KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Man Arrested by GP Police after Two 911 Calls Report Theft, Disorderly Conduct

Two calls to 911 Sunday reported the same man following incidents at a Little Caesars, leading to the dispatch of Grants Pass Police and the suspect's arrest.

Dispatch was initially alerted at 5:54 p.m. to the suspect after he entered the 1616 Williams Highway restaurant in a threatening manner, demanding a free pizza due to an issue with an order. He then stole soda out of a cooler while leaving the scene on foot.

The caller, an employee of the business, wished to pursue for theft and have the suspect trespassed. Later that evening around 6:13 p.m., another call to 911 reported the same suspect was behind the Little Caesars threatening to smash the caller's windshield with a hammer.

He again left the scene, and arriving officers were unable to locate him. By 8:24 p.m., law enforcement located and detained the suspect, identified as Sean Gunn. He admitted to stealing a Mountain Dew from the restaurant, and was arrested for Third Degree Theft, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

Officers transported Gunn to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

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

Oregon Department of Forestry Drops Fire Danger to Low

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is decreasing the fire danger level from “Moderate” to “Low”, effective immediately. According to ODF this morning, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 1. These changes affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The decrease comes following recent rainfall across Southwest Oregon, with additional precipitation expected in the coming days. Fall weather has also brought cooler daytime and overnight temperatures and improved relative humidity recovery. Despite the decrease in fire danger, fire season is not over, and debris burning remains prohibited. Although cooler temperatures and increased moisture have reduced fire danger, vegetation in some areas remains dry enough to ignite and carry fire. The public is reminded that all current fire season regulations remain in effect, regardless of the lower fire danger level.

Posted on 10/26/26 9:58AM by Alex Bauer

Ashland Police Officer Involved In Shooting

Officers with the Ashland Police Department responded to the area of the 200 block of “A” Street on a report of a business alarm early this morning. Upon arrival after the 2 a.m. report, officers encountered a lone suspect exiting the area of multiple businesses with shattered storefront windows. The suspect approached the officers while armed with a knife. One of the officers fired his department issued sidearm at the suspect, striking the suspect, who was then transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center for treatment by Ashland Fire & Rescue. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is handling this investigation, in conjunction with the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Officers were additionally supported by the Oregon State Police as well as the Medford and Talent Police Departments. Further news releases will be forthcoming from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.

Posted on 10/26/26 9:41AM by Alex Bauer

Rural Metro Tackled, Contained Vehicle Fire following Multiple 911 Calls

An electrical issue is being considered as the cause of a vehicle fire that occurred Saturday at the end of California Ave near the North Valley Industrial Park.

The blaze, which occurred around 9:01 p.m., drew the attention of passing motorists near milepost 61 of Interstate 5. Multiple calls to dispatch alerted Rural Metro to the incident. One engine arrived quickly from the nearby station and contained the fire.

Radiant heat damaged an adjacent RV but the fire did not extend to anything else nearby. No injuries were reported.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:40AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Fire Crews Extinguish Apartment Fire, Five People, Three Pets Displaced

Medford Fire Department crews extinguished a reported apartment fire Saturday in the 2300 block of Finley Lane.

Firefighters were dispatched to the building near Ross Lane and Spring Valley Drive and put out the fire by 3 p.m. The quick response and aggressive firefighting efforts kept the fire contained to one apartment unit, with water damage to the unit directly below. Hot spots were addressed as crews remained on scene and conducted salvage operations.

