KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Historical Buildings and Sites Commission Applications Being Accepted

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy.

This position expires on May 3rd, 2027. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary. They will also help promote the community's historic preservation, advise interested agencies on historic preservation matters, and identify areas and buildings of historic or archeological significance.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application.

Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. April 3rd to be reviewed by the commission April 9th. Applicants will be interviewed by the Council during their workshop May 4th, and appointments will be made at the City Council meeting Wednesday, May 6th.

Posted on 2/12/26 5:19AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Jail Inmate Further Charged with Two Out-of-County Warrants

An adult-in-custody at the Josephine County Jail was further charged with two warrants.

The suspect, Michael Chezem, had two warrants sent to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon City Police Department for clarification.

The warrants charged Chezem with Interfering with Public Transport, Harassment, A Second Degree Theft Charge, and two counts of Theft in the Third Degree.

Posted on 2/12/26 4:50AM by Alex Bauer

Juvenile Arrested for Reckless Driving, Felony Elude by JoCo Sheriff's Office

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a juvenile near Taylor's Sausage Country Store Tuesday.

At 11:10 a.m., the suspect passed by deputies on a dirt bike with another juvenile riding as a passenger. After attempting to locate, the suspect was detained after he was knocked off the dirt bike by an adult.

The suspect was taken into custody at the 202 S Redwood Highway business. He was charged with Reckless Driving and Felony Elude. Deputies lodged him in the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center.

Posted on 2/11/26 1:14PM by Alex Bauer

City Announces Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan

The City of Grants Pass has announced its Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan

According to a release posted to the city's website, Grants Pass has held the Tree City USA designation for over 30 years. With the building of the new Water Treatment Plant continuing, the city is taking steps towards the preservation of trees in the area.

A new raw water pipeline is going to be installed along U.S. Highway 199 near the new plant site. This will ensure reliable water service will be provided to the community for generations to come. Some trees will need to be removed beginning February 16th for the work on the pipe to continue.

The city says every effort will be taken to "minimize the impact and maintain the beauty of our community.” You can view the Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 2/11/26 11:44AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Suspect, Trespassed from Hancock Timber Land

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was attempting to locate a man driving a black Hummer Tuesday afternoon.

The driver, known to deputies as Cameron Dailey, was also known to carry knives. According to the deputy report, he had a parole violation for an underlying weapon offense of Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Dailey also had an Oregon Parole Board warrant for absconding from a charge of Meth Possession.

He was soon located by deputies at the corner of South Redwood Highway and Caves Highway. After being taken into custody, Dailey was interviewed for a separate matter. He was warned for trespassing from all Hancock timber land after camera footage showed him cutting down trees on the land.

His Parole Officer was notified, and deputies took Dailey to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 2/11/26 11:35AM by Alex Bauer

Former Employee Trespassed at Business, Arrested by GP Police

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man for trespassing at Timber Products Company.

On Tuesday around 2:38 p.m., one of many witnesses reported Jackson Mattock, a former employee of the 1090 SE M Street business, had returned. He had been trespassed the day before, and was leaving in a white Honda Civic at the time of the report.

It was unclear which direction Mattock left. Officers responded to the scene and subsequently detained Mattock at his father's home in the 1400 block of Florence Lane. Mattock was taken into custody, transported, and then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Posted on 2/11/26 11:07AM by Alex Bauer

Temporary Board to Discuss Interview Process, Select Applicants for Vacancies

The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers will meet for a special meeting Thursday. At 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, the board will convene the meeting. According to the agenda, they will begin with a look at the eligibility and background checks of the applicants for the vacant Board of County Commissioner positions. The board will then discuss interview protocols and questions, the scoring of applicants and the interview process, the protocol for tie breakers, plus Human Resources Authority. The selection of applicants to be interviewed will follow, and pending other matters pertaining to the application and interview process for Commissioner Positions 1 and 2, the meeting will adjourn. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person must abide by the clear bag policy. The meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 2/11/26 10:42AM by Alex Bauer

White City Man Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges by Jackson County Grand Jury

A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted a 19-year-old White City man Tuesday on sex abuse charges. The suspect, Eli Mulugeta Young, of White City was lodged in the Jackson County Jail for unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree and sexual abuse in the third degree. On Friday, February 6th, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a report of 19-year-old man sexually abusing a girl under the age of 14. Deputies arrested the man in the 7000 block of Houston Loop in White City. JCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives believe Young may have other victims. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928. Detectives are currently investigating this case. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.

Posted on 2/11/26 5:57AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Arrested Trespassing Suspect on Burglary and Theft Charges

Josephine County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a report of a man trespassing inside his parent's home Monday.

A call to dispatch around 4:35 p.m. reported the suspect's parents were out of town, and the caller went to check on the property in the 3700 block of Foothill Boulevard because the alarm was going off.

Deputies responded to the scene and created a perimeter. After the caller confirmed no one was supposed to be inside the home, law enforcement began to clear the residence.

The door was kicked in, but the home and garage were clear. Deputies soon located the suspect, identified as Jack Doak. He was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Prison logs show Doak was lodged for First and Second Degree Burglary, two counts of Third Degree Theft, and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

Posted on 2/10/26 1:42PM by Alex Bauer

JCSO, SAR Investigating After Eugene Man's Body Found Outside Ashland

The body of a Eugene man missing since December has been located near Mill Creek Drive and Highway 66 outside of Ashland.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Medical Examiner detectives have scientifically identified the body as Damon Lee Petrie, 60, of Eugene. Deputies, detectives, and Search and Rescue personnel conducted extensive searches for Petrie after he was reported missing on December 18th, 2025. Petrie’s body was found by a hiker on Saturday, February 7th.

The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy and toxicology report. No further information is available at this time.

Posted on 2/10/26 1:12PM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire, JoCo Sheriff's Office Responded to Afternoon Traffic Accident

Emergency crews were alerted to a traffic accident that occurred at 12:10 p.m. today.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the incident at the intersection of Schumacher Street and S Hussey Avenue in Cave Junction. Upon arrival, it was determined there were no injuries.

The vehicle was removed from the scene, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.

Posted on 2/10/26 1:04PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Suspect after Previous Trespass from Same Location

A man called 911 to report a man sleeping on his property Monday morning.

Dispatch was alerted to the trespassing at 4:16 p.m. at a property in the 300 block of SE H Street. The suspect was reportedly on the grass to the side of the house, and the caller wasn't sure if it was the same suspect from a previous trespassing complaint, Thomas Ehens.

Grants Pass Police arrived and confirmed it was Ehens. The property owner wished to pursue charges, and Ehens was taken into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for a charge of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

Posted on 2/10/26 12:44PM by Alex Bauer

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