KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Gunman Shoots Teen in Neck, Arrested by Medford Police

Medford Police officers arrested a gunman responsible for shooting a teenager at the intersection of Crater Lake Avenue and Stevens Street Sunday around 2:21 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Officers immediately began providing aid until personnel from Mercy Flights and Medford Fire Department arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries is expected to recover. During a search of the area, officers located the suspect, Phoenix Wood, 21, in the Providence parking garage. He was taken into custody without incident. The firearm was also recovered. The MPD Criminal Investigations Division (CID) was notified, and a detective responded to lead the investigation. The investigation determined Wood and the victim did not know each other and became involved in an argument. During the confrontation, Wood produced a handgun and struck the victim with it. While doing so, the firearm discharged, striking the victim in the neck.

Posted on 3/30/26 5:19AM by Alex Bauer

Motorcyclist Crashed, Discharged Firearm to Alert Others, Transported to Hospital

A motorcyclist was airlifted by Mercy Flights to a Medford-area trauma hospital Sunday at 6:08 p.m. after a crash in the area of Peavine Road near Rich Gulch.

Due to the rider's poor cell phone connection with Grants Pass 911, an initial response was delayed. This reportedly prompted the rider to discharge a firearm to summon the attention of others in the party.

Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire and AMR arrived and extracted and transported the injured rider from a ravine to a landing zone at Morrison's Rogue River Lodge.

Posted on 3/30/26 4:59AM by Alex Bauer

Rural Metro, GP Fire Contain Two Weekend Fires, Give Fire Safety Reminder

Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire contained two fires Saturday afternoon on different ends of the Mid Rogue Fire District.

An unattended open burn spread to half an acre of brush and trees in the 200 block of Becky Springs Drive at 5:15 p.m. Dispatch was alerted to the fire by a passersby on Fish Hatchery Road at Southside Road.

The caller observed the flames on the steep hillside. Rural Metro crews from the Williams Highway and Wilderville stations arrived and were able to knock down the blaze.

Shortly thereafter, a heat lamp ignited a chicken coop in the 4000 block of Foothill Boulevard. A Grants Pass Fire crew from the Parkway Station reported to the scene around 5:39 p.m.

The coop was found to be fully involved, with the fire having spread into one tree. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters confirmed eight chicks did not survive the blaze.

Fire crews remind the public that, even on approved burn days, be sure to only burn approved materials, clear a barrier down to bare dirt around the pile to prevent flames from spreading, and remain in attendance. When using heat lamps for livestock, be sure they are well secured and far enough away from flammable bedding materials.

Posted on 3/30/26 4:53AM by Alex Bauer

Woman Apprehended after Resisting Arrest, Lodged on Meth Charge by GP Police

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman behind Rogue Roasters for Resisting Arrest and Methamphetamine Possession early this morning.

During a proactive stop around 5 a.m., an officer located the suspect, Carrie Wood, behind the 610 SW 6th Street preparing a syringe. When law enforcement attempted to detain Wood and take her into custody, she proceeded to walk away.

Wood locked up, pulled away, and resisted being hand cuffed by the officer, but was eventually taken into custody. Her syringe field tested positive for the presumptive presence of meth.

The officer transported Wood to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for Meth Possession, and a charge of Resisting Arrest.

Posted on 3/27/26 12:50PM by Alex Bauer

City Council Special Meeting to Follow Monday's Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council will meet for their workshop, followed then by a special meeting Monday at 11:45 a.m.

The council will hear a Business Retention and Expansion report followed by the City Manager evaluation process. Other workshop agenda items include a presentation on the Urban Renewal Grant program regarding vandalism, a Beacon Hill Park Discussion, and Federal legislative earmarks.

The workshop will adjourn following an agenda review with Bikeways and Walkways Committee motions, and the appointing of the Small Business Task Force Council liaison.

A special meeting will convene directly afterwards, with council considering an ordinance terminating a city utility easement in the Champion Park Subdivision. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter an agreement with the Visitors Association will follow.

The meeting will adjourn following a Project Advisory Committee motion, and minute approval.

