KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Animal Neglect Suspect Indicted by Jackson County Grand Jury

The suspect from a June 4th animal neglect case has been indicted by the Jackson County Grand Jury.

According to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office Facebook page, Wendy Lea Diamond, 66, has been indicted on two counts of felony Animal Neglect in the First Degree, and five counts of felony Animal Neglect in the Second Degree.

The charges relate to an investigation and search warrant executed at a residence in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place in Medford by the Medford Police Department, with assistance from Jackson County Animal Services. At that time, officers successfully rescued 15 neglected cats and recovered multiple deceased cats from the residence.

Diamond's next court appearance will be an arraignment on the indictment, to be scheduled by the Jackson County Circuit Court. Due to the pending criminal proceedings, no further details will be released at this time.

Posted on 7/24/26 11:05AM by Alex Bauer

Two Suspects Arrested in Early Morning Purple Parrot Burglary in Eagle Point

The Eagle Point Police Department responded Thursday around 5:45 a.m. to a business alarm at the Old Highway 62 Purple Parrot where a burglary had taken place.

Two subjects were seen in the area. The officer attempted to stop them, but they fled on an electric scooter. Additional deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to assist and began searching. Officers quickly confirmed that the business had been burglarized.

An Eagle Point Police Department drone and a Jackson County Sheriff's Office K-9 team were deployed for the investigation. One of the subjects who had fled, Jennifer Grinnals, was located hiding near the Harnish Wayside Park. It was determined the other subject involved was possibly heading to a vehicle located near Hillside Elementary School at the Old Schoolyard Park.

Officers located the male, identified as Kenneth Banes from Klamath Falls, sitting in a vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident. It was determined he was on probation out of Klamath Falls for Burglary, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Theft, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. A detainer was placed on him after his parole officer was contacted.

Officers lodged Banes at the Jackson County Jail for his charges and detainer. Grinnals was lodged for Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the First Degree.

The business was closed for several hours while officers processed the scene. The amount of damage is believed to be well over $1,000. The case is still under investigation, and other agencies are being contacted to review evidence located during this case.

Posted on 7/24/26 10:59AM by Alex Bauer

East Evans Creek Fire Mop-Up Continues, Lines Strengthened

Fire crews continue to work deeper into the interior of the East Evans Creek Fire, providing additional security and containment lines on the 15,705 acre fire. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, containment increased to 38% yesterday prompting evacuation level downgrades. Night shift Unmanned Aircraft Systems and handheld infrared cameras identified hot spots for day resources to address. Firefighters are still working near residences, and fire traffic is heavy along the roadways. Some resources are shifting to repair work and back haul of equipment and firehose from the fireline. Bull dozers and excavators are being used to flatten berms created during line construction and eliminate areas where water can pool. They will also be installing water bars on control lines to divert run-off during rainy periods, mitigating soil erosion and impacts to water quality. Aircraft remain available to support ground resources for aerial reconnaissance and water drops; tankers are available as needed. A local red flag warning is in effect from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. for increased risk of new fire starts. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

Posted on 7/24/26 8:24AM by Alex Bauer

City Announced Street Closures during Cruise the Rogue

The City of Grants Pass has announced street closures taking place during Cruise the Rogue.

From now until Friday at 4 p.m., 5th Street between G and H Streets will be closed for a VIP event. G Street between 4th and 6th Streets will be closed Friday as well from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a car show.

Beginning Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 6th and 7th Streets from A Street to M Street will be closed for the car cruise. A Street through M Street will be closed between 5th and 8th streets, forming a one-block perimeter closure around the cruise route.

Detours will be in place, and motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through.

Posted on 7/23/26 2:02PM by Alex Bauer

Search Warrant Served After Child Sexual Abuse Material Sent to Undercover Agent

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Ashland Police Department served a search warrant Wednesday morning in Ashland. The warrant was served after investigators received over 2000 images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) directly from an unidentified suspect. Potential witnesses and involved parties were interviewed, and investigators are working to identify the suspect. Once identified, criminal charges will be referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. SOCET served the search warrant at an apartment in the 400 block of Russell Street in Ashland. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined for further evidence of child exploitation. No further details will be released at this time.

Posted on 7/23/26 1:23PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man Wanted on Out-of-County Warrant

A man wanted on an out-of-county warrant was apprehended by Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

The deputy recognized the suspect, Christopher Lokken, at Parker's Place Village around 9:14 a.m. He was contacted and found to have a valid and serviceable warrant out of Douglas County.

His warrant was confirmed, charging him with two counts of Reckless Burning, and Throwing Away Lighted Material in a Prohibited Area. The deputy took Lokken into custody at the scene and transported him to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged, but later released due to a lack of resources.

Posted on 7/23/26 1:17PM by Alex Bauer

Two Contacted, One Arrested on Felony Warrant by JoCo Sheriff's Deputy

A Josephine County Sheriff's deputy contacted two and arrested one man near Shop Smart in Cave Junction for an outstanding warrant.

