KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Local Agencies Execute 2 Water Rescues Wednesday

Grants Pass Fire Rescue crews responded to two separate water rescue incidents Wednesday about one hour apart. Both rescues utilized an inflatable rescue boat referred to as an IRB. In the first rescue, a boater fell from their kayak near Chinook Park at about 10:45 a.m. and was unable to get back in. The boater was wearing a life jacket, but the current was too strong to swim to shore. The person was stuck in the middle of the river and was quickly being affected by the colder water temperatures. Grants Pass Fire Rescue crews worked with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire, and American Medical Response to rescue the boater. The boater was uninjured and transported to shore by trained swift water rescue personnel utilizing the IRB. In the second rescue at about 11:45 a.m, an individual along with a civilian attempting rescue ended up under Deb Potts bridge in the water clinging to the water intake structure, both without life jackets. Both individuals were in the water for at least 15 minutes prior to 911 notification. Grants Pass Fire Rescue crews again worked with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response, and Grants Pass Police to quickly launch the boat and retrieve the individual from the river. One person was then transported to Three Rivers Hospital for further care while the other refused care.

Posted on 10/5/23 3:03PM by Chuck Benson

Wednesday A. M. Crash at Parkway & Agness Ends with Vehicle Upside Down; No Injuries

Grants Pass City Police were dispatched to a three-vehicle accident at 9:19 Wednesday morning at the intersection of the Parkway and Agness. According to the police report, a Nissan Rogue with Florida license plates was going east on the Parkway and Agness in the north bound turn lane, ran a red light and turned through the intersection and crashed into a grey Honda Accord. The Nissan then collided with a third vehicle staged at the red light. The crash blocked Agness for a short time with one of the vehicles on its top. The driver of the Nissan, identified only as a Mitchell, admitting going through the red light and was cited for driving while suspended, failure to obey a traffic control device and careless drivin

Posted on 10/5/23 10:33AM by Chuck Benson

State Troopers Stop Three in Separate Incidents, Lodged Two

The Oregon State Police lodged three individuals in jail in three separate incidents beginning at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday morning. A trooper stopped a blue Nissan Sentra for speeding on Interstate-5 near milepost 62 and found the driver, 39-year-old Christopher William Turley, was driving suspended. He was also cited for speed, driving uninsured, failure to register the vehicle and warned for expired tags. He was lodged in jail and the Nissan was towed. At 7:30 Wednesday night a trooper was dispatched to milepost 77 on Interstate-5 to the report of a disorderly man. The Trooper contacted 32-year-old Timothy Jordan Brenden of Glendale, who showed obvious signs of intoxication. Brenden initially refused to identity himself, so he was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was then identified and found to have a warrant for his arrest for disorderly conduct and failure to appear on a bench warrant.

Posted on 10/5/23 10:06AM by Chuck Benson

Two Motorcycle Riders Hospitalized after 3-Vehicle Crash with Hyundai Sedan

Two motorcycle riders were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after both collided with a sedan on Highway 199 and Round Prairie Road. The Oregon State Police responded to the 3-vheicle crash in which, for unknown reasons, two motorcycle riders hit a blue Hyundai Elantra that was waiting to turn onto Round Prairie Road. Both riders received moderate injuries with one being transported to Three Rivers Medical Center and one being taken to the Rogue Regional Medical Center. 59-year-old Michelle Louise Larson of Gold Hill was riding a blue Harley Davidson. Lisa Lear Buckman, also 59, was riding a purple and mauve Harley Davidson. The driver of the Hyundai, 37-year-year old Tayle Marie Grace Williams, was not injured.

Posted on 10/5/23 9:45AM by Chuck Benson

Traffic Stop Nets 1 Arrest & 1 Cite for Sheriff’s Deputies

One man was arrested, and a woman cited to appear following a traffic stop by a Josephine County deputy at 5:28 p.m. Wednesday. The deputy observed the driver of a vehicle known to be driving suspended operating a white 4-door vehicle and stopped the vehicle, detaining both the driver and passenger. The driver, identified as Ryan Scott Crisel, 28, and passenger, 27-year-old Shelby Mckenzie Spliethof, both admitted to being part of a current burglary case. Crisel was arrested and lodged in the county jail on charges of a parole violation, burglary I at a residence, theft II and driving while suspended. He is being held on a no bail detainer.

Posted on 10/5/23 9:16AM by Chuck Benson

Deputies Detain 3, Arrest 1 after Investigation of Homeless Camp

Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested one after detaining three individuals at a reported homeless camp in the 400 block of Redwood Highway Wednesday morning. A large homeless camp was reported at that location at 9:29 a.m. Deputies investigated and detained 27-year-old Dustin Herrell at taser point. It was determined Herrell was wanted on a Curry County warrant for driving while suspended-misdemeanor and a Josephine County warrant for a parole violation stemming from a driving under the influence conviction. Herrell was transported to the Josephine County Jail and incarcerated with bail set at $30,000.

Posted on 10/5/23 8:24AM by Chuck Benson

GPCC Approves Ordinance Amendments to Stormwater Master Plan & Lodging Tax

Grants Pass City Councilors passed three ordinance amendments, made several appointments to public committees and approved the drafting and dispatch of a letter to the legislature regarding reform to ballot measure 110. Following a legislative public hearing Councilors approved the amendment to the development code updating existing stormwater regulations to become consistent and maintain compliance with the city’s MS4 permit. Councilors also approved an amendment to the city code to more consistently align the code with the state of Oregon for collecting lodging tax that will now include more incidental charges in the base tax rate. The amendment does not increase the tax rate, but does expand what is taxed, increasing revenues to the city. A portion of those revenues can be dedicated to public safety. A third amendment authorizes the City Manager to, during an emergency that creates substantial risk of loss, damage, interruption of services or threat to public health, safety, welfare, or property to procure necessary goods or services to promptly execute a remedy to the condition. The City Manager is still required to submit a report if using this provision.

Posted on 10/5/23 6:47AM by Chuck Benson

Barney Recognized by Oregon Main Street for Volunteer Efforts for Medford Downtown Association

Four individuals were acknowledged statewide with Standout Volunteers Recognition certificates Wednesday, including a Jackson County man, during the Oregon Main Street conference in Independence. Medford’s Richard Barney was singled out for his contributions on behalf of the Medford Downtown Association. Others receiving that recognition include Tommy Wood, Downtown Estacada Commission, Josh Johnson, Beaverton Downtown Association and Nicole Felty of the La Grande Main Street Downtown.Oregon Main Street, which is part of Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, announced its 2023 “Excellence on Main” award winners during the annual Main Street conference on October 4th in Independence. Created in 2010, the annual Excellence on Main awards honor outstanding accomplishments, activities, and people making a difference in historic downtowns and traditional commercial neighborhoods across the state.

Posted on 10/5/23 6:43AM by Chuck Benson

Forestry Board Retreat Slated for Medford October 18 & 19

The Oregon Board of Forestry has scheduled a planning retreat at the Voorhies Mansion in Medford October 18th and 19th. The annual retreat allows the board and department leadership to connect with the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon and explore tribal engagement in a government-to-government space. No public comment or testimony will be accepted during the retreat. During this informal annual retreat, board members will continue their work on creating the next generation Vision for Oregon’s Forests, formerly the Forestry Program for Oregon (FPFO). They will focus on a strategic planning document for policy decisions plus a review of the board policy manual draft and include adiscussion of the 2024 meeting calendar, cadence, and reflection on 2023 events. The public can attend in-person at Jackson County Health & Human Services Building, 2nd floor Conference room, 140 S. Holly St., Medford, OR 97501 or observe both days of the retreat via a livestream on the department’s YouTube page.

Posted on 10/5/23 5:04AM by Chuck Benson

Siskiyou Community Health Center Donates 8K to RCC Foundation for Nursing

The Rogue Community College Foundation recently received an $8,000 donation from Siskiyou Community Health Center that helped put a quality stethoscope in the hands of each new RCC nursing student for the 2023-24 school year. As the RCC Nursing Department expands, the need for 80 stethoscopes for incoming students was brought to the attention of the RCC Foundation. The RCC Foundation contacted Siskiyou Community Health Center's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kristin Miller and told her about the situation. Dr. Miller brought the information to the leadership team and the foundation was soon notified that Siskiyou's Chief Executive Officer Richard Booth said they were able to assist. Thanks to the $8,000 donation from Siskiyou Community Health, RCC ordered the new stethoscopes and has them for this fall term's nursing students. There will be a total of 118 nursing students during the current academic year, 80 of whom will receive one of the new stethoscopes. RCC Foundation Interim Executive Director Anna Manley said the foundation is so thankful to collaborate with industry partners such as Siskiyou Community Health Center to meet student and program needs.

Posted on 10/5/23 5:01AM by Chuck Benson

DEQ Extended Public Comment Deadline for Ashland Rail Yard to October 31st

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended the public comment deadline for proposed cleanup of the Ashland Rail Yard Site for 32 days. n response to requests from the public, the new comment deadline is October 31st. DEQ is proposing a revision for the recommended cleanup plan for contamination related to rail yard operations on the former Union Pacific Railroad yard site in Ashland.

Posted on 10/5/23 4:59AM by Chuck Benson

Rain Limits Safe Access to Anvil Fire and Flat Fire Containment Increases to 93%-UPDATED

Recent precipitation has limited safe access for firefighters around the Anvil Fire, but it has also given them an advantage by slowing the once-dangerous blaze. Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 reported Wednesday that the Anvil Fire was 22,173 acres with increased containment of 54%. Personnel assigned to the wildfire yesterday was 1,097 including 29 hand crews, 30 engines and seven helicopters. Crews were shuttled in via helicopter to the west perimeter near Port Orford to finish two sections of handline. Crews continue to remove suppression equipment for backhaul along Elk River Road. Chipping operations and suppression repair continue along Grassy Knob Road. On the northeast side of the fire, heavy equipment is working to reduce fuels and improve fireline. Progress on the contingency line near the southeast perimeter of the fire has been slowed due to rain, but will pick up over the next few days. Meanwhile, the Flat Fire was holding at 34,242 acres with containment increased to 93%. Total personnel is only 51 including one hand crew and three engines.

Posted on 10/5/23 4:55AM by Chuck Benson

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