KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

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

Two People Seriously Hurt in Two-Vehicle Crash at Merlin Road and Jaime Lane

Two people were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in the North Valley area yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Merlin Road and Jaime Lane on Monday at 12:56 p.m.. Rural Metro officials said the collision occurred between a Jeep and sport utility vehicle. They said two occupants of the SUV were transported by ambulance to Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford where the trauma system was activated. The patients were not identified in the Rural Metro press release. The Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of the crash, but deputies noted heavy rain and wet pavement were observed by emergency first responders.

Posted on 11/19/24 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Male Transient on State Warrant after Downtown Trespass Call

Grants Pass Police jailed a male transient on a statewide felony warrant after catching him sleeping under the back porch cover of the former Dutch Bros offices in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers arrested 35-year-old Adam Joseph Jansen at the building on SW 4th Street on Sunday at 2:55 a.m.. Police said they contacted Jansen and another man while they were sleeping. There was already a trespass letter on file for that location. Both subjects provided police with their names and dates of birth. Officers discovered that Jansen was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Felony Indecent Exposure. No details about the incident were available. Jansen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. He and his male companion were trespassed from the premises.

Posted on 11/19/24 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on Felony Warrant after Weekend Stop on NE 7th Street

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant following a weekend traffic stop in the north part of the city. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a blue BMW sedan driven by a woman they identified as "Crystal Long" near the corner of NE 7th Street and Hillcrest Drive on Sunday at 8 p.m.. Police said they stopped the car for crossing three travel lanes and making a turn without a signal. Long was found to have a suspended license and no insurance. She was cited to appear in court for the violations and the car was impounded. Long's passenger -- 43-year-old Joshua George Littlefield -- walked away from the traffic stop, but he was detained nearby a short time later. He was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for 2nd-Degree Burglary, 1st-Degree Theft and Methamphetamine Possession. He was also found with the narcotic stimulant. Littlefield was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held without bail. A new charge of Meth Possession was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.

Posted on 11/19/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh

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