KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Law Enforcement Responded to Friday Hit-and-Run Car Crash, One Detained

Grants Pass Police received a call about a hit-and-run suspect who was attempting to flee the scene around 10:30 a.m. Friday.

The original crash occurred at NW 6th Street and NW A Street. The victim followed the suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Mario Mota, to Interstate 5. Mota sped on I-5 from Milepost 58 at a high rate of speed before exiting at Milepost 55.

Mota lost control as he attempted to turn onto Foothill Blvd from NE D Street, rolling his truck into a private yard. He was arrested for Hit and Run, and Reckless Driving.

Grants Pass Fire and Rescue, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon State Police assisted at the scene. Motorists are reminded to remain at the scene of a collision. The driving acts demonstrated in this case highlight the danger to the public by reckless drivers.

Posted on 2/23/26 5:57AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Fire Department Responded to Structure Fire, Two Occupants Hospitalized

Medford Fire Department crews responded to the scene of a structure fire in the 2000 block of Kingswood Drive Saturday.

The fire was extinguished, and crews remained on the scene due to extensive damage and mop-up operations. The scene began to clear around 1:38 p.m.

Fire investigators worked to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Two occupants were evaluated for smoke inhalation and transported to the hospital by private vehicle as a precaution.

Posted on 2/23/26 5:48AM by Alex Bauer

Portland Armed Vehicle Theft Pursuit Results in Arrest of Two by JCSO Deputies

Jackson County Sheriff's deputies arrested two armed carjacking suspects following the theft of a vehicle at gunpoint in Portland.

On Friday at 8:46 a.m., a Flock License Plate Reader camera alerted deputies to the stolen vehicle’s presence in the White City area.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield, leading deputies on a pursuit through the area of White City between Antelope Road and Avenue G. The suspect vehicle crashed into two uninvolved vehicles and was ultimately immobilized on Avenue G near Highway 62.

Three individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot, but were quickly detained and taken into custody. Deputies arrested one adult and one juvenile suspect.

The adult driver, Jhaywon Damon Brant, 21, of Beaverton, was charged with Attempting to Elude by Vehicle, Attempting to Elude on Foot, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering another Person, Second Degree Criminal Mischief, Providing False Information to a Police Officer, and a Detainer for Parole Violation. The juvenile suspect was lodged in the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility for a Felony Parole Warrant.

The armed robbery is under investigation by the Portland Police Bureau. The local investigation is ongoing. During the pursuit, a JCSO patrol vehicle was involved in a minor collision with an Eagle Point School District bus. No injuries were reported. Oregon State Police are investigating the crash.

Posted on 2/23/26 5:25AM by Alex Bauer

Fatal Crash Claims Two Ashland High School Students, Emergency Crews Respond

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers early Sunday morning. On February 22nd around 12:44 a.m., deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash in the 1350 block of East Nevada Street in rural Ashland. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located an Audi A6 that had struck a tree. The car was occupied by five 17-year-old juveniles. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. Jackson County Fire District 5 and Ashland Fire & Rescue personnel conducted a complex extrication to remove the remaining occupants from the vehicle. The Ashland Police Department responded to assist with the investigation. Mercy Flights transported the four remaining occupants to a local hospital with critical injuries. Shortly after arrival, a passenger was pronounced deceased. The three remaining occupants continue to receive care at the hospital and are in stable condition. The families of those involved have been notified. Out of respect for their privacy, the names of the juveniles are being withheld. All five occupants were students at Ashland High School.

Posted on 2/23/26 5:14AM by Alex Bauer

Central Point Man Sentenced Following Burglary of Gold, Cash, and Firearms

A Central Point man was sentenced to federal prison today for felon in possession of a firearm.

Jonathan Anthony Kinsella, 53, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. The verdict comes after he and his co-defendants targeted an elderly victim and stole over $250,000 worth of gold, cash, and firearms.

According to court documents, in August 2023, Kinsella, a convicted felon, came up with a plan and solicited his wife and friend to burglarize an elderly victim. Kinsella and the two co-defendants split approximately $103,000 in cash, $180,000 in gold coins, and five firearms.

Police executed a search warrant at Kinsella’s residence and found a .40 S & W caliber pistol, a .30-30 Winchester caliber rifle, a Colt .38 Special revolver, and a 12-guage weapon made from a shotgun.

On February 1st, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Kinsella with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. On October 20th, 2025, Kinsella pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper prosecuted the case.

Posted on 2/20/26 1:21PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Officer Arrested Man Screaming in Street

An officer with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man screaming and yelling in the street Wednesday evening.

