KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Medford District BLM Closing Upper Table Rock Trail for Repairs from April 29th-May 2nd

The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management will close Upper Table Rock trailhead and trail from April 29th-May 2nd. BLM crews will continue improving the trail by re-routing sections near the summit and completing some drainage work on wet areas that developed over the winter. Small excavators and motorized trail-building equipment will be used to complete the project. The closure will allow for public and worker safety during construction periods. The project will continue to improve the re-route work completed late last year. A few wet areas will be fixed to create a more sustainable year-round experience. The new sections will reduce the slope of the trail and provide a safer and more durable route to the top of Upper Table Rock. Until the trailhead and trails officially reopen, members of the public may not enter closed areas. All uses -- including hiking and hunting -- are prohibited.

Posted on 4/25/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Board Designates Four County-Owned Properties for Sheriff's Auction in June

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning designated four county-owned properties as surplus property and included them on a list of 10 properties that will be sold at a Sheriff's Auction in June. The Board voted unanimously to designate 24.8 acres on Lower Wolf Creek Road, 5.07 acres at 125 Ingalls Lane, 0.37 of an acre on Josephine Street and 1.7 acres at 33223 Redwood Highway as forest, public parks or recreational areas. Proceeds from the sales of these properties will benefit the Parks and Forestry Departments. Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the majority of the 10 parcels were obtained by Josephine County through property tax foreclosures, which is a a six-year process. The exact date of the Sheriff's Sale has not yet been approved. In other business, the Commissioners unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Cave Junction to apply for a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 to repair houses for low-income residents. The program would allow individuals to apply for up to $25,000 to improve their housing. All areas outside the City of Grants Pass would be eligible for the CDBG funding. No action was taken by the Board on a possible resolution to the proposed sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams. The agenda item was postponed due to ongoing negotiations to purchase the 320-acre forested parcel. The Commissioners heard from supporters of the Pipe Fork sale and proponents of continued funding for the OSU Extension Service during public comment.

Posted on 4/24/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Harassing Workers at SDA Food Distribution Center

Grants Pass Police jailed a man yesterday for roughing up workers at a church food distribution center. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 43-year-old male subject at the Seventh Day Adventist Food Center on NE 9th Street on Tuesday at 1:21 p.m.. Police said the man got into an argument with staff at that location, threw potato salad at an employee and punched the employee several times. He also reportedly kicked another employee twice. No one was seriously injured. According to the report, the man admitted to using methamphetamine and he was found with two meth pipes which were seized for destruction. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Physical Harassment plus the resulting Probation Violation related to previous arrests for Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Mischief and Petty Theft. He was also cited to appear in court for the drug violation and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 4/24/24 11:13AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Vandalism Suspect Twice at Fairgrounds and Fred Meyer

Grants Pass Police arrested a vandalism suspect twice on Tuesday -- once for an incident at The Flying Lark and the second time for an incident at Fred Meyer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a vandalism complaint at the multi-million-dollar facility next to Grants Pass Downs at the Josephine County Fairgrounds at about 11:25 a.m. yesterday. Police said 46-year-old David Israel McDonald was arrested for ripping out plants at The Flying Lark. He was placed into custody and provided a statement related to an incident that happened earlier that day in the 1100-block of SW Ballinger Drive when he was seen on video surveillance slashing all four tires and a window on a Jeep Wrangler. McDonald was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass for the Ballinger Drive incident and he was jailed for Disorderly Conduct for The Flying Lark incident. After McDonald was released from jail last night, he created three calls for service by causing public alarm with his unruly behavior. He entered a trailer belonging to Quest Mark in the parking lot of Fred Meyer and attempted to steal a propane tank valued at $35. The suspect walked into Fred Meyer with a bloody hand and was placed into custody by officers who performed a welfare check. This time, he was lodged in jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Disorderly Conduct and Attempted Theft. He was being held without bail as of late last night.

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

GP Police Snared Woman on Local Warrant after She was Spotted Doing Drugs

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on an outstanding felony warrant last night after she was spotted doing drugs in the downtown area. According to the Police Department, officers contacted the 33-year-old woman near Connie's Hair Design in the 200-block of SE 9th Street on Tuesday around 7 p.m.. Police said they observed the female subject smoking a controlled substance out of a glass pipe. The woman quickly put the pipe away and claimed she was smoking marijuana when it was clearly not cannabis that she was ingesting. She also refused to identify herself and then provided a false name before she was identified. Officers discovered that the woman was wanted on a Medford felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Probation Violation related to an arrest for Attempt to Commit a Class B Felony. She was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and she awaits transfer to the Jackson County Jail in Medford. The drug paraphernalia was seized for destruction and her personal belongings were logged for safekeeping. She and another woman were trespassed from the business.

