KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP Police Asking for Help in Assault Investigation-SUSPECT APPREHENDED

On August 14, 2026, at approximately 6:40 PM, Michael Cutts was arrested without incident, less than 24 hours after he was determined to be a person of interest in a major assault that left a victim hospitalized on August 13, 2026. The timeline for this arrest was shortened significantly thanks in large part to ALPR technology and strong partnerships with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police. The Grants Pass Police Department would like to thank our law enforcement partners and all the community members who took an interest in this case.Michael Cutts was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on multiple charges, including Assault II, Burglary I, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Contempt of Court.On August 13, 2026, shortly before 8:00 p.m., Grants Pass 911 received an emergency call reporting a major assault that occurred on Southridge Way in Grants Pass. A male victim was reported to be seriously injured and was transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital. Patrol officers and Major Crimes detectives from the Grants Pass Police Department responded to both the scene and the hospital.The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are attempting to contact Michael Brinen Cutts (40) for questioning.The Grants Pass Police Department is seeking assistance from community members who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Cutts. Please contact the Grants Pass Police Department and request to speak with a detective regarding case number 2026-00027750

Posted on 8/14/26 9:58AM by Chuck Benson

Fielder Mountain Fire Now at 550 Acres, 0 Containment-UPDATED

Firefighters continue an aggressive attack on the Fielder Mountain Fire. Within 24 hours, resources have secured 75% of the fire’s edge with control line, bringing containment up to 7%. The fire is still estimated to be 550 acres; an infrared (IR) flight was ordered for last night to determine the exact acreage. Firefighters continued to hold and improve established control line along the southern and northern flanks of the fire. Resources were able to connect these lines along some of the western portion, tying in areas where fire tried to cross the line. On the northwestern side, rocky terrain has prevented bulldozers from operating, so fire crews are digging line by hand in these areas.Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the incident last night, tasked with keeping the fire to the smallest size possible and extinguishing it quickly. The safety of nearby communities and firefighters is a top priority; numerous challenges have been identified on the fire, including steep terrain with the potential for falling and rolling debris. Poison oak is also a concern, as well as hazardous trees. Weather in the coming days will continue to be hot and windy, with the potential for thunderstorms across the area through Tuesday. Firefighters and aircraft are continuing to work near Interstate 5; please be aware of fire personnel when driving through the area and slow down when necessary. A shelter for people and pets evacuated from the fire is open at North Middle School in Grants Pass at 1725 NW Highland Avenue. Individuals looking to shelter who need extra medical care and/or assistance can call (541) 776-7206. Livestock can be taken to the Jackson County Expo at 21 Peninger Road in Central Point. Call (541) 864-0546 for livestock assistance. Foothill Boulevard is closed from Rogue River city limits to the Josephine County line, please use an alternate route. The fire started on Thursday, August 13 shortly after 3 p.m. Initial reports indicated tires on a semi-truck were on fire and flames had spread to nearby vegetation; the official cause remains under investigation

Posted on 8/14/26 9:37AM by Chuck Benson

Jail Suicide Attempt Results in Additional Charges for Inmate

A Josephine County jail inmate was returned to jail after assaulting the officer escorting him to the hospital. Travis James Buckel,40-years-old, was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center following a suicide attempt in the jail. While in emergency room 8, Buckel quickly got out of the bed and into an altercation with the Deputy, grabbing for the officer's Taser. Patrol personnel from the Oregon State Police, the Grants Pass Police Department and Sheriff's Deputies arrived as the altercation was coming to an end. Buckel has been incarcerated since August 9th facing myriad of charges for drugs, DUII, unauthorized use of a vehicle, theft, hit and run, elude, and criminal mischief. He now has an additional charge of assault IV. His total bond amount is $210,000.

Posted on 8/14/26 7:49AM by Chuck Benson

Triple Contempt of Court Charges Result in Trip to Crowbar Hotel

Three warrants for contempt of court charges resulted in the arrest of Daniel Wells Thursday night. The 42-year-old man was detained and arrested at 8:24 p.m. in the 100 block of Redwood Highway. The three charges each carry a $10,000 cash bond so Mr. Wells is being held in lieu of $30,000 bond. There is no report of what the contempt was for, however, Mr. Wells has been arrested four times for contempt of court since November of 2025. He remained in custody this morning.

Posted on 8/14/26 6:34AM by Chuck Benson

Intruder Caught, Jailed Facing Coke, Meth & Weapons Charges

Citizen's security camera led to the arrest of 29-year-old man on drug, weapons, menacing and trespassing charges. Thursday morning 911 dispatch received a call at 11:32 reporting an intruder at a location in the 200 block of Turtle Lane. The caller provided a description of the suspect and relayed he was getting out of his vehicle and yelling at a neighbor and appeared to be highly agitated and removed his shirt. Responding Grants Pass Police officers were on the scene at 11:42 and had the suspect detained, although he was uncooperative. The investigation revealed the suspect, now identified as Litan Yuliyanov Dobrinov, had used his vehicle to push the property's gate open. According to the Officers, Dobrinov left a bag that contained a white powdery substance in plain view on the driver's seat which field tested for cocaine. A search incident to the arrest revealed a prescription bottle with pills that belonged to another person and a second bag containing a white crystal like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Dobrinov is being held in the Josephine County Jail on charges including possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of cocaine, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and criminal trespass II. He remained in custody this morning.

