KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Walmart Shoplifter Apprehended, Lodged for Theft, Detainer

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a suspect attempting to steal merchandise from Walmart.

Dispatch was alerted to the suspect that had been detained by loss prevention around 8:22 p.m. It was reported Rachael Lowden had walked past all points of sale with $75 worth of items concealed on her person before being apprehended by staff.

She was cooperative with loss prevention and, upon arrival of officers, was taken into custody. Her parole officer requested a detainer, so law enforcement lodged Lowden in jail for Third Degree Theft, and the detainer. She was also trespassed from the 135 NE Terry Lane store.

Posted on 8/24/26 12:27PM by Alex Bauer

BCC Holds Land Use Hearing, Discussion to Continue Next Monday

A Land Use Hearing regarding a request for an appeal objecting to the Director's Decision to approve a cannabis processing facility with access off of 2581 Dick George Road was held at 10 a.m.

During the planning staff review of the application, staff received comments regarding the proposed Processing Facility. Comments raised concerns related to topics such as Methods of Processing, Traffic, Water Usage, and Odor.

In response, the applicant said traffic would be reduced due to processing on-site, drip irrigation systems with moisture sensors would be used to reduce unnecessary water use, and fencing requirements are established through OLCC regulations and are required for compliance purposes.

The Director and staff drafted a decision addressing the comments, and the application appealing the decision raised concerns regarding the applicant's operations and representation, plus the percentage of the farm crop proposed that will be produced on the farm.

A Non-Volatile Cannabis Processor Proposal was presented next, with video showing the process. Three connex units would be used on the 100 ft. by 100 ft. premises, with minimal off-site impact. Kief Production is already a producer privilege.

On the opposition, it was stated their road was going to be affected by the factory. It was said the Kief machines would be 55 to 70 decibels, potentially going through insulation and long distances, causing problems for people and animals. Ambiguity, wells, and danger to families were mentioned as worries.

A motion to continue the hearing Monday, August 31st at 10 a.m., and that the record remain open, passed 3-0.

Posted on 8/24/26 11:52AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodged Uninsured Driver on Oregon State Parole Board Warrant

Grants Pass Police observed a vehicle failing to use a turn signal, leading to the drivers arrest for an Oregon Parole Board warrant.

Sunday at 5:22 p.m., a white Buick was seen turning westbound on G Street and failing to use a signal. The officer initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Jessy Randall, at the corner of SW G Street and SW 6th Street.

It was determined Randall was wanted on a Parole Board warrant for a violation and was driving uninsured. The officer took him into custody and the vehicle was impounded. During an inventory check, drug related items were located inside the Buick, later to be logged for destruction.

Randall was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for his warrant.

Posted on 8/24/26 11:31AM by Alex Bauer

Historic Gift Will Expand Transportation and Teen Services for Rogue Valley Youth

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley announced a $390,000 gift from an anonymous donor, made through a Donor Advised Fund held by Four Way Community Foundation.

The gift represents the largest grant made by Four Way Community Foundation since 1994 and will make a significant investment in transportation and teen services for young people throughout the Rogue Valley.

The funding will support four key priorities: the purchase of a new bus for Club field trips, the purchase of a van to transport youth, operating support for the new Grants Pass Teen Center, and a partial renovation of the Teen Center’s outdoor space. The new Teen Center is scheduled to open in January 2027.

The gift comes at a pivotal moment as Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley prepares to open its new Grants Pass Teen Center in January 2027. The gift will provide operating support during the Center’s opening phase and help fund improvements to its outdoor space, expanding opportunities for teens to gather, connect and participate in activities.

Designed specifically for teens, the Center will provide a welcoming, dedicated environment where young people can build relationships with trusted adults and peers, receive academic and career support, participate in enrichment opportunities and develop skills for life after high school.

The grant also marks a significant milestone for Four Way Community Foundation as its largest grant since 1994, demonstrating the important role donor advised funds can play in connecting local philanthropy with significant community needs.

Posted on 8/24/26 11:25AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Causing Scene Warrants Three Calls for Service, Arrested by GP Police

Grants Pass Police responded to three calls for service regarding the same individual Saturday night.

The incident occurred at the Bohemian Bar and Bistro around 7:18 p.m., where the subject from a previous call reportedly returned to the 221 SW G Street restaurant after police left the scene. He had reportedly been yelling at customers, pulled out vodka from his bag, and was blocking traffic.

The suspect, Martin Lynch, was taken into custody, but began using physical force to prevent detainment. He was ultimately placed into a wrap, and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Resisting Arrest.

Posted on 8/24/26 5:53AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Woman Causing Disturbance for Meth Possession, Detainer

A woman reported to be acting erratically was arrested by Grants Pass Police on a Parole Violation Detainer and Methamphetamine Possession charge.

Dispatch was notified Saturday around 11:54 a.m. that the allegedly intoxicated suspect was affecting business at the Jelly Donut. It was requested that law enforcement conduct a welfare check, and that the suspect be trespassed.