Posted on 4/24/24 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

GPPD Releases Additional Information on Drug Bust & Arrests of Suspects

The Grants Pass Police Department has released additional information about a drug bust that occurred during a traffic stop on the east side of the city late last week. On Friday around noon, members of Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) -- assisted by GPPD -- conducted a traffic stop with two occupants suspected of trafficking methamphetamine. A GPPD police dog alerted to narcotics in the vehicle and a subsequent search warrant was served that located approximately three pounds of meth and an undisclosed amount of cash. Both the drugs and money were seized as evidence. The driver -- identified as 49-year-old Carlos Ortega -- and his passenger -- 33-year-old Chantell Barnett -- were lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. RADE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts and dismantles local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven and prosecutor-supported approach. RADE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and it's composed of members from GPPD, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Community Corrections and the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Incarcerated Man for DUII after Domestic Disturbance in Merlin

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for impaired driving and he may be facing additional charges following a domestic disturbance in Merlin. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the disturbance between a man and woman in the 100-block of Merlin Road late Monday night. Deputies said several people called 9-1-1 to report an angry male subject kicking a female who was on the ground. The man was also reported to be punching a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser. A female friend showed up to help the woman and the man became aggressive with both women before riding off on a motorcycle. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the man and determined that he was impaired. They detained him, obtained a search warrant and transported him to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was being held without bail and an investigation into the domestic disturbance was continuing. The 30-year-old suspect was flagged for being known to assault law enforcement and even threatening to go after their families.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Looking for Suspect in Vehicle Vandalism at SW City Home

Grants Pass Police were looking for a suspect who unlawfully entered a property on the southwest side of the city and slashed tires and the soft top on a vehicle early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the vandalism incident in the 1100-block of SW Ballinger Drive on Tuesday shortly after 5 a.m.. Police said a man they identified as "David McDonald" returned to the property after being previously trespassed on April 16th in reference to a separate incident. They said the suspect was seen on surveillance slashing all four tires on a Jeep Wrangler and slashing the driver-side soft top window. According to the report, total damage was estimated to be approximately $3,000. McDonald had fled the scene upon officer arrival and a search of the area was unsuccessful. Once he is apprehended, he will be facing charges of Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David McDonald is urged to call GPPD at (541)-450-6260.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:26AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Motorist for Drugged Driving after SE N Street Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for drugged driving early yesterday after a traffic stop on the southeast side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a blue sedan driven by a 31-year-old woman near the corner of SE N Street and Rose Place on Tuesday at about 3:45 a.m.. Police said they stopped the suspect after she committed several traffic violations on a public highway. Upon contact, they said she displayed several indicators of impairment from a controlled substance. She performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she provided breath and urine samples before undergoing a drug recognition evaluation. A search warrant was executed and a white powdery substance, drug paraphernalia and marijuana were found inside her car. The suspect was booked into jail for Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances. Her vehicle was impounded and her dog was taken to the Animal Shelter.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD Cited Property Owner after Extinguishing Illegal Burn near O'Brien

The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished an open burn containing illegal materials in the O'Brien area this week. On Monday evening, IVFD was dispatched to an illegal open burn on Naue Way. Thick, caustic smoke prompted a call to the fire agency by a neighbor. IVFD officials said arriving units found a 30-by-30-foot trash pile containing illegal materials and crews promptly extinguished it. There were no injuries reported and no structures were damaged. According to IVFD, the property owner was cited.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Board Set to Designate 4 Properties to be Sold at Future Sheriff's Auction

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners are set to designate four county-owned properties for a future Sheriff's Sale during its weekly business session this morning. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider designating parcels on Lower Wolf Creek Road, Ingalls Lane, Josephine Street and Redwood Highway as surplus property to be sold with the proceeds going to the Parks Department. In another Action item, the Commissioners will consider an intergovernmental agreement supporting a Community Development Block Grant for the City of Cave Junction. Resolution to the proposed sale of the Pipefork timber property near Williams is also listed as an Action item on the agenda. The sale of the 320-acre parcel to a nature conservancy has been in the works for several months, with a large sum separating the two sides. However, citizens in Williams have raised additional funds to help the sale go through. Today's public meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

NHTSA and ODOT Reminding Motorists April is "Distracted Driving Awareness Month"

April is "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" and it's an important reminder to drivers everywhere that they should practice safe driving habits at all times. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention away from driving including talking on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, or fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system -- anything that takes your attention away from the road. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, 26,264 crashes reported in the state from 2017-2021 were caused by distracted drivers. During that same time period, 125 crashes involved drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 who were using a cell phone. The NHTSA's latest research does show one promising statistic: passenger vehicle drivers talking on handheld phones decreased from 2.5% in 2021 to 2.1% in 2022. This shift in driver behavior is likely attributed to increased usage of hands-free technology and "do not disturb while driving" features on smartphones. However, there is progress to be made to keep drivers safe and as many drivers fail to utilize these options or do not know how to use them properly.

Posted on 4/24/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

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