KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Oregon Health Authority Urges Residents to Get Their Vaccinations This Winter Season

Respiratory virus season is in full swing -- and so is the season for holiday celebrations when viruses are more likely to be spread. According to the Oregon Health Authority, it's not too late to protect yourself and others from severe illness during the holidays by getting vaccinated and to know you'll be protected through the winter when people spend more time socializing indoors. OHA officials said COVID-19 transmission in Oregon has been steady over the past month with a percent positivity of 9.3% for the first week of December. Omicron is still be predominant variant, and no single subvariant has emerged that is predicted to cause more severe disease. The rate of COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Oregon is predicted to remain stable into early January. Respiratory syncytial virus -- or RSV -- transmission in Oregon is steadily increasing with a percent positivity of 7.9% for the first week of December. Influenza transmission in Oregon remains low, but it is steadily increasing with a percent positivity of 3.5%. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) predicts a steady increase in flu-related hospitalizations in Oregon through the first week in January. Everyone six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccination.

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

Deadline to Sign Up Children for Josephine County Toys for Tots Program is Thursday

The deadline to sign up for the Josephine County Toys for Tots program is fast-approaching. Pre-registration is required and registrations must be received by this Thursday at the Oregon Department of Human Services office on NW Hawthorne Avenue or by e-mail to "josephine.county.OR@toysfortots.org." Parent Distribution date is Sunday, December 17th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday, December 18th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Pavilion Building at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass. One adult from each pre-registered family may select toys for their children, who may not attend. On Giveaway Day, be prepared to show a valid Oregon-issued photo ID and a medical insurance card for each child with birthdate. The toy giveway is for low-income parents and guardians residing in Josephine County or the communities of Rogue River, Wimer and Glendale. Proof of residency is required. The Josephine County Toys for Tots program is sponsored by the US Marine Corps Reserve and locally by the Rogue Valley Young Marines. In 2022, a total of more than 3,880 toys were distributed to over 1,400 local children.

Posted on 12/12/23 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Three Rivers School District Invites Community Members to 4 Free Holiday Music Concerts

The community is invited to join the Three Rivers School District for four festive celebrations of the holiday season. All three Josephine County high schools and one middle school are holding free holiday concerts featuring the incredible talents of their students. Your presence makes a difference and they can't wait to celebrate this joyous season with you. It all starts tonight with a concert at Lorna Byrne Middle School in Cave Junction. On Wednesday, a free concert will be held at North Valley High School at 6741 Monument Drive. That's followed this week with a Thursday concert at Illinois Valley High School at 625 East River Street. Hidden Valley High School will hold its holiday concert next Tuesday night at 651 Murphy Creek Road. Concert start times at all schools is 6 p.m.. Mark your calendars and join the Three Rivers School District for one of four magical evenings with festive music and holiday spirit.

Posted on 12/12/23 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

Tragic Mishap on Interstate 5 near Wolf Creek Claimed Life of Medford Woman

A tragic accident on Interstate 5 in northern Josephine County claimed the life of a Medford woman late last week. The Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a pedestrian struck by a commercial vehicle in the southbound lanes of I-5 at milepost 75 near Wolf Creek on Friday shortly before 6 p.m.. OSP said a preliminary investigation indicated the victim -- 62-year-old Tami Lee of Medford -- was operating a Kia sedan when she struck an animal and exited her vehicle to check on the animal. That's when she was struck by a Freightliner semi-truck operated by a 65-year-old Elmira man. Lee was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the semi remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. The freeway was closed for about one hour. OSP was assisted at the fatal crash scene by the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District, Rural Metro Fire Department and Oregon Department of Transportation.

Posted on 12/11/23 1:25PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man on Felony Warrant after Weekend Patrol Check at Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a man on an outstanding felony warrant after a weekend patrol check at Riverside Park. The Police Department reports officers contacted and arrested 38-year-old Jason Tyler Lewis in the upper parking lot of the city park on Saturday around 4:30 p.m.. Police said they discovered that Lewis was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. He was also cited for Possession of Methamphetamine, Criminal Mischief and Scattering Rubbish. Jason Lewis was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. He was also trespassed from Riverside Park for 30 days for violating multiple city ordinances.

Posted on 12/11/23 11:02AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Making another Unwelcome Visit to Mother's Home

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for making another unwelcome visit to his mother's apartment this past weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call involving 35-year-old Evan Timothy Hall at an apartment complex in the 1,000-block of NE A Street on Saturday shortly before 8 a.m.. Police said they observed Hall leaving the parking lot at the complex where his mother had obtained a restraining order against him. He was detained and found to have a small amount of methamphetamine in his back pocket. Hall was also wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass related to a previous violation of the court order. Hall was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation and the warrant. He was also cited to appear in court for the drug violation.

