KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Britt Announces First Batch of Britt Live Concerts for 2026 Season

The Britt Music & Arts Festival is pleased to unveil the first wave of concerts for the 2026 summer season.

This first announcement features an eclectic mix of genres and experiences, from international favorites to stand-up comedy. The 2026 Britt stage will host Icelandic rock powerhouse KALEO, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss & Union Station, global ensemble Pink Martini, and a special co-headlining evening with Los Lobos & Los Lonely Boys.

Audiences can also look forward to the return of soul-infused crowd favorite The California Honeydrops, as well as an evening with comedian Jim Gaffigan.

The 2026 concert line-up, tickets, and more information can be found at www.britt.org. You can also call or visit the Box Office at 541-773-6077, or 216 W. Main Street in Medford.

Posted on 1/16/26 11:09AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrived at a property in the 500 block of Pear Street in Merlin and arrested a felon for being in possession of a firearm.

Deputies investigated the scene at the property and found probable cause to believe the suspect, Travis Buenafe, knew Parole Officers were going to do a home check.

Buenafe attempted to ditch a firearm from his residence prior to the home check. The rusty weapon was seized by deputies, but they were unable to get a serial number at the time. The firearm did have a law enforcement evidence tag on it.

Buenafe was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and a Parole Violation Detainer.

Posted on 1/16/26 5:44AM by Alex Bauer

United Soccer League Considering Medford's Spiegelberg Stadium

The United Soccer League (USL) is considering Medford's Spiegelberg Stadium as a location for a professional stadium to house both men's and women's teams.

According to The Daily Courier, USL Expansion and Real Estate Manager Drew Carlson told the Medford City Council Wednesday that they are looking to "reimagine Spiegelberg Stadium into a venue that meets USL professional standards."

Carlson and USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis met with the council to present the league's preliminary ideas about expanding to Medford and to gain council approval to continue investigating.

Representatives said the league is not set on the stadium nor is it set on moving to Medford, but it is interested. If the city is amenable, USL plans to use the next six months to look at other possible locations in the city and determine cost estimates.

City councilors gave consensus last night that they didn't have any reservations about moving forward with that site in mind, but Mayor Michael Zarosinski asked staff to prepare an estimate of the what the city's involvement over the next six months would look like before approving USL's continued exploration.

USL is also discussing the idea with the owners of the stadium, the Medford School District.

Medford is currently in talks with the minor league baseball team the Eugene Emeralds about building a baseball stadium, allowing the team to relocate.

Posted on 1/16/26 4:45AM by Alex Bauer

Mt. Ashland Ski Area Pauses Operations Citing Low Snowfall

Mt. Ashland Ski Area paused ski operations indefinitely today, citing significantly below-average snowfall, warm temperatures and no snow forecast in the coming weeks.

KDRV reports the ski area said seasonal snowfall is down 63% compared to normal levels, while snowpack is down 71%.

Officials said lift tickets, equipment rentals and lessons purchased for upcoming days will be fully refunded. Customers who have already made purchases are advised to monitor their email for refund notifications.

The closure also affects youth programming. Mt. Ashland officials said families involved in the School and Youth Group Learn-to-Ski Program will receive updates through their volunteer coordinators if scheduled program dates need to be adjusted.

Posted on 1/16/26 4:44AM by Alex Bauer

No Quorum Present for Thursday Vacancy Appointment Meeting

There was no quorum present for today's Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 meeting.

Commissioner Ron Smith was absent during the 10 a.m. meeting. No official business or actions could be conducted. The meeting was convened for informational purposes only.

A meeting with Interviews and an Appointment for the vacant position on the agenda is scheduled for the 16th at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room.

Posted on 1/15/26 11:54AM by Alex Bauer

Man Pulled Gun on Victim, Arrested by GP Police

A man in a black Cadillac pulled a gun on someone before leaving the scene Wednesday evening.

According to the victim's report to dispatch, they said the suspect had rolled down his vehicle's window and pointed the older revolver across the passenger side toward the victim.

The incident occurred at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Agness Avenue after a traffic incident on the freeway. Responding officers with Grants Pass Police laid a spike strip at the bottom of NE Industry Drive.