No injuries were reported. Five people and three pets were displaced, and the American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:30AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Police Continue Fatal Roberts Road Crash Investigation

The Medford Police Department investigation continues for the fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash that occurred Friday morning on Roberts Road near Crater Lake Avenue. The preliminary investigation indicates an adult pedestrian was lying in the roadway when they were struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Roberts Road. The pedestrian died as a result of the crash. MPD’s Inter-Agency Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators are working to determine how the pedestrian came to be in the roadway prior to the collision. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Impairment is not believed to be a factor. The pedestrian has not yet been identified, and investigators are continuing efforts to establish their identity. Roberts Road was closed between Melody Lane and Crater Lake Avenue for several hours while investigators processed the scene, before reopening later that day.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:22AM by Alex Bauer

Search Continues for Two Missing Teens

Two teens were reported to be missing since October 20th at 12:50 p.m. Bradley Schreiber, 14, and Michael Clark, 15, reportedly may be on foot or on bikes, one that's purple and one that's blue. Schreiber has blonde hair, and Clark has brown hair. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these two, call the Grants Pass Police Department Non-Emergency line at 541-450-6260. Reference Case #'s 26-37202 for Schreiber, and #1020-1827-083. Other numbers to call for Schreiber include 503-806-2507, and 413-329-6521. For Clark, call 541-497-3957.

Posted on 10/26/26 4:13AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended, Lodged Man Wanted on Four Warrants

Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on four warrants after receiving a trespass report from the Lithia Dealership.

An employee with the 1421 NE 6th Street business called 911 to report the suspect kept coming back to the store despite being asked to leave. He was caught messing with the vehicles around 5:54 p.m., and it was requested he be trespassed and removed from the lot.

Officers located and detained the suspect, identified as John Scott, after he left the business heading southbound on 7th Street. He was found to be wanted on warrants out of the Oregon Parole Board, and sheriff's offices in Multnomah County, San Francisco County, and Washington County.

Scott was taken into custody for his warrants charging him with Burglary, and two counts each of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and First Degree Criminal Trespass. He was lodged in jail.

Posted on 10/23/26 1:44PM by Alex Bauer

Detainer Placed on Man Found Possessing Meth, Arrested by GP Police

Police observed a wanted man at Ross, and arrested him for an additional charge of Methamphetamine Possession Thursday morning.

Justice Cory was at the 322 NE Beacon Drive store before being contacted by Grants Pass Police at 9:37 a.m. His parole officer wanted a detainer to be placed on him, so law enforcement detained him.

After consenting to a consent search, Cory was found to be in possession of a small zip bag containing a white crystalline substance. It field tested positive for meth, and Cory was taken into custody to be lodged for the detainer and Possession of Meth. His bike and backpack were logged into evidence.

Posted on 10/23/26 1:27PM by Alex Bauer

Hostile Suspect Charged Concierge Security Guard, Arrested for DOC, Meth Charges

Concierge Security reported a hostile man to dispatch Thursday, after which police arrived to arrest the suspect at the Grants Pass Shopping Center.

The man, later identified as Robert Kostenko, was being hostile and charged at the security guard, who was able to get inside his vehicle near the alley between Magic Donuts and TJ Maxx. Kostenko continued acting in an aggressive and tumultuous manner, hitting his small dog with a backpack around 7:18 p.m.

Responding officers located him at the Dutch Bros. He was arrested for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and a consent search was conducted. Police located a pipe with meth residue, and further charged Kostenko with Possession of Meth, as well as a Parole Violation detainer.

His dog was transported to the Animal Shelter, and his property was logged for safekeeping.

Posted on 10/23/26 1:19PM by Alex Bauer

Suspects Contacted in Car during Welfare Check, One Lodged for Outstanding Warrant

A woman was arrested after a welfare check was requested for her and other individuals reportedly under the influence in a parked vehicle Thursday.

The reporting party told dispatch the suspects were inside a vehicle parked near the Williams Highway Abby's Pizza around 3:18 p.m. A woman in the passenger seat was rocking back and forth, and everyone else inside appeared to be under the influence.

Officers responded to the scene for a welfare check. One of the vehicle's occupants, Aria Echavarria, was found to be wanted for a Josephine County Sheriff's for Third Degree Robbery.

She was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for her warrant. Two suspects were transported to the Sobering Center, and another was released. A BMX bike was logged as found property.

Posted on 10/23/26 12:55PM by Alex Bauer

Local News