KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Rogue River School District 35 Selects Next Superintendent

The Rogue River School District 35 Board of Directors announced the selection of Dr. April L. Harrison as the district’s next superintendent, effective July 1, 2026.

Dr. Harrison brings more than 23 years of experience in public education and a deep connection to the Rogue River community. She previously served the district for ten years as Director of Special Programs and Student Services.

Throughout her career, Dr. Harrison has served as a special education teacher, professor, and district-level administrator. The Board of Directors expressed confidence in Dr. Harrison’s ability to lead the district forward while honoring its strong community roots.

Upon beginning her service in July, Dr. Harrison will implement a 120-day “Leading, Listening, and Learning” entry plan. This plan will focus on strengthening relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners, supporting and empowering staff, and aligning district systems to improve student outcomes.

The Board of Directors looks forward to a collaborative transition process and invites the community to join in welcoming Dr. Harrison back to Rogue River School District 35.

Posted on 2/13/26 5:18AM by Alex Bauer

Temporary Board Chooses 5 Applicants to Interview for Commissioner Vacancies

The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers will decide between 5 applicants for the vacant Commissioner seats. During their special meeting, the board chose five applicants out of 37 potentials. In a release from Human Resources, the applicants are Colene Martin, Lorna Jessee, Gary Richardson, Kirk Brust, and Simon Hare. Interviews for the five will be held Wednesday the 18th starting at 9 a.m., with each interview lasting one hour. The board will send potential questions to the Human Resources department by 9 a.m. this Friday. A meeting will then be held Tuesday the 17th at 9 a.m. to finalize the questions and determine the order of interviews. Before noon that same day, the five applicants will be emailed the questions. The public will be welcome to attend the interviews which will conclude at 3 p.m. on the 18th. Overflow seating will be available in a separate room with a television broadcasting the interviews. The public can also stream the interviews at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Human Resources will conduct background checks. The temporary board will then convene on the 19th at 9 a.m. for a final discussion on the interviewees. The board chair will follow up with the chosen applicants.

Posted on 2/12/26 3:33PM by Alex Bauer

Woman Lying on Ground Making Shooting Threats Arrested by GP Police

A woman threatening to shoot people was arrested by Grants Pass Police Wednesday.

At 1:37 p.m., the suspect was reported to be lying on the ground at the corner of NW 6th Street and NW C Street. She was yelling threats and talking to herself, until she got up and began pacing back and forth while heading eastbound on C Street.

Dispatch was notified the woman was possibly intoxicated. Officers were able to locate her in the alley between 5th and 6th Streets, and C and D Streets. The suspect, identified as Cierra Powers, had already been warned twice that same day for disorderly conduct.

While being contacted by officers, Powers continued to make similar statements, and it was clear her threats created public alarm. Officers took her into custody, then transported her to the Josephine County Jail. Powers was lodged for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 2/12/26 1:14PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Trespassed Quality Mattress Suspect, Lodged Him for Meth Possession

A man trespassing at Quality Mattress was arrested by GP Police on a meth charge.

Wednesday at 9:38 p.m., the owner of the 111 E Park Street store called dispatch while viewing security camera footage remotely. The suspect was viewed actively doing drugs on the front porch under the covered awning.

The owner requested the suspect be removed and trespassed from the property. Grants Pass Police officers arrived at the scene and contacted Michael Carrero. He was warned for trespassing, and while he was gathering his belongings, he attempted to hide a glass bubble pipe with white residue.

Officers noticed the pipe, and conducted a field test. The residue field tested positive for Methamphetamine, so officers took Carrero into custody. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth.

Posted on 2/12/26 1:02PM by Alex Bauer

Intoxicated Woman Arrested by GP Police after Resisting Arrest

Grants Pass Police officers were accidently notified of a possible crash at 12:10 this morning.

The caller on the line reportedly sounded under the influence. She refused to give her name and location, and didn't want anyone to check on her. She then told dispatch she was going to abandon her car.

Officers were able to track the woman down near the property in the 400 block of SE H Street. She was contacted and identified as Cynthia Martinez-Sandoval. Officers deemed her too impaired to care for herself, so she was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Martinez-Sandoval resisted though, refusing commands and pulling and pushing away from officers. While they attempted to put her seatbelt on in the patrol vehicle, Martinez-Sandoval tried to get out. She placed her foot against the door to keep it open, but officers were able to secure the seatbelt.

