KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP City Council will Hear Presentations from Local Library District and MINT

The Grants Pass City Council has a number of interesting items at the beginning of its regular business session this evening. First up is an official proclamation by Mayor Sara Bristol naming November 30th as "Small Business Saturday." Next is recognition of city volunteer Doug Walker. The Josephine Community Library District is scheduled to make a presentation on the project to build a new library in downtown Grants Pass. The Collaborative Economic Development and Tourism Advisory committees have made a joint motion for the Urban Renewal Agency to help fund the huge construction project. A second presentation will be made by the Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT), which would like the City of Grants Pass help it purchase a property on which it would develop a year-round managed homeless shelter. In other business, the City Council will consider several items grouped together on the Consent Agenda, an appointment to the Tourism Advisory Committee and a motion made by the Committee on Public Art. Tonight's meeting starts at 6 in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 11/20/24 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

National Weather Service Posts Flood Watch for SW Oregon and NW California

The National Weather Service has posted a Flood Watch for Southwest Oregon and Northern California that runs through Friday evening. The Watch area includes Josephine, Curry, Douglas and Coos counties in Oregon along with Siskiyou and Del Norte counties in California. It also includes the region's Cascade and Siskiyou mountains. According to the NWS Station in Medford, flooding caused by continued excessive rainfall is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of local rivers and creeks and low-lying or flood-prone areas. Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas as storm drains and ditches may become clogged with leaves and other debris. There will be an increased risk of rock-falls and landslides on steep slopes and road cuts. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries warns residents to be alert for possible landslides and debris flows throughout the region. Southwest Oregon residents should monitor weather forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Emergency crews remind motorists to watch for downed trees on local roadways.

Posted on 11/20/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Payroll Employment #s Changed Very Little in October

Total payroll employment in Josephine County was little changed in October, with some private-sector industries losing jobs and others gaining workers. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 34,206 people working in Josephine County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 5.6%, which was slightly higher than the 5.5% rate posted in September. Private-sector industries losing jobs over the month were leisure & hospitality and construction. Private education and health services gained 60 jobs over the month. Government employment gained 40 jobs with an increase of 70 jobs in local government education slightly offset by losses in federal and state government. Over the past year, payroll employment in Josephine County climbed by 50 jobs, an increase of 0.2%. Industries adding jobs since October 2023 included private education & health services, transportation, warehousing & utilities, leisure & hospitality and financial activities. Industries with estimated job losses over the year were professional & business services, manufacturing , construction and information.

Posted on 11/20/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

City of GP Launches Buy-a-Brick Campaign for New Owl Public Plaza Project

In 2025, the Owl Parking Lot at 5th and H streets in downtown Grants Pass will undergo a major reconstruction to be converted into a joint parking lot and public plaza for community events. The City of Grants Pass has launched a "Buy-a-Brick" fundraising campaign before construction begins. For just $250, people wishing to add their personal touch to the Owl Plaza can purchase a brick with up to three lines of text engraved on a brass plaque and embedded in the brick. Civic groups and businesses headquartered in Josephine County are also eligible to purchase a paving brick. The bricks will form part of the patio base of the Owl Plaza near the 5th and H Street sidewalks. Approximately 470 bricks are expected to be available for purchase. If you're interested in participating in the "Buy-a-Brick" campaign, go to Suite 202 of Grants Pass City Hall to fill out a paper form and make your payment. For more information, contact Dana Pearce at (541)-450-6014.

Posted on 11/20/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

BCC Set to Take Final Step in Forming Josephine County Rural Fire District

The Board of Commissioners is set to take the final step in forming a Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District during its weekly business session tomorrow. The Board will hold a public hearing on the second reading of an order forming the local district which is designed to provide fire protection for people living outside the City of Grants Pass as well as the Illinois Valley, Williams, Applegate Valley and Wolf Creek fire districts. At this time, one private company -- Rural Metro Fire Department -- provides subscriber services in the proposed district. A second public hearing will be held on the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the Josephine County Code relating to parks, and a third public hearing will be held on the first reading of an ordinance that would repeal a chapter of the County Code relating to water quality in the Urban Growth Area. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider a contract with Knife River Materials to install utilities at the Grants Pass Airport. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 11/19/24 1:15PM by Sam Marsh

One Person Hurt in Collision between GPPD Patrol Vehicle & Pickup Truck

A Monday morning crash between a Grants Pass patrol vehicle and a civilian vehicle resulted in a minor injury with both vehicles sustaining significant damage. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of 6th and M streets at 9:25 a.m. yesterday. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 32-year-old male police officer was going through the intersection with lights and siren activated when a Ford Ranger driven by a 74-year-old man also entered the crossing, causing the two vehicles to crash into each other. According to OSP, one of the drivers was transported to the hospital with a minor injury -- but that person was not identified in the report. Both vehicles were towed from the crash scene. It was unclear in the report whether any citations were issued.

