KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

OSP Responded to Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash on Highway 199

Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 199 near milepost 20 Friday around 2:30 p.m.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Ram 3500 pickup, operated by Harvey Anthony Caron, 72, of Cave Junction, was traveling southbound on Highway 199 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed the center median and northbound lane before striking several trees on the shoulder of the highway.

Caron was pronounced deceased at the scene. The highway was not impacted during the investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Illinois Valley Fire District, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Posted on 9/14/26 2:34PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Respond to Two Crashes, Both Fatal

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to two fatal crashes early in the weekend. Friday at 8:18 p.m., a vehicle vs pedestrian crash was reported near the 2600 block of Merlin Road. A Geo Metro car was traveling east on Merlin Road when the vehicle hit a male pedestrian. The driver of the Geo Metro stayed on scene. The pedestrian was identified as Scott Starke, 88, who was transported to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified. This case is still an active investigation and pending results of evidence, charges will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office. No further information in this case will be released at this time. Saturday afternoon at 12:15 p.m., deputies, American Medical Response, and fire personnel responded to Monument Drive near Mary Harris Way for a report of an ATV crash. Once on scene, a male, Barry Fell, 58, was found with serious injuries after crashing an ATV. He was transported by AMR to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin have been notified. No further information will be released.

Posted on 9/14/26 1:30PM by Alex Bauer

Body Located in Rogue River at Baker Park, JoCo Medical Examiner Investigating

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was notified of a body located in the Rogue River at Baker Park Friday at 1:23 p.m. Deputies and fire personnel arrived on scene and made contact with the individuals who originally made the call to 911. The body was located in the main channel of the Rogue River at Baker Park. The Jackson County dive team was activated to assist with the recovery of the body. The individual has not been identified and next of kin has not been notified. The Josephine County Medical Examiner will be continuing their investigation to identify the individual.

Posted on 9/14/26 1:21PM by Alex Bauer

Bicycle Thief Returned to YMCA, Arrested for Theft, Unlawful Entry Charges

A man stole a bike from the Grants Pass Family YMCA, only to return in later and be arrested by Grants Pass Police.

The bike owner called 911 to report his stolen property at 9:14 a.m. The bike was reported to be valued at about $1000 and was taken from the property while the owner was in the gym. The suspect had reportedly stolen from the location before.

Surveillance footage was able to capture the theft, but the suspect and the bike were not located. Around 2:36 p.m. the same day, dispatch was advised by employees that the suspect, Anthony Horton, had returned to the YMCA after being confronted by the bike's owner. The bike had been recovered, and Horton was arrested by arriving officers.

He was trespassed from the YMCA, and lodged in jail for two counts of First Degree Theft, Second Degree Theft, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle.

Posted on 9/14/26 12:52PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Arrested Man Found Illegally Harvesting Wood off Interstate 5 for Theft Warrant

Oregon State Police lodged a man wanted on a theft warrant after finding his vehicle parked in the tree line off Interstate 5.

The suspect, identified as Timothy Darrow, was contacted near a suspicious vehicle parked near milepost 78 on I-5 Friday around 9:54 a.m. Troopers discovered he was illegally harvesting wood from Oregon Department of Transportation property and trespassing.

Darrow was also found to have a bench warrant charging him with Theft in the Second Degree. Troopers arrested Darrow for his warrant, and officials requested he be trespassed for the illegal wood harvesting. He was warned for trespassing and harvesting, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant.

Posted on 9/14/26 11:30AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man for Consuming WinCo Stock, Meth Possession Charge

WinCo loss prevention apprehended a man eating merchandise before the arrival of Grants Pass Police Sunday afternoon.

The uncooperative suspect was handcuffed while staff of the 231 NE Terry Lane grocer called 911 around 4:41 p.m. The suspect attempted to fight staff after having consumed just over $6 worth of food items within the store. He discarded the trash and exited without paying, leading to his being detained by staff.

Upon arrival, police took the suspect, Brandon Debree, into custody and trespassed him from WinCo. A consent search of his person located a glass pipe with white residue. A field test produced a positive result for the presumptive presence of methamphetamine.

Debree was ultimately lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for charges of Theft in the Third Degree, and Misdemeanor Possession of Meth. A backpack in his possession was logged for safekeeping.

