KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Chamber of Commerce Announces Support of Measure 17-119 to Authorize $60M RCC Bond

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for Measure 17-119, a proposed $60 million bond for Rogue Community College. The measure aims to enhance workforce training programs and modernize facilities across RCC's three local campuses in Grants Pass, Medford and White City. Chamber President and CEO Terry Hopkins said he understands the importance of equipping the community with the skills needed to thrive in today's competitive job market. He said local businesses face an urgent demand for skilled workers in essential fields such as nursing, commercial truck driving, welding, manufacturing and more. He added that Measure 17-119 directly addresses that need by expanding training opportunities and increasing the capacity of these programs. A successful vote on this measure will enable RCC to access over $15 million in state matching funds, amplifying the impact of every dollar invested. Hopkins called it a "win-win" for the community, leveraging local investment for maximum return. The Chamber of Commerce urges all community members to support Measure 17-119. The bond represents a commitment to our collective future -- a future that prioritizes education, workforce development and economic resilience.

Posted on 11/1/24 5:10AM by Sam Marsh

Senators Wyden & Merkley Announce $600K to Expand Medford Airport Service to Texas

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced a federal investment of $600,000 for the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport to support expansion of service to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The investment from the US Department of Transportation will be used to create a revenue guarantee and associated marketing plan to recruit, initiate and support new service between the local airport and Dallas-Fort Worth. Amber Judd, Director of the Medford Airport, said they are excited to have been awarded a Small Community Air Service Development Grant to support the new service. She said the funding is an important step toward creating the connection. However, she said it's important to note that airlines are not bound to initiate service simply due to an airport receiving a grant award. Judd said they are encouraged by American Airlines' interest and confident this funding underscores the strong demand and the community's support for a direct Medford to Dallas-Fort Worth connection. She said they are optimistic that the airlines will recognize the opportunity to enhance connectivity between the two regions. According to Judd, the local airport is committed to working with its airline partners to make this route a reality.

Posted on 11/1/24 5:01AM by Sam Marsh

RV Habitat for Humanity Dedicating Two New Homes to Families in Need in Rogue River

Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce the dedication of its 82nd and 83rd homes, a celebration of safe and affordable housing for families in Southern Oregon. The dedication will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Dove Place in the City of Rogue River. The event will honor two families who have completed their Habitat journey and will now move into their new homes. The Corbin-Cooper Family has faced many challenges in their search for stable housing. Heather, a single mother, moved her family to the Rogue Valley in 2008 for more affordable rent, yet faced constant rent hikes and repeated moves, even living in a fifth-wheel trailer. The Foote Family, deeply rooted in Rogue River, also struggled with unsafe and unstable housing. Kaylee, another single mother, was forced to move her two sons from a high-crime neighborhood in Medford to Rogue River. While safer, their current rental remains costly and limiting. Both families completed over 500 hours of "sweat equity" and a homeownership education program to prepare for this new chapter.

Posted on 11/1/24 4:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Man Jailed for Firing 50 Rounds from Assault Rifle & Endangering Others

A Grants Pass man was jailed for firing off dozens of rounds from an assault rifle and endangering his neighbors late yesterday. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 35-year-old Nicholas Ryan DiCarlo in the 100-block of Robertson Lane on Wednesday at 5:18 p.m.. Police said they responded to that address after multiple complaints from neighbors who advised there was an ongoing issue with shots fired by DiCarlo. After contact, the man admitted to firing off 50 rounds from his AK rifle into a berm that faces numerous properties within the city limits. Officers said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from DiCarlo who admitted that he started drinking at 9 a.m. to eliminate his shakes because he is an alcoholic. He contended that he has a more steady hand while shooting after he has been drinking. He also acknowledged that shooting while impaired is not safe. According to City Code, discharging a firearm within the city limits is against the law. DiCarlo was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Endangering. His assault rifle was seized and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/31/24 10:39AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Domestic Violence following Criminal Investigation

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for domestic violence after conducting a criminal investigation on Wednesday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Sonny Hurt, II, at the jail facility on NE F Street at 3:32 p.m. yesterday. Deputies said they conducted an investigation into a recent domestic violence incident involving Hurt and he was interviewed at the Sheriff's Office, which shares a building with the adult jail. No other details about the incident were disclosed, but Hurt was placed into custody. Hurt was booked into jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/31/24 10:37AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on 2 Local Warrants while Investigating Graffiti Tagging

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on two local warrants while investigating a case of graffiti tagging on a recently closed restaurant. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted Wednesday morning to vandalism at the building on NE Agness Avenue that formerly housed Shari's Cafe & Pies. Police said 38-year-old Charles Lee Shull and several other people were contacted as suspects of the graffiti incident which was called in by a passing motorist. The caller reported observing two subjects painting graffiti on the south-facing wall of the building. The tag was silver spray paint with 12-inch letters that read "Thanks Love." During the investigation, officers discovered that Shull was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Robbery along with a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd- and 3rd-Degree Theft. Shull was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and he was being held on $35,000 bail. The investigation into the graffiti tagging was continuing as it was similar to other graffiti applications in town.

