KAJO 99.7FM - Local News

Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Bill that Provides Funding for OR Counties

US Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon is praising the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining for holding a recent hearing on the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination (SRS) Act. SRS is bipartisan legislation that Senator Wyden co-sponsors with Senators Mike Crapo of Idaho, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and James Risch of Idaho. The legislation would invest in rural communities across Oregon and the nation for essential services such as education, road maintenance, search and rescue, wildfire prevention and watershed restoration by reauthorizing the SRS Act through 2026. Since Wyden first authored the program in 2000, Secure Rural Schools has provided nearly $4 billion to Oregon counties. To preserve this vital lifeline for rural communities, he said SRS must be reauthorized in fiscal year 2024. In a written statement, Wyden said the Secure Rural Schools program has been important for rural counties in Oregon and nationwide, but lapses in Congressional action have left rural counties dangling on an annual fiscal cliff. Wyden called the reauthorization of SRS "critical and necessary" to support essential services in rural communities. After the Senate Subcommittee held the hearing on his bill, he said "reauthorization of SRS is one step closer to the finish line."

Posted on 10/27/23 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Porn

A Jackson County man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography online using Tumblr, a microblogging and social networking website. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon reports 50-year-old Thomas Ray Taylor of Eagle Point was sentenced this week to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $27,000 in restitution. According to court documents, the Eagle Point Police Department in November 2018 received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a local resident was suspected of uploading images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. In March 2019, investigators met Taylor at his place of employment and seized his cell phone. Taylor admitted to viewing child pornography and told police about several digital devices he possessed. Later that same day, police executed a search warrant at Taylor's residence and seized multiple devices. A forensic examination later confirmed that he possessed more than 1,000 illicit images and videos, some of which he shared online.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:37AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Attacking Roommate at Mobile Home Park West of GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for attacking his roommate at a residence about four miles west of Grants Pass this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 48-year-old Anthony Michael Donlan for the incident that occurred at a mobile home park in the 4500-block of Lower River Road on Wednesday evening. Deputies said they received a call from a 63-year-old man who stated that Donlan beat him up with a shovel and had him trapped in the house. They said the victim sought refuge in the office of the park and was applying direct pressure to a wound on his head. The man said he also sustained bruises on his arms, face and chest. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties, observed the victim's injuries and placed Donlan into custody. The victim received medical treatment at the scene, but he was not transported to the hospital. There was no evidence that a shovel was used in the attack, nor was there any evidence the suspect prevented the victim from leaving the residence. Anthony Donlan was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault. Donlan was flagged as hostile to law enforcement and a two-officer contact after he allegedly threatened to shoot deputies.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Jail Inmate Served with Siskiyou County, CA, Fugitive Warrant

A Josephine County Jail inmate was served with a warrant out of California this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies served a Siskiyou County warrant on 53-year-old Jerry Emmit Glover Wednesday night. The out-of-state fugitive warrant listed a crime of Fleeing a Pursuing Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle While Driving Recklessly. Glover was already in custody on local charges of Felony Assault, Felony Theft, Felony Attempt to Elude Police, Escape, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. Jerry Glover remains lodged at the Grants Pass jail facility and his scheduled bail has been increased to $450,000.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Portland Area Man on Outstanding Warrant after Highway 199 Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Portland area man on an outstanding warrant during a Redwood Highway traffic stop about nine miles west of Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Nissan Pathfinder driven by 41-year-old Pasute Elleia Wachaska Nawage near milepost 9 of US Highway 199 on Wednesday. State troopers said they stopped Nawage for a traffic violation and discovered he was wanted on a Columbia County warrant for Contempt of Court. He was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. According to OSP, the Nissan was released to its registered owner who was a passenger in the vehicle.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Motorist Nabbed for Driving Recklessly from Redwood Area into Downtown

A Grants Pass motorist was arrested for driving recklessly from the Redwood area into the downtown area this week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers eventually stopped a Kia K-5 driven by 20-year-old Dylan Michael Tucker on SE 7th Street late Wednesday night. Troopers said they initially observed the Kia near Redwood Avenue and Redwood Highway. While attempting to catch up to the suspect vehicle, they said it sped excessively, cutting off other drivers and driving partially on the shoulder. When OSP was close enough to stop the vehicle, it was reportedly crossing the 7th Street Bridge at 68 miles per hour. Tucker was cited to appear in court for Reckless Driving and then released at the scene of the traffic stop.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Caltrans Officials Anticipate End of Lengthy Redwood Highway Closures This Weekend

