KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

ODF, JCSO, State Fire Marshall Provide Updates on Evans Creek Fire Fight

Firefighters assigned to the East Evans Creek Fire, burning on private and Bureau of Land Management lands approximately 26 miles northeast of Medford near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road, are continuing suppression efforts. According to an Oregon Department of Forestry release, the fire, reported Friday at 2:40 p.m. following a car crash involving downed power lines, is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres. Personnel assigned to the incident include 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources and structural task forces. Crew's objectives include reinforcing and strengthening existing fire line, extending hose lays, and improving firefighter access. ODF Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the incident this evening. The Oregon State Fire Marshal reported it mobilized four structural task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to the fast-moving blaze. An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets has been established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill. Large Animal Shelters are available at the Jackson County Expo, 21 Peninger Road in Central Point, and the Josephine County Fairgrounds at 1451 Fairgrounds Road. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A are still in effect.

Posted on 7/11/26 11:20AM by Alex Bauer

ODF Crews Tackling East Evans Creek Road Fire

Firefighters were dispatched to a grass fire occurring along East Evans Creek Road. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said the fire is being driven by wind and steep terrain. The Watch Duty app reports the fire is at an estimated 1,000 acres. ODF posted a Facebook update at 6:15 p.m., saying firefighters continue an aggressive suppression effort under extreme heat, low relative humidity, steep terrain, and challenging fire conditions. Crews were successful in catching two spot fires, but a third contributed to increased fire growth. The fire is also burning into the East Evans Fire scar, and the combination of steep terrain and active spot fires continues to challenge suppression efforts. Smoke is hampering aviation operations on portions of the fire, limiting the effectiveness of aircraft in some areas. Despite these challenges, firefighters continue working hard on the ground and in the air to slow the fire's spread. Additional resources are being ordered to support firefighting efforts throughout the night. ODF Incident Management Team 1 has been ordered and will assume command to support ongoing suppression operations. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036 and JAC-147, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zone JAC-016, JAC-124 and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A have been issued in the area of the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Rd. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports traffic is blocked on E Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and W Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. Please avoid the area as fire crews do their work. For more information on the Evacuation Levels go to: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/Pages/evacuations.aspx

Posted on 7/10/26 4:46PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Dispatched to Five Vehicle Crashes throughout Thursday

Oregon State Police responded to five vehicle crashes Thursday, with one of them resulting in non-life threatening injuries for a motorcyclist.

The first incident occurred at 9:14 a.m. at near milepost 74 on Interstate 5. Troopers responded to a crash where a gold Ford drove out of its lane to the left while attempting to pass a semi-truck. The Ford went into the center median barrier and crashed into the truck on its left side.

The semi was able to leave the scene under its own power, while the Ford was towed, and its driver was cited for failing to drive within his lane.

A 9:33 a.m. crash then occurred at milepost 75 of I-5. The driver of a silver Saturn Ion lost control of her vehicle and struck a motorhome and the center concrete divider. Both vehicles needed to be towed from the scene, and the Saturn's driver was warned for Careless Driving and Failure to Drive Within Lane.

Troopers next responded around 2:16 p.m. to a motorcycle crash on Azalea Drive near Ewe Creek Road. The rider failed to negotiate a curve and went into a ditch, resulting in him being ejected from the bike. He told troopers he didn't remember the crash, and was transported to the hospital for his injuries. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended and Uninsured, and Failure to Display Plate and Drive Within Lane.

A two vehicle incident on I-5 at milepost 61 resulted in blocked traffic at 6:26 p.m. The involved Ford Taurus was found to have brake issues. It had rear ended a Mazda MZ3, resulting in the crash. Both drivers refused transport to Three Rivers Medical Center.

Lastly, troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash at milepost 18 on Route 260 around 8:51 p.m. The driver failed to navigate a curve, left the roadway, and crashed into a power pole. All occupants denied medical attention, and the vehicle was arranged to be towed.

Posted on 7/10/26 1:31PM by Alex Bauer

Council to Discuss Lodging Tax, Tourism Grant Program, Owl Plaza before Executive Session

The Grants Pass City Council is scheduled to meet for their workshop to discuss tax allocation and tourism following presentations, then meet in Executive Session Monday morning. The meeting, starting at 11:45 a.m. will begin with a Lodging Tax allocation presentation. Council will hear a review of the Tourism Grant Program, then hold a discussion for the Owl Plaza. An agenda review will follow covering Wednesday's business meeting, and any potential items to be added to the calendar. Council will then adjourn the meeting and reconvene in Executive Session for labor negotiations. The public is welcome to attend the workshop in person or virtually by going to www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 7/10/26 12:19PM by Alex Bauer

One of Two Walmart Theft Suspects Arrested, Cited to Appear

Walmart Loss Prevention alerted dispatch to a man attempting to steal merchandise, leading to the suspect being cited by Grants Pass Police.

The suspect, later identified as Mark Fuller, was observed attempting to steal items from the 135 NE Terry Lane supercenter Thursday around 5:19 p.m. Loss prevention was able to retrieve said items valued at about $138 from the man and an unknown female.

Walmart wished to trespass the suspects and pursue a theft charge. Officers were able to apprehend Mark Fuller, but were unable to locate the female suspect. Fuller was arrested and trespassed from the store. Officers issued him a citation to appear for Second Degree Theft, then released him.

Posted on 7/10/26 11:34AM by Alex Bauer

Traffic Stop Conducted by GP Police on Wanted Cyclist

A Grants Pass Police officer lodged a man known to be wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant Thursday afternoon following a traffic stop.

