KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Taking Simple Steps Now Can Ease Tax Filing Stress When Claiming Kicker

Now that the excitement of the gift-giving season has come to a close, many Oregonians' thoughts will turn to the anticipation of something even bigger -- claiming their share of the state's all-time record $5.6 billion kicker tax credit. The good news is anyone who filed a 2022 Oregon income tax return is all set to claim their kicker on their 2023 return this year. The not-so-good news is filing taxes often creates anxiety, worry and stress. For those who dread tax season every year, the Oregon Department of Revenue says there's no reason to let tax season make you sweat. Taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing your 2023 return easy -- and lower your heart rate in the process. The first thing taxpayers should do if they hope to claim their share of the kicker this year is to make sure they have filed a 2022 return. The department received more than 2.2 million 2022 tax returns so most taxpayers have done that -- but for those who haven't, filing a 2022 tax return should be their first priority. For more information, visit "oregon.gov/dor."

Posted on 1/3/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Police and Asante Hospital Confirm Investigation Underway into Patients' Deaths

Medford police have launched an investigation after authorities were contacted about a patient's death at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Hospital officials confirmed that police are investigating one death at Asante in Medford, although families of two alleged victims have confirmed the loss of loved ones in interviews with the Rogue Valley Times. Lauren Van Sickle, Asante communications manager, said she was unable to comment on any reported deaths because police are investigating. Medford Police Lieutenant Geoff Kirkpatrick confirmed in a text: "We are investigating a case at Asante Rogue Regional. It is in its very preliminary stages and we have no further information we can release." Multiple hospital sources, who declined to be identified, confirmed dozens of patients injured by medication diversion -- the act of replacing a medication with another substance. Sources allege that a hospital nurse was removing fentanyl from IV bags and replacing it with tap water. One local family shared their story with the Times, which first learned of the investigation December 23rd. Grants Pass resident Garrett Atwood received a December 18th phone call in which

Posted on 1/3/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

Talent Business Alliance among 24 Nonprofits in Oregon to Receive Grants from OCF

A Talent nonprofit is among 24 Oregon-based organizations that have been awarded a total of nearly $575,000 by the Oregon Community Foundation's Thriving Entrepreneurs Program. This OCF funding will be shared by the two-dozen nonprofits for mentoring, technical assistance and access to capital for under-resourced entrepreneurs in order to help strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant is an open, responsive grant-making opportunity that offers organizations flexible funding. Each grant ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. The program prioritizes support for organizations that serve entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, living in under-resourced rural communities, or working in under-resourced sectors. The Talent Business Alliance received a grant of $25,000 to support local businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage of development by offering technical assistance, networking and advocacy to expand the vitality of the Talent community. Talent lost 60% of its businesses in the 2020 Almeda Fire and the remaining 40% continue to struggle in the wake of incredible losses from the fire.

Posted on 1/3/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh

City of Grants Pass Calling for Artists for Collaborative Community Wing Mural Project

Many cities have a famous WING mural, inspiring tourists and locals to be photographed in front of the painting of outstretched wings. Now, the City of Grants Pass seeks an Instagram-worthy mural of our own. Through this project -- called "Inspired by Wings" -- the city and its Committee on Public Art would like the personalized contents of the mural's wings to reflect our region, history, culture and natural resources. Selected students from the four area high schools will meet with the chosen artist to research and brainstorm ideas. The artists will develop the finished design that will be painted by the team. Artists and high school students are challenged to create a wing-inspired mural that reflects the fabric of our community. The Inspired by Wings project furthers the city's goal of creating a vibrant commercial district by enhancing downtown activities and safe spaces. The artists is asked to create site-specific works that create a sense of play and invoke interaction by the public. The budget is $3,500. The deadline for applications is February 2nd. Planning and painting will occur in late March, weather permitting.

Posted on 1/3/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh

Board Set for Brief Business Session during First Public Meeting of New Year

The first business session of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners in 2024 looks like it will be a short one. The only action item on the agenda is approval of a grant agreement between the District Attorney's Office and State of Oregon. Ordinarily, the Board selects its Chair and Vice-Chair during the first meeting of the new year. However, it appears that will take place on January 10th. The Consent Calendar contains various minutes from previous business sessions and legal counsel updates along with State Representative District 3 interviews and the selection of Dwayne Yunker to replace Lily Morgan in Salem. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens in which the public can address the Board for up to three minutes on virtually any topic. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 1/2/24 11:45AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Collared GP Man on Statewide Felony Warrant after New Hope Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man on a statewide felony warrant during a weekend traffic stop in the New Hope area. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Chrysler Cirrus driven by 45-year-old Melea Rene Lowry near the intersection of New Hope and Stringer Gap roads on Sunday at 12:05 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped Lowry for a traffic violation and discovered that her passenger -- 35-year-old Lee C. Conway -- was wanted on an Oregon State felony warrant for Parole Violation. Conway was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Lowry was cited to appear in court for her violations and then released.

