KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

DA Concludes Officer-Involved Shooting Review, Law Enforcement Justified

Josephine County District Attorney Josh Eastman has concluded a review of the officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 7th, 2026, at 100 NE Midland Avenue.

According to a release, because of the ongoing investigation and potential charges for Mr. Belardi related to this incident, the District Attorney’s Office is limited in the information it can disclose.

The District Attorney is charged with the duty of reviewing incidents where deadly
physical force is used by police and citizens to determine if the use of force was consistent with Oregon law.

Under Oregon Revised Statute 161.242, and after review of the officers’ reports, the body camera video, the civilian witness statements, and the ancillary parts of this investigation, Officers Jason McGinnis and Travis Draeger, as well as Corporal Brook Johnson’s use of deadly force was wholly justified. No further action in this matter is anticipated nor merited.

Posted on 9/3/26 9:19AM by Alex Bauer

Head-On DUII Crash Seriously Injures Two Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

A high-speed head-on crash seriously injured two drivers Saturday night on West Griffin Creek Road in rural Medford.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 34-year-old woman for DUII after a trauma blood draw showed a Blood Alcohol Content of .20%, two and a half times the legal limit.

Due to the severity of the crash, the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded. The preliminary investigation indicates on August 29th at 7:41 p.m., the suspect was driving a 2025 Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed when she crossed into the oncoming lane for unknown reasons and struck a 2009 Toyota Highlander head-on.

Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were trapped inside their vehicles. Medford Fire extricated both patients and Mercy Flights transported them to a local hospital.

To address DUII crashes and other risks of impaired driving, JCSO will join local, state, and regional law enforcement agencies for a Multi-Agency High-Visibility DUII Enforcement Patrol throughout Labor Day Weekend. Additional deputies and officers will be on the road specifically looking for impaired drivers and working to keep our roads safe.

Plan ahead for a safe Labor Day weekend:
- Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare or taxi.
- If you plan to drink, give your keys to someone sober.
- If you’re hosting, make sure your guests have a safe and sober way home.
- If you see a suspected impaired driver on the road, call 911.

Posted on 9/3/26 7:00AM by Alex Bauer

Homeland Security, SOCET Serve Warrant in Medford CSAM Investigation

Homeland Security Investigations along with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team served a federal search warrant Wednesday morning in Medford. Investigators served the warrant after Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was purchased from a “Darknet” CSAM website. On scene, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and involved parties. Investigators are working to identify the suspect and refer criminal charges to the United States Attorney’s Office. Federal, State, and local law enforcement served the warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of Marilee Street in Medford. German investigators identified the potential Medford area suspect. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force for further evidence of child exploitation. Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

Posted on 9/3/26 6:54AM by Alex Bauer

GPCC Approves $1.6 Million for Water Treatment Plant Control System.

The Grants Pass City Council Wednesday night deferred a decision on an appeal of a UAB ruling and approved the purchase of a control system for the new water treatment plant. Councilors Seth Benham and Joel King were absent. The Council first delayed a public hearing on an appeal of the Urban Area Planning Commission's decision to deny the application of Eden Glen's Planned Unit development on Fruitdale Drive. The applicant asked for a variance for street width and length. The public hearing was rescheduled to September 16th. The applicant is proposing to development 20 townhouse.The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Control Systems NW to complete water system remote Supervisory Control and Date Acquisition upgrades. The current telemetry system is 26-years-old and is obsolete. It is important to complete this project prior to the completion of the water treatment plant to prevent requiring installation of the obsolete equipment into the new facility. The maximum fee is not to exceed $1,646,317. Two applicants were appointed to the Small Business Task Force. Logan Roberts was appointed in the Food & Beverage category and Rebekah Nugent in the Retail category. Police Chief Warren Hensman announced the hiring of a new parking enforcement officer.

Posted on 9/2/26 7:01PM by Chuck Benson

GP Police Stopped Woman Driving Stolen Vehicle, Lodged in Jail

Grants Pass Police pulled over a stolen vehicle early this morning, and lodged the driver in the Adult Jail Facility.

The traffic stop was conducted around 12:12 a.m. on a blue Toyota Tundra at the corner of NE Flint Street and NE A Street. The driver, Kyrin Greenwood, was cooperative during the stop after being observed not wearing a seatbelt and driving with no license plates or temporary registration.

It was determined by officers the vehicle was stolen, and Greenwood was driving while suspended with no emergent reason to be driving. She was issued for the violation, Driving Uninsured, and No Seatbelt.

Officers then took her into custody and lodged her in jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The owner of the vehicle lot where the truck had been stolen arrived to retrieve it.

Posted on 9/2/26 1:52PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Wanted on Parole Board Warrant Lodged by JoCo Sheriff's Deputies

A man was lodged on a Parole Board warrant following an attempt to locate him by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies.

