KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Jackson County DA Not Filing Charges in Talent Library Incident

The Jackson County District attorney's Office has completed its review of the December incident at the Talent Library Branch, where a 33-year-old man was reportedly viewing inappropriate material on a library computer.

According to KDRV, the review found that the material does not meet Oregon's legal definition of child sexual abuse material.

The Talent Police Department was called to the Talent Library on December 15, where a witness provided two recordings of Nicholas Johnson, 33, viewing videos on the library computer. With those recordings and other witness accounts, it was determined the videos Johnson was viewing were parent-related content, showing infants or toddlers in non-sexual contexts.

Under Oregon law, videos and images must depict a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in order to be constituted as child sexual abuse material. Although the videos Johnson was observing did contain nudity, they did not contain sexual conduct or sexualized posing to meet the legal definition of child sexual abuse material.

The Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force further investigated the evidence at the request of the DA's Office and the Talent Police Department. That investigation included a forensic examination of the computer Johnson used and also found no evidence indicating child sexual abuse material had been viewed or attempted to be viewed.

Given the results of both investigations, the DA's Office said it will not file criminal charges related to the incident, but will reevaluate the case if new evidence was to emerge.

Posted on 1/16/26 12:33PM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Responded to Two Selma Traffic Accidents This Morning

Two traffic accidents occurred in Selma this morning, prompting the response of emergency crews.

The first incident occurred at 1:02 a.m. at milepost 21 on Highway 199. The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and Oregon State Police were dispatched to the single-vehicle accident.

Upon their arrival, responders discovered a vehicle that had rolled over. A search of the area was conducted, and no individuals were located.

The vehicle was removed, and the Oregon State Police are currently leading the investigation.

The second incident occurred in the 500 block of Crooks Creek Road in Selma.

I.V Fire, AMR, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene of the single-vehicle accident around 7:02 a.m.

Upon their arrival, emergency personnel discovered that the individual involved had self-extricated from the vehicle.

The driver was assessed on-site and did not require transportation to a medical facility. The vehicle was towed from the scene, and the Sheriff's Department is conducting the scene investigation.

Posted on 1/16/26 11:51AM by Alex Bauer

Resting Site 6 North Suspects Arrested by GP Police

Grants Pass Police apprehended two suspects in separate instances at Resting Site 6 North Thursday.

The first suspect, Kevin Reeves, had been previously trespassed from the 714 NW 6th Street site for 30 days. Officers took him into custody at 11:02 a.m. and transported him to the Josephine County Jail. Reeves was lodged for a Parole Violation detainer.

In the second case, a man with a black dog and tattoos on his cheeks was contacted in the northeast corner of the site. The suspect, Jeremy Scrape, was wanted on an Out-of-County warrant.

Grants Pass Police took him into custody at 4:16 p.m. for a felony Jackson County Sheriff's Office warrant charging him with a Weapon Offense. Scrape was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/16/26 11:46AM by Alex Bauer

Woman Wanted on Three Warrants Arrested Outside Pinnacle 365 by GP Police

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a disturbance outside of a local Pinnacle 365 at 12:14 this morning.

A woman had been asked to leave the 1995 NE 6th Street convenience store multiple times, but remained sitting out in front of the building screaming at people. The caller thought she may be under the influence and didn't observe any weapons.

A trespass request was made and, upon arrival of officers, the suspect, Mindee Goldman, was contacted. She refused to provide the last four digits of her Social Security Number, but officers recognized her from prior calls. She was found to have three warrants out of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

The warrants charged Goldman with Punitive Damages, and two counts of Meth Possession. She was subsequently transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged.

Posted on 1/16/26 11:28AM by Alex Bauer

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

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