KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Board of Commissioners Honored Two Groups for Going Beyond Call of Duty

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners took time during its weekly business session this morning to honor two groups of people who have gone far beyond the call of duty on the behalf of others. The Board first presented certificates to eight members of Parkwatch Grants Pass who volunteer to keep city parks clean and free of drug paraphernalia and trash. The presentation followed a video that showed the group cleaning up parks and a large amount of drug paraphernalia collected from their efforts. Under the banner "Parks are For Kids," the group is always looking for more volunteers. The Commissioners then honored four members of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office who saved the life of a co-worker in early February. Certificates were given to Lieutenant Geiger, Detective Sergeant Henrich and Evidence Technicians Kayla Lauer and Haylee Bayard who used an automatic external defibrillator to save the life of Doug DuLong after he suffered a critical cardiac event. There were no public hearings, administrative action items or proclamations on the agenda. During the public comment period, a woman praised local law enforcement and criticized sex education in schools, a man gave his reasons for the separation of church and state, and another man requested the return of the OSU Extension Service to Josephine County. Newly-appointed Grants Pass Budget Committee member Mike Pelfrey praised the efforts of Parkwatch Grants Pass and criticized the leadership of the city. His wife Winnie Pelfrey said she believes local nonprofit groups are enabling the homeless to continue living unhealthy lifestyles.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:46AM by Sam Marsh

District Clarifies that Library Board Has Not Canceled Thursday's Lease Meeting

The Josephine Community Library District Board of Directors wishes to clarify that it has not canceled the lease negotiation meeting originally scheduled with the Josephine County Board of Commissioners for Thursday morning. Contrary to some recent statements, the local library board remains committed to participating in a good-faith discussion on the future of the Grants Pass library branch lease. JCLD itself has issued a public notice for this joint session to ensure full transparency and public awareness of the status of the lease negotiations. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Anne Basker Auditorium. In the event the Board of Commissioners does not attend, the library board will convene outside the auditorium to provide a press conference, ensuring the public remains informed about the status of these negotiations. Grants Pass Friends of the Library plans to hold a rally to remind the Board of Commissioners that library supporters are paying attention to the proposed "outlandish" increase in the library's rent for the building on NW C Street. The group also aims to remind the Commissioners to uphold the Josephine County Charter which -- in its Finance chapter -- stipulates that the Board shall provide for the support and maintenance of the library. Community members are encouraged to attend tomorrow's meeting or continue making their voices heard by contacting the Board of Commissioners at "bcc@josephinecounty.gov."

Posted on 3/12/25 10:45AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Trio for Drug-Related Offenses at 6th Street Homeless Camp

Grants Pass Police arrested three men for drug-related offenses yesterday during patrol checks at the homeless campsite at 6th and A streets. The Police Department reports officers initially responded to the camp for reports of two men fighting and they observed multiple subjects using drugs. Police said they arrested 36-year-old Caleb Michael Bintz for Resisting Arrest, Methamphetamine Possession and the resulting Probation Violation. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Also arrested for Meth Possession were 38-year-old Mark Andrew Huff and 46-year-old Floyd Terry Rose. Both men were lodged in jail and trespassed from the camp for 30 days. Several other people who were not identified in the report were arrested for drug offenses -- but instead of going to jail, they elected to go through the deflection process and were taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center. A woman identified as "Amanda McCoy" was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Utilization of Space violations. She was issued a 30-day exclusion order.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared "Jane Doe" for Trespassing on RR Property & Resisting Arrest

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trespassing on railroad property and becoming argumentative with law enforcement late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were performing a patrol check when they contacted the female subject on railroad property off NE Mill Street near the Home Depot store at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday. Police said the woman was walking along the railroad tracks when they contacted her and she immediately became argumentative with them. They said she showed obvious signs of impairment and provided numerous names so they were unable to identify her. She also stated that she was in a coma for nine years and had no clue where she was born or what state she was in. After advising the woman she was under arrest, she actively resisted by placing her arms underneath her body and using her legs to push off and kick at officers. Joint manipulation was used to place her hands behind her back and apply handcuffs. "Jane Doe" was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was fingerprinted and there were no results on her identity in all 50 states.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:42AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Violating Court Order after Central Avenue Incident