Posted on 12/11/23 11:01AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Washington Man for Violating Court Order after Interstate 5 Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Washington man for violating a court order during a weekend traffic stop on Interstate 5 in the North Valley area. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 32-year-old Enrique Sandoval-Rodriguez of Renton, Washington, in the southbound lanes of the freeway near milepost 63 on Saturday shortly after 2 p.m.. Troopers said Sandoval-Rodriquez was traveling 91 miles per hour in a 65-mile-per-hour speed zone. Upon contact with the driver, it was discovered that he was the respondent in an active protection order in which his 38-year-old female passenger was identified as the protected party. Enrique Sandoval-Rodriguez was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Restraining Order Violation. His pickup was released to the passenger.

Posted on 12/11/23 10:59AM by Sam Marsh

One Person Injured and Both Vehicles Towed after Caves Highway Collision

One person was injured and both vehicles were towed after a crash on Caves Highway that occurred late last week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle collision on State Route 46 at Laurel Road on Friday at 9:38 a.m.. Troopers said 29-year-old Abigail McCarthy-Milliman was driving a Chrysler sedan when she attempted to turn left onto the highway from Laurel and crashed head-on into a Toyota Echo driven by 79-year-old Stanley Wayne Halvorsen. According to OSP, McCarthy-Milliman denied medical attention, but Halvorsen was transported by ambulance to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both vehicles were hauled into Cave Junction by Jerry's Towing. Following an investigation, McCarthy-Milliman was cited for Dangerous Left Turn.

Posted on 12/11/23 10:58AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Motorist for DUII after Weekend Fender-Bender at 238 Bar

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving following a weekend fender-bender in the parking lot of a bar on Williams Highway. The Police Department reports officers responded to a two-vehicle collision at the 238 Bar on Saturday at about 4:30 p.m.. No one was hurt in the minor crash. Police said 61-year-old Robert Martin Bell backed his vehicle into another vehicle in the parking lot, showed multiple indicators of impairment and admitted to the consumption of alcohol. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and consented to providing a breath sample before requesting to contact a lawyer. The on-call judge did not answer after several attempts and Three Rivers Medical Center refused to do an exigent blood draw without a warrant. The on-call District Attorney advised officers to allow Bell to make a phone call to his lawyer and then perform the implied consent process. Robert Bell was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving.

Posted on 12/11/23 10:56AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Motorist for DUII after RR Highway Traffic Stop in Grants Pass

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving and endangering his passenger during a weekend traffic stop on Rogue River Highway in Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford Mustang driven by 45-year-old Stanley Lee Miller near milepost 2 of Highway 99 on Friday at 11:52 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Miller for a traffic violation, he showed signs of impairment and performed poorly in field sobriety tests. They said Miller's female passenger was also impaired and both were taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Stanley Miller was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Endangering. His passenger was placed on a detox hold. His Mustang was parked and secured at the scene of the traffic stop at his request.

Posted on 12/11/23 10:54AM by Sam Marsh

Weekend Explosions & House Fire in New Hope Area Claims Lives of Pet Dogs

Reports of explosions in a New Hope area neighborhood prompted numerous calls of a weekend house fire that claimed the lives of two dogs. Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response were dispatched to the structure fire on Genverna Glen on Saturday at 9:08 a.m.. Arriving units found the back porch of the home fully-involved with fire, with flames and smoke rapidly moving through the interior of the dwelling. Crews got a quick knockdown of the flames and then worked to search for two missing dogs inside. The occupant escaped without injury, but the dogs did not survive. Rural Metro received help from the Oregon State Fire Marshal in determining the cause of the fire was related to a propane heater. Officials remind residents to ensure adequate space of at least three feet away from any combustibles and to not remove any shields designed to deflect heat. The American Red Cross is assisting the occupant with post-fire support.

Posted on 12/11/23 6:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Captured California Fugitive for Stealing Vehicle Out of Coos County

Grants Pass Police jailed an out-of-state fugitive for stealing a car and outstanding warrants following a high-risk traffic stop on the east side of the city last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 37-year-old Justin Reid Carr at gunpoint on SE N Street near Peter James Lane on Friday around 10:45 p.m.. Police said they spotted a Nissan 350 driven by Carr on Redwood Avenue near Allen Creek Road and the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Coos County. They followed the suspect and initiated a traffic stop where they challenged the suspect after he jumped out of the driver seat and attempted to flee on foot. According to the report, Carr admitted to knowing the Nissan was stolen and said he purchased it in Cave Junction with hopes to sell it for drugs. He was found to be wanted on three Del Norte County fugitive warrants charging him with Obstruction of Justice and two California penal code violations. Justin Carr was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and the out-of-state warrants. He was being held without bail. The registered owner of the stolen vehicle was notified about its recovery. It was impounded and towed away.

Posted on 12/11/23 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

Local News