KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

JMET Served Marijuana Search Warrant, Arrested Two Suspects in O'Brien

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 1,000 block of Arrowhead Drive, O’Brien, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office said the warrant was executed Tuesday, October 7, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service. During the execution of the warrant, approximately 300 marijuana plants and 300 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed. Three firearms were seized on scene. The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. Aaron Cletis Johnson and Bi Yun You were taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. They are both charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

Posted on 10/9/25 11:54AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Approve Sick Leave Usage and Fee Hearing at Weekly Business Session

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved sick leave benefit usage and a fee change hearing during today's Weekly Business Session. The first two agenda items were stricken from the administrative actions, and the board resolution for providing unused sick leave benefits to general service employees was discussed. A minimal cost to the county of about $1,000 would support this action. The board approved the resolution 3-0 along with the hearing and proposed fee changes for the BCC, Surveyor, Public Works, Recreation, Animal Shelter, and Public Health Departments. A public hearing would allow the public to weigh in on the fee changes that will go into effect January 1st, 2026. The proposed fee changes in full can be found at josephinecounty.gov on the Finance Department page. In the matter of confirming the Sheriff's Certificate of Sale, the board approved 3-0 and authorized proceed distribution and execution of all the quitclaim deeds and land sale contracts from the September 2025 Auction.

Posted on 10/9/25 11:49AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Contacted and Arrested Woman with Warrant at Resting Site 6

The Grants Pass Police Department observed a suspect wanted on a warrant at a local resting site Wednesday afternoon.

Officers contacted Carol Taylor-Selph at Resting Site 6, 704 NW 6th Street. They knew she had a Meth Possession warrant out for her arrest and took her into custody.

Taylor-Selph, while being read her rights, produced two glass pipes from her jacket pocket and admitted to using them to consume Methamphetamine. One of the pipes tested positive for meth.

Taylor-Selph was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for her warrant and a charge of Meth Possession. She was also issued a 30-day exclusion order from the resting site.

Posted on 10/9/25 11:26AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff’s Office Apprehended Woman on Multiple Warrants

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a woman Wednesday afternoon on multiple warrants.

At 3:27 p.m., officers contacted Natassia Berger in the 1900 block of Lone Mountain Road. She was found to have three Sheriff’s Office warrants and a Grants Pass Police Department warrant out for her arrest.

Her charges included Failure to Appear for three counts of Felony Attempt to Elude, three counts of Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, DUII, and a Property Damage charge.

Berger was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

Posted on 10/9/25 6:49AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Business and Volunteer among Recipients of Excellence on Main Awards

Oregon Main Street announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners Wednesday.

During the annual Main Street conference October 8th in Albany, the Excellence on Main awards honored outstanding accomplishments, activities, and people making a difference in historic downtowns across the state.

Among the 11 individuals, projects, activities, and businesses, the Holly Theatre in Medford was honored with the Bricks and Mortar Rehabilitation Award, and Phyllis Nelson with the Downtown Medford Association was recognized as a Standout Volunteer.

Oregon Main Street strengthens community networks, bolsters local economies, generates tax revenues, and fosters social connections across the state.

OMS leads a network of local Main Streets that oversee a wide range of programmatic efforts to build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents.

Posted on 10/9/25 5:58AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon State Police Asks For Public's Help to Identify Fatal Hit-And-Run Suspect(s)

The Oregon State Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects in a fatal hit-and-run. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, at about 8:46 p.m., OSP responded to a report of a person down in the roadway in the 100 block of Hogue Drive, in Selma. Responding law enforcement determined the person had been struck by a vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer on scene. The pedestrian, Ray Arnold Wilder of Selma, was declared deceased at the scene. Detectives conducted witness interviews and learned a red truck and a white SUV with a black canopy were seen speeding away from the area after the crash. The vehicles reportedly drove past the scene several minutes later. The suspect vehicle is believed to have front-end damage and may have a broken windshield. Anyone with information is urged to call 800-442-2068 or *OSP from a mobile phone. Reference case number SP25-422785.

Posted on 10/8/25 1:27PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Conducted a Traffic Stop, Arrested Suspect for Meth Possession

Grants Pass Police pulled over a vehicle for expired registration early this morning.

At 1:06 a.m. on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Industry Drive, officers contacted the SUV driver, Matthew Barbosa, and cited him for driving while suspended and with no insurance.

Barbosa was found to be in possession of a small clear bag with over 6 grams of a crystalline substance which tested positive for amphetamines.

Barbosa was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. His vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded.

Posted on 10/8/25 12:52PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Woman Smoking in Vehicle on GP Warrant

Grants Pass Police contacted and arrested a woman after finding her smoking in her vehicle Tuesday night.

At 8:55 p.m., dispatch received a call from a man saying there were two people in the back of a black Chevy Tahoe smoking crack.

He said they had been in the vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes thought they were trying to get rid of something by tossing it out the door.

Officers arrived and contacted the man and woman in the Tahoe on the corner of SE Portola Drive and SE Herrick Lane. The woman, identified as Susan Zdziebkowski, was found to have a warrant out of Grants Pass for Second Degree Theft and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle.

Her identity was confirmed and she was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/8/25 11:43AM by Alex Bauer

Grants Pass and JoCo Chamber of Commerce Selling Tickets for Tap Walk Event

Tickets are available for the 2025 Tap Walk presented by the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, October 11th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., members of the community can stroll through downtown Grants Pass, going from business to business, and sample different brews and food options.

Tickets for this 21 and older event are $45 presale and $50 if purchased the day of the event. Get tickets now at grantspasschamber.org or at the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce at 1995 NW Vine Street.

With purchase of a ticket, you will receive a map of the event, commemorative pint glass, a reusable tote bag, plus free Wildlife Images trolley stops.

Posted on 10/8/25 11:24AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Woman behind Dumpster on Two Warrants

Grants Pass Police responded to a potential drug deal out of an RV Tuesday afternoon.

A witness told dispatch there were drugs being sold through the window of an RV since 8 a.m. that morning on the 600 block of NE 7th Street. The witness said kids were present and that people were smoking out of a pipe next to a nearby dumpster.

Officers arrived to the scene, and a woman, later identified as Melissa Burger, was observed behind the dumpster. She quickly walked away but was contacted in a nearby parking lot.

Burger was wanted on an Eagle Point Warrant for Fraud and Furnishing False Information, and an Oregon Parole Board Warrant involving Drugs. She was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/8/25 11:12AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Man Bathing in Police Department Bathroom

Grants Pass Police officers didn't have to go far to apprehend a suspect Tuesday morning.

The suspect, identified as Jake Thompson, entered the lobby of the Police Department at 726 NE 7th Street and proceeded to the bathroom.

Thompson then began to bathe himself using the bathroom sink, spilling a substantial amount of water on the floor.

Officers made contact with Thompson and quickly took him into custody for a Parole Violation Detainer and Third Degree Criminal Mischief. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/8/25 10:54AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Commissioners to Consider OHA Amendments and Sick Leave Usage at Meeting

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will consider Oregon Health Authority amendments and a resolution providing unused sick leave benefits to general service employees during Thursday's meeting. Also up for consideration is a board order in the matter of the procedure for setting both fees and a public hearing. During the requests and comments period, citizens will have three minutes to speak on any topic to the commissioners, who will then review each comment and potentially respond. After approving consent calendar minutes, the board may consider other matters and announcements. Thursday morning's Weekly Business Session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW Sixth Street, and will be streamed at josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 10/8/25 5:36AM by Alex Bauer

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