KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Study Shows Local Hospitals Generate Billions in Economic Activity and Create 15,000 Jobs

The Hospital Association of Oregon has announced findings from a new economic impact study which found that Southern Oregon hospitals generate $3.1 billion in economic activity in Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties while helping to create nearly 15,000 jobs in the region. The report highlights the vital role hospitals play in the regional economy and reinforces the need for their financial stability to protect patient care and access to health service. It notes that Oregon's community hospitals employ 6,310 workers in Southern Oregon, with payroll topping $841.9 million. Through purchasing goods and services, regional hospitals help create a total of 14,940 jobs in the area with a payroll of $1.3 billion. Statewide, Oregon's community hospitals generate $32.4 billion in economic activity and help create 160,000 jobs. Hospitals directly employ nearly 70,000 people in positions ranging from nurses and doctors to respiratory therapists, environmental services, medical assistants, support staff and more. The report underscores the important role that Oregon hospitals play in local communities and it comes at a time when many hospitals are struggling. The latest data shows that more than half of Oregon's community hospitals are consistently not able to cover the costs of providing care.

Posted on 3/7/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Central Point Risk Manager Named "Rising Safety Star" at State GOSH Conference

Seven leaders in on-the-job safety and health were honored with awards at the 2025 Oregon Governor's Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference during a ceremony this week at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. A panel of industry professionals judges the awards, which honor extraordinary contributions to the field of workplace safety and health. The categories include rising safety star, business leader, safety committee or team, safety and health professional and workplace safety program. The Rising Safety Star Award recognizes a safety and health professional who, early in their career, is blazing a path in the profession. This year's winner was Heather Ashwill, the safety and risk manager for the City of Central Point. The GOSH conference is a joint effort of the American Society of Safety Professionals Columbia-Willamette Chapter, Oregon OSHA, and labor and businesses in Oregon and southwest Washington. Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers.

Posted on 3/7/25 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Support Josephine County Food Bank and Pick Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich in GP

Who makes the best grilled cheese sandwich in Grants Pass? You can help decide during the month of March while supporting your local food bank. Every time you buy a signature grilled cheese between now and the end of the month from a participating restaurant, they will donate $2 to the Josephine County Food Bank. At the end of March, the restaurant that sells the most sandwiches will have bragging rights as having the "Best Grilled Cheese in Grants Pass." You can also vote online for three additional categories" "Most Unique," "Most Gourmet" and "Cheesiest." Enter for your chance to win a $100 gift card. Pick up a punch card at any participating restaurant. Each time you buy a grilled cheese sandwich, get your card initialed. Once you purchase five sandwiches, turn your card in at a participating restaurant to be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift certificate from Safeway/Albertsons. For more information, please visit "jocofoodbank.org." Say Cheese!

Posted on 3/7/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

4 from Josephine County Sheriff's Office Honored for Saving Life of Co-Worker

Four members of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were honored this week for saving the life of a co-worker in February. Exactly one month ago, Sheriff's Office employee Doug Dulong suffered a traumatic medical event while working at their facility. Doug's family came to the Sheriff's Office and recognized the four for their roles in saving his life. Lieutenant Geiger, Detective Sergeant Henrich and Evidence Technicians Kayla Lauer and Haylee Bayard were presented with plaques from the family that read: "In recognition of your heroic bravery, swift decision-making, expertise and training that saved the life of fellow co-worker Doug DuLong, who suffered a critical cardiac event on February 6, 2025, in Grants Pass, we are forever grateful." In a photo taken at the event, Doug is holding the automatic external defibrillator (AED) that was used to save his life.

Posted on 3/6/25 11:11AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed IV Felon for Theft and Probation Violation after CJ Patrol Check

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley felon for theft and violating his probation early yesterday during a Cave Junction patrol check. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Anthony David Pope in the 100-block of South Redwood Highway on Wednesday at 12:55 a.m.. Deputies said they were on patrol when they spotted Pope sitting a vehicle with no rear license plate. They knew that he was wanted for questioning in an ongoing theft investigation, so they contacted him and then his corrections officer. No details were provided about the theft investigation, but Pope was considered to be the primary suspect. He was placed into custody without incident. Pope was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft and the resulting Probation Violation related to a past arrest for Identity Theft. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/6/25 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Two Men for Repeat Trespassing at Downtown Supermarket

Grants Pass Police arrested two men for trespassing at a downtown supermarket early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the complaint at the Safeway on SE 7th Street on Wednesday around 7 a.m.. Police said a store manager reported that a white male adult wearing hospital scrubs was loitering and they believed he had been previously trespassed from the store. A short time later, they said another male subject was also loitering and they wanted both men removed from the premises. Officers arrived on scene, contacting 44-year-old Donn Reeves Fincher and 30-year-old Jacob Levi Reeder inside Safeway. Both were confirmed to have been trespassed before and both were placed into custody. Fincher and Reeder was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Trespass and their warnings were updated to reflect Wednesday's date.