Following solid progress with wildfire repairs along US Highway 199 near the Oregon border, the California Department of Transportation anticipates the last day of three-hour closures will be today. According to Caltrans District 1 in Del Norte County, Saturday and Sunday will be the first days without traffic control since the Smith River Complex started August 15th. Caltrans officials said work on that section of Redwood Highway is still ongoing. Moving forward, travelers should expect up to one-hour delays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. But outside of those hours, delays should be minimal. US Highway 199 has been subject to an emergency wildfire response since mid-August. So far, crews have remediated hazardous trees, damaged guardrail and damaged signs. They've also installed elevated cable net drapery systems to stop rocks and debris from falling onto the highway. Upcoming work includes removing additional hazardous trees, installing more signs and installing more rock-catching systems. For more updates on US Highway 199 between the Illinois Valley and Highway 101, check "quickmap.dot.ca.gov." You can also visit the QuickMap app for the latest road conditions.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Department Hosting Drug Take-Back Event from 10am to 2pm Saturday

The Grants Pass Police Department is hosting a drug take-back event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. If you have unwanted prescription medication from family members or another person in your household, please bring them to the Police Department located at 726 NE 7th Street. You can anonymously turn in your unwanted prescription medication for disposal. Some items will not be accepted at tomorrow's event such as thermometers, oxygen containers and pressurized canisters. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. If an individual attempts to surrender an illicit controlled substance, law enforcement will handle such material as abandoned property in accordance with GPPD policy. Intravenous solutions, injectables, inhalers, syringes, chemotherapy medications, vaping devices that have batteries that cannot be removed or medical waste will not be accepted due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

Posted on 10/27/23 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Several Free Local Events for Trick-or-Treaters in Days Leading Up to Halloween Night

Trick-or-treaters will have plenty of local options to gather candy in the next few days leading up to Halloween night. Several of these events are free. It all starts Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass with a "Trunk-or-Treat" event in the covered arena. Also on Saturday, the Grants Pass Shopping Center is hosting a Halloween Festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Central Point's Chamber of Commerce will have a "Trick-or-Treat Treasure Hunt" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Gold Hill Library will hold a "Trunk-or-Treat" event from 3 to 5 p.m.. On Sunday, Parkway Christian Center in Grants Pass will hold a "Trunk-or-Treat" from 4 to 6 p.m.. On Tuesday, the "Downtown Grants Pass Halloween Safe Walk" runs from 3 to 5 p.m. when trick-or-treaters can gather candy from participating merchants. Also on Tuesday is River Valley Church's "Fall Family Festival" from 5 to 8 p.m. and Community Bible Church will host a "Trunk-or-Treat" event from 6 to 7:30 p.m..

Posted on 10/27/23 6:03AM by Sam Marsh

One Person Hurt in Fiery Crash on Redwood Highway near Hayes Hill Summit

One person was injured in a fiery multi-vehicle crash that occurred on Redwood Highway near the Hayes Hill Summit early yesterday. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the three-vehicle collision near milepost 15 of US Highway 199 on Wednesday at about 8:25 a.m.. OSP said a preliminary investigation indicates 27-year-old James Edwards of Medford was driving a Chevrolet pickup south on the highway when he lost control in a curve. The pickup contacted a northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 42-year-old Yesenia Oviatt of Crescent City before crashing into a northbound Subaru Outback driven by 73-year-old George Milligan of Cave Junction. Edwards' pickup overturned, burst into flames and was fully-burned when crews arrived to extinguish the fire. Milligan was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt. All three vehicles were towed into Grants Pass. Following the investigation, Edwards was either cited or warned for an unspecified traffic violation. OSP was assisted at the scene by the Illinois Valley Fire District, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Attacking Roommate at Mobile Home Park near GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for attacking his roommate at a residence about four miles west of Grants Pass late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 48-year-old Anthony Michael Donlan for the incident that occurred at a mobile home park in the 4500-block of Lower River Road shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies said they received a call from a 63-year-old man who stated that Donlan beat him up with a shovel and had him trapped in the house. They said the victim sought refuge in the office of the park and was applying direct pressure to a wound on his head. The man said he also sustained bruises on his arms, face and chest. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties, observed the victim's injuries and placed Donlan into custody. The victim received medical treatment at the scene, but he was not transported to the hospital. There was no evidence that a shovel was used in the attack, nor was there any evidence the suspect prevented the victim from leaving the residence. Anthony Donlan was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault. Donlan was flagged as hostile to law enforcement and a two-officer contact after he allegedly threatened to shoot deputies.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Men on Felony Warrants while Investigating Theft Call

Grants Pass Police apprehended two men wanted on outstanding felony warrants early yesterday while investigating a theft complaint in the northwest part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident in the 1200-block of NW Highland Avenue on Wednesday around 8:45 a.m.. Police said they contacted 54-year-old Paul Daniels and 42-year-old Paul Allyn during an investigation into unpaid labor. They said a 50-year-old woman worked for one of the men and was given a check that bounced due to insufficient funds. During the investigation, it was discovered that Paul Daniels was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation and Paul Allyn was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Identity Theft and 2nd-Degree Theft. Both Pauls were lodged at the Josephine County Jail. On the original call regarding the bad check, the complainant agreed to enter into a civil agreement for payment of the money owed.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:05AM by Sam Marsh