KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Grants Pass Police Chief Hensman Swears in Newest Officer Alex Skopinich

The Grants Pass Police Department's newest addition was sworn in recently by Chief Warren Hensman. Officer Alex Skopinich was born and raised in Grants Pass and graduated from Grants Pass High School before earning an associate's degree in criminal justice and enlisting in the US Air Force. After serving 12-1/2 years in the Air Force, Officer Skopinich immediately tested and was selected to join GPPD. Skopinich said he chose a career in law enforcement after deciding to leave the military because he felt the need to serve others and have a positive effect in his community. He said he chose GPPD because he believes they have an upstanding reputation and are full of professionals who are committed to helping make Grants Pass better. Chief Hensman welcomes Officer Skopinich to the team, stating they anticipate a long and successful career with the agency as he helps protect our streets and citizens.

Posted on 4/4/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

Commission Unanimously Approved Several Adjustments to Josephine County Code

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved several adjustments to the Josephine County Code following five brief public hearings on Wednesday. The Board approved the first readings of four ordinances repealing chapters related to the Urban Area Planning Commission, the Jackson-Josephine Regional Board, Jefferson Behavioral Health and the Job Council. There was no public comment. Assistant County Legal Counsel Leah Harper testified that the City of Grants Pass now makes all appointments to the UAPC, the two-county Regional Board has not existed since 2009, Jefferson Behavioral Health was disbanded in 2012 and the Job Council was dissolved in 2014. The Board also approved the first reading of an ordinance that amends the Code related to the local Solid Waste Agency. Harper testified the agency was created in 2001 by Josephine County and the City of Grants Pass. She said the City of Cave Junction has joined what is now called the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency. The second readings and approvals of all five ordinances are scheduled for April 17th. The Commissioners heard citizen comments that included law enforcement and school board complaints, a complaint that the Grants Pass City Council had canceled last night's regular meeting, multiple complaints about excessive noise outside the auditorium and an announcement regarding the April 27th Patriots Conference at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

Posted on 4/4/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Bureau of Land Management Reopening Galice Road Nearly 2 Months Ahead of Schedule

The Grants Pass Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management is pleased to announce that construction has finished on a closed section of Galice Road nearly two months ahead of schedule. According to the BLM, the barriers will be removed by today and the public will again be allowed to use the road. The area between Almeda County Park and the Grave Creek Boat Ramp has been closed since the Rum Creek Fire in 2021. Officials said there is still potential for hazards in the burned area including falling trees and limbs, debris flows, falling rocks and other safety concerns. Motorists are encouraged to avoid parking under cliff faces. The Rainie Falls Recreational Trail and Rocky Bar are still closed to the public. Argo Boat Ramp is now open. The Rum Creek Fire caused extensive damage to the areas above the narrow road corridor and surrounding landscape, leading to debris slides, falling rocks and damaged trees that needed to be addressed before the road was safe to travel again. Total cost of the project was $4 million. Grants Pass Field Manager Heidi Lowery thanked the public for its patience while safe travel conditions were ensured after the Rum Creek Fire. She urged motorists to drive carefully on the reopened road and keep an eye out for hazards.

Posted on 4/4/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

OSU Hosting IGNITE Rogue Basin Prescribed Fire Training in Selma This Weekend

Prescribed understory burning is the most cost-effective way to maintain the benefits of restorative thinning and fuel reduction treatments over time -- and it brings ecological balance to dry forest ecosystems, which developed with frequent lightning fires and Native American burning practices over hundreds of years. Nonprofits and community organizations are working with state and federal agencies to provide training opportunities on prescribed burns for landowners, individuals, tribal members and fire professionals at several locations through May. Oregon State University and regional partners are hosting the IGNITE Prescribed Fire Skills training and orientation this Saturday and Sunday. Offered at the Siskiyou Field Institute in Selma, IGNITE is open to participants interested in gaining prescribed fire skills and basic qualifications over two days of hands-on workshops, lectures and facilitated discussions. There are over 90 registrants and trainers from the local and regional areas including a 16-person crew with the Northwest Youth Corps.

Posted on 4/4/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Board Unanimously Approves Several Adjustments to Josephine County Code

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved several adjustments to the Josephine County Code following five brief public hearings this morning. The Board approved the first readings of four ordinances repealing chapters related to the Urban Area Planning Commission, the Jackson-Josephine Regional Board, Jefferson Behavioral Health and the Job Council. There was no public comment. Assistant County Legal Counsel Leah Harper testified that the City of Grants Pass now makes all appointments to the UAPC, the two-county Regional Board has not existed since 2009, Jefferson Behavioral Health was disbanded in 2012 and the Job Council was dissolved in 2014. The Board also approved the first reading of an ordinance that amends the Code related to the local Solid Waste Agency. Harper testified the agency was created in 2001 by Josephine County and the City of Grants Pass. She said the City of Cave Junction has joined what is now called the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency. The second readings and approvals of all five ordinances are scheduled for April 17th. The Commissioners heard citizen comments that included law enforcement and school board complaints, a complaint that the Grants Pass City Council had canceled tonight's regular meeting, multiple complaints about excessive noise outside the auditorium and an announcement regarding the April 27th Patriots Conference at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:32AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Breaking into Ex-Wife's Apartment & Stealing Blower

