KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP Police and Firefighters Maintained Strong Activity in Community Protection

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters maintained a steady and strong pace of community protection last week. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 663 calls for service along with 288 officer-initiated calls that resulted in 56 arrests, 28 citations, 29 warnings and three highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 50 traffic stops and made 22 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made contact with 184 potential troublemakers while arrested two people, citing 26 more and warning 28 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 18 individuals, posted 66 transient camps and removed trash from two campsites in city parks. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 97 calls last week including 33 for emergency medical service, 10 reports of fire or smoke, 12 lift assists, one rescue situation, nine assists to other agencies and 10 false alarms. Firefighters also performed 74 business inspections, assisted the public eight times and properly installed two child car seats. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,394 emergency calls in addition to 806 calls for non-emergency service.

Posted on 7/29/24 5:51AM by Sam Marsh

Summer EBT Available for Limited Time with Thousands of Oregon Families Eligible

Having enough food to eat is crucial for good health and well-being. Yet hunger is a persistent problem across the country and here in Oregon. Feeding America reports that 1 in 6 children in Oregon face hunger. To help children get the food they need to thrive, the Oregon State Legislature approved the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Education to offer Summer EBT this year. With support from the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Summer EBT provides eligible families $120 per child for groceries when school is out and children lose access to food programs offered at schools. Help Oregon spread the word -- thousands of families may be eligible for this new benefit and not know it. So far, 322,500 Oregon children have received Summer EBT. This adds up to $38.7 million in federal funds that families are spending at grocery stores and farmers markets in their communities. DHS estimates another 30,000 children in Oregon may be eligible for Summer EBT if they apply. To be eligible, children must attend a school participating in the national school lunch or breakfast programs, and reside in households with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Posted on 7/29/24 5:48AM by Sam Marsh

Mercy Flights Teams Up with Phoenix High School and RCC to Offer EMS Class

Mercy Flights has announced a partnership with Phoenix High School and Rogue Community College on a new pilot project tailored to provide college credit in a high school setting for students interested in a career in emergency services (EMS). The first class is set to launch this fall. Over the last decade, opportunities for high school students to earn college credit have steadily increased. The ability to offer early career and technical education in a high school setting provides a better foundation for students to choose what career field will best suit their passion and learning style. Over the last 12 months, Mercy Flights, Phoenix High School and RCC have joined forces to build a curriculum that will provide insight and education surrounding a career in healthcare. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive their Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate while also earning their CPR and First Aid certifications. The classroom setting will consist of a Phoenix High School health educator and a Mercy Flights instructor who will co-teach the Introduction to EMS curriculum approved by RCC.

Posted on 7/29/24 5:39AM by Sam Marsh

JoCo Deputies Capture Medford Thief also Wanted by Douglas County and State Parole Board

Josephine County Deputies had probable cause to stop a white 2016 Dodge Journey in the 3200 block of Camp Joy Road late Friday morning and found a wanted felon. Deputies were alerted to theft of tools at 10:25 Friday morning from the Medford Police Department with photos of the suspect. The tools were recovered and the suspect was discovered to be wanted by the Oregon State parole board on a post-prison sanction plus two warrants out of Douglas County for a myriad of charges including resisting, drugs, being armed and concealed, escape, interfering providing false information and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Posted on 7/27/24 6:30AM by Chuck Benson

Gasoline Thief Arrested & Lodged by Sheriff’s Deputies

Stealing gasoline from a vehicle at a resort on Galice Road landed a man in the Josephine County jail. The Sheriff’s dispatch received a call just after 6.a.m. Friday morning from a resort employee who observed the suspect under a vehicle in the gravel lot directly in front of the boat ramp cutting the fuel line. The caller was informed there were no Deputies on duty until seven a.m. and one would respond as soon as they were able to. Approximately three minutes later a 2nd caller also reported the suspect attempting to steal gas and the incident was captured on video. The Resort’s managers detained the suspect at 6;54 a.m. and the Deputy arrived at 7:12 a.m. The suspect, who was not identified in the Sheriff’s narrative, was arrested, transported and lodged in the Josephine County jail facing charges of theft III and criminal mischief II.

