KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

BCC Tabled Special Service District Discussion, Approved By-Laws

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners tabled a Special Service District discussion, and approved 3-0 an order accepting by-laws for the Economic Development Committee at today's workshop. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., a discussion regarding a potential district for the District Attorney, Juvenile Justice, and Jail, was tabled until after the November Election. Legal Counsel then provided clarity on potential agenda modifications regarding best practices, agenda item adding and voting, and provided notices for said agendas. The board approved the appointment of Marie Curren as Behavioral Health Peer to the Addictions Mental Health Public Health Advisory Committee. Both Don Bellville and Joel Perkin were approved 2-1 for re-appointment to the County Mining Advisory Committee. Commissioner Gary Richardson was the lone dissenting vote. Commissioner Colene Martin wanted to see if the board would be willing to provide an endorsement for the 93 cent Jail Levy at a cost of $400 for informational purposes to the community. With the board in agreement, it was approved without objection.

Posted on 9/8/26 2:48PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect in Reported Assault Lodged by JoCo Sheriff's Deputies

A reported assault occurred outside a home in the 5300 block of Jerome Prairie Road Monday evening.

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the incident following a call to 911 around 7:05 p.m. The suspect, whom the victim did not know, had shown up at the property and attempted to pull the victim out of a vehicle by her hair.

The suspect had parked in front of the victim's vehicle, blocking it in. Medical units were requested due to a possible laceration on the victim's hand. Deputies arrived and took the suspect into custody after she was being resistive.

The suspect admitted to the actions of the reporting party's statement. She was then arrested on charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree, and transported to the Josephine County Jail. She was lodged at 8:31 p.m.

Posted on 9/8/26 12:39PM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, ODF Crews Dispatched to RV Appliance Fire

A recreational vehicle appliance fire in the 7200 block of Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction was reported to dispatch this morning.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to the scene following the 9:49 a.m. report. Responders observed no active smoke or fire at the scene. The occupants had successfully suppressed the localized fire within the refrigerator using a nearby hose.

After verifying that the fire had not extended, the scene was released to the owner, with instructions to engage a technician for refrigerator repairs.

Posted on 9/8/26 11:23AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Apprehended Suspended Driver

A traffic stop conducted by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies led to the arrest of a suspended driver.

The suspect vehicle, a dark green Dodge was pulled over in the 5600 block of Upper River Road Monday at 8:43 p.m. Deputies observed the vehicle being operated on a public roadway without rear taillights.

Upon contact with the driver, officers found William Haywood was suspended from driving at the misdemeanor level. He was not driving for an emergent reason, so he was taken into custody.

Haywood's family was contacted to come and retrieve the vehicle, and he was subsequently transported to jail for lodging on his Driving While Suspended charge.

Posted on 9/8/26 11:16AM by Alex Bauer

Alleged Gunshots Reported to GP Police, Suspect's Shovel the Cause

Dispatch received report of what was thought to be a gunshot, leading police to lodge a man following a brief foot pursuit. A call to 911 reported the alleged gunshot Monday around 10:09 p.m. The caller reported two suspects had been fighting, but ran from the scene in separate directions from a property in the 700 block of SW Burgess Street. Another call to dispatch reported one of the suspects appearing to be under the influence near the Short Stop Market. The caller said several loud shots were heard, and the suspect was reported to be going westbound on SW Bridge Street. Officers located the suspect and told him he was under arrest. He fled on foot however, but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. The suspect was identified as Ely Smith, and it was learned he had swung a small metal shovel at a telephone pole, causing the reports of what were thought to be gunshots. Smith was searched, booked, and then lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Third Degree Escape, and a probation violation detainer.

Posted on 9/8/26 11:07AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Walmart Shoplifting Suspect for Theft, Criminal Mischief

An attempt to steal over $300 from Walmart was thwarted by Grants Pass Police Monday.

The suspect was reported in the jewelry department of the 135 NE Terry Lane store around 8:17 a.m. She had two bags full of items, was wearing other merchandise, and had been ripping off the item's tags.

She was described to dispatch as having a blue and black backpack, a black shoulder bag, and a small black bag, filling all of them with merchandise. The jacket and shoes she was wearing were also property of Walmart.

Officers entered the jewelry department and contacted the suspect, Leo Wilson. She was taken into custody, and admitted to police that she planned on stealing the merchandise if law enforcement hadn't intervened.

Wilson's parole officer was contacted, leading to a detainer being issued. Officers transported Wilson to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for lodging on charges including Second Degree Theft, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and the detainer. She was also warned for trespassing at the Walmart.

Posted on 9/8/26 10:23AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Lodged Two Following Separate Traffic Stops

Oregon State Police troopers lodged one suspect following a traffic stop Friday, and another on an out-of-county hold warrant Monday.

