KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

BCC Approves Denial of Dwelling Appeal, Extended Application Suspension

The Board of Commissioners today moved to approve the denial of a non-farm dwelling appeal, and extended an application suspension for 90 days.

The workshop, beginning at 1:30 p.m. began with Findings of Fact and Decision regarding the appeal of a director's decision denying a non-farm dwelling on Lower River Road. The request for the dwelling was denied, and a motion approving the findings of fact and decision to deny the appeal passed 2-0, with Commissioner Colene Martin abstaining.

During Board Business, a board order in the matter of continuing the suspension of acceptance of applications was considered. Commissioner Ron Smith said he wanted to continue the suspension of accepting Mineral Exploration Permits and Mining Leases applications, or start the repeal process. The board decided on a 90 day continuation of the suspension. An ordinance will be drawn up by Legal Counsel, and a motion to amend the board order passed 3-0.

A letter to be sent to Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, Mike Crapo, and James Risch, and Congressman Cliff Bentz in support of Continued Secure Rural Schools Funding was approved without objection, and the board approved the appointment of Daniel Wilson to the Property Value Appeals Board for a two-year term.

The Transit Department requested approval to sign an amended contract with BC Electronics, LLC for maintenance and installation of IT equipment on their vehicles. The extension of the term to December 31st, 2027 and an increased hourly rate from $100 to $125 was approved by the board 3-0. Also approved was the extension of a Square Labs Inc. invoice in the amount of an annual payment of $31,500, with funds included in the transit budget.

Posted on 10/13/26 2:36PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Cite Fred Meyer Shoplifting Suspect for Third Degree Theft

Fred Meyer loss prevention staff reported a theft suspect Monday at 3:38 p.m., leading to the man being cited by police.

Dispatch was informed the suspect was detained at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store by staff after bypassing all points of sale with no intention to pay for items he had stolen. He was being cooperative despite yelling, and the stolen merchandise worth almost $42 was recovered.

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department contacted the suspect, Gerard Hyatt, and arrested him. He was issued a criminal citation for Third Degree Theft, and trespassed from the property.

Posted on 10/13/26 12:28PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Woman during Property Dispute for Trespassing, DWS

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies lodged a woman following an incident at a property she had been trespassed from.

Dispatch was notified that the complainant had purchased a property in the 5,100 block of Williams Highway in a foreclosure, and she was disposing of things on the property. At the time of the call, 12:05 p.m., the previous owners were reportedly harassing the caller, and wouldn't leave her property.

A man was refusing to identify himself and leave the area, while the female suspect was in her vehicle parked outside of the gate on the property. Per the police report, she had been trespassed from the property in September.

No threats were made, and deputies arrived to trespass both suspects. Kary Miller was identified and taken into custody for Driving While Suspended and Second Degree Trespass. The vehicle was towed from the scene, and she was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility before being released due to a lack of resources.

Posted on 10/13/26 11:48AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect in Recent Truck Theft Fled WinCo on RV, Lodged for Theft, Trespass

Grants Pass Police arrested a WinCo theft suspect after he had been imprisoned the day before following an attempted truck theft.

Sean Gunn had entered the 231 NE Terry Lane grocer Monday with the intent to steal according to the police report. Loss prevention called 911 at 1:51 p.m. to report he was sitting in the parking lot with a cart full of stolen merchandise valued at about $100.

Staff wished to pursue for theft and trespass charges, and officers arrived at the scene. Gunn ran across the Parkway towards Taco Bell, then climbed on top of a moving RV to escape. He climbed down when the vehicle stopped at the light, entered the Fred Meyer parking lot, and was detained shortly thereafter by police.

Gunn was taken into custody for charges of First Degree Criminal Trespass, and Second Degree Theft. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/13/26 11:20AM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, AMR, JoCo Sheriff's Office Dispatched to Selma Rollover Crash

Emergency crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash Monday in Selma.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the incident that occurred around 9:37 p.m. on the Redwood Highway at Wild Park Lane.

One individual was transported for medical evaluation with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Posted on 10/13/26 6:53AM by Alex Bauer

ODF, Partner Agencies Tackle Opal Lane Grass Fire, 100% Wet Lined

Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District crews responded alongside partner agencies to an estimated half-acre grass fire along Opal Lane Monday. According to the department, multiple units arrived at the scene, and crews worked to establish an aggressive initial attack to stop the fire's spread. Thanks to these efforts, firefighters knocked down the blaze, which was estimated at one acre by 4:40 p.m. The fire is 100% wet-lined, and crews will continue mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hot spots and secure the perimeter. The official cause of the fire is under investigation. This will be the final update unless conditions significantly change.