Alan Davis exited a trailer in the 300 block of Cheney Creek Road when he saw units nearby Tuesday around 8:07 a.m. He was advised by law enforcement he was under arrest for his felony warrant for an Underlying Property Damage charge.

Davis was cooperative with deputies and taken into custody at the scene. He was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant.

Posted on 9/2/26 1:43PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect with No Clothes in Roadway Arrested for Meth Possession

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a woman wearing no clothes lying in the middle of a roadway with items strewn about on the side of the road.

Dispatch was alerted around 3:54 p.m. to the suspect at the corner of Portland Avenue and Camp Joy Road. One of the callers was able to get the woman out of the road, and the other flagged down arriving officers.

The suspect became agitated, and upon contact with law enforcement, it was found she had a visible meth pipe with residue. Following a positive field test for methamphetamine, she was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession.

Posted on 9/2/26 1:28PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Suspect Wanted on Theft Warrant

A call to 911 reported a suspect wanted on a warrant, leading to a response from Grants Pass Police and the suspect's arrest Tuesday.

Dispatch was told the suspect, Mason Haugh, had just pulled into a residence in the 1100 block of NW D Street around 9:12 a.m. The caller said Hough had a warrant for Theft, and could no longer see him after he drove into the driveway.

Officers arrived to take Haugh into custody. His warrant was out of the Police Department for a Second Degree Theft charge. The warrant was cleared, and he was taken to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for lodging. Due to a lack of resources, however, he was later released.

Posted on 9/2/26 12:50PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Out of Compliance Apprehended, Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police lodged a man out of compliance with his sex offender registration following a disturbance on G Street.

The suspect was reported to 911 after he grabbed two red flags from a construction zone and began walking on G Street around 7:37 a.m. He waved the flags over his head while heading toward Debo Park, then started pulling branches off a tree near the Gospel Rescue Mission.

Officers responded and contacted the suspect, identifying him as Michael Carrero. He was found to be out of compliance for a charge of First Degree Sex Abuse. Police then took Carrero into custody, lodging him in the Josephine County Jail for Felony Failure to Report as a Sex Offender.

There was no probable cause found for Disorderly Conduct after talking with the complainant, and officers returned the flags to the construction sign on G Street.

Posted on 9/2/26 11:50AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Department Warns Public of Scammer Activity

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is continuing to receive numerous reports of scammers posing as one of their deputies demanding payment from citizens.

Another common complaint is scammers using the inmate search feature in the Sheriff's Office's app and website to contact family members, falsely claiming they can help release loved ones for a fee. If you receive any such calls, do not send money or share personal information. Verify any claims with official sources.

The Sheriff's Office is reminding everyone that Law Enforcement does not conduct business in this fashion. They will never call and demand payment over the phone, with gift cards or through cryptocurrency kiosks.

Posted on 9/2/26 11:22AM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, ODF Crews Responded to, Extinguished Illegal Open Burn

Emergency crews were dispatched at 8:15 this morning to an incident involving an illegal open burn, reported in the 6400 block of Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon Department of Forestry promptly responded to the scene, due to the detection camera. Upon arrival, units located the unauthorized open burn and successfully extinguished it. The property owner was cited.

IVFD reminds the public that, despite current cooler temperatures, ODF has not yet authorized open burning.

Posted on 9/2/26 11:21AM by Alex Bauer

ODF Crews Tackle Multiple Lightning Sparked Fires

Following yesterday’s thunderstorms, firefighters continued responding and searching into the night for fires sparked by lightning.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, last night, a Type 3 helicopter, equipped with specialized night-vision capabilities, searched areas where lightning strikes were recorded for signs of new fires.

Crews tackled a single lightning-struck tree with minimal spread into the surrounding wildland near Conde Creek Road. The fire is 100% wet lined at a tenth of an acre. The Sky Road Fire is 100% wet lined and 50% hand lined, with a final acreage size of 0.68. Firefighters continue working the fire and strengthening line.

Crews also responded to the Soda Conde Road Fire, estimated at a tenth of an acre. Firefighters are continuing work on a lightning-struck tree and the surrounding area. Lastly, for the Old Highway 99 Fire, a tree was struck by lightning, with minimal spread into the surrounding wildland. The fire is 100% lined and has been mopped up.

More rain is in the forecast, and firefighters and detection specialists will continue looking for any signs of holdover fires in areas impacted by lightning. Even with precipitation, lightning-caused fires can smolder in trees, stumps or vegetation for hours or even days before becoming visible.

If you see smoke or signs of a possible fire, please call it in. Early reports can help firefighters locate and respond to new starts quickly.

Posted on 9/2/26 11:17AM by Alex Bauer

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