A white Ford Mustang was pulled over during the first incident at 8:39 p.m. Troopers observed the Mustang passing other vehicles recklessly at a high rate of speed, among other violations while attempting to catch up to it.

During the stop, troopers arrested the driver, Kaden Hammeke, 18, of Grants Pass, for Reckless Driving. His vehicle was towed from the scene, and police lodged Hammeke in the Josephine County Jail. He was released on his own recognizance the next day at 12:57 p.m.

Yesterday at 1:38 p.m., a gray Honda Civic was stopped for observed traffic violations. Troopers found the driver, Pedro Jacinto-Santos, had an arrest warrant, so he was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

The other occupants in the vehicle were unlicensed and arranged for a driver to retrieve the vehicle. Jacinto-Santos posted bail following his lodging.

Posted on 9/8/26 10:06AM by Alex Bauer

BLM Announces See Our Salmon and Friends Event at Provolt Recreation Area

The Bureau of Land Management and the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council is inviting the community to join the See Our Salmon and Friends event.

It will be held at the Provolt Recreation Area, 14,171 Williams Highway, this Saturday the 12th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-friendly celebration offers a chance to connect with nature and discover the vital role salmon and other riparian species play in local ecosystems.

Attendees can enjoy expert-led talks, guided tours of ongoing restoration projects, salmon spotting, interactive activities, and educational booths hosted by local organizations.

Posted on 9/8/26 8:41AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Extract Injured Motorcyclist, Crash Investigated by Sheriff's Office

The Grave Creek Bridge near the Rainie Falls Traihead, was the landing zone for REACH Air Medical Services to transport an injured motorcyclist

The vehicle crash occurred on Lower Graves Creek Road, just east of the bridge towards Sunny Valley. Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire and American Medical Response, assisted by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Grants Pass Fire, and Josephine County Sheriff's Office, responded to the scene.

Crews extracted the rider from 30’ over the embankment with serious injuries, prompting the need for transport to a trauma hospital in Medford.
Another rider in the group who laid down their bike at the time of the crash was not injured. Details of the incident are being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Posted on 9/8/26 6:45AM by Alex Bauer

Suspects Wanted on Two Warrants Each Recognized, Arrested by GP Police

Two suspects wanted in separate warrant cases were apprehended by Grants Pass Police Sunday.

Officers contacted a group of individuals behind Bi-Mart at 230 Redwood Highway around 12 p.m. One suspect, Shayna Mueller, was known by law enforcement to have warrants out of the Police Department and the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office in California.

Mueller's warrants charged her with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Hard Drug, and Providing False Information. She was positively identified, her warrants were cleared, and she was transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging.

Officers later observed Jason Grimm at a property in the 900 block of SW L Street. He was compliant upon contact at 5:26 p.m., and was known by police to be wanted on two warrants.

Grimm's Myrtle Creek Police Department warrants charged him with Methamphetamine Possession and a Traffic Offense. He was taken into custody at the scene, and lodged on his warrants at the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 9/7/26 10:03AM by Alex Bauer

Theft Suspect Detained by Walmart Loss Prevention, Lodged by GP Police

Walmart loss prevention reported a theft suspect to Grants Pass Police, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Jeannette Ahlf was detained for shoplifting at the 135 NE Terry Lane store by staff. She had reportedly concealed grocery items valued at just over $209 in a shopping cart, and exited the premises without paying for the items.

Loss prevention wished to pursue for theft, and upon arrival of law enforcement, Ahlf was cooperative as she was taken into custody. Officers lodged her for Theft in the Second Degree, but she was later released due to a lack of resources at the Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 9/7/26 9:20AM by Alex Bauer

WinCo Shoplifter Nabbed for Meth, Fentanyl Possession, Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police officers lodged a WinCo shoplifting suspect on theft and drug charges Sunday.

The male suspect, later identified as Mark Fuller, was reported by loss prevention at the 231 NE Terry Lane store. Fuller had been trespassed by staff before, had returned to the store, and was seen with a second suspect that appeared to be shoplifting.

It was requested both suspects be trespassed, and officers arrived at the scene. Loss prevention did not wish to pursue for theft against the second suspect, and officers trespassed him from the grocer.

According to the police report, Fuller had passed all points of sale with over $145 worth of merchandise. A consent search was conducted, and officers located tin foil and a metal container with residue on Fuller's person. The tin tested positive for presumptive fentanyl, and the metal container tested positive for methamphetamine.

Officers arrested Fuller, transported him to jail, and lodged him for Second Degree Theft, and Possession of both Meth and Fentanyl.

Posted on 9/7/26 9:12AM by Alex Bauer

Local News