KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Medford Police Arrested Three after Armed Menacing, Pursuit, and Recovery of Stolen Firearms

Medford Police officers arrested three suspects Saturday, November 8, following an armed menacing incident, a vehicle pursuit, and the recovery of two stolen firearms.

Around 8 p.m., officers responded to a report that an occupant of a passing vehicle pointed a firearm at a woman near Crater Lake Avenue and Delta Waters Road.

Officers located the vehicle near Hawthorne Park and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled, lost control while turning from 4th Street onto Jackson Street, and crashed into a fence at Hawthorne Park.

A 17-year-old male remained in the vehicle and was detained. Two others, Kevin J. Borja, 26, and Jayden E. Hodge, 19, ran into the park. During the foot chase, Borja discarded a pistol and entered Bear Creek, hiding in thick brush.

The vehicle was connected to a recent armed robbery reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office during which multiple firearms were stolen. One stolen firearm was visible inside the vehicle.

Due to the suspects’ history and the presence of firearms, Medford Police SWAT responded. A thermal drone located a heat source in the brush, and officers used announcements and less-lethal tools before K9 Bruno located and apprehended Borja. Hodge was found shortly afterward and taken into custody without further incident.

Sheriff's Office deputies impounded the vehicle and served a search warrant, recovering a second stolen firearm. Borja and Hodge were lodged at the Jackson County Jail. The 17-year-old was detained, and his case will be referred to juvenile authorities.

Posted on 11/10/25 1:42PM by Alex Bauer

Rural Metro Firefighters Put out Early Morning Trash Fire near Transient Camp

Rural Metro firefighters spent 2 hours early this morning containing a trash fire near Devil's Slide.

The fire was located at 2:49 a.m. in a ravine north of the railroad tracks near a transient camp. Fire engines were unable to access the area. The fire involved mostly trash and covered an area approximately 1/10th acre.

High humidity from heavy fog was beneficial in moderating fire activity. It is unknown what or who started the fire at this time, as no one was observed in the area.

Posted on 11/10/25 11:07AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Man Possessing Methamphetamine

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department conducted a traffic stop Sunday morning that led to an arrest for Meth Possession.

At 9:47 a.m., the suspect, Samuel Liddycoat, was pulled over at the corner of SE N Street and SE Rose Place for several violations. He attempted to speed away, but quickly came to a stop.

Officers discovered Liddycoat was driving uninsured, and, during a search of his vehicle, found over two grams of a white crystalline substance that tested presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

Liddycoat was arrested, transported, and then lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. He was also issued a citation for Driving Uninsured. His vehicle was towed from the scene.

Posted on 11/10/25 11:01AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Troopers Arrested California Man on Extraditable Warrant out of Del Norte County

Oregon State Police troopers responded to the intersection of Interstate 5 and Lariat Drive for a welfare check Friday evening.

At 5:06 p.m., the suspect voluntarily identified himself as Coby Siikanen of Crescent City, California. He was found to have a Failure to Appear extraditable warrant out of Del Norte County.

Troopers took Siikanen into custody. He was transported and lodged for the warrant at the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 11/10/25 10:43AM by Alex Bauer

Woman with Outstanding Warrants for Theft Arrested by GP Police

Grants Pass Police stopped a woman driving a green Ford Explorer and arrested her on outstanding warrants this morning.

At 5:13 a.m., the suspect, Ashley Delongpre was contacted on the northwest side of the Motel 6 at 1800 NE 7th Street. She was found to have two warrants out for her arrest.

Both her Jackson County Sheriff's Office warrant and the Grants Pass Police Department warrant charged Delongpre with Second Degree Theft.

Officers subsequently transported and lodged Delongpre in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

Posted on 11/10/25 8:22AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District and AMR Respond to Medical Aid Incident, find Unoccupied Vehicle

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to a potential medical aid incident reportedly involving an unconscious person in Cave Junction.

