KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Council Approves ARPA Fund Hold, Will Consider Invocation Policy at Later Date

After a special meeting, the Grants Pass City Council moved to hold American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a future decision, and further consider, at a later date, invocation procedure and policy documents at their workshop.

The MidRogue Foundation was awarded $800,000 for the ARPA allocation for Public Infrastructure for Affordable Housing in August 2024. The foundation expects to be under the allocation as far as spending for the 36 rental units, with the remaining balance expected to be about $170,000.

No cost would be incurred to the city. A motion to hold the resources for a future decision passed 6-2. A policy and procedure for invocation was then recommended for transparency. A draft is still being put together. A motion passed unanimously to bring back a policy and procedure of invocation for possible adoption, with the documents to be further discussed at a future workshop.

Council then moved 5-3 to sunset the Construction Excise Tax (CET). The current uncommitted balance of these funds is about $524,000. The total amount of CET collected for each housing category since December 2021 totaled $765,000. $78,600 has been returned to the State for a down payment assistance program.

With the motion passing, the City will continue to assess the fee through until December 31st, 2026. A motion to support the Public Safety Advisory Committee motion, in support of the jail levy, failed.

During the initial special meeting, council moved 7-1, appointing four members to the Parks Advisory Committee. They were unanimous in approving the consent agenda in its entirety.

Posted on 10/5/26 2:16PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Suspect Armed With Blade Reported on Homeowner's Porch

Sheriff's deputies were alerted to a man armed with a 6 inch blade at the reporting party's property Sunday, later to arrest the suspect for Burglary, Menacing, and Trespass charges.

The caller told dispatch the suspect, wearing gloves, a mask, gray sweatshirt, and black pants, was at the back door of the Sunny Valley Loop property around 9:29 p.m. He left at the time of the call on a bicycle, and the homeowner said the suspect was adamant about getting in, trying to open the sliding door.

Arriving units checked the property, and located the suspect at 9:36 p.m. He was identified as Joshua Wise, taken into custody, and then told deputies the clothes he was wearing had been stolen from TJ Maxx.

Deputies charged Wise with Attempted Burglary in the First Degree, two counts of Menacing, Methamphetamine Possession, and Second Degree Trespass. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/5/26 11:59AM by Alex Bauer

Local Ray's Food Place, Shop Smart Customer Donations Supporting Pink R Campaign

Throughout the month of October, participating Ray's Food Place and Shop Smart stores are inviting customers to round up their purchases to the next dollar to benefit the Pink R Breast Cancer Round Up campaign. According to a release, this year's fundraising goal is $15,000. When customers participate, their donations will support local organizations serving the communities where customers live and shop. This year's beneficiaries include the Women's Imaging Center at Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass, and the Providence Community Health Foundation Breast Center in Medford, among others throughout the state. Held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pink R brings customers and store teams together to support breast cancer services in Oregon and Northern California.

Posted on 10/5/26 11:29AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Safeway Theft Suspect, Additional Suspect Fled Scene

Following a theft attempt at a Safeway, a man was arrested by Grants Pass Police Sunday night.

An employee of the 1640 Williams Highway grocer called 911, reporting three people, two women and a man, were in the store stealing items. The male was described as having a backpack and wearing a Cowboy football team shirt. One of the female suspects had a puffy black jacket and purse.

The identified suspects were putting items inside their respective purse and backpack. The reporting party was at the self-checkout, and said one of the female suspects, wearing a blue sweater and tank top was paying for a few items, while the male suspect left the store without paying.

He was contacted outside the store and admitted to stealing almost $47 worth of merchandise. Officers identified him as Andrew Urenda, and was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

The police report shows one of the female suspects had fled the scene before officer's arrival, and that she had two warrants out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Medford Police Department.

Posted on 10/5/26 11:18AM by Alex Bauer

WinCo Shoplifter Loaded Vehicle, Re-entered Store, Arrested for Theft and Meth Charges

Grants Pass Police lodged a WinCo shoplifter on theft and methamphetamine possession charges.

Dispatch was notified Sunday at 8:58 p.m. that the suspect had taken items to her vehicle in the 231 NE Terry Lane parking lot, then went back inside the store. She had passed all points of sale without paying for the items, and was described to dispatch as wearing a white tank top, blue jeans, black tennis shoes, carrying a yellow purse, and having red hair.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Blythe Attleson, who was with loss prevention staff. She was detained, and officers found she was in possession of a white crystal like substance that field tested positive for meth.

Attleson was transported to jail where she was lodged for Possession of Meth, and Third Degree Theft. She was also trespassed from the grocer.

Posted on 10/5/26 10:56AM by Alex Bauer

Traffic Stop Results in Arrest of Larceny Suspects by Sheriff's Deputies

Two men were arrested for larceny warrants and other charges following a traffic stop by Josephine County Sheriff's Deputies.

The traffic stop Saturday around 5 p.m. resulted in the identification of Richard Carlyle, the driver, and the passenger, Gary Halaas. Carlyle attempted to run but was detained, while Halaas was taken into custody after being located using the facilities.

