KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GPCC Approves Settlement of Court Injunction Allowing Homeless to Reside in Parks

The Grants Pass City Council last night approved the negotiated settlement and mutual release agreement to resolve the Disability Rights of Oregon versus City of Grants Pass lawsuit. Once filed in US District Court, the settlement will lift the injunction that currently allows homeless people to reside in city parks. The City's portion of attorney fees is $60,000. Once all the paperwork is done, the City will once again be able to enforce the "no camping" rules in all city parks. The City Council approved the 2025 through 2029 5-Year Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan. Approving the plan makes the city eligible to receive Community Development Block Grants funds. Funding for the 2025 program year is $351,555, with 20% of it allotted for administration and 15% for public services. At least 70% will benefit low-income residents. The Weatherization and Rehabilitation Program receives the most of these funds. Other recipients include St. Vincent de Paul, the Maslow Project, Hearts with a Mission, the Boys and Girls Club, United Community Action Network and several other organizations. The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Western Testing, LLC. Following the cancellation of the BRIC grant program by FEMA, this will allow a simplification of the intake design for the new water treatment plant. Tests by an independent agency are required.

Posted on 8/7/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Agency Approves Grants for Center for Creative Learning & Spalding Infrastructure

The Grants Pass City Council -- acting as the Urban Renewal Agency -- approved a resolution awarding a building rehabilitation and restoration grant to the Oregon Center for Creative Learning. The action authorizes the payment of a matching grant in the amount of up to 25% of the total qualifying private project costs not to exceed $50,000 for a fire suppression system for the building at 110 SW 4th Street. The Oregon Center for Creative Learning acquired the former Dutch Bros headquarters to support the expansion of their services into Grants Pass, offering creative play, quality learning and family activities at the new Ivy Preschool regardless of socioeconomic level. A second grant was then approved authorizing a matching grant of up to 25% of the total qualifying costs not to exceed $94,522 for a property at 2249 NE Spalding Avenue to support the expansion of the wholesale distribution company, Magazine Exchange. The project will initially serve a nearly 50,000 square-foot facility and will have the capacity to develop two other industrial facilities. The total award is $144,522 to enhance public infrastructure.

Posted on 8/7/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Chamber Invites Community to Celebrate Young Entrepreneurs on "Lemonade Day"

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce invites the community to celebrate youth entrepreneurship at its sweetest on Saturday afternoon during "Lemonade Day." The highly anticipated annual event -- which runs from noon to 3 p.m. -- features more than 65 lemonade stands operated by nearly 250 local kids, all launching their own small businesses for a day filled with creativity, confidence and community support. Over the past several weeks, these young entrepreneurs have been hard at work developing business plans, creating marketing strategies, designing stand concepts and testing recipes. With the support of local mentors, families and volunteers, these kids are now ready to open for business and bring their visions to life. As you visit these stands, the Chamber encourages you to vote for the People's Choice Award by texting the KLDR "Leader Line" that will be posted at each stand.

Posted on 8/7/25 5:39AM by Sam Marsh

BCC Set to Tackle Real Property Sales and Runway Extension Recommendation

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to take care of some real property matters during its weekly business session on Thursday. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will first consider an order authorizing the sale of county-owned real property by a Sheriff's Sale. Next up are orders authorizing the sale of two properties that were not sold during the November 2024 auction. One is a land sale contract for 153 Krauss Lane and the other is a quitclaim deed for 151 Finch Road. Also on the agenda is a recommendation to award a contract for the runway extension project at the Grants Pass Airport. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when residents are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Tomorrow's public meeting starts at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 8/6/25 11:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Man for Stealing Merchandise from Safeway at Knifepoint

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for stealing just over $15 worth of items from the downtown Safeway at knifepoint yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 49-year-old Kenneth Daniel Reynolds for the incident at the supermarket on SE 7th Street at 12:35 p.m. on Tuesday. Police said Reynolds stole $15.27 worth of merchandise by concealing the items on his person and bypassing all points of sale without paying. They said he was confronted by loss prevention and he brandished a knife to threaten an employee. The worker told officers they were in fear of being stabbed during the incident, which was captured on video surveillance. Reynolds fled the scene, but he was located in the Grasshopper parking lot and placed into custody with assistance from K-9 "Kick" after he tried to run away. Reynolds was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, 2nd-Degree Robbery and 3rd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail. His personal belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 8/6/25 11:02AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Jailed Medford Man for Weapon & Drug Crimes after US Highway 199 Stop

The Oregon State Police jailed a Medford man for weapon and drug crimes last night following a traffic stop on Redwood Highway near Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers pulled over a BMW driven by 43-year-old Matthew Roy Barbosa near milepost 29 of US Highway 199 on Tuesday around 7 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Barbosa for traffic violations and they immediately identified him as a well-known participant in unlawful activities such as stolen vehicles and controlled substances. He was found to be in possession of a knife, several grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. All were seized and placed into evidence. Barbosa was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail. The BMW was released to a family member. According to OSP, a female passenger later identified as 42-year-old Natassia Ann Berger of O'Brien was wanted on local warrants -- but she left the scene before she could be placed into custody.