A report came in to dispatch about the man who was outside the building at 1574 NE 7th Street across from Grants Pass Automotive. The caller requested a response from law enforcement.

The officer arrived at the scene and contacted the suspect, Nicholas Knowles. His parole officer was contacted, and she requested a detainer. Knowles was then taken into custody without further incident.

During a consent search, a meth pipe was located on Knowles' person. It was later destroyed and discarded. The officer transported Knowles to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 2/20/26 1:13PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Two on Oregon State Parole Board Warrants

Grants Pass Police officers arrested two men wanted on Oregon State Parole Board Warrants in two cases Thursday.

At 9:15 a.m., Michael Hood was observed walking near NE 7th Street and NE D Street. He was known to have a valid felony warrant out for his arrest, so he was promptly detained.

Hood was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant charging him with Burglary.

Later that day at 4:24 p.m., officers located Jeffrey Kime Pelt at the corner of Harbeck Road and Grandview Lane. He was also wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for a traffic offense.

He was compliant while officers took him into custody. He was then lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 2/20/26 12:51PM by Alex Bauer

PacifiCorp Pays $575 Million Oregon and California Wildfire Settlement

PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve the United States’ claims for damages resulting from six wildfires in Oregon and California. The four Oregon fires are the South Obenchain Fire, which began on September 8th, 2020, east of Eagle Point and burned 14,780 acres of federal land, the 242 Fire near Chiloquin, the Archie Creek Fire near French Creek in the Umpqua National Forest, and the Echo Mountain Complex Fire near Otis. The two California fires are the Slater Fire and the McKinney Fire. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the settlement resolves the United States’ claims that PacifiCorp’s electrical lines negligently started all six fires. The settlement monies will help repay the United States for the substantial costs it incurred fighting the fires, a critical move now that U.S. Forest Service spends more than half of its budget on wildfire suppression annually.

Posted on 2/20/26 12:36PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Arrested Suspended Driver on Misdemeanor Warrant

Oregon State Police arrested a man with a warrant that was driving while suspended.

On Thursday around 8:49 p.m., the trooper conducted a traffic stop at the corner of 6th Street and Morgan Lane. The driver, identified as Tyler Bryant, 34, of Grants Pass, was found to have a misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest and suspended driving privileges.

He was subsequently arrested by the trooper, who then lodged Bryant in the Josephine County Jail for Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended, and his Parole Violation warrant.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:40AM by Alex Bauer

Stolen Vehicle Suspect Apprehended by Law Enforcement, Lodged at Jackson County Jail

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police were alerted to a stolen vehicle out of the Medford Police Department.

The owner of the stolen black Prius had the GPS location on the vehicle. Dispatch was notified the vehicle was on Interstate 5 at milepost 59 on the northbound shoulder at 8:20 a.m.

Law enforcement located the vehicle and held the suspect, Jonathan Beasley, at gunpoint. After he was detained, the owner of the Prius took possession of the vehicle. Beasley was taken into custody and transported to meet halfway with Medford Police officers at Rogue State Park.

Beasley was then lodged in the Jackson County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. Charges of Meth Possession and Third Degree Theft were referred to the District Attorney's Office.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:29AM by Alex Bauer

Man Crashes Vehicle into Home, Arrested by GP Police

The Grants Pass Police Department responded to a report of a crash Thursday at about 10:30 p.m.

A vehicle driven by Michael Knitter crashed into a home in the 700 block of Larch Road. Grants Pass Fire and Rescue and American Medical Response also responded to the scene, as one person was injured with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else in the home was struck by the car.

After the investigation, officers lodged Knitter at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Third Degree Assault, DUII, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, and Criminal Mischief.

The Grants Pass Police Department is urging drivers to avoid impaired driving, emphasizing that even one drink can impair judgment and lead to arrest.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:16AM by Alex Bauer

Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 Competition Announced by AllCare Health

AllCare Health has announced the Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 Competition and Crowning event.

The competition is open to the public, and set to take place on February 28th, starting at 2 p.m. at AllCare Health, 1701 NE 7th Street.

This is the third year that the event is in coordination with The Equity Project of Josephine County and The Ms. Wheelchair Oregon Advocacy and Empowerment Program.

Ms. Wheelchair America is a platform for women who use wheelchairs to advocate for the more than 64 million Americans living with disabilities. Contestants will compete based on their advocacy, communication skills, and personal achievements to become the state’s representative for people with disabilities.

The winner of Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 earns the honor of representing Oregon at the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition.

Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2025 at AllCare Health last year, Grants Pass resident Alice Diehl went on to place third in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2026 competition. Her platform centered on creating hope and safe spaces for vulnerable communities.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:09AM by Alex Bauer

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