KAJO 99.7FM - Local News

Two Dogs Rescued from Structure Fire on Kirkham Road in Cave Junction

Two dogs were rescued from a structure fire in Cave Junction late last night. On Tuesday at 11:50 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-story house fire in the 200-block of Kirkham Road. IVFD officials said the structure fire was halted with no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. They said two dogs inside the burning home were rescued and both are doing fine. Officials said an investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:26AM by Sam Marsh

Action Item on Board of Commissioners Agenda is Canceling Next Meeting

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners has only one action item in what should be a very short weekly business session this morning. The meeting agenda is topped with Requests and Comments from Citizens when people can address the Board for up to three minutes on just about any topic related to Josephine County. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board will consider an order canceling next week's business session due to a lack of a quorum in order to conduct business. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Deputy DA Named "OSP Wildlife Prosecutor of Year" for 2nd Time

A Jackson County Deputy District Attorney has been named "Prosecutor of the Year" by the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division for the second time. Deputy DA Melissa LeRitz was honored for her exceptional work prosecuting fish and wildlife crimes. The Wildlife Prosecutor of the Year award is made possible by the Oregon Hunter's Association and Oregon Sportsman's Conservation Partnership. LeRitz also won the award in 2020. According to Duane Dungannon, OHA publisher and state coordinator, conservation-minded sportsmen appreciate prosecutors like LeRitz who take poaching cases seriously. LeRitz has a reputation for supporting OSP game troopers as they collect and document evidence and navigate processes crucial to prosecuting fish and wildlife crime cases. Wildlife in the state of Oregon is deemed property of the state of Oregon. LeRitz said the regulations are designed to be fair to all hunters as well as the natural resources of the state. If you know of or suspect crimes against fish and wildlife or habitat, please report them to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) Line at 1-(800)-452-7888 or dial *OSP from a mobile phone.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management Offer Local Christmas Tree Permits for Sale

For many families, venturing out onto public lands to cut a Christmas tree is an annual holiday tradition. The process of obtaining permits differs a bit by agency, but families are able to cut Christmas trees on US Forest Service or BLM lands using a permit from either agency. Each permit allows the cutting of one personal-use Christmas tree and a permit is required for each individual tree visitors wish to take home. Permits for Christmas trees are $5 per tree and non-refundable. There is a limit of five tree permits per household and the permits may be used only on those lands open to Christmas tree harvesting that are administered by the local forest and Medford District BLM. Free printable maps that identify these areas are provided at the time of permit purchase. Permits can be obtained in person at Forest Service and BLM offices. BLM-issued holiday tree permits are available for purchase online at "forestproducts.blm.gov." Forest Service-issued Christmas tree permits are available for purchase online through "recreation.gov." Many local businesses across southwest Oregon are selling Christmas tree permits.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Food Bank Launches New "Barrels of Hope" Fundraising Campaign

The Josephine County Food Bank is embarking on an ambitious initiative to enhance its community outreach efforts. The "Barrel of Hope" campaign aims to raise funds for the creation of 10 uniquely designed barrels to be used in food drives across the community. The goal of the project is to secure $12,650 in donations to commission local artists to craft these beautiful barrels, each designed to inspire and uplift the community. The Food Bank is also inviting artists who are passionate about making a positive impact to submit their sketches for approval. Selected artists will receive a stipend of $750 per barrel. The campaign seeks to debut the completed barrels at the next Boatnik Festival on Memorial Day Weekend 2024, turning the spotlight on the collaborative efforts of the community to combat hunger. Businesses interested in supporting the "Barrels of Hope" are encouraged to sponsor a barrel for $1,265. Sponsors will receive recognition for their contribution, showcasing their commitment. To contribute to the Josephine County Food Bank's "Barrels of Hope" campaign, please visit "jocofoodbank.org/barrels-of-hope."

