Local News

A two-vehicle traffic accident occurred Thursday in Selma, leading to a response from emergency crews.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Oregon State Police were dispatched to the intersection of Redwood Highway and Turnagain Drive at 5:09 p.m.

Two individuals at the scene had sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were subsequently transported by AMR. Both vehicles were towed from the scene, and OSP troopers conducted the investigation into the incident.

 

The City of Grants Pass is moving forward with plans to develop Beacon Hill Park, a new nine-acre neighborhood park located near NE Hillcrest Drive and NE Beacon Drive.

According to the City website, this property was purchased in the early 2000s to provide additional recreational opportunities for an underserved area of town. Community input was gathered through a public forum in 2019 and a neighborhood survey in 2020.

Although the project experienced delays during the pandemic, the City is now revisiting the park design to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of the community.

Public feedback is important and will help guide the future development of Beacon Hill Park. Find the link to take the survey at www.grantspassoregon.gov. The survey is open until 11:59 pm on July 12th.

 

Due to unseasonably hot and dry conditions across the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, effective immediately, all ranger districts have moved into 'High' Fire Danger rating, Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions, and Industrial Fire Precaution Level II.

The Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River will move to Public Use Restrictions Stage 2. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has public use restrictions that are specific to the Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River, and public use restrictions that apply to the rest of the national forest.

Fire Danger Ratings help give an idea about how easily fires start and spread. It takes into account weather, fuel types like grasses, brush, timber, and snags, and fuels moisture. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is a system used to manage fire risks associated with industrial operations.

For a detailed list of Fire Danger Ratings, Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, and Public Use Restrictions, please visit www.fs.usda.gov. Restrictions can affect where you are allowed to smoke, the types of roads you can travel, and where, or even if, you are allowed to have a campfire.

 

Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Tuesday at a black-market cannabis grow in the 1000 block of Old Stage Road in rural Central Point. IMET detectives seized approximately 25,000 marijuana plants hidden in pear orchards, 16,000 lbs. of usable cannabis, and 1,470 plants in five “hoop-style” greenhouses. One suspect, Jorge Alexander Ruiz, 35, of Central Point, was arrested in connection to the property and is charged with three felony counts of unlawful production, manufacture, and possession of a marijuana item. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. The farm applied for an Oregon Department of Agriculture license for growing hemp while concealing cannabis starter plants in the pear orchard.

 

The 41st Annual Medford Cruise Events are set to take place Saturday, June 20th, with cars, food, vendors, and family fun all lined up.

The Medford Cruise Association organizes the show and, when done, donates to the kids' organizations that volunteered. With a long-running partnership with the City of Medford & the Medford Parks and Recreation Department, all of the events are free to attend for the people of Southern Oregon.

The fun kicks off Friday with a new event, the Lithia & Driveway Friday Show ‘n Shine Dinner & Music Party in the Park. Other events taking place Saturday include The High Road Autos '80 & Newer Show-n-Shine, The Gills Point S Tire & Auto Service '79 & Older Show-n-Shine, and judging events.

From there, the Best in Class will be awarded. Best-in-class winners will then be judged for Best in Show. These and many other trophies will be awarded from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Grand Finale happens from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rogue Credit Union Downtown Cruise Show, where over 450 extraordinary cars, trucks and motorcycles will circle downtown Medford.

You can still register for the events in person at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park on Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., or when you arrive on Saturday.

 

Staff at a Speedway Express called 911 requesting a man be trespassed from the business after he was reported yelling and screaming at others.

The suspect refused to leave the 1094 NE E Street location Wednesday around 1 p.m. despite being asked to leave by employees about five times. Dispatch was told the suspect was only wearing blue underwear with pants around his ankles, had a Mohawk, a white bag, and was screaming at others in the vicinity.

He had tried to force himself into the business before walking in front of cars on his way to the nearby KFC. He returned briefly to the Speedway Express before walking on E Street, disturbing traffic.

According to the police report, the suspect, Rell Baty, was contacted near the Wells Fargo on SE 6th Street. He was advised he was under arrest, then taken into custody for a charge of Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Officers provided Baty with a property receipt for his items, then transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was subsequently lodged.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a public defecation complaint Wednesday, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Dispatch was notified of the incident in the parking lot of G Street Bar and Grill around 9:53 p.m. The caller reported the suspect, Bobbie Jo Langdon, had defecated on his vehicle, and then walked away from the scene screaming.

He reported she continued to walk back and forth in a nearby alley, and law enforcement responded. Langdon was soon contacted at the corner of J and 8th Streets and arrested for a charge of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree. Officers proceeded to lodge her in the Adult Jail Facility.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man in possession of fentanyl after he was detained by his parole officer.

The suspect, Matthew Montgomery, was detained Wednesday at 4:54 p.m. at 202 Redwood Highway. A consent search had taken place, and inside Montgomery's red El Camino was a puck full of what was believed to be fentanyl.

He hadn't yet been questioned, and law enforcement's response was requested. Upon the officer's arrival and after being read his rights, Montgomery admitted to the possession of fentanyl.

He was transported to jail, and lodged by his parole officer on a Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance charge and detainer.

 

A man waving an axe and jumping around downtown was arrested by Grants Pass Police after being contacted at Debo Park.

A report came in to dispatch Wednesday around 1:50 p.m. about a man outside with an axe near the Grants Pass Museum of Art at 229 SW G Street. The caller said the man was jumping up and down and swinging the axe around before walking down by the Herb Shop.

The suspect was located by officers in Debo Park. He was with a group in the north east corner, and was identified as Michael Carrero. Officers took him into custody for a charge of Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, as well as a Parole Violation Detainer.

He was promptly transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged.