KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Several Free Local Events for Trick-or-Treaters in Days Leading Up to Halloween Night

Trick-or-treaters will have plenty of local options to gather candy in the next few days leading up to Halloween night. Several of these events are free. It all starts Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass with a "Trunk-or-Treat" event in the covered arena. Also on Saturday, the Grants Pass Shopping Center is hosting a Halloween Festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Central Point's Chamber of Commerce will have a "Trick-or-Treat Treasure Hunt" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Gold Hill Library will hold a "Trunk-or-Treat" event from 3 to 5 p.m.. On Sunday, Parkway Christian Center in Grants Pass will hold a "Trunk-or-Treat" from 4 to 6 p.m.. On Tuesday, the "Downtown Grants Pass Halloween Safe Walk" runs from 3 to 5 p.m. when trick-or-treaters can gather candy from participating merchants. Also on Tuesday is River Valley Church's "Fall Family Festival" from 5 to 8 p.m. and Community Bible Church will host a "Trunk-or-Treat" event from 6 to 7:30 p.m..

Posted on 10/27/23 6:03AM by Sam Marsh

One Person Hurt in Fiery Crash on Redwood Highway near Hayes Hill Summit

One person was injured in a fiery multi-vehicle crash that occurred on Redwood Highway near the Hayes Hill Summit early yesterday. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the three-vehicle collision near milepost 15 of US Highway 199 on Wednesday at about 8:25 a.m.. OSP said a preliminary investigation indicates 27-year-old James Edwards of Medford was driving a Chevrolet pickup south on the highway when he lost control in a curve. The pickup contacted a northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 42-year-old Yesenia Oviatt of Crescent City before crashing into a northbound Subaru Outback driven by 73-year-old George Milligan of Cave Junction. Edwards' pickup overturned, burst into flames and was fully-burned when crews arrived to extinguish the fire. Milligan was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt. All three vehicles were towed into Grants Pass. Following the investigation, Edwards was either cited or warned for an unspecified traffic violation. OSP was assisted at the scene by the Illinois Valley Fire District, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Attacking Roommate at Mobile Home Park near GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for attacking his roommate at a residence about four miles west of Grants Pass late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 48-year-old Anthony Michael Donlan for the incident that occurred at a mobile home park in the 4500-block of Lower River Road shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies said they received a call from a 63-year-old man who stated that Donlan beat him up with a shovel and had him trapped in the house. They said the victim sought refuge in the office of the park and was applying direct pressure to a wound on his head. The man said he also sustained bruises on his arms, face and chest. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties, observed the victim's injuries and placed Donlan into custody. The victim received medical treatment at the scene, but he was not transported to the hospital. There was no evidence that a shovel was used in the attack, nor was there any evidence the suspect prevented the victim from leaving the residence. Anthony Donlan was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault. Donlan was flagged as hostile to law enforcement and a two-officer contact after he allegedly threatened to shoot deputies.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Men on Felony Warrants while Investigating Theft Call

Grants Pass Police apprehended two men wanted on outstanding felony warrants early yesterday while investigating a theft complaint in the northwest part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident in the 1200-block of NW Highland Avenue on Wednesday around 8:45 a.m.. Police said they contacted 54-year-old Paul Daniels and 42-year-old Paul Allyn during an investigation into unpaid labor. They said a 50-year-old woman worked for one of the men and was given a check that bounced due to insufficient funds. During the investigation, it was discovered that Paul Daniels was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation and Paul Allyn was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Identity Theft and 2nd-Degree Theft. Both Pauls were lodged at the Josephine County Jail. On the original call regarding the bad check, the complainant agreed to enter into a civil agreement for payment of the money owed.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:05AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Located Missing Man and Then Arrested Him on Local Warrant

Grants Pass Police located a missing man at a city park and then arrested him on an outstanding local warrant early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers located 40-year-old Travis Edward McGee Blake at Tussing Park at 6:23 a.m. Wednesday after his mother had reported him missing. Police said Blake had walked to Tussing Park from Baker Park and he was contacted in the parking lot off West Park Street. That's when they learned that he had been reported as a missing person from Jackson County. Officers also discovered that Blake was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. Blake's mother was contacted and advised of her son's current disposition.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:04AM by Sam Marsh

GP Man Nearly Hit by Vehicle in Redwood Area Snared on Outside Warrant

A Grants Pass man who was nearly struck by a vehicle after disregarding a traffic control device was arrested on an outside warrant yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a reported disturbance at the intersection of Willow Lane and Redwood Avenue on Wednesday at 3:50 p.m.. Police said 24-year-old Drake Anthony Evans ignored a pedestrian control device at the intersection and was almost hit by a vehicle. They said Evans called 9-1-1 and proceeded to confront the driver who he said threatened to kill him. However, evidence showed Evans was riding a skateboard and using his phone at the time. Officers responded and contacted Evans at a nearby bus stop, discovering that he was wanted on a Klamath County warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft. After the warrant was confirmed, he was lodged at the jail facility.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:02AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Two Motorists on Local Warrants in Separate Tuesday Stops