Posted on 10/13/26 6:45AM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, AMR, JoCo Sheriff's Office Dispatched to Selma Traffic Accident

A traffic accident was reported in the 4500 block of Deer Creek Road in Selma Sunday.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the reported vehicular incident at 8:04 p.m. Upon arrival, a single vehicle was located off the roadway. The occupant underwent a medical evaluation and did not require transport.

The vehicle and occupant were left at the scene with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and a tow service was dispatched to facilitate vehicle recovery.

Posted on 10/12/26 2:02PM by Alex Bauer

Two Trespass Suspects Arrested, Issued 90-Day Exclusions by GP Police

A man and woman were both trespassed in separate cases by Grants Pass Police over the weekend.

Saturday at 9:14 a.m., a woman was found sleeping under a blanket in the alley behind the 303 NE E Street building. Officers responded and contacted the suspect, Elizabeth Krol.

She was run through dispatch and found to have an active Downtown 30-Day Exclusion from the day before. Because she had no valid reason to be in the area, Krol was taken into custody. Officers lodged her in jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and she was given a 90-Day Exclusion Order from the downtown area.

Then on Sunday, officers identified Jewel Andrews at Riverside Park around 2:18 p.m., despite him being issued a 30-Day Exclusion from the park in September. He was arrested for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, lodged in jail, and trespassed from the park for 90 days.

Posted on 10/12/26 1:42PM by Alex Bauer

Felon Possessing Dagger and Meth Arrested by GP Police on ODOT Bike Path

Grants Pass Police lodged a man with a dagger in open view on an Oregon Department of Transportation bike path for possession of both methamphetamine and the restricted weapon.

The suspect was located Saturday behind the Lucky Lizard on the path at 11:46 p.m. He was then identified as George Williams. A convicted felon, he had a dagger in open view, so he was taken into custody.

During a consent search, a clear zip bag containing a white crystalline substance was located. The substance field tested positive for the presumptive presence of meth, so an additional charge of Meth Possession was added.

Williams was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility and lodged for the meth charge and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. He was also issued a citation for Park Obedience. Due to a lack of resources at the jail, he was later released.

Posted on 10/12/26 1:26PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Contacted Man with Knife and Active Fire, GP Police Lodged Him

A man with a knife was located next to an active fire incident and contacted by Oregon State Police Sunday.

Troopers located Taven Smith behind the Pac Pride at 625 NE 7th Street around 9:01 p.m. He was by a fire three feet from the building that needed to be put out with a fire extinguisher.

Witnesses at the scene reported Smith had threatened them and stated he would fight them. None of the witnesses pursued charges, and Grants Pass Police soon arrived to take Smith into custody.

Due to there being probable cause for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct and Reckless Burning, officers arrested Smith and transported him to jail for lodging.

Posted on 10/12/26 1:01PM by Alex Bauer

Man Cleared after Fentanyl Ingestion Claim, Lodged for Theft, Mischief, Trespass

Police located and lodged a man trespassing at Fred Meyer for theft and mischief charges Sunday after he reportedly swallowed half a gram of fentanyl.

The suspect, Logan Diaz, was reported to dispatch as having just shoplifted at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store around 4:10 p.m. Loss prevention said Diaz had been previously trespassed from the location, and had taken a backpack and food items. He left the scene on foot towards the nearby Carl's Jr.

Grants Pass Police located Diaz, who claimed he had swallowed fentanyl. He was cleared at Three Rivers Medical Center, then transported to jail. Officers lodged Diaz for Second Degree charges of Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Trespass.

Posted on 10/12/26 11:41AM by Alex Bauer

WinCo Shoplifting Suspect Arrested, Lodged by GP Police

WinCo Loss Prevention reported a theft to dispatch, leading to the suspects arrest by Grants Pass Police.

Sunday at 6:33 p.m., the suspect was being viewed remotely actively shoplifting at the 231 NE Terry Lane grocer. He had concealed two large packets of meat and dawn dish soap before entering the self-checkout line.

The complainant requested law enforcement respond, and then proceeded to contact the suspect, who had passed all points of sale without paying for the approximately $25 worth of merchandise.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Jacob Hamilton. He was arrested for Third Degree Theft and trespassed from the WinCo. Police transported Hamilton to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged, then later released on his own recognizance.

Posted on 10/12/26 11:14AM by Alex Bauer

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