Posted on 11/19/24 11:49AM by Sam Marsh

Motorist Injured in Rollover Accident at East GP Interstate 5 Interchange

A motorist was injured when he crashed his vehicle at the East Grants Pass Interchange yesterday. According to the Oregon State Police, troopers and emergency personnel were dispatched to a single-vehicle rollover wreck at the Interstate 5 southbound on-ramp near milepost 55 on Monday shortly after 11 a.m.. Troopers said evidence at the scene indicated a 40-year-old man was driving his Ford Ranger too fast for the weather and road conditions when he attempted to merge onto the on-ramp, lost control and rolled into the dirt shoulder. The driver was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with unspecified injuries. His damaged truck was hauled into town by Oregon Towing.

Posted on 11/19/24 11:45AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man and Wife for Domestic Violence after Reported Fight

Grants Pass Police jailed a man and his wife for domestic violence after they fought in the front yard of their southwest city residence early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the disturbance at a home in the 700-block of SW Laurel Street on Monday at 9:04 a.m.. Police said 48-year-old John Scott Jessen and 30-year-old Heaven Lee Dawn Jessen were reported by a neighbor to be physically fighting each other and subjecting each other to unwanted physical contact. The neighbor called 9-1-1 due to the couple's violent and tumultuous behavior which was causing public alarm. Neither husband nor wife wanted to pursue charges against the other because of the incident -- but there was a history of domestic violence between the two so officers took them into custody. The woman's brother recorded the incident on his phone, it was reviewed by officers and determined to be mutual combat. John and Heaven Jessen were both lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Domestic Harassment and Disorderly Conduct. Both were being held without bail.

Posted on 11/19/24 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Pair on Outstanding Warrants after North 6th Street Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested two people on outstanding warrants plus a drug charge early today during a traffic stop in the north part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a minivan driven by 20-year-old Bruce Alan Hughes in the 1500-block of NW 6th Street shortly after midnight this morning. His passenger was 40-year-old Leladawn Smith. Police said they stopped the vehicle for several traffic violations and discovered that Hughes was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from recent conviction for drug possession. Smith was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 3rd-Degree Theft. During a consent search, she was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Hughes and Smith were lodged in jail on their warrants while Smith was also charged with Meth Possession. Hughes was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 11/19/24 11:42AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Frequent Flyer on Local Warrants at 7th Street Campsite

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender on five outstanding warrants plus some new charges near the NE 7th Street campground last night. The Police Department reports officers spotted 44-year-old Donn Reeves Fincher across the street from the designated "resting place" on Monday shortly before 7 p.m.. He was contacted and placed into custody inside the campground. Police said they recognized Fincher from previous encounters and knew that he was wanted on five Grants Pass warrants. Charges contained in the warrants included Felon in Possession of a Weapon along with multiple counts of 2nd-Degree Theft and Methamphetamine Possession. During a consent search, Fincher was found to be in possession of a folding knife and a glass pipe with meth residue. Both were seized as evidence. Fincher was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants as well as new charges of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 11/19/24 11:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Mexican National for Stealing Home Depot Merchandise

Grants Pass Police arrested a Mexican national for stealing merchandise from Home Depot late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting call at the store on NE Mill Street on Monday around 4:25 p.m.. Police said 35-year-old Alejandro Camarena-Torres intentionally deprived Home Depot of items valued at more than $133 when he concealed them, passed all points of sale without paying for them and exited the store. Camarena-Torres was contacted on Mill Street near the railroad tracks and he admitted to stealing. He was identified by GPPD as a resident of Mexico. Camarena-Torres was lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail pending his scheduled arraignment at 1:30 p.m. today.

Posted on 11/19/24 11:39AM by Sam Marsh

National Weather Service Refines Flood Potential Outlook for Southwest Oregon

The National Weather Service has refined its Flood Potential Outlook for southwest Oregon, but no Watches or Warnings have been posted yet. The Weather Service said there is potential for river and small stream flooding in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Jackson and Siskiyou counties. A series of storms will bring heavy precipitation to Southern Oregon and Northern California this week. The heaviest rainfall is expected in Curry County where up to eight inches of precipitation is likely. Rainfall rates could briefly approach up to one inch per hour. According to the NWS station in Medford, there is potential for heavy rain from tonight through Friday morning. Area small streams could begin to flood by early Wednesday morning. The Chetco River is expected to peak sometime Thursday, which could cause flooding if the crest coincides with high tides. The Coquille River is expected to approach minor flood stage Thursday or Friday. Southwest Oregon residents are encouraged to monitor weather forecasts this week as Flood Watches and Flood Warnings could be posted for the region.

Posted on 11/19/24 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

Local News