Posted on 3/6/25 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Frequent Trespasser on Five Warrants at GP Travelodge Motel

Grants Pass Police arrested a frequent trespasser on local warrants at a motel in the north part of the city. The Police Department reports officers contacted 67-year-old Michael Alan Gendernalik at the Grants Pass Travelodge on NW Vine Street on Wednesday night. Police said they contacted Gendernalik during a welfare check and discovered that he was wanted on five Grants Pass warrants containing six counts of 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Gendernalik was placed into custody on the warrants and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. His bail was set at $37,500.

Posted on 3/6/25 11:06AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Getting NW Neighborhood Complaint

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving last night after getting a complaint in a northwest city neighborhood. The Police Department reports officers responded to the call in the 1100-block of NW Hillside Drive on Wednesday around 10:30 p.m.. Police said the caller reported a male motorist driving a white pickup became stuck in a cul-de-sac and he was yelling as he tried to move his vehicle. The caller said loud music was coming from the pickup as it struck some mailboxes. When the caller contacted him, the driver yelled, "Go ahead and call the police." So they did. Upon arrival, officers saw the 28-year-old motorist stumble out of his vehicle and up to the entrance of a residence as he intended to go inside. They detained him after he displayed signs of impairment by alcohol. The suspect was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. He was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

Posted on 3/6/25 11:05AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Cited Woman after She Lost Control of Car and Crashed into House

Grants Pass Police cited a woman last night after she lost control of the vehicle she was driving and crashed into a house on the west side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the collision in the 1400-block of SW Bridge Street on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.. Police said a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report a silver Nissan Altima went across a lawn and struck a house. The caller said the female driver backed up the car after she hit the house. They also said the driver had slurred speech and showed signs of impairment. Officers arrived on scene and said damage to the house appeared to be less than $2,500. They identified the driver as a 33-year-old woman and said she showed no signs of impairment. The woman told them she believed she fell asleep while driving. Following the investigation, the driver was cited for No Insurance. She was also submitted to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for retesting due to the circumstances of the wreck.

Posted on 3/6/25 11:01AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Fire Conducting Training Exercises at North Valley Industrial Park

Merlin area residents have been calling Rural Metro Fire Department to ask why their apparatus have been seen driving around the North Valley Industrial Park. Rural Metro officials said they are currently training a dozen firefighters to drive and operate all the Type 1, Type 2 and Type 6 engines, water tenders and rescue vehicles for their agency. Officials said the four-day course uses nationally-recognized curriculum and takes the student through defensive driving school, cone course navigation and pumping operations. Upon successfully passing the final exam, students receive certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. This particular training is conducted annually and often utilizes the quiet streets inside the local industrial park. Rural Metro thanks surrounding businesses for their patience this week.

Posted on 3/6/25 10:59AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Williams Man for Threatening His Wife in Violent Disturbance

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Williams man for threatening his wife during a violent disturbance at the couple's rural home this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested the 74-year-old male subject at a residence in the 300-block of Kincaid Road on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her husband was "out of control." She said he was "manic" while throwing things and yelling at her, which was not common behavior for him. She added that this was his first such episode in several years. She was not hurt despite broken glass all over their house. According to the report, the woman asked deputies to be cautious as she was not sure how her husband would react to their arrival. When advised that deputies were on the way, she thanked dispatchers. Upon arrival, deputies placed the husband into custody without further incident. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/6/25 6:46AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested CJ Woman for Becoming Violent with Her Family Members

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office incarcerated a Cave Junction woman for becoming violent with her family members this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 500-block of North Old Stage Road early Tuesday morning. Deputies said a female caller reported that 33-year-old Meghan Melissa Gomez had hit her and assaulted her mother. Dispatchers could hear a woman yelling in the background and the caller advised that she was afraid, adding that the front door of the house had been broken off by the suspect. Upon arrival, deputies detained Gomez and found the rest of the family had locked themselves in a bedroom in order to stay away from her. Gomez was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was booked for Domestic Strangulation. She was being held without bail. Jail records show Gomez was arrested for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing in October 2024, but the District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute.

Posted on 3/6/25 6:45AM by Sam Marsh

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