KAJO 99.7FM - Local News

GP Police Arrested Man for Vandalizing Patrol Vehicle after Leaving Hospital

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for vandalizing a patrol vehicle shortly after he left Three Rivers Medical Center and had become the subject of a weekend welfare check. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a man later identified as 57-year-old Robert Vincent Jones loitering at the Verizon Wireless Store on Union Avenue on Saturday at about 3 p.m.. Police said Jones had just left the hospital and was acting odd while lying in the middle of the road and then entering the store where he tried to lay down. Callers requested a welfare check as it appeared he was having some sort of medical issue. Jones reportedly walked across Redwood Highway to the Chevron station where he continued his erratic behavior. He was placed into custody and put in a patrol vehicle where he intentionally head-butted the passenger side pillar, causing a large dent. It was unclear whether he injured himself. Robert Jones was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 11/13/23 10:53AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed 3 Motorists for DUII Over Holiday Weekend in Josephine County

The Oregon State Police arrested three motorists for impaired driving over the long holiday weekend in Josephine County. According to OSP, the first incident occurred last Thursday night when troopers were dispatched to a crash near milepost 5 of Williams Highway. Troopers said 49-year-old Rebecca Harvie of Grants Pass was driving a Dodge Ram 2500 when she left the roadway and crashed through multiple fences. Harvie displayed signs of impairment, performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where she provided a breath sample that was nearly three times the legal driving limit. The second incident happened last Friday night when troopers pulled over a Cadillac ATS driven by 31-year-old Joshua Gray of Merlin near the intersection of Hugo and Three Pines roads. Troopers said they stopped Gray for a traffic violation and he showed signs of impairment. After performing poorly in sobriety tests, he was taken to the Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal limit. The third incident took place late Sunday night when troopers pulled over a GMC Sierra driven by 24-year-old Ryane Jacobson in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 58 in north Grants Pass. Troopers said they stopped Jacobson for a traffic violation and she appeared to be impaired. She refused to participate in field testing, so she was placed into custody. She refused to provide a breath sample, so she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw.

Posted on 11/13/23 10:51AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Cited CJ Man for Causing Highway 238 Crash that Sent One to TRMC

The Oregon State Police cited a Cave Junction man for causing a three-vehicle crash on Williams Highway that sent another motorist to the hospital. OSP reports troopers responded to the wreck near milepost 11 of Highway 238 on Saturday shortly after 2 p.m.. Troopers said 39-year-old Dennis Erik White was driving a sport utility vehicle that rear-ended a sedan and pushed it into another car. The driver in the car was transported to the hospital with a minor injury. No one else was hurt. Two of the three vehicles -- the SUV and the sedan -- were hauled by Caveman Towing to Grants Pass. Following an investigation, White was cited for Following Too Closely.

Posted on 11/13/23 10:49AM by Sam Marsh

CJ City Council has Liquor License, Appointment & Ordinance on Agenda

The Cave Junction City Council has a busy agenda for its regular meeting tonight. The City Council will begin the meeting with the monthly update from Public Works Director Alex Ponder. Included in his report will be updates on Water Distribution, Wastewater Collection and the Parks Division. After approving minutes from previous meetings and receiving planning updates, the Council will consider an OLCC liquor license request from the Li'l Pantry Market & Deli followed by Council liaison reports and public comment. Cave Junction Meadow Martell will recommend the appointment of Sabrina Dellinger to the Parks & Recreation Commission. The Council will conclude the meeting with consideration of the 2nd reading of Ordinance 601. Before any section of a street is closed to traffic for a "Paint the Pavement" or "Block Party" program, permits will be required. Tonight's meeting begins at 7 at Cave Junction City Hall, 222 Lister Street.

Posted on 11/13/23 8:55AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Man Incarcerated for Attacking His Mother at SW Residence

A Grants Pass man was jailed over the weekend for attacking his mother at a southwest city residence. The Grants Pass Police Department reports 49-year-old Scott David Duarte was arrested for the incident that occurred at a home on SW Grant Street on Friday evening. Police said Duarte subjected his mother to offensive physical contact when he pushed her off a dining room chair and into a wall. They said the woman had bruises from the attack, but she declined medical treatment. The incident was witnessed by others who called 9-1-1. Duarte reportedly explained that there was an argument with his mother, but he denied pushing her from the chair. Evidence at the scene indicated otherwise. Scott Duarte was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment and was being held without bail. His mother was provided with a domestic violence form and advised of her options in seeking a restraining order against her son.

