KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

JCEM to Conduct Wireless Emergency Alert Test

Jackson County Emergency Management will conduct a Wireless Emergency Alert test today, November 6, at 2:00 p.m.

The test will target the Interstate 5 corridor from the California/ Oregon border to Exit 14 in Ashland. This exercise simulates a winter storm/Siskiyou Summit closure scenario to evaluate the County’s ability to deliver fast, geotargeted alerts to travelers and nearby communities ahead of severe weather.

Testing now helps ensure systems and procedures work smoothly before winter storms arrive. Travelers and residents in and around the test area may hear a loud, attention-getting alert tone emitted from their mobile devices.

The phone may vibrate, display a test message, and repeat the sound depending on device settings and wireless carrier processing. The WEA system is intentionally designed to be noticeable so that people are alerted even when driving, sleeping, or not actively using their phones.

WEA is a national public safety system that sends short, location-based alerts to modern cell phones. No sign-up is required, and your phone number is not used. Alerts are broadcast to compatible devices within the defined area.

Posted on 11/6/25 6:00AM by Alex Bauer

City Council Approved Water Rate Adjustment, Real Property Purchase at Meeting

The Grants Pass City Council approved water user rate adjustments for 2026, as well as both the purchase of real property, and a resolution making new job descriptions and amending classification plans Wednesday. Following a presentation, the council passed a motion 6-1, council president Victoria Marshall dissenting, that approved Scenario 2 for adjusting user rates to help support construction of the replacement Water Treatment Plant. This scenario would increase most utility rates by 1% per year for three years with a phase increase to the plant replacement fee from $13.50 to $16 over three years. The council's motion to purchase real property at 124 NW Midland Avenue passed unanimously, as did a motion to create the positions of Geographical Information Systems Supervisor and Water Distribution Supervisor, and to amend the classification plans. The council voted 6-1 approving the appointment of Tracy Decklebaum to the Urban Tree Advisory Committee, with Councilwoman Kathleen Krohn the lone dissenting vote. They then proceeded to approve all items on their consent agenda.

Posted on 11/6/25 5:51AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man Trespassing and Sleeping Inside Someone's Home

Grants Pass Police were notified of a man sleeping inside someone else's house Tuesday morning.

While the owner of the property in the 100 block of NE B Street was out of town, his neighbor next door called 911 at 9:11 a.m. to report the trespassing.

A transient had entered the home through the front door and was sleeping on the couch. The owner was notified and he wanted to pursue criminal charges.

Officers arrived and contacted the transient, identified as Jake Thompson. He was trespassed from the premises and taken into custody.

Thompson was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Trespass, and a Parole Violation Detainer.

Posted on 11/5/25 2:33PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Deputies Arrested Suspect after Responding to Shots Fired Incident

Josephine County Sheriff's Office deputies were alerted to shots fired at a residence Tuesday morning.

The caller told dispatch the suspect, Ryan Boheman, had just been shooting at her house in the 200 block of Stringer Gap Road. She said he had been driving back and forth and was harassing her friend who had just left him, and was staying with her.

Boheman had left in a black Ford Escort, and deputies were able to spike his tires on Demaray Drive. After contacting Boheman and canvasing the area, deputies found a pistol in his vehicle.

Also found in Boheman's possession were multiple loose live rounds, three magazines, and a shell casing in the vehicle. Deputies transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Reckless Endangering.

Posted on 11/5/25 1:14PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Officers Lodged Woman in Jail for Two Counts of Child Neglect

A woman reported a child to law enforcement, and the mother was later arrested on Child Neglect charges Tuesday afternoon.

The child was running around barefoot near the intersection of SE L and SE 8th Streets when the woman found them. They didn't appear to have any injuries.

The woman tried pounding on the doors of the child's and neighbor's homes, but there were no answers. The child's home had no vehicles in the driveway and the lights were on.

Officers arrived at the home and were able to contact Jade Denham, who had just woken up. She admitted to taking whippets earlier in the day and showed signs of recent use. She wasn't aware of where her child was.

Denham was taken into custody on two counts of Child Neglect, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Coordinating efforts were made with the child's grandmother and aunt to take custody of them.

Posted on 11/5/25 11:44AM by Alex Bauer

Man Attempting to Fight People Apprehended by Grants Pass Police

Dispatch received multiple calls Tuesday evening regarding a man screaming and trying to pick fights with people.

