KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GPCC Awards 5 Grants Totaling $21K Plus Reallocated Funds for Warming Shelter

Grants Pass City Councilors approved the dispersing of tourism grant funds and reallocated ARPA funds to facilitate a warming shelter at the Wednesday night business session. Five applicants will be awarded Lodging Tax funds following their submission for the fall application cycle of the City’s Sustainable Tourism Grant program. The program is to encourage tourism from outside a 50-mile radius from the city. The Council’s resolution authorizes the award of $5,000 each to the Grants Pass Rotary Club Foundation and Grants Pass Downs. The Grants Pass High School Band Boosters and the Grants Pass Museum of Art will receive $3,750. Rogue Valley Classic Cruisers will be awarded $3,500. Councilors also approved reallocating American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $67,500 from public infrastructure for affordable housing to affordable housing and unhoused programs and services on a 4 to 3 vote. The movement of funds is in response to the announcement from United Community Action Network(UCAN) that there are no funds to operate a warming center with winter weather approaching. UCAN is willing to offer operational support. Partners Assisting the Homeless is also available to assist with volunteers. The funds will assure the availability of a warming center in Grants Pass this winter. The resolution was passed on a 4 to 3 vote. The Council filled seven openings on the Sustainability and Energy Action Committee. David Koehler was appointed as the Energy Efficiency Specialist, Dustin Blue was appointed as the Solar/Energy technology specialist, Horace Stodola was appointed as the representative with solid waste or recycling experience, Matthew Rosen was appointed as a data analyst and Shannon Hoist was appointed as the student representative. Tom Bradbeer and Dorothy Swain were appointed as at large members.

Posted on 11/15/23 7:49PM by Chuck Benson

Major Drug Bust in GP Announced by DEA & Grants Pass Police Department

The DEA Seattle Field Division announced in a Wednesday morning press conference held at Grants Pass City Police headquarters that 24 arrests and 37 firearms were seized Tuesday morning as a result nine search warrants being executed simultaneously with all but one in Josephine County.
The Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Grants Pass Police Department, Oregon State Police, and multiple local interagency drug teams concluded an 18-month investigation Tuesday morning with the service of the nine separate warrants. The mass operation resulted in 24 arrests plus the seizure of 37 firearms and 33,000 dollars in cash as the culmination of an 18-month long investigation into a local drug trafficking organization. Additionally, the search warrants resulted in 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, 636g of fentanyl pills, 52g of fentanyl powder, 58g of cocaine, 250 pounds of marijuana, and ¾ of a pound of illegal mushrooms.The investigation had already yielded 40 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.25 pounds of fentanyl, 3 pounds of cocaine, and ½ a pound of heroin over the course of 18 months. These quantities are significant and their removal from the distribution chain is a significant outcome. The names of the suspects that were arrested have not yet been released. The case will be prosecuted by the Josephine County District Attorney’s office. This is one operation of an ongoing investigation.

Posted on 11/15/23 2:08PM by Chuck Benson

BCC Cancels Next Week's Business Session & Hears Several Public Comments

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners had only one action item on its agenda for today's business session, but an abundance of public comments made the meeting last more than 30 minutes. The Board approved an order canceling next Wednesday's business session for a number of reasons including a lack of a quorum on the day before Thanksgiving. Two out of the three commissioners are required to conduct business. Before approving the order unanimously, Board Chair Herman Baertschiger said staff members informed him that there were no pressing business items for the agenda. Commissioners John West and Dan DeYoung agreed to the cancellation, but reserved the right to hold other meetings on Monday and Tuesday, if needed. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, a number of participants were given three minutes to address the Board on issues pertaining to Josephine County. The comments ranged from both positive and negative feedback on the apparent voter approval of a new law enforcement district in last week's election to future fire district assessments, the rural-urban divide, the proliferation of trash in the county and sharing with others on Thanksgiving.

Posted on 11/15/23 11:34AM by Sam Marsh

Police Seized Gun from Student Who Brought It to South Medford HS Campus

Authorities confiscated a gun from a South Medford High School student after they brought the firearm to campus yesterday. The Medford Police Department reports the resource officer assigned to the high school was contacted by staff and made aware that they had received a report that a student was in possession of a handgun in their backpack while on campus. The information was brought to school officials' attention by other students. The School Resource Officer quickly acted to locate the student and learned they had left campus. The SRO and school officials responded to the student's home and -- in cooperation with the parents - recovered the gun at the residence. According to MPD, the source of the firearm and the circumstances surrounding its possession are under investigation. So far, no arrests have been made. The Medford School District notified parents of SMHS students about the incident via e-mail, outlining the cooperation with MPD and the importance of students speaking up when they see something suspicious. Parents were urged to encourage their students to "say something if they see something."

Posted on 11/15/23 11:32AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Woman for Violating Court Order by Contacting Protected Party

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for violating a court order after she unlawfully made contact with the protected party late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 44-year-old Angela Drusella Juandedios for the incident at a home in the 2100-block of NW North Hill Drive on Tuesday at 7:34 p.m.. The incident was reported around 5:30 p.m.. Police said the female victim advised that Juandedios violated the stalking order by yelling at her while she was inside the residence. The caller said the suspect yelled at her again when she exited the home. Officers contacted the suspect about two hours later and she denied the contact, even though several people were identified as witnesses. The suspect tried to pull away from officers during detainment and when being placed in a patrol vehicle. Angela Juandedios was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Contempt of Court-Stalking Order Violation and one count of Resisting Arrest. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 11/15/23 11:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Fugitive on State & Local Warrants on Railroad Property

Grants Pass Police apprehended a fugitive wanted on statewide and local warrants yesterday while performing a patrol check on railroad property on the west side of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 32-year-old Aliczandr Mikal McClymonds on the railroad property near NW Sun View Place on Tuesday at 12:42 p.m.. Police said McClymonds was one of five people who were contacted and then trespassed from the railroad property. They said he was found to be wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation, a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault and a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. Aliczander McClymonds was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. Upon booking, deputies located a counterfeit $100 bill which was seized for further investigation.

