KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Man who Hospitalized Girlfriend in Hatchet Assault

A woman was brought into Three Rivers Medical Center Tuesday following an assault with a hatchet.

Dispatch was notified around 9:12 a.m. that the woman was brought to the hospital by a MINT employee, and that the incident occurred outside the city by a power station on Upper River Road near Pinecrest Drive.

In a report from Josephine County Sheriff's deputies, it was learned the assault happened on Pacific Power property. A large RV had been parked for a couple of days and was blocking the entrance to the substation.

The victim had left the RV after a verbal dispute with her boyfriend. While walking away, she was attacked with what she reported to be an axe or hammer from behind. She said she believed it was an unknown adult who attacked her, but she was reportedly hesitant about it not being her boyfriend.

Deputies arrived at the scene and contacted the boyfriend, who resisted. He was transported and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Second Degree Assault.

Posted on 2/18/26 11:23AM by Alex Bauer

Temporary Board Conducting Interviews for Two Commissioner Vacancies

The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers are in the process of interviewing applicants for the two vacant Commissioner seats. In order of appearance, the interviewees for the vacant Commissioner positions thus far include Colleen Martin, Lorna Jessee, and Jonathan Knapp. Each applicant is presented with the same questions, including how do their past experiences position them to be a good candidate? They are then being asked to give two specific examples of successes and failures in this county within the last two years, and what they would have done differently to mitigate the failures. Other questions include asking them to describe a policy initiative they've directed that led to positive and negative outcomes, and how they would have handled it differently. The board is also asking how they would maintain and strengthen public confidence in county government, as well as what the top issues are in our county and how they would address them. Following a half hour lunch break, the temporary board will continue the meetings at 12:30. On Thursday at 9 a.m., the board will meet to make two appointments for Commissioner Position One and Two. The chosen applicants will be sworn in Monday the 23rd.

Posted on 2/18/26 11:02AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon Department of Revenue Distributing 2025 Tax Refunds

The Oregon Department of Revenue has begun distributing refunds for the 2025 tax year.

According to the department, most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take up to 20 weeks before a refund is issued.

Oregon is returning a $1.41 billion revenue surplus “kicker” to taxpayers in 2026. The kicker credit will either increase a taxpayer's refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker.

The department encourages taxpayers to file electronically. Taxpayers can check the status of their e-filed refund by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? Tool, which has been updated for 2026.

Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return. They should choose to either file electronically or by paper. Doing both will delay processing of their return.

In addition to checking the status of their refund, taxpayers can make payments, or get tax forms at www.oregon.gov.

Posted on 2/18/26 10:42AM by Alex Bauer

Kelly's Wipe Out Hunger Campaign Gathers over 5,500 Pounds of PB&J

The results are in for Kelly's Automotive Service's Wipe Out Hunger campaign.

The Medford location at 2990 Biddle Road collected 3,167 pounds of peanut butter & jelly. The 1661 NE 6th Street Grants Pass location collected 2,400 pounds, resulting in a total of over 5,500 pounds of food supporting the Salvation Army and ROC Food Pantries.

The Kelly's crews want to thank all of the businesses and individuals who participated, and they encourage the community to continue supporting local food pantries and organizations.

Posted on 2/18/26 10:41AM by Alex Bauer

In-N-Out Trespassing Suspect arrested for Failure to Report as a Sex Offender

A man trespassing at In-N-Out Burger was arrested by Grants Pass Police early this morning for being out of compliance with his sex offender registry.

The manager on duty at the 124 NE Morgan Lane restaurant reported at 12:13 a.m. the suspect had been inside for an hour. He hadn't purchased anything, and was making customers uncomfortable. When asked to leave, he said nothing.

The manager believed the suspect was under the influence and wished to have him trespassed. At the time of the call, the man was talking to himself and waving his fist around.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Robert Smith. He was trespassed from the location, and officers found he was out of compliance as a sex offender. Smith was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Failure to Report.

Posted on 2/17/26 2:09PM by Alex Bauer

Liquor Store Suspect Arrested by GP Police for Theft, Meth Possession, Detainer

Grants Pass Police arrested a suspect on Theft and Meth Possession charges Monday afternoon.

At 12:38 p.m., the manager of Plaza Liquor at 1638 Williams Highway called 911 to report a man had stolen a $70 bottle of liquor six minutes prior. He then left the scene on foot towards the nearby Abby's Pizza.

The manager had captured the suspect on video and wished to pursue charges. Officers soon located the suspect, Cody Luttrell, near the courthouse around 1:09 p.m. He handed over the liquor bottle concealed in his jacket, and told law enforcement that he planned to sell it for money.

Luttrell was arrested for Third Degree Theft, and consented to a search of his person. Officers found a glass smoking device that tested presumptive positive for meth. Luttrell's parole officer placed a detainer on him upon contact.