The disturbance occurred in front of the Pints N Wine Pour House at 950 SW 6th Street. The suspect was displaying violent and tumultuous behavior before he left heading northbound on 6th Street.

One caller, an employee of the pour house, wished to have the suspect trespassed. Officers were able to locate the suspect behind the 7-11, and identified him as David Campbell.

Campbell was trespassed from the business, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 11/5/25 11:13AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Officers Arrested Man Threatening Public and Yelling at Traffic

A report of a man yelling at the public and passing traffic garnered a response from Grants Pass Police Tuesday morning.

A man reported to dispatch that the suspect was observed walking around SW 6th and SW G Streets, crossing the roadway, yelling to himself and traffic, and threatening people with physical violence.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, identified as Joshua Wilson. He denied recent drug or alcohol consumption, and was subsequently taken into custody.

Wilson was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 11/5/25 11:00AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Man on Three Warrants after Public Disturbance

Grants Pass Police Officers reported to a man causing a verbal disturbance Tuesday evening.

At 6:43 p.m., a call came in to dispatch reporting a male potentially moaning in distress in the parking lot across from Rogue Cleaners and Laundromat at 228 SE K Street. The caller couldn't tell if the man was injured or coming down from a high.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Kelcey Cummings, in front of River City Grill. He was found to be wanted on three GPPD warrants.

Cummings charges included Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Third Degree Escape, and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 11/5/25 10:43AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Deputies Arrested Man Entering Properties and Vehicles

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a man entering properties and vehicles unlawfully early Tuesday morning.

Dispatch received a call at 1:30 a.m. from a caller saying the suspect rang their doorbell several times in 2400 block of Lonnon Way. He had passed gates and fences to enter the property.

The suspect then walked down the driveway to the neighbor's house. The caller wanted the man trespassed if contact was made.

Dispatch then received a second call regarding the same suspect entering two separate vehicles, only to later sleep inside one of them. Deputies arrived and identified Tony Martinez as the suspect.

Martinez was contacted and taken into custody for two counts each of Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail without incident.

Posted on 11/5/25 6:48AM by Alex Bauer

GP City Council to Consider 2026 Water Rates, Real Property, Classification Plan Resolution

The Grants Pass City Council will consider resolutions for 2026 Water user rates, the purchase of real property, plus new job descriptions and classification plan amendments during tonight's meeting. The council will then make a motion appointing one member to the Urban Tree Advisory Committee. Following the public comment period, the consent agenda will include authorizations for the City Manager and meeting minute acknowledgments. After Mayor, Council, and Staff Comments, the meeting will adjourn, and the Urban Renewal Agency Meeting will convene. Board action will include a resolution amending a resolution awarding Scopa Properties, LLC an Urban Renewal Building Rehabilitation and Restoration grant for property at 221 SE 6th Street. The City Council Meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street, and will stream live at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 11/5/25 5:46AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Investigated Fatal, Single-Vehicle Crash on Highway 238

Oregon State Police responded to a fatal, single-vehicle crash on Highway 238, near milepost 8, in Josephine County Monday morning. On November 3, at 12:20 a.m., the preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Subaru Impreza, operated by Alexander Ray Yager, 21, of Grants Pass, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, struck a power pole, and rolled several times before catching fire. Yager was able to escape and was transported to an area hospital with reported minor injuries. The passenger, Jacob Dean Mix, 36, of Grants Pass, was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted for approximately eight hours during the on-scene investigation. Impairment and speed are considered primary factors in causing the crash. OSP was assisted by ODOT.

Posted on 11/5/25 4:50AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Republican Party Officers and PCPs Resigned on County Courthouse Steps

Josephine County Republican Central Committee officers, delegates, and numerous Precinct Committee Persons (PCPs) submitted their resignations on the County Courthouse steps this morning at 9 a.m. The outgoing officers cited alleged widespread misinformation, unethical conduct, and a breakdown of transparency as key reasons for their decision to step down. The resignations include officers, Chair Joseph Rice, Vice Chair Skip Welles, Secretary Karen Arzner, Treasurer Donna Nicely, Delegate II Mark Woods, and Parliamentarian Jonathan Knapp, along with all appointed leadership positions and a growing number of PCPs. There are 45 resignations, with more reportedly expected to follow. The group emphasized that their departure is not a surrender of conservative values but rather a stand for them.

Posted on 11/4/25 11:33AM by Alex Bauer

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