The suspect was located and was compliant after being held at gunpoint. He was detained and identified as Jesse Brissette. Officers arrested him on charges of Menacing and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/15/26 11:46AM by Alex Bauer

Four Suspects Trespassed from Grange Co-Op, One Arrested after Shoplifting Incident

Grange Co-Op Loss Prevention reported to dispatch a shoplifting incident, leading to one arrest, and four trespasses.

On Wednesday at 3:58 p.m. Loss Prevention believed the suspects were getting ready to leave. The suspects were concealing and wearing the merchandise, and a request was made to pursue charges for Theft and Trespass.

One suspect was detained by Loss Prevention on site, while another had taken off the merchandise and was let go. Upon arrival, Grants Pass Police detained one of the suspects, John Johann. He was found to have a felony warrant out for his arrest, and had tried to hide under clothes in another suspect's vehicle.

Marcus Erdman, one of the suspects, stole almost $80 worth of merchandise. He was released with a criminal citation. Erdman, Johann, and the two other suspects were all warned trespass from the Grange Co-Op.

Officers found a white powdery substance at the scene that tested positive for presumptive fentanyl. Charges will be referred to the District Attorney's office. Johann was transported and lodged for his warrant regarding Dangerous Drugs in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/15/26 11:08AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Suspect Outside Oregon DHS Building

Grants Pass Police contacted a suspect at the Oregon Department of Human Services Wednesday afternoon.

Officers detained Cheyan Smith at 12:42 p.m. in front of 2101 NW Hawthorne Avenue. She had a warrant out of the Police Department for First Degree Forgery.

Smith's identity was confirmed, her warrant was cleared, and she was taken into custody. Officers subsequently lodged her in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/15/26 10:35AM by Alex Bauer

Wednesday Recall Election Results Show Little Change

The latest election results for Commissioner Chris Barnett's recall are in. By 5 p.m. Wednesday, results showed 61.75% voted yes for the recall with 38.25% dissenting. The total numbers as of the latest update were yes 13,709 to the no votes 8,493. Should contested ballots be needed, that count will be released by 5 p.m. January 23rd. Certified results will be released no later than February 2nd but no sooner than January 28th.

Posted on 1/15/26 7:58AM by Alex Bauer

City Council Strategic Planning Agenda Includes Reports, Training, Liaisons

The Grants Pass City Council's Strategic Planning Agenda is scheduled for today and the 16th at the Police Station, 726 NE 7th Street.

Beginning today at 8:30 a.m., Effective Council Training will begin. Following a lunch break at noon, chairs from different committees and commissions will give reports from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

On Friday, Council Committee and Commission Liaisons are scheduled, followed by Public Meetings Law and Public Records Refresher training. Lastly, at 9:30 a.m., there will be a Strategic Plan Review, 4th Quarter Update, and Department Reports.

Posted on 1/15/26 5:35AM by Alex Bauer

Business Session Ends with Allegations and Disagreements on Appointment Process

The Board of Commissioners responded to the public, allegations, and disagreed on the appointment process during last night's Weekly Business Session. The meeting commenced at 5:37 p.m. with a Public Hearing in the Matter of Library Annexations. Motions to pass both annexations were not seconded. Topics brought to the board during public comment included 2 Guys 1 Truck, recusals and quorums, emails against fair fees, with some questioning Commissioner Ron Smith's reasoning for not voting on the vacancy and his responsibilities. Other topics included wanting elected officials to work as a team, in-person voting, the homeless, a time capsule, appreciation for both Smith and Commissioner Chris Barnett, questioning Barnett for not seconding the Library Annexation motions, and a document brought by former Commissioner John West regarding Smith and alleged sexual harassment. In response, Smith said

Posted on 1/15/26 4:29AM by Alex Bauer

Former GP Employee Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case

A former Grants Pass employee pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts related to child pornography possession. The Daily Courier reports Timothy James Conway, known as James Conway, was arrested in June and indicted on 20 counts of First and Second Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. The charges were based on accusations he possessed visual recordings of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, while knowing the creation of such recordings involved child abuse, according to an indictment. Conway, 42, pleaded guilty to three counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse Tuesday, Josephine County Circuit Court records show. His sentencing is for February 2nd. The district attorney's office has offered a prison sentence of 35 months, nearly three years, according to a plea agreement offer dated January 6th. Conway could have faced a maximum of more than 26 years in prison, the offer said.

Posted on 1/14/26 1:09PM by Alex Bauer

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