Posted on 7/27/24 6:11AM by Chuck Benson

Air Quality Advisory Issued for Jackson County

Jackson County Public Health is issuing an air quality advisory for Jackson County through Sunday evening, July 28, due to wildfires north of Jackson County. Air quality is expected to improve Saturday evening, with intermittent smoke through the weekend. However, it is important to remember that smoke levels can quickly rise and fall depending on weather factors and the activity of the wildfire. Therefore, people need to be prepared to take steps to protect their health during wildfire season. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants harmful to human health. Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Breathing in wildfire smoke can immediately affect a person’s health, causing coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain, and fast heartbeat.

Posted on 7/27/24 5:28AM by Chuck Benson

OSP Charges Motorist for Causing Hit & Run Crash on US Highway 199 near CJ

The Oregon State Police has charged a motorist for causing a crash with another vehicle on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley this week and then fleeing the scene on foot. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle wreck near milepost 31 of US Highway 199 on Tuesday.
Troopers said a 34-year-old man was driving a Toyota 4-Runner when he collided with a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 22-year-old Medford woman. After the crash, the at-fault driver fled the scene on foot. Two victims were contacted at the crash scene and provided information that led to the identification of the suspect motorist. OSP reports the same man was identified as the owner of the Toyota and they were still looking for him on Friday. His vehicle was towed to Cave Junction.

Posted on 7/27/24 5:26AM by Chuck Benson

GP Police Arrested City Park Camper on Felony Warrant Plus Narcotics Violation

Grants Pass Police arrested a city park camper on a local felony warrant during an early morning patrol check yesterday. The Police Department reports officers contacted and then arrested the 36-year-old male subject at Riverside Park on Friday at 3:52 a.m.. Police said the subject was discovered to be wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for three counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. They said the man was also found to be in possession of burnt foil and a straw that was used to inhale drugs, in this case fentanyl. The drug paraphernalia was seized for destruction.

Posted on 7/27/24 5:25AM by Chuck Benson

Illegal Use of Fireworks Sparked Grass Fire that Nearly Reached NE City Home

The illegal use of fireworks caused a grass fire that nearly reached a house in the northeast part of the city this week. On Thursday at about 6 p.m., Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a reported grass fire in the 400-block of NE 11th Street. Grants Pass Battalion Chief 4 arrived first to find a front yard on fire. Forward progress was stopped without the flames spreading to an adjacent home, other buildings or nearby properties. The cause of the fire was determined to be fireworks, which are only legal in Grants Pass from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4th.

Posted on 7/27/24 5:24AM by Chuck Benson

Firefighters Doused Thursday Night Greenhouse Blaze in Cave Junction Area

Firefighters extinguished a greenhouse fire in the Cave Junction area this week. On Thursday at 9:53 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to reports of a possible grass fire near the intersection of Caves Highway and Smith Sawyer Road. Upon arrival and after making entry onto the property, suppression units found a greenhouse on fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished and overhauled

Posted on 7/27/24 5:22AM by Chuck Benson

OEM and ODOT Officials Urge People Traveling by Vehicle to be Fire Safe

If you are traveling by car this summer, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Oregon Department of Transportation are encouraging you to be fire safe and well-prepared. The 2024 wildfire season is shaping up to be one for the record books. Fire officials, ODOT and OEM are asking people to take every precaution possible to avoid adding to the problem. While you are packing and preparing to take off and explore the state, it's important to stay up to date on road closures with "tripcheck.com," connect with Oregon Parks and Recreation about campfire restrictions, and make sure you have emergency supplies in case you get stranded. A list of items you should consider for a basic emergency car kit includes jumper cables, flares, a car cell phone charger, map, first aid kit, flashlight with batteries, fire extinguisher, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting, wet wipes and blankets plus extra water and snacks. Maintain proper tire pressure as driving on rims will throw off sparks. When pulling off the road, stay on paved surfaces whenever possible. Avoid the side of the road where dry grass and other fuels can come into contact with your vehicle's hot components. Secure chains and make sure they're not dragging.

Posted on 7/27/24 5:21AM by Chuck Benson

OEM and ODOT Officials Urge People Traveling by Vehicle to be Fire Safe

Posted on 7/27/24 5:21AM by Chuck Benson

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