KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Solid Waste Agency Sponsoring "Tire Recycling Day" at Chevron Station in CJ

Got rubber you no longer need? Bounce down to the Chevron Station in Cave Junction tomorrow and dispose of unwanted tires for free. Saturday's event starts at 9 a.m. at the Oregon Caves Chevron Station located at 409 Redwood Highway. Tire Recycling Day will end at noon or when the trailers are full, whichever comes first. There are some exceptions. No dump truck semi or tractor tires and no split rims. The project is being funded by the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency. For more information, call (541)-294-0260.

Posted on 11/8/24 6:26AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Issues Public Health Alert for Illicit Opioid Overdoses and Poisonings

Jackson County Public Health has issued an alert for accidental overdoses or poisonings related to illicit opioids -- specifically fentanyl. This alert is being issued based on an increase in law enforcement and emergency medical service responses, emergency department admissions and suspected fatal overdoses related to illicit opioids from October 27th-November 2nd. Illicitly-manufactured fentanyl started to become more common in the Rogue Valley beginning in 2018. In early 2021, fentanyl became the predominant illicit opioid sold and used in Jackson and Josephine counties. Fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills such as oxycontin or in a powder form, which can look like other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. It can also be mixed with other illicit opioids such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the local drug supply increases the risk of poisoning or overdosing for people who are experimenting with drugs, who use recreationally and are not intentionally using fentanyl. Health officials are encouraging the medical community, community partners, parents, family and friends, people who occasionally use recreational or party drugs, and people with an active substance abuse disorder to be aware of the increase in overdoses associated with illicit opioids.

Posted on 11/8/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Rogue Community College Bond Measure Misses Approval in Josephine and Jackson

Voters in the Rogue Community College service district this week decided against Measure 17-119, the proposed $60.3 million RCC Bond in Josephine and Jackson counties. Measure 17-119 was designed to fund essential capital projects across RCC's three campuses in Grants Pass, Medford and White City. The ballot measure was aimed at supporting the expansion and improvement of key workforce areas such as manufacturing, welding, transportation and health care programs. It was also designed to improve the student experience well into the future with projects that enhance classroom spaces and Student Success Centers, and to enhance safety, accessibility and infrastructure lifespan at all campuses. RCC President Dr. Randy Weber said although the bond measure did not pass, they remain dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs and supporting the needs of their students, the local economy and the community. Information and updates on RCC's ongoing efforts will be available on the college website at "roguecc.edu."

Posted on 11/8/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

RV Mountain Bike Association Wins Oregon Volunteer Award for Helping City of GP

Trail work continues at Dollar Mountain in northwest Grants Pass, with the contractor making steady progress on the first phase of construction. The trails remain closed to the public, with limited test rides beginning for the Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association (RVMBA). The controlled test rides help to identify areas needing more attention -- especially with the wet weather. Grants Pass parks staff attended the annual Oregon Parks and Recreation (ORPA) Conference last week with an RVMBA member. Earlier this year, parks officials nominated RVMBA for the Volunteer Service Award, which they secured for their continual efforts in maintaining the B Street Jumps and commitment to the Dollar Mountain Trail Project. This statewide award honors individuals or organizations whose volunteer efforts significantly contribute to parks and recreation. The RVMBA has been an outstanding community partner that advocates for biking throughout the Rogue Valley, completing service projects across multiple counties.

Posted on 11/8/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Police Arrested Two Local Teens for October Shooting at Private Party

The Medford Police Department has arrested two Josephine County teenagers for a shooting that occurred late last month at a private party. MPD officers arrested the two 17-year-old boys Wednesday after an investigation connected them to the October 27th incident in the 2600-block of Bullock Road. Investigators said the juvenile suspects reportedly entered the private event and were escorted out following a disturbance. That's when one of them retrieved a handgun from their vehicle and fired at those who removed them from the party. A 37-year-old security guard and a 17-year-old boy were struck and taken to a Medford hospital where they were treated and released. No one else was injured. Detectives identified the suspects as Josephine County residents and arrested them in Grants Pass. One is believed to be the shooter and the other was the driver. Both suspects were lodged at the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center on multiple charges of 1st-Degree Assault. The driver was additionally charged with Hindering Prosecution. Anyone with video of the incident is encouraged to contact MPD detectives at (541)-774-2230.