Officers arrived and took Brittany Adams into custody. She had been wandering around the parking lot and, while being placed into handcuffs, a green tooter fell out of her left pocket, which field tested positive for meth.

Adams was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for Meth Possession, and a detainer by request of her parole officer.

Posted on 8/24/26 5:20AM by Alex Bauer

Debo Park to be Leased by Children's Museum starting September 8th

Debo Park will be leased by the Children’s Museum, according to a City press release.

Starting September 8th, 2026, the park will be turned over to the Oregon Center for Creative Learning and will no longer be open to the public as a park.

The Center will lease the property as part of its operation for early learning facilities and programs for young children at the Museum, occupying the former headquarters for Dutch Bros.

Posted on 8/24/26 4:42AM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, JoCo Sheriff's Office, Emergency Units Dispatched to Fire, Vehicle Accident

Emergency crews tackled a structure fire and responded to a single vehicle accident Sunday.

A structure was reported to be on fire around 5:31 a.m. in the 4900 block of Happy Camp Road in Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Josephine County Sheriff's Office crews were dispatched to the scene.

The fire extended into the wildland, but was successfully brought under control. An investigation into the fire followed.

That same day at 12:06 p.m. IVFD, American Medical Response, and the Sheriff's Office responded to a single vehicle rollover accident involving a tree in the 6700 block of Takilma Road in Cave Junction.

One individual was extricated from the vehicle and transported for medical attention due to non-life-threatening injuries. The scene was subsequently handed over to the Sheriff's Office for further investigation.

Posted on 8/24/26 4:42AM by Alex Bauer

ODF Crews Stop Forward Progress on Butte Falls Grass Fire on Prospect Road

Oregon Department of Forestry crews tackled a Butte Falls grass fire Sunday afternoon, halting forward progress by 3:45 p.m.

According to the department's Southwest Oregon District, firefighters responded to the blaze along Prospect Road. A Type 3 and two Type 2 helicopters along with multiple ground crews conducted an aggressive initial attack.

Through these efforts, the fire was held at an estimated two acres despite hot, dry, and windy conditions. Crews continued to strengthen the perimeter and secure the fire.

Posted on 8/23/26 5:55PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Woman on Assault, Mischief, and DOC Charges

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman on assault, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct charges following an incident Thursday night.

Dispatch was notified around 10:13 p.m. that a woman was screaming, threatening people, and sitting on cars in the 25,000 block of Redwood Highway. She was described as having blonde hair, slurring her words, and sounding to be under the influence.

The suspect also spoke with dispatch, saying her car keys were being withheld, and claiming to have been abused. She soon hung up, however, then called back seconds later, still screaming and slurring her words.

The original 911 caller reported the suspect had tried to hit him and was pushing him. He didn't wish to press charges, but wanted her removed. A friend of the suspect also reported to dispatch, backing the suspect's original claim that some men she had been drinking with that night were attempting to abuse her, and that she was requesting a response from police.

Deputies arrived, secured the suspect's vehicle, and retrieved her phone, wallet, and keys. The original 911 caller then wanted to pursue charges, so law enforcement took the suspect into custody. She was lodged for Third Degree Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

Posted on 8/21/26 3:07PM by Alex Bauer

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To Prison For Tax and Fraud Crimes

A Jacksonville man was sentenced today for tax evasion, employment tax crimes, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. According to a release, Joel Matthew Caswell, 32, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and 5 years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,198,799.83 in restitution to the IRS. According to documents and statements made in court, Caswell owned and operated three logging and construction businesses that employed approximately 40 employees. From 2018 through 2022, Caswell withheld employment taxes from his employees’ pay and willfully failed to pay over these taxes to the IRS. Caswell attempted to evade these and other taxes by directing customers to write checks to another company or to him personally, moving business funds and lying to IRS collection officers. Separately, between 2022 and 2024, Caswell executed multiple fraud schemes that involved submitting fabricated financial records to a bank, a private lender, and the Small Business Administration to secure loans. On June 9, 2026, Caswell pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion, three counts of willful failure to pay over employment taxes, one count of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Posted on 8/21/26 2:58PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Wanted for Drug, Weapon Charges Lodged by GP Police

A welfare check request led to the arrest of a man wanted on a warrant for multiple drug charges.

Thursday at 4:24 p.m., the 911 caller requested a welfare check on her aunt. The family member that was supposed to care for the aunt was reported to have warrants, and the caller was afraid to go to his property as he had threatened her and their family's lives before.

Dispatch located the suspects warrant, charging him with Unlawful Possession and Delivery of Meth, Fentanyl, and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), as well as Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Officers arrived at the property in the 4200 block of Galice Road, and contacted the suspect. He was arrested and lodged for his warrant, and trespassed from the incident location for one year.

Posted on 8/21/26 1:54PM by Alex Bauer

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