The two individuals were observed between the store and a property in the 300 block of S Redwood Highway around 9:28 a.m. One of them had drug paraphernalia in his hands.

The deputy informed the subjects that they were trespassing and the business didn't want them on the property. Both were trespassed for one year from the incident location. Jordan Haas was then identified as one of the individuals. He was found to be wanted on a felony warrant out of the Sheriff's Office charging him with First Degree Forgery.

He was safely taken into custody, and the deputy transported Jordan to the Adult Jail Facility for lodging.

Posted on 7/23/26 12:37PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Overheard, Arrested Man in Verbal Altercation for Disorderly Conduct

Grants Pass Police overheard a disturbance at Resting Site 7, leading to the arrest of one man this morning.

A verbal altercation was overheard by dispatch staff around 2:56 a.m. at the 712 NE 7th Street site. Upon arrival at the intersection of 7th Street and A Street, the suspect, Jeffrey Madden, was observed approaching another man in the middle of the road.

Madden was yelling loudly and balling his fists. Those at the resting site reportedly witnessed him trying to instigate altercations with others by exhibiting violent, threatening, and tumultuous behavior.

Officers took Madden into custody for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct and transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. He was issued a 30 day exclusion and trespassed from Resting Site 7.

Posted on 7/23/26 11:58AM by Alex Bauer

Man Turns Self In at JoCo Sheriff's Office, Lodged on Two Warrants

A man wishing to turn himself in Wednesday was taken into custody by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies.

Brandon Skeen arrived at the lobby of the Sheriff's Office around 12:56 p.m. He wanted to turn himself in, and after his identity was confirmed, it was learned he was wanted on two warrants.

He had a warrant out of the sheriff's office for Menacing, and a Douglas County Sheriff's Office warrant charging him with Felony Elude. Deputies placed Skeen under arrest and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 7/23/26 11:38AM by Alex Bauer

Evans Creek Fire Remains within Control Lines, Containment at 33%

Firefighters continue strengthening control lines across the East Evans Creek Fire, with the latest report showing containment increasing to 33%. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports many resources are shifting to day operations as the fire has remained in its footprint for multiple shifts at 15,705 acres with no overnight growth. Established control lines have been held, with protection around homes strengthened as part of ongoing suppression efforts. Oregon State Fire Marshal resources are returning to their home agencies. Unneeded resources are being released to mobilize for other state incidents. Crews are using handheld infrared cameras and Unmanned Aircraft Systems to locate residual heat around the Board Mountain spot fire and along the edge of the main fire. Thunderstorms yesterday with 30 to 35 mph winds passed over the fire area, increasing visible smoke. Today, crews remain focused strengthening the established containment lines and further securing the perimeter, 63 miles of fireline have been constructed around the fire. Air assets continue to support the incident with aerial observation for ground crew intel and water drops to cool areas of heat. Interior parts of the fire are still smoldering with dry fuel.

Posted on 7/23/26 9:39AM by Chuck Benson

Ashland Police Lodge Armed Suspect in Attempted Armed Robbery Incident

Ashland Police Department officers responded to the area of the 500 block of Clover Lane for a report of two male subjects fighting in the parking lot of a nearby business Sunday around 3:30 p.m. The police department's Facebook page reports that, upon arrival, one of the subjects, later identified as the suspect, was still on scene. Another subject, later identified as the victim, had left the area. The investigation indicated that the victim was sitting in a van when the suspect approached, presented a gun, and demanded property from the victim. This led to the physical altercation that resulted in calls to 911. The victim and suspect appear to have known each other. The investigation revealed that two handguns had been in play during the altercation, both in the possession of the suspect, and both of which were recovered on scene by responding officers. One of the handguns was found to have been outfitted with a home-made suppressor. One shot was found to have been fired during the altercation, striking the victim’s vehicle, a van. Officers and members of APD’s Criminal Investigation Division identified and interviewed several witnesses and collected evidence.

Posted on 7/23/26 8:22AM by Chuck Benson

IVFD Responded to Concurrent Cave Junction Fires

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to both a container fire and a small vehicle fire in Cave Junction Wednesday night.

The container fire occurred in the 1900 block of White Schoolhouse Road around 8:58 p.m. IVFD and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to the scene.

Initially dispatched for reports of smoke in the vicinity, the assignment was escalated following further reports indicating a connex box was on fire. Upon arrival, units discovered the container involved in fire and successfully extinguished it. An investigation into the incident will be conducted.

Concurrently, a small vehicle fire occurred at 305 S Redwood Highway. While IVFD units were engaged with the container incident, crews were dispatched to address the vehicle fire around 9:21 p.m.

Prior to the arrival of the Selma station unit, local citizens were actively attempting to extinguish a moped that had ignited. The fire was confirmed to be out and was subject to an investigation.

Posted on 7/23/26 7:57AM by Chuck Benson

Local News