Officers transported Martinez-Sandoval to the Josephine County Jail rather than the Sobering Center where she was lodged for Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 2/12/26 11:39AM by Alex Bauer

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Seeking Seasonal Employees

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and is encouraging local residents to apply.

The Forest Service is recruiting for a variety of entry-level roles, including recreation and trail and facility maintenance, as well as active resource management, with roles in botany, timber, and wildlife biology. These positions are in addition to seasonal fire hire events, already underway.

Bringing on seasonal employees will help improve trails, campgrounds and facilities for safer, reliable and enjoyable recreation experiences for all. Along with mission critical work, these seasonal employees will help accomplish the mission of maintaining recreation sites across the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

For more information about careers with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Forest Service, visit www.fs.usda.gov.

Posted on 2/12/26 11:20AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Apprehend Trespassing Suspect for Mail Theft, Vehicle Entry

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies were alerted to a trespassing complaint at a property in the 2300 block of Hugo Road in Merlin.

A call came in to dispatch at 6:03 a.m. The caller reported seeing a man on the property via a ring camera. The call was disconnected, but dispatch was able to contact the woman, who then said she was alone while the man was walking around outside.

The suspect was described as having a tan hoodie with a black beanie hat. The woman said there was another tenant in a studio apartment on the property as well, but she hadn't contacted them yet.

At one point she said the suspect may have gone behind to garage where there's access to the studio. Deputies soon arrived and contacted the suspect, Jesse Johnson. He was trespassed from the property, and it was learned he had mail from not only the 2300 block property, but a property in the 1800 block of Hugo Road as well.

Deputies took Johnson into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Unlawful Entry into a Vehicle, Mail Theft, and a Post-Prison Supervision Sanction. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 2/12/26 10:44AM by Alex Bauer

Historical Buildings and Sites Commission Applications Being Accepted

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy.

This position expires on May 3rd, 2027. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary. They will also help promote the community's historic preservation, advise interested agencies on historic preservation matters, and identify areas and buildings of historic or archeological significance.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application.

Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. April 3rd to be reviewed by the commission April 9th. Applicants will be interviewed by the Council during their workshop May 4th, and appointments will be made at the City Council meeting Wednesday, May 6th.

Posted on 2/12/26 5:19AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Jail Inmate Further Charged with Two Out-of-County Warrants

An adult-in-custody at the Josephine County Jail was further charged with two warrants.

The suspect, Michael Chezem, had two warrants sent to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon City Police Department for clarification.

The warrants charged Chezem with Interfering with Public Transport, Harassment, A Second Degree Theft Charge, and two counts of Theft in the Third Degree.

Posted on 2/12/26 4:50AM by Alex Bauer

Juvenile Arrested for Reckless Driving, Felony Elude by JoCo Sheriff's Office

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a juvenile near Taylor's Sausage Country Store Tuesday.

At 11:10 a.m., the suspect passed by deputies on a dirt bike with another juvenile riding as a passenger. After attempting to locate, the suspect was detained after he was knocked off the dirt bike by an adult.

The suspect was taken into custody at the 202 S Redwood Highway business. He was charged with Reckless Driving and Felony Elude. Deputies lodged him in the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center.

Posted on 2/11/26 1:14PM by Alex Bauer

City Announces Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan

The City of Grants Pass has announced its Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan

According to a release posted to the city's website, Grants Pass has held the Tree City USA designation for over 30 years. With the building of the new Water Treatment Plant continuing, the city is taking steps towards the preservation of trees in the area.

A new raw water pipeline is going to be installed along U.S. Highway 199 near the new plant site. This will ensure reliable water service will be provided to the community for generations to come. Some trees will need to be removed beginning February 16th for the work on the pipe to continue.

The city says every effort will be taken to "minimize the impact and maintain the beauty of our community.” You can view the Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 2/11/26 11:44AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Suspect, Trespassed from Hancock Timber Land

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was attempting to locate a man driving a black Hummer Tuesday afternoon.

The driver, known to deputies as Cameron Dailey, was also known to carry knives. According to the deputy report, he had a parole violation for an underlying weapon offense of Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Dailey also had an Oregon Parole Board warrant for absconding from a charge of Meth Possession.

He was soon located by deputies at the corner of South Redwood Highway and Caves Highway. After being taken into custody, Dailey was interviewed for a separate matter. He was warned for trespassing from all Hancock timber land after camera footage showed him cutting down trees on the land.

His Parole Officer was notified, and deputies took Dailey to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 2/11/26 11:35AM by Alex Bauer

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