KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

MFD Encourages Safe E-Bike Practices as State sees 118% Bike Fire Increase Since 2020

Medford Fire crews responded to three e-bike fires in October.

According to the MFD, these incidents are part of a larger safety concern, as the state has recorded 111 e-mobility fires between 2020 and 2025, an increase of 118%.

To help reduce these risks, the MFD is encouraging the public to use only the charger designed for your bike or one approved by the manufacturer. Be sure to charge outside whenever possible, and if you must charge indoors, stay nearby and keep exits clear.

If a battery hisses, smokes, or catches fire, call 911. Prioritize escaping over trying to extinguish the fire, as battery fires can release toxic gases that may cause confusion or loss of consciousness. The batteries can also explode, causing injuries or additional fires.

Posted on 10/29/26 10:49AM by Alex Bauer

Man Arrested for Four Out-of-County Warrants, Other Charges after Attempted Car Theft

A Quality Inn employee reported an aggressive man who was later arrested by Grants Pass Police for four out-of-county warrants and other charges.

The suspect was attempting to break into a car in the 1889 NE 6th Street hotel's parking lot Thursday around 4:40 p.m. The caller reported to dispatch that the suspect had been there the night before, and had caused a scene, reportedly also harassing someone staying at the inn.

The suspect proceeded to walk southbound on 7th after damaging fuses on the vehicle. He was soon detained by arriving officers, and identified himself as Daniel Cook from Vermont. He was soon correctly identified as Austin Uhlmansiek, and was found to be wanted out of the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office and California Department of Corrections.

The four warrants charged him with Obstruction, three counts of Controlled Substance Possession, two counts of Prohibited Contraband Possession, and a Parole Violation. A consent search was conducted, and officers located a small rubber container and a small amount of powder, which Uhlmansiek claimed was bee pollen.

It was, in fact, methamphetamine following field testing, and officers took Uhlmansiek into custody, lodging him in the Adult Jail Facility for his warrants, Possession of Meth, and Providing False Information.

Posted on 10/29/26 10:40AM by Alex Bauer

Woman Stole Cans, Exchanged for Alcohol, Lodged in Jail

Law enforcement apprehended a theft suspect Wednesday who stole cans from a business and exchanged them for alcohol.

The Grants Pass Police officer was contacted by Johnson Builders Corp. staff and told a woman had entered the property Tuesday afternoon and walked off with about $5 worth of cans. The theft was captured on surveillance, and probable cause was established to arrest the suspect.

She was spotted the next day near the 1100 block of Rogue River Highway. The officer spoke with her, and she admitted to the theft, saying she took the cans, then exchanged them for alcohol at the Rogue River Market.

The officer identified her as Jenavee Smith, and after the market's security footage confirmed her admission, she was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Theft. She was also trespassed from Johnson Builder's Corp.

Posted on 10/29/26 10:14AM by Alex Bauer

Man Moving Rock on Church Property Trespassed, Lodged for Meth Possession

A Grants Pass Police officer arrested a man out of compliance with an exclusion order after observing him moving a large rock at Joy Church Wednesday.

While the officer was on patrol around 7:09 a.m., the suspect, James Hall, was recognized as having recently been issued a 30-Day Exclusion from the downtown area.

Rock displacement was not a valid reason to be within the zone, so the officer placed Hall into custody. During a consent search of his person, Hall was found to be in possession of a glass bulb pipe with burnt residue, which field tested positive for the presence of Methamphetamine.

He was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail for a charge of Second Degree Criminal Trespass and Possession of Meth. He was lodged, and given a 90-Day Exclusion from the area.

Posted on 10/29/26 9:46AM by Alex Bauer

GPPD Conducting Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Today

As the Halloween weekend begins, the Grants Pass Police Department is reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay alert and do their part to keep our community safe.

Going on now until 2 p.m. today, officers will be conducting a pedestrian crossing enforcement effort to raise awareness and encourage safe driving behaviors.
Drivers are reminded to slow down, stay alert, and yield to pedestrians as required by law. Pedestrians are encouraged to use designated crossings, stay visible, and make sure drivers see them before stepping into the roadway.

With more families and children expected to be out celebrating Halloween, some extra caution makes a big difference.

Posted on 10/29/26 9:24AM by Alex Bauer

Two Trespassed, One Cited for Four GPPD Warrants

Grants Pass Police cited one of two suspects trespassed Tuesday for four warrants out of the Police Department.