The suspect, Kyle Palomino, was observed on a bike going southbound on W Park Street near the Redwood Highway at 2:53 p.m. Law enforcement knew he was wanted on a serviceable warrant for a parole violation, and he was contacted at the corner of W Park and Lexus Lane.

The officer conducted a traffic stop on Palomino, who was cooperative. He was detained at the scene, his warrant was confirmed, and the officer took him into custody.

He was lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for his warrant. His possessions, the bike and a speaker, were logged into safekeeping.

Posted on 7/10/26 11:16AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputy Arrested Man Wanted on Out-of-County Warrant

A deputy with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man recognized from a previous incident, and known to be wanted on an out-of-county warrant Thursday.

The suspect was observed walking northbound on U.S. Highway 199 near Watkins Street in Cave Junction around 12:25 p.m. The deputy knew the suspect from a previous contact, and was aware of a warrant the man had out for his arrest from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

The misdemeanor warrant charged the suspect with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Upon contact with the suspect, identified as Justin Lewin, the deputy informed him he was under arrest.

Lewin was compliant, and promptly transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging on his DUII warrant. He was conditionally released by 2:44 p.m.

Posted on 7/10/26 10:56AM by Alex Bauer

Subject of Two 911 Calls Lodged for Disorderly Conduct, Trespassing, Warrant

Two 911 calls regarding the same suspect led Grants Pass Police to arrest a woman trespassing at the Royal Trailer Park.

Dispatch learned from the first caller Thursday around 6:28 p.m. that the suspect was currently at a bench near the 200 Lewis Avenue property. The suspect was described as a blonde woman wearing a black tank top, black shirt, and a black wig before it was thrown to the ground.

She reportedly attempted to punch the caller, and had been kicked out of the location previously. The caller told dispatch, after leaving the scene, that the suspect was bleeding from her head, saying she had been hit by a cutting board. She also reportedly admitted to assaulting her boyfriend the night before.

Another call to 911 around 6:32 p.m. reported the same woman acting erratic, yelling and screaming at the scene, with blood on her consistent with the initial report. The caller requested the suspect be charged, and officers responded to the scene.

The suspect, Angelina Banachowicz was taken into custody by officers despite her being uncooperative. She was found to be wanted on a warrant out of the Police Department for Fourth Degree Assault.

Officers transported Banachowicz to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged on her warrant, plus charges of Second Degree Trespass, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree. Additional charges of Fourth Degree Assault and Harassment will be referred to the District Attorney for prosecution.

Posted on 7/10/26 10:43AM by Alex Bauer

2026 Grants Awarded to Oregon for Historic Properties, Archaeology Projects

Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 20 grants totaling $300,000 for historic properties and archaeology projects.

According to a press release, seven of the grants were awarded in the Diamonds in the Rough category. This grant funds façade enhancements that restore the historic character of the property. The other 13 grants were in the Preserving Oregon category for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and for archaeology projects.

Celia's House in Medford was among the chosen historic properties and other funded projects. These grants are approved by the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, a nine-member group that reviews nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information about the grant program, visit www.oregonheritage.org

Posted on 7/10/26 10:06AM by Alex Bauer

Task Force Busts Black-Market Marijuana Grow outside Applegate Area

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant today at a black-market cannabis grow in the 100 block of Hogan Road near rural Applegate outside of Jacksonville. According to a press release, IMET detectives seized approximately 1,300 marijuana plants, a half-pound of psilocybin mushrooms, and three and a half pounds of THC extract. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at the location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Oregon State Police. Oregon Water Resources Department and Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct investigations.

Posted on 7/9/26 3:15PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodged Man, Cited Him and One Other in Warrant Cases

Grants Pass Police arrested one man and cited another who were both wanted for warrants.

The first suspect, James McClung, was observed behind Bi-Mart around 7:11 a.m. The officer knew he was wanted on two warrants out of the police department, and held him at taser point.

McClung was cooperative with the officer, and was taken into custody. His three warrants charged him with Third Degree Escape, Theft in the Third Degree, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief. He was cited to appear in court, then released.

Officers then located James Bendickson this morning at Morrison Centennial Park around 4:17 a.m. He was wanted on a felony warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for Second Degree Burglary.

His identity was confirmed, and officers lodged Bendickson in the Josephine County Jail. According to the police report, he was then issued a citation for being in the park after hours.

Posted on 7/9/26 1:16PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Two for Criminal Trespass, Later Released

A man and woman were lodged by Grants Pass Police Wednesday in separate trespassing cases.

The woman was reported to be trespassing at the Best Western at 8:52 p.m. She had been previously trespassed Monday, and the caller described her to dispatch as wearing a black t-shirt, green shorts, and a bright blue backpack.

The suspect was sitting under the gazebo at the 111 NE Agness Avenue hotel smoking. She was asked to leave the property, and headed towards the freeway from there.

Officers arrived and took Madison Brown into custody. She was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, then released on her own recognizance.

That night around 9 p.m., another call to dispatch reported an intoxicated man, the caller's son, trespassing at a property in the 1800 block of Medart Lane. He had been previously trespassed from the location, and it was the caller wished to press charges.

Law enforcement contacted and took the suspect into custody for a Second Degree Criminal Trespass charge. He was also later released from the Adult Jail Facility on his own recognizance.

Posted on 7/9/26 12:48PM by Alex Bauer

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