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for breaking into his ex-wife's apartment while she was away yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 57-year-old man for the incident in the 400-block of NE Anderson Street on Tuesday at 2:39 p.m.. Police said a neighbor who was watching the apartment while the occupant was out of the country called 9-1-1 to report a male subject broke into the residence and left out the back door with a flower pot. The caller believed it was his neighbor's ex-husband who previously had been trespassed from the apartment. Officers responded, searched the area and found the suspect at Sunshine Laundry on NE D Street. He claimed to still reside at the apartment, but the neighbor and the complex manager said his ex-wife lived alone. An investigation showed entry was forced through a broken window because the doors were locked. Further investigation revealed a leaf blower inside the apartment, which the man admitted to stealing from a friend. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of Felony 1st-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:30AM by Sam Marsh

Altercation between Roommates near Murphy Led to Fugitive Apprehension

A physical altercation between roommates at a Murphy area home late yesterday led to the apprehension of a local fugitive. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident in the 6900-block of New Hope Road on Tuesday shortly after 4 p.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report he was in an altercation with his male roommate because he was trying to kick him out and he was refusing to leave. He admitted to hitting and slapping his roommate, but said no one was injured. According to the report, the caller told dispatchers that he allowed the 31-year-old man to move in with him two weeks ago, but he had since changed his mind. He was told it was a civil issue and was advised on how to obtain an eviction notice. Responding deputies located the fleeing roommate and placed him into custody at Taser point. They discovered that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to a weapons offense. He was lodged in jail in lieu of posting $30,000 bail.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:28AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Wolf Creek Man on Local Felony Warrant after Speaker Road Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Wolf Creek man on a local felony warrant yesterday following a traffic stop in northern Josephine County. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Blazer driven by a 62-year-old man on Speaker Road on Tuesday at 1:37 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the motorist for traffic violations and discovered that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Probation Violation related to an arrest for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. He was being held on scheduled bail of $35,000. According to OSP, his vehicle was released to a passenger at the scene of the traffic stop.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Kerby Man for Falsely Reporting Highway 199 Crash in O'Brien

The Oregon State Police arrested a Kerby man last night for fabricating a story about a motor vehicle accident on Redwood Highway in O'Brien. OSP reports troopers responded to the intersection of US Highway 199 and O'Brien Road on Tuesday at 8:26 p.m. due to a report of a hit-and-run crash in which an unknown motorist struck a bicyclist before fleeing the scene. During the course of the investigation, no evidence of a crash or injury was found or observed. Troopers gained additional information from the medic unit that also responded that the 41-year-old male subject who reported the crash recently made several false reports of the same nature. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Initiating a False Report. He was being held without bail. His bicycle was left at the O'Brien General Store with staff permission.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:24AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Motorist for Extreme DUII after Highway 199 Traffic Stop in CJ

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for extremely impaired driving last night during a Redwood Highway traffic stop in Cave Junction. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Dodge Caravan driven by a 35-year-old man on US Highway 199 near East Watkins Street on Tuesday at 6:38 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for traffic violations and the driver showed strong signs of impairment by alcohol. They said the man performed poorly in field sobriety tests and he was taken to the Cave Junction Substation where he provided a breath sample that was exactly three times the legal driving limit. The suspect was transported to and lodged at the Grants Pass Sobering Center on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. The vehicle was left in the possession of the driver's friend.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:23AM by Sam Marsh

IV Firefighters Extinguished 4th Illegal Outdoor Debris Burn in Past 4 Days

For the fourth time in four days, the Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished an illegal outdoor burn. On Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., IVFD was dispatched to an open burn on Hathaway Drive in Kerby. Officials said the burn was small, but it contained household trash and roofing materials. The fire was put out and a citation was issued. On Tuesday at 8:37 p.m., IVFD responded to a grass fire on Takilma Road. Crews put out the unlawful blaze, which was described as a controlled burn. The occupant was educated on appropriate burn hours. Last Saturday night, IVFD crews were dispatched to an illegal open burn on White Schoolhouse Road. The blaze was doused and the property owner was cited. Last Sunday night, crews responded to an illegal open burn off Redwood Highway in Kerby. The fire was put out and the occupant was issued a written warning. IVFD officials said all outdoor debris burning requires a permit, there is no burning allowed at night and/or burning of illegal materials. They encourage residents to get their free burn permits online or in person and to follow the directions.

Posted on 4/3/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Jackson County Man for Wielding Machete at City Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a Jackson County man for engaging in violent behavior while wielding a machete in a city park this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 36-year-old White City man for the incident at Tussing Park on Monday night. Police said they were alerted to a male subject waving a machete in the park and causing public alarm. The suspect struck one man in the arm, causing a 3-4 inch laceration. The victim was uncooperative and refused medical attention. The suspect initially complied with emergency lights of the patrol vehicle for a moment before he chose to flee the scene. He did not comply with lawful orders to stop and led officers down West Park Street to the parking lot at Duo Gym where he refused to exit the Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving. It took the deployment of multiple bean bag rounds and a pepper ball to force him to surrender to police. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue was called in to wash the non-lethal pepper off the suspect who was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. He was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Attempt to Elude Police and Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 4/3/24 6:42AM by Sam Marsh

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