KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Unattended Open Burn Spread to Surrounding Vegetation before Being Doused

An open burn that was left unattended overnight in the New Hope area spread to surrounding vegetation, two trees and destroyed a stack of firewood. On Sunday at 5:38 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department responded to the escaped burn on Fish Hatchery Road. Quick action by the occupant with a garden hose and a prompt call to 9-1-1 got firefighters on scene to assist with containment and overhaul. The fire came within just a few feet of a shop building, but no structural damage was found. Rural Metro officials said even though the 2023 fire season ended on October 13th, moisture in natural fuels remains low due to insufficient rainfall. They said escaped burn piles are possible for property owners who choose to dispose of woody waste in this manner. Please burn responsibly.

Posted on 10/23/23 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Being Accepted for One Position on GP Parks Advisory Committee

Applications are being accepted for an open position on the Grants Pass Parks Advisory Committee. This is a three-year appointment. The purpose of this committee is to review and make recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council related to the needs and locations for new parkland and trails along with park planning, allocation of recreation resources between users, preservation of park resources and funding. The City Council desires to have a balance of viewpoints and demographic representation on the panel including individuals with interest or experience representing athletic leagues, individuals knowledgeable in natural resource preservation, people involved with recurring park events, frequent park users, and individuals who use family-friendly park play facilities. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 1st.

Posted on 10/23/23 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Officers & Firefighters Logged Active Week of Community Protection

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged an active week of duty while protecting the city, its residents and visitors. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 670 calls for service as well as 278 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 39 arrests, 42 citations, 54 warnings and three highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. The Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 167 contacts with potential trouble-makers while arresting five people, citing 24 more and warning 30 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 18 individuals, posted 114 new transient camps and removed trash from 17 campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 97 calls last week including 36 for emergency medical service, four reports of fire or smoke, 15 lift assists, seven rescue situations, two assists to other agencies and six false alarms. The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center fielded a total of 989 emergency calls in addition to 864 calls for non-emergency service.

Posted on 10/23/23 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

Chamber of Commerce and Daily Courier Hosting Forum on Public Safety Levy Tonight

Ballots have been delivered for the November 7th election and it's decision time for city voters. The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and Grants Pass Daily Courier are hosting a forum on the upcoming public safety levy this evening. The forum -- which will be held in the Grants Pass City Council Chambers from 6 to 7 p.m. -- is free and open to the public. The public forum will include a panel that will be answering questions about the levy that will be on the November 7th Election ballot. The levy is a renewal of the $1.79 public option that has been partially funding emergency services for more than a decade. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the levy if time allows. A quorum of the Grants Pass City Council may be present at the forum.

Posted on 10/23/23 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

Patrons of New Williams Library Branch also Celebrating Extended Open Hours

Patrons of the Williams branch library are not only enjoying a brand new facility, they are also celebrating extended hours. According to the Josephine Community Library District, nearly 150 excited library supporters joined the grand opening of the new Williams branch library on October 7th. Patrons have extended hours to visit the new library branch. They are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. This project was made possible by donations from JCL supporters and grants from the Oregon Community Foundation, Four Way Community Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation and Josephine County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Posted on 10/23/23 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Laurel Street Closure Next Week

You may want to adjust your commute next week if it normally involves Laurel Street. Laurel Street from Bridge St to Rogue River Ave will be closed to through traffic beginning on Monday through Friday, from 7am to 6pm, for asphalt paving. Local access only. Expect message boards with information on detours that will be happening on Rogue River Ave between Greenwood and Oak, and on Bridge St between SW Greenwood and SW Oak St from Wednesday to Friday.Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency Vehicles will not be allowed through.

Posted on 10/21/23 6:23AM by Chuck Benson

GP Police Jailed Felon for Parole Violation after Physically Harassing Woman

Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for violating his post-prison supervision after he allegedly hit a woman at a residence near the downtown area this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 30-year-old Damien Michael Clark for the incident that occurred in the 500-block of SE 9th Street shortly after midnight on Friday morning. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Clark struck her numerous times while she was lying on her bed. The caller did not have any injuries, but she had surveillance video which showed the suspect approaching her in an aggressive manner with closed fists.
Officers located Clark in the area a short time later and he denied that anything physical occurred. He is on post-prison supervision with the stipulation that he have no contact with the female victim. He was immediately placed into custody.

Posted on 10/21/23 5:17AM by Chuck Benson

Noise Complaint on Lower River Road Led to Arrests of Men on Outside Warrants

An early morning noise complaint just west of Grants Pass led to the arrest of two men on out-of-county warrants yesterday. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers responded to the incident in the 2100-block of Lower River Road on Friday at about 3:15 a.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 regarding her neighbors being loud. The caller stated she asked them to quiet down and a verbal argument ensued. She said the men cursed at her and threatened to sic their dog on her. Upon arrival, officers contacted 39-year-old Tyson James Booher and 34-year-old Vince John Kay, discovering that both were wanted on warrants from outside jurisdictions. Booher was wanted on a Linn County felony warrant for 1st-Degree Robbery and Kay was wanted on a Coos County warrant for Felony Driving While Revoked.

Posted on 10/21/23 5:15AM by Chuck Benson

Chamber of Commerce and Daily Courier Hosting Forum on Public Safety Levy

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and Grants Pass Daily Courier are hosting a forum on the upcoming public safety levy early next week. The forum -- which will be held in the Grants Pass City Council Chambers on Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. -- is free and open to the public. The public forum will include a panel that will be answering questions about the levy that will be on the November 7th Election ballot. The levy is a renewal of the $1.79 public option that has been partially funding emergency services for more than a decade. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the levy if time allows.

Posted on 10/21/23 5:13AM by Chuck Benson

Patrons of New Williams Library Branch also Celebrating Extended Open Hours

Posted on 10/21/23 5:11AM by Chuck Benson

SAIF Returns More Than $2.2 Million in Dividends to Josephine County Economy

For the 14th consecutive year, Oregon businesses received a dividend from SAIF, the state's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. In September, SAIF announced a $135 million dividend for more than 52,000 employers statewide. The checks go out this month. SAIF policyholders in Josephine County received more than $2.2 million, which does not include state agencies. Businesses and organizations received between 22% and 27% of their standard premium back. This year, SAIF was able to pay dividends because of its solid financial standing and continued success in managing workplace safety and health and controlling losses. SAIF is one of the only insurance carriers in Oregon that has regularly returned dividends to employers. As a not-for-profit with a public mission to make workers' compensation coverage, available, accessible and affordable, it's an important part of value to policyholders.

Posted on 10/21/23 5:10AM by Chuck Benson

OLCC Permanently Appoints Grants Pass Native as Agency's Executive Director

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) permanently appointed a Grants Pass native as the agency's executive director. Craig Prins, who has been serving as interim OLCC director since this past February, served the state previously at the Oregon Department of Corrections. Prins served as a Multnomah County prosecutor before moving to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. In 2016, he became inspector general at the Oregon Department of Corrections and was tapped by Governor Tina Kotek to be the interim OLCC director earlier this year. Prins expressed his thanks to the OLCC staff for "using all their energy to do this great mission focusing on protecting the public health and safety of Oregon citizens," and supporting the alcohol and cannabis industries.

Posted on 10/21/23 5:09AM by Chuck Benson

Local News