KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

SOCET Investigation Led to Arrest of Medford Man for Child Exploitation Crimes

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested a Medford man on child pornography charges this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 54-year-old David Lee Hurd on the day before Thanksgiving following a lengthy investigation. Hurd was charged with 10 felony counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse and he was lodged at the Jackson County Jail. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) began the investigation in 2023 after a tip came in from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The SOCET task force served a search warrant in August 2023 and seized digital devices from Hurd's residence in the 3700-block of South Pacific Highway. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force forensically examined the devices for evidence of child exploitation. Hurd's arrest resulted from the investigation. The case will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. SOCET is a joint interagency task force that started in June 2020 to combat child exploitation. It consists of investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Department of Justice and US Homeland Security Investigations as well as prosecutors from local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine counties.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Stealing Expensive Jacket from Grange Co-op Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing an expensive jacket from Grange Co-op this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting call at the store on West Schutzwohl Lane near Redwood Highway on Tuesday afternoon. Police said 29-year-old Kyle William Poole was caught leaving Grange Co-op with a Carhartt jacket valued at more than $118. They said loss prevention was forced to take him down in the store parking lot when he tried to flee on foot. Poole reportedly admitted to entering the store and stealing the jacket without any means of paying for it. Poole was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. He was also trespassed from Grange Co-op.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Felon on 3 Local Warrants during Tuesday PM Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police apprehended a local felon on three outstanding warrants this week during a patrol check near Home Depot. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 37-year-old Jordan Ellis Haas on the railroad tracks near Mill Street on Tuesday night. Police said they were on patrol when they observed Haas inside the fence at R and M Lumber Sales, which has numerous No Trespassing signs posted. They tried to contact him, he walked away and then started running on the railroad property. Officers caught up to Haas and placed him into custody, discovering that he was wanted on three Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Forgery and two counts of Failure to Report as a Sex Offender. Haas was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus new charges of 3rd-Degree Escape and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held in lieu of posting $70,000 bail.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Jail Inmate Served with Jackson County Warrant for Assault

A Josephine County Jail inmate being held for violating his probation is facing an additional charge after being served with an outside warrant. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies served 20-year-old Angel Ernesto Rodriguez-Ortiz with a Jackson County warrant around midday Tuesday. Deputies said the inmate was wanted in Jackson County for 4th-Degree Assault, but no details about the alleged crime were disclosed. Rodriguez-Ortiz remained in custody on Thanksgiving while being held on bail of $55,000.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh

Reward Being Offered for Stolen Signs in Upper Rogue Travel Management Area

Two local Oregon Hunters Association chapters and a private citizen are offering a combined $1,300 reward for information leading to the return of nine aluminum boundary signs which might also lead to a conviction of the person who stole them. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the signs were stolen from the Upper Rogue Travel Management Area (TMA). ODFW staff put the signs up in late October to notify hunters of the annual two-week November closure to hunting in the TMA. The signs were reported missing on November 3rd from areas along Highways 62 and 238. The Rogue Valley and Josephine County OHA Chapters donated funds several years ago to assist ODFW in purchasing the high-quality aluminum signs for the TMA. Now both chapters and a private citizen are offering the $1,300 reward for the safe return of the signs or information leading to a conviction of the person or persons who stole the signs. Anyone with information on the missing signs can contact the ODFW Central Point office at (541)-826-8774.

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

Total Payroll Employment in Jackson County Increased by 270 Jobs in October

Total payroll employment in Jackson County rose by 270 jobs in October, buoyed by gains in health care and social assistance. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 103,778 people working in Jackson County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.6%, which was the same as the rate posted in September. Health care and social assistance had the largest private-sector gain over the month with 270 jobs and over the past year with 1,030 jobs. Gains in October were also estimated in retail trade and other services. Employment fell over the month in leisure & hospitality, professional & business services, manufacturing and construction. Government had a slight gain of 310 jobs in October. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County expanded by 240 jobs, an increase of 0.1%.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

Bureau of Land Management Releases Local Draft Plan to Address Dying Conifer Trees

Massive numbers of dead and dying trees are being seen almost everywhere in the Applegate Valley. More Douglas fir trees have died in Southern Oregon in the last four years than the last four decades. The alarming number of dead conifers is fueling concerns about public safety along roadways, increased fire risk, changes in wildlife habitat and economic impacts to local communities. The Bureau of Land Management is asking for public feedback on the best strategy for addressing this devastating tree mortality. The Strategic Operations for Safety Environmental Assessment (EA) proposes to address the crisis by allowing BLM managers to quickly address concerns along roads, near homes and in locations where firefighters have the best chance of stopping fires quickly and safely. The proposal will strategically target dead and dying trees as well as those showing significant signs of decline in optimum places close to where people live. The BLM has worked closely with researchers in the US Forest Service and Oregon State University Extension Office on developing indicators and criteria for dying trees. The BLM anticipates that this EA will cover an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 acres of treatments. The first project could begin as soon as mid-2025.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