Posted on 11/15/23 11:29AM by Sam Marsh

Central Point Police Snared Man on GP Felony Warrant in City of Rogue River

The Central Point Police Department arrested a man in the City of Rogue River on a Grants Pass felony warrant for suspicion of delivering narcotics late yesterday. According to GPPD, Central Point officers contacted and then detained 48-year-old Anthony James Colgate at the Rogue River Post Office on East Main Street at 4:21 p.m. Tuesday. No details about the incident were available, but Colgate was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant containing a secret indictment for Delivery of Methamphetamine. He was placed into custody without incident. Anthony Colgate was transferred to GPPD and lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail.

Posted on 11/15/23 11:28AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Wolf Creek Man for Felony DUII & More in Sunny Valley Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Wolf Creek man for felony impaired driving and additional crimes after a traffic stop in the Sunny Valley area late yesterday. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Chrysler Cirrus driven by 73-year-old Kyle Bruno Holtz near the corner of Lariat Drive and Sunny Valley Loop shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Troopers said they stopped Holtz for a traffic violation and he attempted to walk away. They said he was detained and signs of impairment were observed. He performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. According to OSP, Holtz also had his driving privileges revoked at the felony level. He was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Kyle Holtz was lodged at the Sobering Center on charges of Felony Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Felony Driving While Revoked, Reckless Driving and Attempting to Elude Police on Foot. His vehicle was parked and secured.

Posted on 11/15/23 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

Curry County Man Jailed for Stealing Vehicle, Trying to Elude Police & Crashing

A Curry County man is in custody after he stole a minivan in Josephine County on Tuesday and then drove at high speeds on Interstate 5 while attempting to elude law enforcement before crashing on Table Rock Road in Medford. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports 37-year-old Antoine Roberson of Brookings attempted to flee on foot after crashing, but he was tracked down and placed into custody by deputies yesterday. Around 1:10 p.m., the stolen minivan passed Jackson County detectives in an unmarked vehicle on southbound I-5 at milepost 40. The suspect was driving recklessly at speeds over 100 miles per hour in the rain. Detectives radioed dispatch and a sheriff's deputy and Oregon State Police trooper staged near I-5 Exit 30. The minivan took the exit and attempted to elude law enforcement. A deputy successfully spiked the minivan's tires at Table Rock Road and Berrydale Avenue. The van continued driving recklessly before crashing into a car and fence on Table Rock Road. There were no injuries reported in the crash and Roberson tried to run but was placed into custody without further incident. Antoine Roberson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. An investigation determined the minivan was an unreported stolen vehicle in Josephine County. Roberson is known by the Grants Pass Police Department as a frequent camper in city parks.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Continuing to Violate Court Order by Visiting Mother

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for continuing to violate a court order by visiting his mother against her wishes. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving 34-year-old Evan Timothy Hall at an apartment in the 1,000-block of NE A Street on Monday morning. Police said Hall went to see his mother and a neighbor in an adjacent apartment with knowledge of the situation called for help. They said Hall got within 15 feet of his mother's front door before he turned around and started walking away. Officers contacted Hall a short distance away, confirmed the court order protecting his mother and then placed him into custody. Evan Hall was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Contempt of Court/Restraining Order Violation and one count of 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. Hall was being held without bail. Jail records show he has been arrested 12 times for violating the restraining order since May 10th of this year.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:31AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Incarcerated Man for Allegedly Stealing Vehicle from Father

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for allegedly stealing a vehicle from his father. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Dakota David Buckelew near the corner of SE 6th and I streets Monday afternoon. Police said Buckelew's father reported the vehicle was unlawfully taken by his son and officers spotted the vehicle before making the traffic stop. They said the driver was cooperative with lawful commands and he stated he knew his father was going to report the vehicle as stolen. According to the report, Buckelew had a recent "falling out" with his father and decided to keep the vehicle anyway. He also recently had his driving privileges suspended. Buckelew was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Driving While Suspended. The vehicle was secured at the scene of the traffic stop and the keys were taken to the Police Department for his father to pick up.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Late Afternoon Crashes in the Illinois Valley Sent Three People to Hospital

Two crashes in the Illinois Valley sent three people to the hospital with injuries late yesterday. On Tuesday at 4:31 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Oregon State Police were dispatched to a single-vehicle wreck on Redwood Highway at Laurel Road. IVFD officials said the driver had a medical incident before the crash and was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass for further evaluation. The damaged vehicle was hauled into Cave Junction by JP Auto Recycling. On Tuesday at 5:13 p.m., IVFD and AMR responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash in the 200-block of Thompson Creek Road near Selma. Officials said the vehicle slid over an embankment and flipped over. The occupants were trapped and were extricated from the vehicle within minutes of the accident happening. Both occupants were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Traffic was reduced to one lane while the scene was active.

Posted on 11/15/23 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

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