Posted on 10/31/24 10:36AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man on MPD Felony Warrant during Downtown Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outside felony warrant yesterday during a downtown patrol check. The Police Department reports officers contacted 33-year-old Zane Raynier Hatcher at the corner of SE 6th and I streets on Wednesday at 11:35 a.m.. Police said they were familiar with Hatcher from previous law enforcement contacts and knew that he was wanted on a Medford Police Department felony warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for 1st-Degree Theft. Hatcher was placed into custody without incident. He was lodged in jail on the warrant and was being held on $10,000 bail.

Posted on 10/31/24 10:35AM by Sam Marsh

Troopers Investigating Hit-and-Run Crash on Caves Highway in Cave Junction

The Oregon State Police was investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred last night on Caves Highway in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle wreck on State Route 46 at Old Stage Road on Wednesday at 8:33 p.m.. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicates a Toyota Scion driven by a 58-year-old man was waiting for traffic to clear so it could turn onto Old Stage from the highway. That's when a Ford Edge driven by a 41-year-old man rear-ended the Toyota and caused significant damage to the vehicle, which was towed. One person was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries. No one else was hurt. According to OSP, the driver of the Ford failed to provide the required information and left the scene. However, troopers are aware of his identity and the investigation was continuing. Because of the injury, the suspect could be charged with Felony Hit-and-Run.

Posted on 10/31/24 10:33AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII after She Crashed SUV near Funeral Home

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after she crashed her vehicle into landscaping near a funeral home on the west side of the city last night. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the single-vehicle wreck at Chapel of the Valley on the corner of Lincoln Road and G Street on Wednesday at 9:48 p.m.. Police said a 68-year-old woman was driving a gold Ford Explorer when she lost control of the vehicle, went off the roadway and crashed into landscaping next to the funeral home. Another motorist witnessed the mishap and called 9-1-1, stating they saw someone in the vehicle with the dome light on. Responding officers contacted the woman who displayed multiple indicators of impairment by alcohol. They said she performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. She was cited to appear in court and released, but her vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 10/31/24 10:31AM by Sam Marsh

Eagle Point Woman Died after Being Struck by Vehicle on Crater Lake Highway

An Eagle Point woman was killed this week when she was struck by a vehicle on Highway 62 in Jackson County. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the vehicle versus pedestrian accident near milepost 13 of Crater Lake Highway on Monday at 7:53 p.m.. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicates 29-year-old Yesica Valenzuela-Quezada chased a puppy from a nearby residence onto the highway and was struck by an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 45-year-old Eagle Point woman. Valenzuela-Quezada was declared deceased at the scene, while the motorist was not injured. Highway 62 was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. The operator of the Chevrolet remained on scene and cooperated with investigators. OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Fire District #3, Eagle Point Police Department and ODOT.

Posted on 10/31/24 5:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Drug-Fueled & Alarming Behavior in SE Part of City

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for his drug-fueled and alarming behavior in a southeast city neighborhood this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to multiple reports of suspicious activity near the corner of Gaffney Way and Grandview Avenue on Tuesday night. Police said 30-year-old Dustin Michael Fontana was reported to be engaging in alarming and tumultuous behavior. Witnesses stated that he was running on the road, chasing cars and attempting to hit them. The suspect was also seen checking the door handles on vehicles and knocking over at least one trash can. One witness reported that Fontana almost got hit by a truck and his response was to jump in front of another vehicle, hitting it with his hand and lifting his shirt as if to mimic pulling out a weapon. Officers eventually contacted Fontana in the 1700-block of Gaffney Way, detained him and found him to be in possession of a glass pipe with burnt residue that tested positive as methamphetamine. It was seized for destruction. Fontana was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/31/24 5:26AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Well-Known Offender for Incident at Downtown Post Office

Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" for an incident at the downtown Post Office this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the postal facility on NW 6th Street on Tuesday afternoon. Police said 32-year-old Whitney Ann Word was observed by a Post Office worker searching for what she believed to be a rock directly outside a window after the employee heard two loud smashing sounds and seeing large holes in the window. Word was found to be in possession of $48 worth of unpaid-for postal merchandise when she was contacted by officers outside the facility. She was immediately placed into custody and charged with 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 3rd-Degree Theft. Word was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail and her belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 10/31/24 5:18AM by Sam Marsh

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