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order at a home in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a disturbance in the 200-block of SW Central Avenue on Tuesday around 8:35 a.m.. Police said neighbors reported a man and woman yelling at each other and that the man was associated with a bicycle. One witness said they heard the woman say "leave me alone." Upon arrival, officers determined that 41-year-old Isaac Whaley was involved in an argument with a woman who had a valid restraining order protecting her from him. They said the suspect had trash and property strewn about when they placed him into custody. Whaley was lodged at the Josephine County jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation and Offensive Littering. He was being held without bail and his bike was logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Man on Outstanding Warrants after Responding to Argument

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on three outstanding warrants late yesterday after they responded to a disturbance on Allen Creek Road. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a man and woman yelling at each other at a well-known shack located near Red Robin Restaurant on Tuesday around 4 p.m.. Police said they contacted the pair, diffused the argument and discovered that the man -- identified as 43-year-old Bradley William Krauss -- was wanted on three warrants issued by the Medford Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Charges contained in the warrants included failing to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass and multiple counts of Methamphetamine Possession. Krauss was placed into custody and lodged in jail on the warrants. Both he and the woman were trespassed from the incident location.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:40AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Jail Inmate Served with Grants Pass Misdemeanor Warrant

A Josephine County Jail inmate is facing additional charges after he was served with a local warrant yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports jail deputies served an adult in custody identified as 36-year-old Christopher Patrick McLaughlin with a Grants Pass misdemeanor warrant on Tuesday afternoon. Charges contained in the warrant included 4th-Degree Assault and Harassment. Jail records show McLaughlin is serving a 30-day sentence for Parole Violation and he remains in custody.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Cited Woman for Stealing Carhartt Beanie from Grange Co-op

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing an item from Grange Co-op late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting call at the store on West Schutzwohl Lane near Redwood Highway on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.. Police said 57-year-old Onalea Clay concealed a Carhartt beanie worth $25 and left the store passing all points of sale without paying. They said she cooperated with loss prevention and admitted to the theft. Clay was also found to be driving with a suspended license and admitted that she drove to Grange Co-op from her residence. She was cited to appear in court for 3rd-Degree Theft and Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 3/12/25 10:37AM by Sam Marsh

Wolf Creek Man Jailed for Manslaughter after Glendale Crash Killed His Daughter

A Wolf Creek man was arrested on manslaughter charges after a pickup truck crash killed his 11-year-old daughter in the Glendale area on Monday afternoon. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports deputies were called to a motor vehicle accident on Oregon Department of Forestry land bordering the 1200-block of Tunnel Road at about 1:30 p.m. Monday. Deputies said the pickup -- a Ford F-250 -- was occupied by the driver -- 55-year-old Ian Anthony Fleming -- and three juvenile females when the crash occurred. They said the three young passengers were thrown from the vehicle as it rolled multiple times down an embankment. Fleming was able to get out of the overturned pickup and he then attempted to get medical care for his seriously injured daughter. He used a borrowed vehicle to drive his daughter to the ambulance station on Tunnel Road. Glendale Ambulance paramedics declared her deceased a short time later. The two other juvenile girls were transported by Glendale Ambulance to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford for treatment of their injuries. Detectives responded to the scene after deputies reported that Fleming had fled. He later returned to the location of the crash and was interviewed. It was determined alcohol and drugs were a factor in the crash. Fleming was lodged at the Douglas County Jail for suspicion of 2nd-Degree Manslaughter.

Posted on 3/12/25 5:30AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed IV Man for Possessing Stolen Firearm after Downtown CJ Stop

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man for possessing a stolen firearm this week following a traffic stop in downtown Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Tyler Jack Olson in the 100-block of South Redwood Highway on Monday. Deputies did not disclose the reason for the traffic stop, but they found Olson to be in possession of a Walther Creed 9-millimeter handgun that had been reported stolen by the Roseburg Police Department. The gun was seized as evidence and to be returned to its registered owner. Olson was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft by Receiving and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. He was being held without bail and his vehicle was towed.

Posted on 3/12/25 5:28AM by Sam Marsh

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