Posted on 11/15/23 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Lone Action Item on Board of Commissioners Agenda is Canceling Next Meeting

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners has only one action item in what should be a very short weekly business session tomorrow morning. The meeting agenda is topped with Requests and Comments from Citizens when people can address the Board for up to three minutes on just about any topic related to Josephine County. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board will consider an order canceling next week's business session due to a lack of a quorum in order to conduct business. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 11/14/23 11:42AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Continuing to Violate Court Order by Visiting Mother

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for continuing to violate a court order by visiting his mother against her wishes. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving 34-year-old Evan Timothy Hall at an apartment in the 1,000-block of NE A Street on Monday shortly after 10 a.m.. Police said Hall went to see his mother and a neighbor in an adjacent apartment with knowledge of the situation called for help. They said Hall got within 15 feet of his mother's front door before he turned around and started walking away. Officers contacted Hall a short distance away, confirmed the court order protecting his mother and then placed him into custody. Evan Hall was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Contempt of Court/Restraining Order Violation and one count of 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. Hall was being held without bail. Jail records show he has been arrested 12 times for violating the restraining order since May 10th of this year.

Posted on 11/14/23 11:03AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Incarcerated Man for Allegedly Stealing Vehicle from Father

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for allegedly stealing a vehicle from his father. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Dakota David Buckelew near the corner of SE 6th and I streets on Monday at about 1:50 p.m.. Police said Buckelew's father reported the vehicle was unlawfully taken by his son and officers spotted the vehicle before making the traffic stop. They said the driver was cooperative with lawful commands and he stated he knew his father was going to report the vehicle as stolen. According to the report, Buckelew had a recent "falling out" with his father and decided to keep the vehicle anyway. He also recently had his driving privileges suspended. Buckelew was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Driving While Suspended. The vehicle was secured at the scene of the traffic stop and the keys were taken to the Police Department for his father to pick up.

Posted on 11/14/23 11:01AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Woman for Stealing Wood from Bi-Mart Due to Cold Weather

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing merchandise from Bi-Mart after jumping a fence into a secured area of the store early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 27-year-old Ivana Lynn Balcom during a patrol check at the store on Redwood Highway on Monday at about 3:35 a.m.. Police said they noticed several pieces of firewood scattered about along with three bags of wood chips. One bag had been ripped open by Balcom and the woodchips were in a pile. The suspect advised she took the items out of the fenced area so she could build a warming fire. Officers advised Balcom she was not allowed to be accessing secured areas and opening property that belonged to Bi-Mart. She reportedly told them she did it because she was cold. The suspect had destroyed the bag of woodchips and the store could not resell the item valued at about $10. Ivana Balcom was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Officers said they were unable to contact anyone from Bi-Mart, but they left a business card with the case number.

Posted on 11/14/23 11:00AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Cited Man for Warrant and Driving Violations after Redwood Highway Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway west of Grants Pass early yesterday. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Toyota Sienna driven by 35-year-old Benjamin Earl Buerstetta near milepost 4 of US Highway 199 on Monday at 9:51 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped Buerstetta for a traffic violation and discovered that he had a valid warrant for his arrest. They also learned that he was driving with a suspended license and no insurance. Buerstetta was cited to appear in court for the warrant, Driving While Suspended and No Insurance before being released. His minivan was impounded and towed to Grants Pass.

Posted on 11/14/23 10:58AM by Sam Marsh

GP Motorist Injured after Vehicle Left Redwood Highway in Jerome Prairie Area

A Grants Pass woman was injured late yesterday when her vehicle left Redwood Highway in the Jerome Prairie area. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle crash on US Highway 199 near Midway Avenue on Monday around 5:45 p.m.. Troopers said 67-year-old Vera Santa was driving a Kia Sedona in the dark without using her headlights when the wreck occurred. They said multiple complaints from fellow motorists had been received just prior to the crash. According to OSP, Santa said she lost control of the minivan, crossed all four lanes of the highway and through a wooded area before coming to rest on a parallel street. She was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. Her damaged minivan was towed. Following an investigation, Santa was either cited or warned for a traffic violation. OSP was assisted by Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response.

Posted on 11/14/23 10:40AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving after US Highway 199 Stop in Selma

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in Selma last night. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford F-150 driven by 63-year-old Susan Wanda Bryant-Grissom of Selma near milepost 20 of US Highway 199 on Monday shortly before 7 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Bryant-Grissom for traffic violations and she showed signs of impairment. After performing poorly in field sobriety tests, she was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where she provided a breath sample that was nearly twice the legal driving limit. Susan Bryant-Grissom was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and lodged at the Sobering Center. A family member arrived to take possession of her pickup.

Posted on 11/14/23 10:38AM by Sam Marsh