KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Emphasizes Importance of Student Insurance

College has begun for many, and families are both excited and anxious, wondering about financial security. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) reminds Oregonians that having proper insurance coverage can provide greater peace of mind and protect your family. If your student is moving into a dorm room, your homeowner's policy will likely cover their personal property. Ask your child to tell you if they buy a new computer or other pricey items, and have them keep receipts. Students living off campus should consider renters insurance. This coverage protects students' personal property and provides liability coverage. If your student drives, Oregon requires every vehicle on the road to have auto liability coverage. If the title to the vehicle is in your student's name, they must have their own policy. If your college student is driving a vehicle you own, your child can likely stay on your policy and be listed as a driver.

Posted on 9/3/25 12:41PM by Alex Bauer

Deputies Arrested Suspect After Tuesday Evening Fight at Motorcycle Shop

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect after a fight broke out.

On Tuesday evening, the suspect, Duane Clark, and another man began a physical altercation on California Avenue. Several other people engaged in the fight until the man asked his son to get a handgun from their vehicle.

The altercation ended, and the man reported having bruising and swelling to his face and left shoulder. He was trespassed from the location, and wanted to make a police report, but refused to answer questions or give video footage his son captured.

Officers reviewed the footage and text messages on the man's phone saying he was going to "deal with" Clark. Several witnesses reported the man was the primary aggressor.

Officers contacted Clark and found he had a valid Out of County Hold Warrant and was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 9/3/25 12:21PM by Alex Bauer

Pacific Power Launches Incentive Program for Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency

Pacific Power is introducing a new customer incentive program to increase reliability and grid efficiency while keeping costs low.

The program, Cool Keeper, a demand response program that optimizes electricity use on summer days, will help customers stay comfortable while supporting a reliable and efficient energy grid.

Pacific Power says this program is a way for residential customers to benefit the environment and help keep electricity costs low. Through a device installed free of charge on air conditioners and heat pumps, Pacific Power can partner with customers to temporarily reduce energy use without compromising comfort.

Participants sign up just once, and then receive a $30 bill credit every year, distributed in monthly increments from May through September. To participate, customers must have an eligible cooling system. Most central air conditioning units and central heat pumps qualify; however, eligibility will be confirmed during an on-site visit.

The program will initially be available to customers in the Rogue Valley and Central Oregon. As the program expands in 2026, more customers will be able to enroll.

To learn more or sign up, visit PacificPower.net/CoolKeeper or call 1-800-357-9214.

Posted on 9/3/25 11:18AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon DOJ Consumer Hotline Warns of Scammers Impersonating Oregon Attorneys

The Oregon Department of Justice is alerting the public to watch out for scammers impersonating Oregon Attorneys.

In the first case, a fraudulent website impersonating an Oregon Attorney successfully scammed victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim obtained the fake attorney's information through the dating app Hinge.

They believed the individual to be a real attorney offering investment services, transferring funds to them expecting returns.

In a separate incident, a consumer lost over $700,000 when scammers gained unauthorized access to both the attorney's and the client's email accounts. They impersonated the client to provide false wiring instructions, and the attorney to cancel a scheduled meeting.

This matter is under investigation by the FBI. They remind the public that, if they have been impacted by this scam, to file a report with their local police department or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center as quickly as possible.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:56AM by Alex Bauer

Grants Pass Road and Lane Closures Announced

A lane and road closure was announced affecting downtown Grants Pass.

Now through Friday, September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, NE D Street from Mill Street to NE Foothill Blvd, will have intermittent lane closures with active flagging for utility adjustments.

The following week, from Monday, September 8th, through Friday, September 12th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., drivers should expect active paving.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Call CPI at 541-862-2390 for more information on the lane closure.

Beginning today through September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., NW 5th Street from A Street to Evelyn Avenue will be closed for deep sewer lateral repairs.

There will be local access from A Street to Evelyn, but the road will be closed around the 800 block.