After returning the alcohol to Plaza Liquor, officers lodged Luttrell on his theft charge, detainer, and a charge of Meth Possession.

Posted on 2/17/26 1:59PM by Alex Bauer

Two Suspects Arrested at Fred Meyer in Separate Cases for Trespassing and Warrant

Grants Pass Police arrested a male and female suspect Monday in separate cases for Trespassing and a warrant respectively.

At 7:17 p.m., a man contacted dispatch at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway Store. He said he believed the suspect on scene, Lindsay Mallory, had a warrant out of Benton County.

He said the two of them were exchanging their child, and that she was still in the parking lot in a white Subaru. After requesting law enforcement to serve the warrant, officers arrived and contacted Mallory. They found her Corvallis Police Department warrant charged her with Stalking.

Mallory was taken into custody, then lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrant.

Then at 7:37 p.m., an employee of Fred Meyer reported Jacob Reeder was in the meat department and appeared to be under the influence, despite being previously trespassed in September. The employee wished to pursue charges.

Officers located Reeder inside the store and placed him into custody. He was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. His trespass was updated.

Posted on 2/17/26 1:18PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Suspect for Violating Restraining Order

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies were alerted to a restraining order violation Monday afternoon.

A woman called 911 at 12:21 p.m. to report her son, whom she and her husband have a restraining order against, was at their home and threatened them in the 23000 block of Redwood Highway.

At the time of the call, the woman and her husband were inside a vehicle outside the property while their son was inside the house alone. She told dispatch that she and her husband had been gone for two and a half months. When they came home, their son was there, despite being forbidden from the property.

The son reportedly had a history of locking himself inside the home. The woman said she had a key to get inside when law enforcement arrived. Upon arrival, deputies tracked the son down inside the bathroom.

He was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the Restraining Order Violation.

Posted on 2/17/26 12:15PM by Alex Bauer

GP Committee on Public Art Encourages Submissions for Art in Motion Exhibition

The City of Grants Pass Committee on Public Art is inviting artists aged 18 and older to submit original creations for the Art in Motion exhibition.

This public art initiative will showcase artwork on one of the Josephine Community Transit buses. The artwork will be displayed from around May 2026 to May 2027. Selections will be made based on originality, artistic vision, and overall quality.

A wide range of styles, media, and disciplines will be showcased. Up to four artists can be selected to provide art for each side of the bus. Participants may submit up to four images.

All submitted work must be original. Any copies, class projects, or works created by Artificial Intelligence will not be permitted.

Paper applications are available at City Hall. The deadline for entries is March 31st by 5 p.m. You can learn more a www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 2/17/26 11:48AM by Alex Bauer

Nine Interviews to be Held in BCC Conference Room for Commissioner Vacancies

The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers met at 9 a.m. to discuss the process of interviewing for the Josephine County Commissioner vacancies. One applicant, Kirk Brust, withdrew himself from consideration. Because of Veterans Preference, nine applicants will now be considered for the vacant positions on the 18th. At 9 a.m., the interviews will commence in the BCC Conference Room, with the final interview starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 10 minute break between each interview. All applicants will be asked six questions, and given five minutes to answer each one. The temporary board will score on a scale of 10 for each question. The board will then meet Thursday at 9 a.m. for the appointment of Josephine County Commissioner Position's one and two. The applicants chosen to fill the two vacancies will be sworn in Monday the 23rd. The community is welcome to attend but must comply with the clear bag policy. The interviews will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 2/17/26 11:39AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo First Responders Provide Safety Tips for Driving amid Winter Weather

Josephine County First Responders are encouraging the public to be wary of incoming weather that may increase the potential for vehicle crashes.

Wet and slippery road surfaces are a common contributor to crashes. That, combined with speed, tire condition, and overall vehicle maintenance, increase the chances of a crash .

If you find yourself stranded in a winter-related crash, some useful items to carry with you in your vehicle include warm clothing, heat packs, a medical kit, water, non-perishable food, a shovel, jumper cables, and a charged cell phone.

Emergency crews also want to remind you that many calls and texts to 911 will produce a GPS location that can be identified by local responders.

Posted on 2/17/26 5:56AM by Alex Bauer

Mt. Ashland Ski Area to Reopen with Limited Terrain

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is reopening with limited terrain Thursday. Beginning at 9 a.m., the Sonnet, Lithia and Comer Chairlifts, and the First Act Learning Carpet will open. Tickets for Sonnet, the Lower Lift, and Twilight skiing are available now at www.mtashland.com. Staff is waiting to see what the weather will bring to determine when the Windsor and Ariel Chairlifts and all terrain coming off of those lifts will be open. For now they remain closed. The Locker Lodge and lockers are closed for now until more terrain on the mountain is open. The public is encouraged to check the Mountain Report on their website for the latest updates on conditions.

Posted on 2/17/26 5:29AM by Alex Bauer

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