Posted on 11/13/23 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Woman for Trying to Hit Officer during Motel 6 Incident

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for trying to strike an officer after a weekend trespassing complaint at a north-city motel. The Police Department reports officers arrested 37-year-old Rebekah Grace Hewlett for the incident at Motel 6 on NE 7th Street on Saturday at 2:06 p.m.. Police said the motel manager contacted them and advised that Hewlett had not paid for her room and was refusing to leave. The caller said multiple attempts to collect money were made, but the suspect refused to pay. A man in the room -- identified only as "Lafolette" -- also refused to leave. Upon arrival, officers said Hewlett showed multiple indicators of impairment and admitted to drinking earlier in the day. They said the suspect engaged in violent and tumultuous behavior by screaming at them, wishing death upon them and waving her arms in one officer's face. She threw a large chunk of ice at another. Rebekah Hewlett was placed into custody and booked into the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Police Officer and Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 11/13/23 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Idaho Fugitive after Weekend Disturbance at NE Home

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on an outside fugitive warrant following a weekend disturbance at a northeast city residence. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 54-year-old Frank Carl Smith inside WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Saturday at 11:25 a.m.. Police said they received a call from a woman who reported Smith's vehicle was parked outside a family member's home and he had a warrant out for his arrest from the state of Utah. Officers determined that the warrant had been issued by the Idaho Department of Corrections for Parole Violation related to drug possession. When officers arrived at the home on NE Fairview Avenue, the suspect had left the scene. He was located a short time later at WinCo and placed into custody. Frank Smith was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrant. He awaits extradition proceedings that will likely send him back to Idaho.

Posted on 11/13/23 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Frequent Parole Violator for Causing Traffic Disturbance

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for once again violating his post-prison supervision -- this time by causing a disturbance at an intersection near the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Nicholas John Knox Knowles near the corner of NE B and 7th streets on Friday at 6:02 p.m.. Police said Knowles had been called in as acting erratically and jumping in front of vehicles on 7th Street. The suspect was located at the nearby A-1 Market & Deli visibly intoxicated with a strong odor of alcohol and an empty beer can in his hand. Nicholas Knowles was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation stemming from previous convictions for Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show Knowles has been arrested 10 times for violating his parole since April 22nd.

Posted on 11/13/23 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Young Motorist for DUII in New Hope Road Traffic Stop

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a young motorist for impaired driving after a weekend traffic stop in the New Hope area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Kali Nascimento on New Hope Road near Johnson Drive on Friday at 11:12 p.m.. Police said they stopped Nascimento for a traffic violation and she showed signs of impairment. She was placed into custody and taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where she provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Nascimento was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. She was cited to appear in court, but lodged at the Sobering Center. Her vehicle was released to a friend's mother at her request.

Posted on 11/13/23 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

GP City Council to Consider Public Safety Funding Options during Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council will focus on public safety funding during its bi-weekly workshop session today. Grants Pass voters overwhelmingly renewed the $1.79 local option levy that helps fund police and fire services in last week's special election. However, expenses are outpacing revenues and the City Council must come up with other funding sources. Councilors have been considering at least three other options including a utility fee, a food and beverage tax, and a city sales tax. With passage of the public safety levy, the panel can move forward in the decision-making process. After a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting, Mayor Sara Bristol will convene a Special Meeting in Executive Session. The closed-door meeting is on labor negotiations. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 11/13/23 5:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police & Firefighters Logged Active Week after Switch from Daylight to Standard Time

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged a busy week of activity after the switch from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 422 calls for service along with 370 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 35 arrests, 32 citations, 18 warnings and five highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. The Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 222 contacts with potential trouble-makers while arresting five people, citing 64 more and warning 76 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 32 individuals, posted 68 new transient camps and removed trash from 29 campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 85 calls last week including 32 for emergency medical service, 13 lift assists, seven rescue situations, three assists to other agencies and five false alarms. Firefighters also performed 29 business inspections, led two education programs, assisted the public four times and installed two child car seats. The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center fielded a total of 1,141 emergency calls in addition to 857 calls for non-emergency service.

Posted on 11/13/23 5:47AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Now Available for Four At-Large Positions on Grants Pass Budget Committee

Applications are being accepted for four positions on the Grants Pass Budget Committee. Three positions are due to term expirations and run through December 31, 2026. One position is to fill a vacancy and it runs through December 31, 2025. The Grants Pass Budget Committee receives and reviews the recommended budget and approves an annual spending plan for City Council consideration. Members of the Council also serve on the budget panel. Half of the Budget Committee members are elected officials and half are applicants from the community at large. Committee representation welcomes divergent views of the community. Applications are available now at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024. Candidates will be interviewed by the Grants Pass City Council on Monday, February 5th. Appointments will be made by the Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 7th.

Posted on 11/13/23 5:39AM by Sam Marsh