Motorists are again advised to find another way around. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through. For more information on the road closure, call Timber Mountain Construction at 541-956-8700.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:40AM by Alex Bauer

Commissioners Face Light Agenda for Thursday Business Session

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners face a very light agenda
Thursday morning. There are no administrative actions listed in the published agenda. There will be requests and comments from citizens where each person will be given three minutes to speak on any topic related to Josephine County. The consent calendar contains minutes to approve from the Commissioner’s administrative work shop August 19th, their weekly business session on the 21st, the continued land use meeting on the 25th and the KAJO radio interview on the 26th. Incidentally, that interview is still posted on this stations website at kajo.com. Thursday’s Business Session begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium at 600 Northwest Sixth Street and will be streamed on the County’s website.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:16AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District Responded to Rollover Crash

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a rollover crash yesterday.

On Tuesday afternoon, emergency services responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Wild Park Lane, near milepost 199. They found the vehicle rolled up on its side.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, Oregon State Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation all responded to the scene.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and Jerry's Towing subsequently cleared the vehicle from the roadway.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:06AM by Alex Bauer

ODF Warns of Thunderstorms and Potential Fires in Josephine and Jackson Counties

The Oregon Department of Forestry is reminding Josephine and Jackson County members to be alert for potential fires today. September is bringing a chance for thunderstorms across the majority of both counties today, along with hot temperatures and gusty winds. Lightning strikes can cause new fires, and all of these conditions can fuel their growth. As a result, the US National Weather Service Medford office issued a Red Flag Warning for the eastern and southern borders of Jackson County and the southern portion of Josephine County until 9 p.m. today. A smaller chance for thunderstorms is present across the rest of both counties. The storms moving in this afternoon and evening are already active in central California this morning.

Posted on 9/3/25 4:54AM by Alex Bauer

GP City Council's Evening Meeting to Tackle Resolutions and New Appointments

The Grants Pass City Council's evening meeting will tackle resolutions and new appointments to local organizations.

Council Action includes resolutions adopting the revised Addressing Homelessness Grant Program, the water user rates for 2026, establishing a procedure for employee salary adjustments, and authorizing the funding of additional Public Safety positions.

The Council will then acknowledge motions for appointing one member each to the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, and the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

After Public Comment, the consent agenda, and matters from the Mayor, Council, and Staff, the meeting will adjourn and the Urban Renewal Agency will convene.

Tonight's City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 9/3/25 4:19AM by Alex Bauer

Repeat Offender Report to County Jail to Surrender

A repeat offender reported to the Josephine County Jail to turn himself in on an action warrant alleging possession of two grams of methamphetamine.

At 2:59 Monday afternoon Josephine County Sheriff's deputies contacted Alejandro Torres and Tarah Munoz outside the jail facility to turn himself in for a warrant from the Sheriff's office.

Torres was cooperative and the warrant was confirmed. Torres does not have a social security number or a drivers license so the warrant was confirmed by a booking photo, name and date of birth. Torres was lodged in the jail.

This was the fourth incarceration for Torres since November of last year for charges mostly for methamphetamine possession, but included theft II and trespass charges.

Posted on 9/2/25 4:01PM by Alex Bauer

The Grants Pass Urban Renewal Agency Board Approved Two New Grants.

The Grants Pass Urban Renewal Agency just approved new grants.

The first grant was a building restoration and rehabilitation grant for $50,000 to support the installation of fire suppression in the former Dutch Bros. Headquarters, soon to become the Grants Pass location for the Ivy School and Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon.

This project will expand the availability of childcare and support workforce development in our community.

The second grant was a public infrastructure and underdeveloped land grant for $144,522 to support the expansion of Magazine Exchange and public infrastructure in the Spalding Industrial Park.

This project will support business expansion, add jobs to a local distribution company, make available additional industrial space, and extend water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure to vacant industrial lands.

Posted on 9/2/25 3:59PM by Alex Bauer

Grants Pass Prepares for New Nebraska Trail Development

Grants Pass is preparing to bring in a new housing development. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, the city received an update from Chrisman Development about the progress on the Nebraska Trail Development. This project will bring in a large amount of much-needed new housing to the area. As of July 31st, the project was about 16 percent complete, with an expected finishing date of November 2026. The management company will start sharing information about 6 months before completion. The application process will begin 3 months before the work is done.

Posted on 9/2/25 3:58PM by Alex Bauer

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