Posted on 1/2/24 10:40AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Investigating New Year's Eve Crash on US Highway 199 in the Illinois Valley

The Oregon State Police was investigating a New Year's Eve crash on Redwood Highway near O'Brien. On Sunday at about 8:30 p.m., state troopers and the Illinois Valley Fire District were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision near milepost 34 of US Highway 199. OSP said a preliminary investigation indicates 54-year-old Michael Marino of Grants Pass was driving a Honda Civic south on the highway when he was rear-ended by a pickup truck that sped away without stopping. According to the report, Marino was not injured -- but his car was too damaged to drive, so it was hauled to Cave Junction by Jerry's Towing. The make, model and color of the suspect vehicle were unknown, but the driver -- if they are identified -- faces a charge of Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage.

Posted on 1/2/24 10:39AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Snared Man for Rude Behavior with Quality Inn Motel Staff

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for being rude with staff members at a north-city motel on New Year's Day. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a complaint at the Quality Inn on NE 6th Street on Monday shortly after 5 p.m.. Police said 37-year-old David Wade Howard was a registered guest at the motel and he started yelling curse words at staff members after they could not provide him with a cot for his room. They said his rude behavior caused public alarm and prompted the motel manager to call 9-1-1. Upon arrival, officers calmed down Howard before placing him into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 1/2/24 10:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Stealing Large Amount of Groceries from WinCo

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing a large amount of groceries from a local supermarket yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Monday around 1:25 p.m.. Police said 32-year-old Marlene Tesa Paclijan gathered just under $180 of items, placed them in a shopping cart and pushed the cart past all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. Store surveillance captured video of the crime and the assistant manager followed the suspect, which allowed officers to track her down at the corner of the Grants Pass Parkway and NE Beacon Drive. Marlene Paclijan was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. She was trespassed from WinCo and the stolen merchandise was returned to the store.

Posted on 1/2/24 10:36AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Arrested Pair for Trespassing at Hospital and Trailer Park

Grants Pass Police arrested two people for being where they weren't supposed to be on the same day last weekend. According to the Police Department, the first incident occurred on Saturday around 5 a.m. when officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving 41-year-old Gayle Lee Hooper at Three Rivers Medical Center on SW Ramsey Avenue. Police said Hooper was released from treatment at the hospital emergency room, but she refused to leave her room after multiple requests. She was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. The second incident occurred on Saturday at 4:50 p.m. when officers responded to a trespassing call involving 71-year-old Russell Dewitt Coe at Royal Trailer Park on Lewis Avenue. Police said Coe returned to the trailer park where he had twice been previously trespassed and evicted. They said the park maintenance manager saw him going back into the space where he used to live. He was arrested and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass.

Posted on 1/2/24 10:35AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving after Traffic Stop in Downtown CJ

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a weekend traffic stop in downtown Cave Junction. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Toyota Corolla driven by 31-year-old Shane Tyler McCarthy on Redwood Highway near East River Street on Saturday around 10:30 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped McCarthy for multiple traffic violations and he showed several signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was more than twice the legal driving limit. Shane McCarthy was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and he was lodged at the Sobering Center. His car was impounded.

Posted on 1/2/24 10:33AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Department Announces Retirement of Captain Todd Moran

The Grants Pass Police Department has entered 2024 without one of its longtime leaders. On December 28th, GPPD celebrated the retirement of Captain Todd Moran. It was a testament to his dedication, leadership and commitment to his community. Moran's career in public service began in 1996 when he joined the Klamath Falls Police Department as a reserve officer. He was appointed as a deputy with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office one year later and he joined the Grants Pass Police Department in 2000. Moran's climb through the ranks at GPPD was nothing short of remarkable. He was promoted to Corporal in 2004, achieved the rank of Sergeant in 2012 and became a Lieutenant two years later. He was named Captain in 2020. Moran wore many hats throughout his career, serving as a Field Training Officer, K-9 Handler and as a member of the SWAT Command and Crisis Negotiation Teams. He accumulated over 2,400 hours of training and received a management certificate. Though his absence will be felt, GPPD congratulates Captain Todd Moran on a well-deserved retirement. His legacy will endure in the hearts and minds of those he touched along the way.

Posted on 1/2/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh

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