2024 Survey Results Highlight Engagement with Josephine Community Library

The Josephine Community Library District this week released the results of its 2024 Patron Survey, which gathered input from more than 1,400 participants. It represents a 20% increase in responses compared to the 2023 survey, reflecting increased engagement with the local library's services. The findings highlight the library's significant role within the Josephine County community as demonstrated by the 25,910 active library cardholders across the four branches in Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Williams and Wolf Creek. The survey indicates steady satisfaction among patrons, with 63% rating their library experience as "excellent." Physical books remain the most commonly cited reason for library visits, with digital resources identified as the second most important. On average, patrons check out 20,000 physical items monthly. Attendance at library programs also increased compared to the previous year, with patrons expressing interest in creative, science-based and lifelong learning opportunities. Respondents identified facility improvements including expanded shelving, additional parking, upgraded Wi-Fi and more quiet spaces as priorities.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Chamber of Commerce Invites Citizens to New Event on "Small Business Saturday"

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is inviting citizens to participate in a new event set for Small Business Saturday. The Chamber has announced its first annual "Cocoa Crawl" takes place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the heart of downtown Grants Pass. Chamber President and CEO Terry Hopkins said this festive event is designed to bring the community together to support local businesses, enjoy the holiday season and find the perfect gifts for loved ones. He said participating businesses will offer complimentary hot cocoa to shoppers, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere as you explore the unique products and services our local merchants have to offer. As an added bonus, the Chamber will provide free gift wrapping at the Downtown Welcome Center from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for items bought at participating locations, making it even easier to shop local and spread holiday cheer. Hopkins said Small Business Saturday is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creativity and passion of our local business community.

Posted on 11/29/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Moped Rider for Leading Officers on Chase near All Sports Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a moped rider for leading officers on a pursuit after complaints of suspicious activity at and near Reinhart Volunteer Park. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 55-year-old Jeffrey Alan Washburn at the end of Susan Lane on Tuesday afternoon. Police said multiple calls were generated due to Washburn's riding in and about the area of the All Sports Park on Webster Road. They said he tried to access the River House at the park, which is currently occupied by the new Grants Pass Fire Chief's family. They were placed in fear because of his violent and tumultuous behavior. According to the report, Washburn was riding an oversized bicycle with a large motor and he was observed speeding through the park along the baseball fields and playground, scaring citizens and children by screaming loudly. No one was hurt. Lights and sirens were activated by officers, but Washburn failed to stop and made several eluding maneuvers before he was cornered on Susan Lane and placed into custody. Washburn was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Disorderly Conduct. GPPD said other charges may be filed against him.

Posted on 11/28/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Felon for Parole Violation after He Caused Disturbance at Bar

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his post-prison supervision after he caused a disturbance at a local watering hole this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Alibi Tavern on NW 6th Street late Tuesday night. Police said 27-year-old Christian Anthony Bartell consumed numerous alcoholic drinks at the bar and threw a coaster at the female bartender. They said the woman took Bartell's drink, dumped it out and told him to leave. Bartell reportedly became violent and got in the bartender's face, which caused her to cry. The subject then engaged in a verbal altercation with another bar patron and was contacted outside the establishment where he was placed into custody. After Bartell's corrections officer was contacted, he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show Bartell has been arrested four times for violating his parole since January of this year.

Posted on 11/28/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Weapon and Drug Crimes as well as Outside Warrant

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for weapon and drug crimes as well as an outstanding warrant after a traffic stop near the J Street campground early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to reports of suspicious activity near the designated campsite in the 700-block of SE J Street on Wednesday at 12:45 a.m.. Police said 45-year-old Chance Farlin Sillers was called in by an employee with Combined Diesel Services who advised a male subject in a red Chrysler PT Cruiser was driving back and forth on J Street, turning his lights on and off, and making U-turns in their parking lot. Sillers was pulled over by officers and told them he was driving back and forth while looking for someone. He was found to be wanted on a Douglas County warrant and dispatchers confirmed he was a convicted felon. He was also found to be in possession of a spring-activated knife and a glass methamphetamine pipe. Sillers was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Meth Possession. He was also cited to appear in Canyonville Justice Court on December 18th for the outstanding warrant.

Posted on 11/28/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh

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