The two individuals were located at 1553 Allen Creek Drive around 8:09 a.m. They were trespassed from that location and the nearby Red Robin. Matthew Moats was identified, and found to have four active and serviceable warrants out of the Grants Pass Police Department.

He was wanted for two counts of Methamphetamine Possession, Fentanyl Possession, and DUII. He was cited to appear in court, and released.

Posted on 10/29/26 5:53AM by Alex Bauer

Man Cited for Out-of-County Warrant by Sheriff's Deputy

A local Sheriff's deputy located and cited a man wanted on an out-of-county warrant.

According to the deputy report, a blue dodge pickup was located on Buckhorn Mountain, and the driver was constructively detained. He was found to have a warrant out of the Curry County Sheriff's Office for Criminal Driving While Suspended.

The deputy gave the suspect a citation to appear in the Curry County Courthouse in December, confirmed he had a wood cutting permit, and released him.

Posted on 10/28/26 12:37PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Cite Two following Shoplifting Reports from Walmart

Two suspects were cited Tuesday by Grants Pass Police following theft attempts at Walmart.

The first suspect was detained by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store at 10:32 a.m. He was cooperative, and had reportedly passed all points of sale with about $85 worth of merchandise before being stopped by staff.

Officers arrived and placed him into constructive custody, but then released him with a citation to appear for Third Degree Theft.

That same afternoon, at 2:34 p.m., another suspect was stopped by loss prevention after she bypassed all points of sale with about $172 worth of stolen items. Walmart staff wished to only pursue for theft, and arriving officers took her into custody.

She was then cited for Theft in the Second Degree, and released from custody.

Posted on 10/28/26 12:18PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Man Wanted for GPPD Warrant

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies lodged a man wanted out of the Grants Pass Police Department late Tuesday.

Anthony Horton was contacted by law enforcement in the 3500 block of Merlin Road at 11:17 p.m. He was positively identified, and taken into custody for an active Police Department warrant.

Charges against Horton included First Degree Theft, two counts of Second Degree Theft, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He was transported to and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for his warrant.

Posted on 10/28/26 12:07PM by Alex Bauer

Call for Entries for Water Quality Report Photo Contest 2026

The City of Grants Pass invites K-12, amateur, and professional photographers to enter the 2026 Water Quality Report Photo Contest.

Per the City website, winning photos will be featured in the 2026 Water Quality Report. The first-place winner will receive $200, and the second-place winner will receive $100.

Submit an original photo that demonstrates your perspective on the water that connects our community. Photos must be submitted in a digital format suitable for reproduction.

Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and theme relevance. Winners will be notified via email by January 15th. The full list of rules can be found at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

The entry deadline is 5 p.m. December 31, 2026. Submit entries to smorgan@grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 10/28/26 12:02PM by Alex Bauer

Deputies Lodge Suspect Held at Gunpoint for First Degree Trespass

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene of a trespassing involving a single gunshot.

The suspect, Sean Gunn, was reported to be at a property and laying on the ground in the 500 block of Woody Acres Drive Tuesday around 7:07 a.m. The caller's boyfriend had Gunn at gunpoint, and was ordering him to stay down. One round was fired at Gunn at 7:35 a.m.

Deputies arrived, determined there were no active warrants related to the firearm usage, and took Gunn into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Trespass. There was no indication in the police report that Gunn was hit by the single round.

Posted on 10/28/26 10:51AM by Alex Bauer

City Of Grants Pass Announces Fall Open Burn Window as Fire Season Ends

The Fall 2026 Open Burn Window will be from Saturday, October 31st, through Sunday, November 8th. Starting today, Grants Pass residents will be able to apply for their burn permits online or in person.

This year, burn permits are offered through Grants Pass Fire Community Connect (https://sizeup.firstduesizeup.com/cc/grants/auth/signin). Just sign up and receive your permit online, or get them in person at 800 E Park Street. Office hours are 8 a.m. to Noon, and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. For questions, please call our Fire Prevention Division at 541-450-6200.

Burning is only allowed if the DEQ ventilation index for the airshed is 400 or greater. It is the responsibility of each person to check the airshed before burning. For the most up-to-date airshed information, call the Burn Line at 541-476-9663 after 7 a.m.

Posted on 10/28/26 10:32AM by Alex Bauer

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