KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

OR State Library Grants $50K for Computer Basics Program in Josephine County

The State Library of Oregon has awarded a $50,000 grant to Josephine Community Library District to support its new computer basics program that will benefit residents throughout the county. The state grant will fund the program from July 1st, 2024, through June 30, 2025. It will pay for a digital outreach specialist who will manage the program. The Computer Basics Program will offer computer and internet skills classes, provide one-on-one technology assistance for library patrons, and reach out to the community at-large about technology access and digital skills available through the library branches in Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Williams and Wolf Creek. While the library will focus on reaching out to seniors, Spanish speakers and those with lower incomes, the classes and individual assistance are available to all who are interested. It will expand beyond the library facilities by partnering with WorkSource Rogue Valley to offer more opportunities for people wanting to learn more about computers. The program kicks off with assessment and planning in July. Classes will start later this summer. They will be free and open to anyone interested. Library cards are not required for participation.

Posted on 6/8/24 4:59AM by Chuck Benson

Three Rivers School District Offering Free Summer Meals Program to All Kids

The Three Rivers School District is offering a free summer meals program that is open to all children ages 1-18 -- not just Three Rivers' students. Children 18 & under will be served nutritious meals Monday through Friday, with start dates varying by location. All meal sites will be closed June 19th, July 4th and July 5th. From June 10th-August 16th, summer meals will be served at Harbeck Village in Grants Pass between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Running on the same dates, meals will be served at Jubilee Park in Cave Junction between 10:30 and 11 a.m.. From June 17th-August 16th, free meals will be served to kids at Wildlife Images at 11845 Lower River Road between 11:30 a.m. and noon. From July 1st-August 16th, two meals will be served daily at Fruitdale Elementary School in Grants Pass. There will be a cold breakfast between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., followed by lunch between 10:30 and 11 a.m.. These meals must be consumed on-site.

Posted on 6/8/24 4:58AM by Chuck Benson

GP Police Jailed Suspect for Entering Restaurant & Stealing Cash from Register

Grants Pass Police jailed a well-known criminal offender for entering a south-city restaurant and stealing more than $1,000 from the cash register late last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 35-year-old male subject for the incident at Casablanca Coffee & Grill on Union Avenue at 12:13 a.m. today. Police said an employee of the restaurant called 9-1-1 to report that he left the till and doors unlocked while he went to the back office. When he returned, he saw a man inside the stand wearing a flannel shirt and gray sweatpants with a brown paper bag over his head. When asked why he was there, the man said he was looking for some food before he left and headed west toward Cartwrights. The incident was captured on video surveillance, which showed the man taking $1,008 out of the till. Police searched the area and located the suspect at the Fairgrounds. He was wearing the same clothing and the stolen money was found in his wallet. He told officers that he found the money in a paper bag at Casablanca. It was recovered. The suspect was subsequently lodged the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Burglary and 1st-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/7/24 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Assisted RADE with Arrest of Salem Man for Drug Trafficking West of GP

The Oregon State Police assisted federal and local law enforcement officers with arresting a Salem man for drug trafficking on Redwood Highway west of Grants Pass near Wilderville yesterday. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Avalon driven by the 51-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Riverbanks Road on Thursday at 11:36 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and -- upon further investigation -- the driver was found with a felony amount of methamphetamine on his person. A consent search of the car uncovered a firearm, drug paraphernalia and a large amount of US currency. All the items were seized as evidence. According to OSP, the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team assisted with the traffic stop and the driver was a convicted felon. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felony Possession of Meth, Felony Delivery of Meth and other charges. He was being held without bail. The man's vehicle was left with a passenger at his request.