Posted on 9/14/26 10:56AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Performing Karate Lodged by GP Police on Parole Violation Detainer

A man doing karate outside China Hut was arrested by Grants Pass Police for a parole violation detainer.

Dispatch was notified the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence, was walking back and forth between the restaurant and the nearby Lithia dealership Sunday at 1:46 p.m. He was described as having brown hair, a goatee, being shirtless, wearing black and blue pants, white socks, black shoes, and carrying a white t-shirt.

Officers were dispatched to the scene, contacting the suspect at the China Hut, where he was performing karate moves. He was identified as Zane Hatcher, and his parole officer, upon contact, requested a detainer.

Hatcher was found with burnt foil and a razor knife in his possession, a violation of his probation. Officers took him into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail for lodging on the detainer.

Posted on 9/14/26 10:39AM by Alex Bauer

Man Wanted on Sexual Assault Warrant Located, Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police contacted a group of people under the 6th Street Bridge, and arrested one wanted for a Sexual Assault warrant.

A call to 911 reported the group that was possibly under the influence under the bridge in Riverside Park. Dispatch learned some individuals were passed out while others were nodding off. The caller requested a response from law enforcement.

Officers arrived and contacted one of the suspects, later identified as Brandon Lewis. He refused to identify himself and no crimes were observed at the scene. His identity was soon confirmed, and officers found Lewis was wanted on an Oregon Parole Board Warrant for Sexual Assault.

He was detained and taken into custody. Officers transported Lewis to jail where he was lodged on his warrant.

Posted on 9/14/26 10:29AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Cite Two for Meth Possession, Violations

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office cited two individuals Sunday during separate traffic stops.

The first suspect was pulled over at the corner of S Redwood Highway and E Watkins Street around 11:22 a.m. The deputy stopped the driver of a green Toyota pickup for observed violations. A meth pipe was seen in plain view tucked partially between the driver's seat and center console.

The driver, Maksim Petrovskiy, admitted the pipe was his and that a usable amount of meth was located in his pants pocket. He was then cited and released to appear in court for Possession of Meth and No Operators License. The deputy warned Petrovskiy for No Plates or Insurance, and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

Then at 1:25 p.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Rockydale Road and Sherier Road after a loose plate was observed on the back of the suspect vehicle. The driver, Jeremiah Mutina, was cited to appear for Driving While Suspended and Meth Possession.

Both suspect's vehicles were towed from their respective scenes.

Posted on 9/14/26 6:50AM by Alex Bauer

MFD Crews Tackled Apartment Building Fire, Pacific Power, Jacksonville Police Assisted

Crews with the Medford Fire Department arrived to tackle a working apartment building fire Friday.

The blaze was reportedly under control and no injuries were reported. Oak Grove Road closed at West Main Street while firefighters continued working the incident. By 7:30 p.m., the fire was out, and overhaul operations took place.

Pacific Power assisted at the scene, and Jacksonville Oregon Police provided traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Posted on 9/14/26 5:30AM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, AMR, Rural Metro, JoCo Sheriff's Office Dispatched to Fatal Crash

Emergency crews responded to a fatal traffic accident Friday at 2:26 p.m. at the corner of Redwood Highway and Hogue Drive in Selma. The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire District, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the single-vehicle incident that afternoon. Upon arrival, units discovered that the vehicle had overturned and collided with a tree. A fatality has been confirmed, and no photographic documentation will be released. The canine passenger survived the incident, and Animal Control was dispatched to facilitate transport. The scene was transferred to the Sheriff's Office to conduct an investigation.

Posted on 9/14/26 5:10AM by Alex Bauer

ODF, JCFD 3 Crews Engaged Central Point Grass Fire, Held at 5 Acres

Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District crews tackled a grass fire that occurred along McLoughlin Drive in Central Point Saturday.

Firefighters provided mutual aid to Jackson County Fire District 3 crews in the initial attack. The wind-driven fire was actively engaged, with forward progress being stopped at 5 acres around 5 p.m.

The fire was 100% wet lined, and multiple units remained on scene and continued engagement. According to the final ODF update, crews continued working the incident and mopping up.

Posted on 9/14/26 5:06AM by Alex Bauer

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