Posted on 8/6/25 11:00AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Vandalizing Roommate's Motorcycle with Nail Polish

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office incarcerated a man for vandalizing his roommate's motorcycle in the New Hope area last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 35-year-old Logan Tyler Hunt for the incident at a home in the 4,000-block of New Hope Road on Tuesday at 7:34 p.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that he and Hunt were in a fight again when the roommate defaced his motorcycle by pouring pink nail polish on it. The incident was captured on video by the victim who estimated the damage to his bike to be about $2,000. The victim said he was trying to move out of the house when the altercation occurred. According to the report, Hunt slammed the victim's head against the wall and the suspect hit himself in the head with a stick -- but no one was seriously hurt. Upon contact with deputies, Hunt admitted to pouring the nail polish on the motorcycle. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/6/25 10:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for State Warrant and Drug Possession after Traffic Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant and for drug possession after a traffic stop in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a Toyota pickup driven by Theresa Forney near the corner of NE 7th and E streets on Tuesday shortly after midnight. Police said they observed Forney exit the parking lot of River City Grill, she failed to signal a lane change and the registration on her pickup was expired. They cited her to appear in court for Driving While Suspended, No Insurance and Failure to Register Vehicle. Her pickup was impounded. Forney's passenger -- 54-year-old Larry Edward Roff -- was found to be wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He was also found to be in possession of 18.8 grams of methamphetamine and 1.56 grams of fentanyl along with a glass pipe. Roff was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Felony Meth Possession and Fentanyl Possession. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/6/25 10:57AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Felon for Stealing Cell Phone from Downtown Mural Artist

Grants Pass Police arrested a man early yesterday for stealing a cell phone from an artist hired by the city to paint a mural near a downtown parking lot. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the theft complaint at the Owl Parking Lot near the corner of SW 5th and H streets on Tuesday around 7:20 a.m.. Police said the artist had her phone stolen from the top of her car while she was filming herself painting the new owl mural. Officers were able to track the phone to Kesterson Park where they located 44-year-old Donn Reeves Fincher. He gave back the phone, but was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a pipe. According to the report, Fincher was reported to be accessing numerous vehicles throughout the morning but no callers reported anything stolen. More property that he admitted was not his was found, but he would not say where he took it from. Fincher was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft, Meth Possession and the resulting Probation Violation related to past arrests for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Meth Possession. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/6/25 10:55AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Trying to Break into Electric Vehicle at Walmart

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trying to break into an electric vehicle that was being charged at Walmart. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at the big box retailer on NE Terry Lane on Monday night. Police said 43-year-old Mason Tyler Suehs accessed the right rear door of a Volkswagen sedan while it was on the electric vehicle charger. They said he attempted to grab a computer bag from the rear seat floorboard, but stopped when he was confronted by the vehicle owner. Officers contacted Suehs who admitted to accessing the vehicle, but stated he thought it was his friend's car. However, he was unable to provide the name or any information for the "friend" he mentioned. Suehs was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/6/25 10:54AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Netted Out-of-Compliance Sex Offender at Downtown Resting Site

Grants Pass Police arrested an out-of-compliance sex offender last night during a patrol check at a downtown resting site. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 36-year-old Jonathan Michael Bull at the NW 5th Street homeless encampment at 8:36 p.m. Tuesday. Police said Bull and a woman identified as "Shani Fedosky" were found to be in violation of ordinances regulating Buffer Zone and Scattering Rubbish. Both were cited and trespassed from the resting site for 30 days. Bull was found to be out of compliance with his sex offender registry. He admitted to living at the resting site for longer than 10 days without updating his address from Baker Park. He was lodged in jail for Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and was being held without bail. Also at the 5th Street resting site, officers cited Thaddeus Plumber and John Cook, III, for Scattering Rubbish. Several abandoned tents and some drug paraphernalia were removed for disposal. Meanwhile, GPPD reported that two people were trespassed from the 6th & A Street resting site for repeat violations as were three people from Baker Park.

Posted on 8/6/25 10:52AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Crashing Stolen Pickup and Injuring Female Passenger

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes after he crashed a stolen vehicle in the Sunny Valley area and injured his female passenger. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 31-year-old Daniel Thomas Crisel for the incident on Angora Creek Road near the 7700-block of Lower Grave Creek Road on Monday afternoon. Deputies said an investigation determined that Crisel was driving a Toyota pickup when the vehicle went off the roadway and struck a tree. It took emergency first responders 30 minutes to reach the remote location that had no cell phone service. A third occupant in the crumpled truck was able to use text messaging to alert the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. Upon arrival, deputies and medical personnel found a female passenger bleeding from the head and going in and out of consciousness. She was rushed by American Medical Response ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center where the trauma system was activated. Crisel was not seriously hurt. The investigation determined that the 1991 Toyota pickup he was driving had been reported stolen by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. He was placed into custody and transported to Grants Pass. Crisel was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Assault, Felony Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Driving While Suspended. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/6/25 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

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