Monday's workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street, and can be streamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 3/27/26 12:26PM by Alex Bauer

Pool Skateboarder Arrested on Three GPPD Warrants by JoCo Sheriff's Deputies

A man skateboarding in a pool was arrested on three warrants by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies.

Three male suspects were reported skateboarding in a pool behind a restaurant in the 400 block of S Redwood Highway at 6:21 p.m. Deputies arrived and contacted the men, but one of them refused to identify himself.

Robert Smith's identity was confirmed, and he was found to be wanted on three Grants Pass Police Department warrants. Deputies took Smith into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for his original charge of Second Degree Trespassing, and two Meth Possession charges.

Posted on 3/27/26 11:54AM by Alex Bauer

Woman Released from Prison, Later Jailed for Trespassing and Contempt of Court

A woman was arrested for Second Degree Trespassing and Contempt of Court Thursday after returning to the same property she was previously trespassed from.

Grants Pass Police were notified that the suspect, Hannah Lore, returned to a property in the 2000 block of NE Fairview Avenue. She had just been released from prison that day and had a no contact order on file with the reporting party.

Dispatch was told the suspect kept getting in and out of a white Camaro with a dead battery parked in front of the apartments.

The caller believed the no contact order was from the District Attorney's office. When officers arrived, they not only confirmed the order by a phone call with the Josephine County Jail, but that Lore was trespassed from the residence.

She was contacted and taken into custody by officers, the transported to the jail where she was lodged on her trespassing and contempt charges.

Posted on 3/27/26 11:38AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge One at Sobering Center, One in Jail from Resting Site 6 North

Grants Pass Police sent one suspect to the Sobering Center, and one to jail following patrols of Resting Site Six North Thursday.

Shane Barton was observed in his tent at the 714 NW 6th Street site around 7:48 a.m. He had drug paraphernalia in his possession in plain sight of officers, and admitted to using methamphetamine within the previous 90 minutes before being contacted.

Barton was displaying signs of impairment, and subsequently taken into custody. His parole officer was contacted, and Barton was excluded from the site for 30 days. Officers issued him a citation for the Possession of Meth, and lodged him in the sobering center.

Grants Pass Police, later in the day at 11:45 a.m., took James McClung into custody. He was known to have two warrants out for his arrest charging him with Second and Third Degree Theft.

He was taken into custody at the resting site, positively identified, and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for his police department warrants.

Posted on 3/27/26 10:54AM by Alex Bauer

High Speed 7th Street Chase Landed Woman in Jail

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for reckless driving following a high speed chase up 7th Street Thursday.

The suspect, Sabina Joseph, was driving a Subaru Forester northbound, running through red lights without slowing down at a speed of 70 miles per hour around 6:05 a.m. Pursuing officers attempted a traffic stop, but Joseph refused to slow until the patrol car's siren was activated.

She and her passenger were pulled over in front of Brighten Academy, where officers performed a Pinch Maneuver, stopping the vehicle. Joseph followed commands, exited the vehicle, and was promptly detained. Both women told law enforcement they had been driving for five days straight.

Law enforcement reported the cause of their behavior was unclear since neither exhibited signs of alcohol or drug use. Joseph was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving and Felony Attempt to Elude Police. Her passenger, the registered owner of the vehicle, was released.

Posted on 3/27/26 10:42AM by Alex Bauer

Nominations Now Open for Food Bank's Hunger Hero Awards

Nominations are now open for the annual Hunger Hero Awards taking place at Vista 222 this summer.

Hosted by The Josephine County Food Bank, this event recognizes local individuals and organizations working to fight hunger in the county.

According to a release from the food bank, the awards are part of the organization's Shining a Light on Hunger fundraiser. They honor those making a difference in the community by improving access to healthy food and supporting neighbors in need.

Eligible nominees include volunteers, nonprofits, community leaders, and groups dedicated to fighting against food insecurity. Anyone can submit a nomination at www.jocofoodbank.org, with an April 30th deadline.

Winners will be honored at this year's fundraiser taking place June 11th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Vista 222.

Posted on 3/27/26 10:00AM by Alex Bauer

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