Local News

A man reportedly pulled all the fire alarms at the Motel 6 Monday morning, then fled from Grants Pass Police custody before being lodged in jail.

The suspect, later identified as Ely Smith, had pulled the alarms at the 1800 NE 7th street motel before leaving the scene towards All Care Health. The general manager requested law enforcement trespass Smith, then reported him to be yelling at All Care's security at 11:25 a.m.

There were no active fires at the incident location, and Smith was never a guest at the motel. He proceeded toward the Sizzler after knocking over a trash can at a nearby bus stop, and he was described as being bald, carrying a navy blue shirt, and wearing gray pants.

Fire personnel were requested to reset the alarms, and a second police unit was requested to apprehend Smith, who had made his way to the nearby Wendy's per the general manager's report.

Smith was advised by police that he was under arrest, then fled from custody. Officers were soon able to detain him and take him into custody without incident. Smith's parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was requested.

Officers took Smith to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his detainer, and charges of First Degree Disorderly Conduct and Escape in the Third Degree.

 

Applications are being accepted for one position on the new Small Business Task Force.

Appointments are for the duration of the task force, which is anticipated to be no more than 12 months from the date of appointment.

The purpose of the task force is to establish a group of local business owners and advocates to explore local business conditions, consider strategies for stabilization, and identify key topics for a long-term business support plan.

Qualifiers for the position include business owners representing a variety of sectors, not limited to retail, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, food and beverage, transportation, and member-at-large.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A St., or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received by 5 p.m., August 14th. Appointments will be made by the Council at the City Council meeting on September 2nd.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man after he trespassed and refused to leave River City Grill.

Monday afternoon around 12:17 p.m., dispatch was notified the suspect was refusing to leave the 150 SE K Street property. The manager reported the suspect had been trespassed from the restaurant before, and that he had drugs on him.

Police were requested at the scene, and upon arrival, contacted the suspect, George Williams. A consent search was conducted after he was taken into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and the officer located a glass pipe with a white crystallized substance.

Results from a field test determined the substance to be methamphetamine, so an additional charge of Meth Possession was logged. Williams was subsequently transported to the Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged.

 

WinCo loss prevention detained a resistant theft suspect after he stole over $66 worth of merchandise Monday.

According to the police report, the suspect, Zachary Whitted, stole merchandise from the 231 NE Terry Lane grocer around 5:33 p.m. by passing all points of purchase without paying. Loss prevention contacted him outside the store, but he physically resisted.

He tried to flee, but loss prevention took him to the ground. The officer sustained a physical injury to his right arm during the incident. Whitted was then detained in the loss prevention office.

Grants Pass Police arrived and contacted Whitted. He was found to be wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for Identity Theft, and a consent search was conducted. Officers located a glass pipe with a white crystallized substance in Whitted's possession.

The substance was field tested and returned positive for the presence of methamphetamine, and police proceeded to take Whitted into custody. Officers took him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrant.

He was also lodged on charges of Third Degree Theft, Robbery in the Third Degree, Fourth Degree Assault, and Possession of Meth. According to jail logs, the charges have not been filed by the District Attorney.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 report Saturday regarding a gunshot wound to a female located in the Deer Creek Road area in Selma. The reporting party had poor cell service and ultimately lost signal. The exact location was not given and the caller left the scene and called from another location. Attempts were made to re-contact the caller, however, they were unsuccessful. Deputies and Troopers with the Oregon State Police continued searching for the wounded individual but were unable to find her. Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Oregon State Police began an investigation into the incident Sunday. A Sheriff’s Office BLM Deputy, assisted by two BLM Rangers, resumed searching for and located a deceased female, Veronica Gray, in a remote area of Upper Deer Creek Road. During the initial investigation, Detectives conducted

 

The Grants Pass City Council heard presentations for the Washington-Midland Redevelopment Opportunity plan and the Water Incline Rate at today's workshop.

The redevelopment progress update showed stakeholder interviews and community workshops have taken place, with an online survey still open. The cost will be 100% funded by URA through available Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 budget funds.

Preliminary concepts include the Midland Market District, with an Employment and Commercial focus, Franklin Marketplace with a balanced Mixed-Use District, and Washington and Midland Commons, a Housing-led Development. A small grocery store, improved walkability, and retail storefronts were preferred elements according to the nearby community.

A majority of council favored staff providing a print-out of the presented information. Further refinement of the concepts will be laid out during the final five months of the planning process.

Council then heard an informational Utility Incline Rate presentation. Changes from the Cost of Service Study showed standby rates decreased for most classes. Changes for the Water Utility Rate would be the implementation of a residential lifeline consumption tier, with the water plant replacement fee partially covering debt service.

Inverse Block Rate Tiers were shown to be used to encourage conservation. Council had directed funds to be dedicated in each budget process for Utility Rate Assistance Programs at .25% of gross revenue in response to increasing utility rates. All funds have been expended. Water operations are budgeted for Fiscal Year 2027 at $31,700.

A motion to move workshops to 3 p.m. Monday afternoons failed, and council moved in favor 4-2 to extend a temporary rate increase for green waste at the Redwood Transfer Station for study purposes.

 

The Josephine County Commissioners met Monday afternoon with members of the Murphy Irrigation District to discuss Water Watch’s movement to remove the diversion dam on the Applegate River and replace it with a pump station. The District’s position is to maintain the current status of the dam, that, according to the District, is not a fish killer. They maintain the fish ladder is efficient and that fish are able to transvers the dam. The District contends that removing the dam could result in property values dropping, the loss of water rights and the ability fight wildfire severely curtailed. The District is seeking the Board of Commissioner’s support to sustain the status quo. The Board is seeking more information and will invite the opposition to meet with the Directors to provide their side of situation while the Board waits for more information as to their permitting process and from legal counsel to determine what actions the Board can take.

 

A wanted woman was observed leaving Resting Site 6 and promptly arrested by Grants Pass Police.

Brittney Adams was known to be wanted on a warrant out of the police department, and law enforcement recognized her leaving the site Sunday around 4:50 p.m. She proceeded to the Hong Kong parking lot before being contacted at the corner of NE 7th Street and NE Evelyn Avenue.

The officer took Adams into custody for her warrant charging her with Second Degree Trespass. She was then transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

 

A man throwing shopping carts at Safeway was arrested and lodged for Criminal Mischief and Trespass charges.

Grants Pass Police were dispatched to the 115 SE 7th Street supermarket early this morning after call to 911 reported the suspect throwing carts and trash all over the business floor around 2:40 a.m.

The suspect was reported to be aggressive, speaking loudly, and not making sense. No weapons were seen on the suspect, and he proceeded to throw the carts at parked vehicles, causing their alarms to go off.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Kyle Waycott, and the caller, who said he had asked Waycott to vacate the premises. Police then took Waycott into custody for charges of Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Third Degree Criminal Mischief. He was lodged in jail.