Posted on 11/7/24 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared Out-of-State Fugitive and Charged Him with Additional Crimes

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended an out-of-state fugitive last night and charged him with three more felony crimes. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 59-year-old James Raymond Hanes in an unspecified location and booked him into the Josephine County Jail around 6:25 p.m. Wednesday. Few details were available about the incident, but Hanes was wanted as a fugitive from another state. Jail records show he was additionally charged with felony-level crimes of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Identity Theft and 1st-Degree Theft. Hanes was being held on $65,000 bail pending extradition proceedings.

Posted on 11/7/24 11:07AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Young Man for Stealing Wine from Cave Junction Supermarket

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a young man for stealing alcohol from a Cave Junction supermarket yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the shoplifting complaint at Shop Smart on West Watkins Street at about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies said 20-year-old Joshua Polk stole a bottle of wine valued at $25 from the store and he also ate some candy without paying for it. They said the incident was captured on video surveillance. After searching the area, deputies located Polk and found him with the stolen wine concealed in the waistband of his pants. He admitted to the theft and knowing that it is wrong to steal. Polk was transported to Grants Pass and booked into the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 11/7/24 11:06AM by Sam Marsh

Troopers Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving on Josephine County Roadway

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving in Josephine County early yesterday. OSP reports troopers pulled over a vehicle driven by a 45-year-old male subject in an unspecified location on Wednesday shortly after midnight. Few details were disclosed about the incident, but troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver displayed signs of impairment. He performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was released later in the day, but his vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 11/7/24 11:04AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Cited Motorcyclist and Warned Bicyclist near J Street Campground

Grants Pass Police cited a motorcyclist and warned a bicyclist during a traffic stop near the J Street Campground early today. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over one man identified as "Carney" and another man identified as "Palomino" in the 700-block of SE J Street at 4:15 this morning. Police said Carney was operating a motorcycle without a helmet and Palomino was riding a bike with no lights. Carney was cited for Driving While Suspended, No Motorcycle Endorsement, No Insurance and No Helmet. The motorcycle was impounded. Palomino was warned for the nighttime bicycle violation. While on scene, officers spotted an abandoned bicycle on the side of the road. Its owner retrieved the bike a short time later.

Posted on 11/7/24 11:02AM by Sam Marsh

IV Motorist Escaped Injury after Hitting Power Pole off Caves Highway in CJ

An Illinois Valley motorist escaped injury early yesterday when he wrecked his vehicle on Caves Highway in Cave Junction. The Oregon State Police reports troopers, the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash on State Route 46 near Laurel Road on Wednesday at 9:33 a.m.. Upon arrival, emergency units found a Dodge Ram 3500 pickup on the side of the highway with the 37-year-old male occupant outside and unharmed. Troopers said the driver stated that he was momentarily blinded by the sun and thought he saw something run across the road, which caused him to swerve off the road, hit a utility pole and wind up in a ditch. The damaged pickup was hauled into town by Jerry's Towing. No citations were issued.

Posted on 11/7/24 11:00AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed GP Woman for Threatening to Kill Roommates with Large Knife

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass woman this week for threatening to kill her two roommates with a knife. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Brittney Faith Hageman for the incident at a home in the 2100-block of Rogue River Highway on Tuesday morning. Grants Pass police officers and Oregon state troopers assisted. Deputies said Hageman had a large knife and was threatening to kill her two roommates with it. They said she swung the knife at one of her roommates who is wheelchair-bound. The victim was able to block the knife and move out of the way before the suspect began stabbing holes in the bedroom door and screaming. Law enforcement arrived on scene and ordered Hageman to drop the knife, but she did not comply and was Tased multiple times. While being placed in handcuffs, the subject resisted by pulling her hands away and tucking them under her body. The knife was located and seized as evidence. Fortunately, no one was injured. Hageman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felony Attempted 1st-Degree Assault, two counts of Menacing and one count of Resisting Arrest. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 11/7/24 6:56AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Sheriff Seeks Public Assistance in Finding Missing Woman

UPDATE: MISSING WOMAN HAS BEEN FOUND.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was seeking public assistance in locating a missing Merlin woman. The Sheriff's Office reports 34-year-old Megan Yvonne Wells was reported missing on Tuesday. She was last seen at her Merlin area residence on Monday morning. Wells is driving a red 2004 Jeep Cherokee with Oregon license plate 743BBH. Wells is described as a white female adult, 5-feet-10-inches tall and 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Megan Wells is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123. Please reference Case #24-26358.

Posted on 11/7/24 6:54AM by Sam Marsh

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