Deputies found both men were wanted on Oregon Parole Board Warrants for Larceny. Halaas was also charged for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, while Carlyle was charged for Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended, Escape, Resisting Arrest, and Elude.

Both suspects were lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for their crimes.

Posted on 10/5/26 7:39AM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, AMR, OSP, ODF Dispatched Over Weekend to Traffic Accident, Fire

The Illinois Valley Fire District and emergency partners were dispatched to a traffic accident and fire incident over the weekend.

Along with American Medical Response and the Oregon State Police, crews responded Friday at 12:04 a.m. to the accident in the 21,000 block of Redwood Highway in Kerby.

Upon arrival, responders discovered an unoccupied vehicle at the roadside. A thorough search of the vicinity showed no individuals. It has been determined that the occupant departed the scene to a different location and subsequently declined medical assistance.

The site was transferred to OSP for further investigation.

Crews then reported yesterday at 7:59 p.m. to a fire incident on Waldo Road in O'Brien.

The IVFD and Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to the vehicle fire, successfully extinguishing it with no risk to the surrounding wildland.

Posted on 10/5/26 6:20AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Respond to House Fire, Reported "Shots Fired" Investigated

A house fire was reported to 911 Sunday at 3:20 a.m. at a residence in a remote area up Quartz Creek Road.

Units from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, American Medical Response, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office mobilized to the scene.

Access was challenging due to locked gates, a lack of address markings and poor road conditions that made sections impassable by larger fire apparatus. Adding to the challenge as units arrived, reports of "shots fired" prompted responders to temporarily retreat. Deputies were able to quickly address that issue and conducted a full investigation.

Once firefighters safely reached the house, the fire was determined to be mulch piles on the deck and near the house that were burning, however flames had not significantly damaged the structure. The incident remains under investigation.

Posted on 10/5/26 6:20AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Elude Suspect Following Chase

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office lodged a man following an elude attempt on a sports bike.

Saturday around 8:48 a.m., the suspect passed law enforcement at a high rate of speed, just over 130 mph, heading northbound on Interstate 5 at milepost 66. Patrol lights and sirens were activated, and the suspect attempted to elude.

He was stopped on Sunny Valley Loop and reportedly held at gun point, then taken into custody without further incident. The suspect, Taylor Volkema, was charged for Felony Elude, and cited for speeding. He was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. His brother later arrived to pick up the bike.

Posted on 10/5/26 6:19AM by Alex Bauer

RCC Organization Seeking Clothing Donations for Two-Day Clothing Sale

The American Association for Women in Community Colleges at Rogue Community College is seeking donations of clean, gently used clothing for its fall clothing sale.

The "A Buck to Benefit Student's" $1 clothing sale will take place October 20th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Redwood Campus in Grants Pass, then on the 22nd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Riverside Campus in Medford. All are welcome to attend.

Donations of clean, gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children of all ages are being accepted. Items can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday at all three RCC Campuses:

- The Redwood Campus at 3345 Redwood Highway in Grants Pass.
- The Riverside Campus at 101 S Bartlett Street in Medford.
- The Table Rock Campus at 7800 Pacifica Avenue in White City.

All donations are appreciated, with an additional need for men's clothing and accessories to help expand the sale's selection. The sale is hosted by the organization's volunteers, with proceeds benefitting the RCC Foundation to help fund student scholarships.

Posted on 10/5/26 6:19AM by Alex Bauer

Drug and Trespass Charges land Couple in Jail

A man and woman were arrested Thursday morning after Grants Pass City Police responded to the report of the pair smoking drugs near the railroad tracks and 3rd Street. The officer observed the woman 33-year-old Ruby Rose Satya Loha Yamoona, smoking a tooter from foil. She was placed into custody as well as her companion, Steven Elijah Robison, 41. The investigation found Yamoona in possession of fentanyl, confirmed from a field test of the foil she tried to hide when the officer approached. She was arrested and charged with possession of fentanyl and trespassed from the location. Robison was arrested and lodged on a charge of criminal trespass I. Both Robison and Yamoona have had several arrests for both drugs and trespass in the last year and both remained incarcerated Friday morning.

Posted on 10/2/26 8:20AM by Chuck Benson

Art Along the Rogue Chalk Art Festival of "Reflections" Kicks off a 4p.m. Friday

Art Along the Rogue Festival kicks off this afternoon at four in historic downtown Grants Pass in the newly renovated Owl Plaza with this year's theme of "Reflections".This year's festival boasts of 17 featured chalk artists creating their visual magic on the city's pavement, along with 25 volunteer artists. The festival will feature 10 live bands with the music starting at 4:30 this afternoon with the rock and rolls sounds of Josephine Jukebox. The music turns funky at 6:15 p.m. with Mr. Vale's Math Class followed by the soul sounds of Rudy Love and the Encore. Four more bands entertain on Saturday from 2:30 through 7:30. Three more music groups wind of the music on Sunday from 11 a.m. with the last performances beginning at 2:30 p.m.The Festival will have 67 craft vendors, four food trucks, live dance performances and goodie bags for the kids.

Posted on 10/2/26 6:54AM by Chuck Benson

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