extinguished due to a lack of oxygen. Crews quickly knocked down the fire, ensured the room was clear of any potential victims, and mitigated damage to the rest of the residence.

No injuries were reported and no one was displaced because of the fire. While there was damage in the room where the fire occurred, the rest of the residence had only minor smoke damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation and may have been related to lighting or a space heater.

This fire illustrates the importance of working smoke alarms and the difference a closed door can make in protecting people and property.

 

An officer with Grants Pass Police lodged a man for Meth Possession and a Parole Violation detainer during a drainage area check in Riverside Park.

The suspect, Robert Kostenko, was located in the 304 E Park Street location holding a suspected meth pipe. Despite an attempt to conceal it, he was detained on the scene for Possession of Meth. His parole officer was contacted regarding the incident, and it was requested a detainer be placed on Kostenko.

During a field test, the pipe came back positive for the presumptive presence of meth. The officer took Kostenko into custody for the charge and detainer. He was issued a 30 day exclusion from the park, and lodged in jail. His dog was taken to the animal shelter.

 

A fire in the 3100 block of New Hope Road mobilized multiple firefighters Monday at 6:24 p.m.

Crews from Rural Metro Fire, ODF Southwest Oregon District and Grants Pass Fire responded to the blaze. The fire was quickly extinguished and mopped up at less than 1/10th acre. An investigation is currently underway.

Under the current critical conditions, all outdoor activity should be taken with precaution to prevent sparking a fire, as most can be caused unintentionally.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District quickly established a wet line around a grass fire in the 5,000 block of East Evans Creek Road Monday. Crews were alerted to the blaze, leading to multiple ground resources, a Type 3 helicopter, and Air Attack being dispatched for an aggressive initial attack. By 12:35 p.m., additional aircraft were ordered, including two Type 1 helicopters, to support suppression efforts from the air. Firefighters established the wet line by 12:55 p.m., and continued the initial attack, strengthening the wet line and securing the perimeter. According to the Watch Duty app, crews were able to catch the fire at 1.5 acres despite critical fire weather conditions. Multiple aircraft were released from the incident, and hose lay is now around the entire perimeter.

 

Oregon State Police arrested suspects on out-of-county hold warrants Friday and Sunday nights.

The first suspect, Sarah Snyder, 39, from Glendale, was the passenger in a vehicle stopped for an observed violation Friday at 11:34 p.m. at the corner of U.S. Highway 199 and 260.

Upon contact, troopers learned Snyder had an outstanding Failure to Appear Bench Warrant out of Douglas County. She was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail for her warrant.

Troopers then stopped an individual at the corner of U.S. Highway 199 and 238 around 9:14 p.m. He was identified as Justin Hendrickson, 33, of Central Point, and found to have warrants out for his arrest.

He was promptly taken into custody at the scene for his warrants charging him with Cut and Transport of Special Forest Products, and No Annual Report. Troopers lodged Hendrickson in the Adult Jail Facility.

 

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.