Posted on 8/14/26 5:18AM by Chuck Benson

Fielder Mountain Fire Consumes 450 Acres

After a relentless air and ground attack throughout Thursday afternoon and evening, resources are fully engaged on the Fielder Mountain Fire and are working suppression operations. Firefighters are working through steep terrain as the fire approaches the top of the ridge, with hazardous trees adding another challenge for crews on the ground. The fire was last estimated at 450 acres and no structures have been reported lost at this time. Multiple resources are engaged across the incident, and ODF Incident Management Team 1 will arrive this afternoon. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation. Am evacuation center has been established at Nortth Middle School in Grants Pass for people and pets. A large animal shelter is at the Jackson County Expo Fairgrounds at 21 Peninger Road. Call EXPO Livestock at 541-864-0546 if you need assistance. Level 3 Evacuation orders, Go Now, have been issued for zones JAC 037,052B, and ROR 053. Level 2 Evacuation orders, Be Set, have been issued for JAC 052A. Level 1, Be Ready, have been issued for zones JAC 037, 039, 044, ROR 054, 064 and JCU 422. The City of Rogue River is asking citizens conserve water during the current emergency so firefighting apparatus can have access to the water as necessary.

Posted on 8/14/26 4:31AM by Chuck Benson

Meth Holder Jailed on Violation of Downtown Exclusion Order & Meth Charge

Grants Pass City Police arrested an individual Wednesday morning for violating the City's downtown exclusion order. Officers contacted the suspect in the alleyway behind the church at 132 Northeast "B" Street. Officers detained 64-year-old Timothy Sern Teige. Upon contact Mr. Teige admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine. Two pipes and two rinse bags were located and one pipe field tested positive for meth. Teige was lodged in the county jail on charges of criminal trespass II and possession of meth. He was issued a new 90 day downtown exclusion. He remained in custody this morning.

Posted on 8/13/26 2:11PM by Chuck Benson

Limited Food Truck Space Available for Art Along the Rogue

Food Truck space is available during the Art Along the Rogue celebration in downtown Grants Pass. The application portal opens at 8 a.m. Monday, August 17th and will close at 5 p.m. August 28th. Note there are a few changes implemented this year. In recognition of the types of prepared cuisine and dessert options available at brick-and-mortar restaurants in close proximity to the celebration, the city is reducing the number of food trucks and cuisine options that have been previously allowed. The City has space for four trucks, each serving different cuisines. The cuisine options this year are BBQ/Southern/Soul Food, Chicken, Crepes, Hot Dogs/Sausages/Brats, Indian/Asia, Italian/ Mediterranean/Greek/Middle Eastern, Sandwiches/Subs, Seafood, and Vegan/Vegetarian. Applicants are being accepted Monday morning at 8 a.m. online at bit.ly/AATR_food.

Posted on 8/13/26 2:07PM by Chuck Benson

MPD Officers to Conduct Pedestrian Safety Operation near Children's Museum

Medford Police will be conducting a targeted pedestrian safety enforcement operation at the intersection of W Main Street and N Ivy Street near the Children's Museum of Southern Oregon. The operation will take place Monday, August 17th from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. The location sees heavy foot traffic, and while it features a marked crosswalk, it’s important to remember that every intersection has a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, and the same laws apply.The operation aims to raise awareness of pedestrian safety by enforcing right-of-way laws through the use of a decoy pedestrian. Officers will be looking for drivers who fail to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and drivers who pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk. Both violations carry a presumptive fine of $265.Drivers are reminded to stop and remain stopped if a pedestrian is in their lane or the adjacent lane of travel. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, as it may be yielding to a pedestrian

Posted on 8/13/26 2:05PM by Chuck Benson

Cycle Oregon Again is Headed into Grants Pass's Riverside Park

Cycle Oregon's Rally is again coming to Grants Pass beginning Friday night, August 28th with hundreds of riders from across Oregon and the nation base camping in Riverside Park.

Riders will be choosing from daily road and gravel route options ranging from 33 to 77 miles per day to explore our vineyard-dotted valleys, forested ridgelines and the Applegate Trail.

Riders will be camping in Riverside Park that Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then cycle to Jacksonville and Ashland before returning to Grants Pass for a final night in Riverside Park on Wednesday night, September 2nd.

Registration for Cycle Oregon Rally is open through Monday, August 17th, at cyycleoregon.com.

Posted on 8/13/26 2:02PM by Chuck Benson

Parker's Place Security Guard Arrested on a Nationwide Warrant

Grants Police Officers arrested a 50-year-old man, working security at Parker's Place, on a nationwide felon warrant Wednesday afternoon. Officers made contact with and detained Gary Nichols at 3:02 p.m. at Parker's Place. The arrest warrant was out of Wisconsin for a sex offense registration violation. He remains in the Josephine County Jail on a fugitive from out of state hold.

Posted on 8/13/26 9:13AM by Chuck Benson

GPPD Officers Arrest Driver for DUII following Contact with Inanimate Objects

A reckless driving incident in connection with driving under the influence landed a 61-year-old man in the Josephine County Jail late Wednesday night and early this morning. 911 dispatch received a call at 10:44 Wednesday night from JD's Sports Pub to report a smoky grey GMC Denali struck a wood pile and then a cement pillar protecting the building from such incidents and they left the scene.
A JD's employee stayed outside advising dispatch of the GMC's movements that included driving behind the Pinnacle 365 outlet. The caller reported the GMC hit a boulder at 200 Lewis Avenue and pushed it into a water line. Then a call was received from Pinnacle reporting the same action. Responding officers stopped the GMC in Pinnacle's parking lot and made contact with the driver, identified as William Richard Lyons. During the contact Mr. Lyons showed numerous signs of impairment and consented to field sobriety tests which showed further impairment. Lyons was taken into custody and transported to the county jail where he provided a breath sample. He was lodged.
His booking sheet showed one previous arrest for disorderly conduct and weapons charges. He remained in custody this morning.

Posted on 8/13/26 8:51AM by Chuck Benson

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