Upon their arrival at the location around 7:26 a.m. November 9th, a vehicle was discovered off the roadway, unoccupied. A subsequent search of the vicinity failed to locate any individuals.

The vehicle was flagged, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was advised.

Posted on 11/10/25 6:37AM by Alex Bauer

Bureau of Land Management Arrested Woman for Trespassing and Meth Possession

The Bureau of Land Management apprehended a woman for trespassing Sunday morning.

The suspect, Michelle Richardson, was contacted at the corner of Crow Road and Galice Road at 10:58 a.m.

She was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Meth Possession. She was later released for lack of resources.

Posted on 11/10/25 5:54AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Suspect for Dangerous Drugs Warrant after Contact at Park

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of two men making a mess in the park at 510 SW G Street Saturday afternoon.

Dispatch was alerted around 1:36 p.m. to the men with a blanket and their belongings set up underneath the play structures in the park.

Officers arrived and contacted both suspects. One of the men, after being advised of the complaint, left of his own accord. The other, identified as Travis Davenport, was also advised and found to be wanted on a GPPD Warrant for Dangerous Drugs.

Davenport was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. Due to lack of resources, he was later released.

Posted on 11/10/25 5:42AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Conducted Traffic Stop, Arrested Suspect on Meth Charges

Josephine County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted a traffic stop and arrested a suspect for meth possession Sunday night.

At the corner of South Redwood Highway and Hamilton Avenue, around 7:24 p.m., deputies pulled over Daren McCollum. He was found to be driving while suspended.

During a search of McCollum's vehicle, deputies found 13 grams of a white crystal-like substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. He was taken into custody, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

McCollum was charged with Aggravated Driving While Suspended, and Possession of Meth.

Posted on 11/10/25 5:22AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Deputies Arrested Suspect Playing Drums in Mother's House

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were called out to a woman's home in the 23000 block of Redwood Highway Sunday afternoon.

At 2:19 p.m. she called and stated her son was back inside her house again. The suspect, Daniel Wells, had claimed he had a key to the house, and the mother wanted deputies to retrieve it.

She warned that Wells carries a buck knife on his pants. Deputies arrived at the property, and heard him playing the drums inside. Wells ignored deputies knocking, so they advised the woman they would have to force entry.

Deputies were then able to take Wells into custody. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a Contempt of Court charge.

Posted on 11/10/25 5:14AM by Alex Bauer

Grants Pass Active Club to Match Funds to Support JoCo Food Bank Pantries

The Grants Pass Active Club has approved the spending of up to $15,000 to help feed families in Josephine County.

In a post from the Club's Facebook page, they have partnered with the Josephine County Food Bank and many of their sponsors to make a plan to purchase a truck full of food to be sorted, boxed, and distributed to the food pantries of Josephine County.

While SNAP benefits have returned, the need is still great, and pantries have been depleted over the last week.

The Active Club will match up to $15,000 to reach their project's goal. Those wishing to help are encouraged to spread the word, make a donation through www.boatnik.com, or contact the Josephine County Food Bank for donation or volunteer opportunities.

For more information, email csimons@boatnik.com

Posted on 11/7/25 2:24PM by Alex Bauer

SOCET Case Leads to 30-Year Sentence for Man in Child Sexual Abuse Case

A Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) case has led to a 30-year prison sentence for a White City man. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Justin Atto, 32, of White City, pled guilty to Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and three counts of Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. For these crimes, Atto was sentenced to 370 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, to be followed by lifetime post-prison supervision. His prison sentence is pursuant to Measure 11 and will be served day-for-day. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender as part of this sentence. The investigation in this case began when law enforcement received a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children that an image containing sexually explicit material involving a juvenile had been uploaded. SOCET detectives were able to identify Atto as the individual that had uploaded the image. When Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force detectives later searched electronics in the suspect’s possession, they found additional images, including images depicting Atto sexually abusing a child.

Posted on 11/7/25 2:05PM by Alex Bauer

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