Posted on 6/7/24 11:06AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Captured Man on Felony Warrant after Pursuit that Ended at Bi-Mart

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a local felony warrant last night following a pursuit that ended in the parking lot of Bi-Mart. According to the Police Department, officers -- assisted by the Oregon State Police -- arrested the 49-year-old male subject at the store located on Redwood Highway on Thursday at 6:26 p.m.. Police said a patrol officer spotted the man riding his bicycle inbound on Highway 199 near Affordable RV. He was known to be wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous assault conviction. Officers attempted to stop the man, but he elected to ride his bike away from them into the Bi-Mart parking lot. He continued to flee from law enforcement despite overhead lights, siren and orders to stop. As he was approaching 7th Street, an officer blocked his path of travel, he fell off his bike and was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of 3rd-Degree Escape. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 6/7/24 11:04AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Snared 2 for Trying to Steal from Bi-Mart in Separate Capers

Grants Pass Police arrested two people who tried to steal from Bi-Mart yesterday in separate capers. The Police Department reports the first incident occurred on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the store in the 200-block of Redwood Highway. Police said a 37-year-old woman passed all points of sale while concealing $5 worth of merchandise. She was stopped by loss prevention and was cooperative during the investigation. She was cited to appear in court for 3rd-Degree Theft and then released from custody. The second incident happened on Thursday at 8 p.m. when a 19-year-old man tried to deprive Bi-Mart of approximately $60 worth of merchandise by concealing it in the waist band of his pants. Police said the young man admitted that he did not want to spend his own money on the items. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia that were seized for destruction. He was lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and the narcotics violation.

Posted on 6/7/24 11:03AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Woman for Trespassing at U-Turn for Christ near City Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" for trespassing near Riverside Park yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespass call involving the 31-year-old female subject at U-Turn for Christ in the 100-block of Lewis Avenue on Thursday shortly after 11 a.m.. Police said the woman is a frequent arrestee who returned to the incident location after being trespassed earlier in the week. They said she was with a male subject in the back room of the building. The manager did not want to arrest the man, but he wanted the woman placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Due to her lengthy criminal record, she was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/7/24 11:01AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Evicted Campers from City Parks for Ordinance Violations

Grants Pass Police evicted three campers from city parks during patrol checks on Thursday. At Westholm Park, officers contacted a man because his tent was too big and he had a large amount of personal property scattered around it. He was cited for a Park Space Violation and Scattering Rubbish before being trespassed for 30 days. Neighbors near Westholm Park also reported occupants of a U-Haul truck who were camping in the turn-around circle along with a deep hole that was dug in a hill off SW I Street. At Debo Park, a man and woman were found with a marijuana water bong that was seized for destruction. Both were cited for the drug violation and they were issued 30-day park exclusions.

Posted on 6/7/24 11:00AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Male Transient for Attacking Man near Downtown Post Office

Grants Pass Police arrested a male transient for attacking another man near the downtown Post Office this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the corner of NE 6th and E streets on Wednesday afternoon. Police said the victim was walking in the crosswalk when the suspect began stating that the victim had ruined his family. They said the suspect then walked to where the man was standing with his chest puffed up and fists clenched. The victim told officers he pushed the suspect due to the threat of close proximity and the suspect punched him. The victim defended himself by punching back, but neither man was seriously injured. The victim's $20 watch was broken in the fight. According to the report, several people witnessed the altercation and many of them were familiar with the homeless man sitting near the Post Office on a daily basis. Following the investigation, officers placed the 58-year-old suspect into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/7/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Causing Disturbance at Baseball Game near School

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing a disturbance at a youth baseball game near a local elementary school this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the baseball field at Allen Dale Elementary School in the 2300-block of Williams Highway on Wednesday evening. Police said multiple witnesses observed the 39-year-old man driving a black Kia Sportage around 50 miles per hour in the gravel parking lot near the baseball field, nearly running another motorist off the roadway. When confronted about his dangerous driving, the man began yelling and threatening to fight parents and coaches. No one was hurt in the altercation. Responding officers interviewed witnesses and then placed the suspect into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/7/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Unlawful Entering Home after Being Trespassed

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman this week for unlawfully entering a residence from which she had already been trespassed and making herself at home. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the break-in at a home in the 1200-block of NE A Street on Wednesday afternoon. Police said a man called 9-1-1 to report a female subject had entered his home and remained there, knowing that she had been previously trespassed on February 16th of this year. The caller told dispatchers he walked into a spare bedroom and found the woman lying on a bed doing her makeup. She immediately got up and left. Officers searched the area and found the woman at the corner of NE Beacon Drive and D Street. She admitted that she had returned to the home, but thought that the trespass warning lasted for only 30 days. That only pertains to city parks. The 29-year-old suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Burglary and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail. The victim and his family were advised to let police know if they noticed any damage or missing items.

Posted on 6/7/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

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