The Oregon State Police arrested two people on local warrants during separate traffic stops that occurred within a 22-minute period in the Illinois Valley. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Tuesday at 11:34 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Dodge Dart driven by 43-year-old Kristopher Everett Kelley of Cave Junction near the corner of Redwood Highway and East River Street. Troopers said they stopped Kelley for a traffic violation and discovered that he was wanted on a local bench warrant for failing to appear in court. He was cited to appear in court and then released from custody. The second incident happened on Tuesday at 11:56 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Honda Accord driven by 43-year-old Daren Alan McCollum on US Highway 199 near Eight Dollar Mountain Road. Troopers said they stopped McCollum for traffic violations and learned that he was wanted on a local warrant for Contempt of Court. He was issued a criminal citation and advised that he must appear for his scheduled court date. He was then released.

Posted on 10/26/23 11:00AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Allegedly Defecating on Door of Apartment

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for allegedly defecating on the front door of an apartment near the downtown area late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident in the 800-block of NE E Street on Wednesday at about 5 p.m.. Police said 59-year-old Marjorie Rose Anderson was contacted a short distance away from the apartment and the reports of her defecating on the door proved to be accurate. They said the evidence was in such a manner it was not able to be picked up. Anderson was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Offensive Littering. A shopping cart she was pushing was returned to the retailer and her belongings were logged into evidence for safe-keeping.

Posted on 10/26/23 10:59AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Man Jailed for Alleged Sex Crimes with Child at Bowling Alley

A Josephine County man has been jailed for alleged sex crimes with a young child at a Grants Pass bowling alley. The Grants Pass Police Department reports 78-year-old Edward Ray Benavente was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on Tuesday. Police said they received allegations of sex abuse at Caveman Bowl on Rogue River Highway last weekend. Detectives conducted a thorough investigation into the alleged abuse of a child under 12 years old. Lieutenant Jeff Hattersley said the investigation led to the arrest of Benavente for three counts of 1st-Degree Sex Abuse of a Minor and two counts of Purchasing Sex with a Minor. The suspect was being held without bail. Anyone with information about this investigation or additional victims is urged to contact Grants Pass Police Detective Miguel at (541)-450-6260. Please reference Case #23-44691. Due to the sensitive nature of this case, Lieutenant Hattersley said additional details will not be released.

Posted on 10/26/23 6:42AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Seeking Public Assistance in Locating Missing Illinois Valley Woman

UPDATE: SKYLER HAS BEEN LOCATED.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was asking for public assistance in locating a missing Illinois Valley woman. According to a Wednesday afternoon news release, 28-year-old Skyler McKinney was last seen in the Selma area near Lake Selmac around October 3rd. Friends and family have not heard from McKinney since that time, but they have received information that she is still in the area. They said she may have dyed her hair purple. McKinney is described as a white female adult, 5-feet-3-inches tall and 150 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Skyler McKinney is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123. Please refer to Case #23-26917.

Posted on 10/26/23 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Motorist for DUII after She Crashed Car into Parked Trailer

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after she crashed her car into a parked travel trailer on the west side of the city this week. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the incident in the 2100-block of Shane Way on Tuesday evening. Police said 43-year-old Breana Lee Verser was driving a Subaru sedan when she crashed into a 2022 Keystone Hideout travel trailer that was parked on the street. Upon contact with Verser, they said she displayed indicators of impairment and admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages before driving. Verser performed poorly in field sobriety tests, but no further testing was done due to reported physical limitations. A search warrant was obtained and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that verified impairment. Breana Verser was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Driving. Her wrecked car was impounded. The amount of damage done to the travel trailer was not disclosed.

Posted on 10/26/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Motorist Cited for Running Red Light and Crashing into GPPD Patrol Vehicle

A motorist was cited for running a red light and crashing into a Grants Pass Police patrol vehicle this week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency units responded to the two-vehicle collision at the corner of SE 7th and H streets around midday Tuesday. Troopers said a 72-year-old Grants Pass woman was driving a Toyota Yaris north on 7th Street and admitted to running a red light at the intersection. They said a GPPD Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 43-year-old police officer was traveling east through a green light on H Street and struck the driver-side door of the Toyota. According to OSP, the GPPD vehicle had dash camera footage clearly showing a green light for the Chevrolet and a red light for the Toyota. The Toyota was towed from the scene, while the Chevrolet was driven away. No one was injured. Following the investigation, the female motorist was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

Posted on 10/26/23 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

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