KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Oregon State Marine Board Welcomes New Member Aboard from the Rogue Valley

The Oregon State Marine Board recently filled a vacancy on its membership with a Rogue Valley resident who is the director of Jackson County Roads and Parks. Steve Lambert has worked in public park management for three decades. He began his career in parks and recreation in eastern Washington while earning a degree in Natural Resource Management from Washington State University. After college, Lambert spent a short amount of time working for the US Army Corps of Engineers on the Snake River in Clarkston, Washington, where his duties included patrolling the river to ensure safe and responsible use. In 1999, he moved to the Willamette Valley where he managed recreation facilities at three reservoirs. In 2009, Lambert and his family relocated to the Rogue Valley where he currently manages county park facilities on five reservoirs and the Rogue River.

Posted on 3/21/24 5:14AM by Sam Marsh

Commissioners Unanimously Adopt Amendments to Three Outdated Ordinances

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning approved the second readings of amendments to three outdated ordinances. Following three brief public hearings, the Board voted unanimously to adopt new rules pertaining to media participation in executive sessions, minor changes in practices and procedures for the Finance Department, and the removal of the Unified Board of Appeals. The first readings were approved on March 6th. Assistant Legal Counsel Leah Harper testified that all the changes to the Josephine County Code reflect current state law. For instance, media can observe executive sessions but not record or report on them. Violators can be fined up to $1,000. The former Budget & Finance Department has been officially renamed the "Finance Department." Appeals to decisions made by the local building official are now heard by the state, so the Unified Board of Appeals no longer exists. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board appointed Jessica McClintock to a four-year term on the Josephine County Parks Advisory Board. The public comment period included requests for the Commissioners to remove Josephine County as a participant in Oregon's "Sanctuary State" proclamation, a request for removal of a troublesome "halfway house" from a rural neighborhood, a question about the status of the library district exclusion case, and a presentation of cupcakes to the Board to commemorate the upcoming observance of Easter.

Posted on 3/20/24 10:42AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Motorist for Threatening Man with Gun in Road Rage Incident

Grants Pass Police jailed a motorist who threatened another man with a gun near Rogue Community College during a road rage incident that occurred yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 64-year-old male suspect in the 900-block of Campus View Drive on Tuesday at 5:50 p.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that the suspect cornered her husband at the end of a cul-de-sac, yelled at him and pointed a firearm at him, but did not fire a shot. Both she and the couple's four-year-old son were in her husband's BMW. Officers said an investigation determined that the suspect was cut off in traffic by the husband and the suspect elected to chase him multiple blocks in residential areas while driving a GMC Acadia. The husband attempted to evade the suspect and turned down a street he was unfamiliar with that turned out to be a dead end. When the victim got out to confront the suspect, the suspect pulled out a pistol, pointed it at the victim and threatened to shoot him. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Responding officers placed the suspect into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was booked for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/20/24 10:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Former Worker for Fraudulently Charging Items to Company

Grants Pass Police arrested a former employee of a local masonry company for fraudulently charging hundreds of dollars' worth of building materials to his former employer's account. The Police Department reports officers were alerted Tuesday afternoon to the theft incident that had occurred at Diamond Home Improvement on March 11th. Police said the 47-year-old man verbally identified himself as his former boss who has an account at Diamond. The man then charged 100 8-foot T-posts valued at $822 to the account, loaded them onto his truck and drove away. The incident was recorded on video surveillance and the owner of the company was able to identify his former worker. Officers used that information to track down the man and place him into custody in the 200-block of Lewis Avenue. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Felony Identity Theft and 2nd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/20/24 10:39AM by Sam Marsh

South GP Medical Call Led to Arrest of Man Wanted on Local Felony Warrants

A medical call at a substance abuse treatment center in south Grants Pass yesterday led to the arrest of a man wanted on two local felony warrants. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers and medical personnel were dispatched to a possible drug overdose at Options for Southern Oregon in the 1100-block of SW Ramsey Avenue on Tuesday around 2:45 p.m.. Police said they were alerted to an unconscious male subject in the front seat of an older Lexus sedan blocking the driveway of the facility. An employee went out to the car and tried to wake the man up, but they were unsuccessful and called 9-1-1. Responding officers contacted the 38-year-old man and stated there was no need for medical assistance. They discovered that the man was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and 1st-Degree Theft as well as a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. His vehicle was turned over to a friend at his request.

Posted on 3/20/24 10:37AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Belligerent Behavior at NW City Convenience Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for his unruly behavior after he trespassed at a north-city convenience store yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli on NW Vine Street on Tuesday at about 3:45 p.m.. Police said a 56-year-old man was called in as a trespasser at the combination gas station and convenience store. He left the scene and was contacted at the corner of NE Morgan Lane at 6th Street, but refused to acknowledge the trespass warning. The belligerent suspect walked away from officers, crossing the street against a red light and causing traffic to stop to avoid hitting him. He was eventually placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail. He was officially trespassed from Li'l Pantry.

Posted on 3/20/24 10:36AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII and More after Citizen Traffic Complaint

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving, drug possession and other moving violations during a downtown traffic stop early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers contacted the driver of a black SUV near the corner of NE 7th and F streets on Tuesday shortly after 10 a.m.. Police said they received a 9-1-1 call from a citizen was reported the suspect had fallen asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle at 5th and G streets. While in contact with dispatchers, the caller followed the suspect and advised the man was unable to maintain his travel lane and kept stopping in the middle of the street. Responding officers made contact with the 57-year-old man who was unconscious for multiple traffic light cycles and did not wake up until they were able to put the vehicle in park and shut it off. He performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was determined to be highly impaired. Methamphetamine was found inside his SUV. The suspect reportedly was unable to recall where he came from or where he was going. He was subsequently charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Meth Possession, No Operator's License and No Insurance. He was cited to appear in court and released to staff at the Grants Pass Sobering Center.

Posted on 3/20/24 10:33AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Department Investigation Results in Arrest of Woman for Sex Crime

A Grants Pass Police Department investigation has led to the arrest of a woman for a felony-level sex crime. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 29-year-old woman at or near the Li'l Pantry Market & Deli on Rogue River Highway on Monday afternoon. Police said an investigation into a citizen complaint resulted in probable cause that the female suspect engaged in sexual activity with a juvenile family member. They said a citizen showed officers where the suspect has been staying and described her vehicle as a white Chevrolet sedan. After searching the area, officers located the woman at the Rogue River Highway store and placed her into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Incest and she was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/20/24 5:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Threatening Girlfriend with Child Present at NW Home

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for threatening his girlfriend at a northwest-city residence late last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers arrested a 25-year-old man at a home in the 2100-block of NW North Hill Drive on Monday. Police said they responded to a reported domestic disturbance at that address, and learned that the man and his girlfriend had been engaged in a verbal altercation. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly placed the victim in fear of imminent serious physical injury with his words and conduct. Further investigation determined the incident occurred on Sunday night and it happened in front of their two-year-old child. No one was injured in the fight. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of Felony Domestic Menacing. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/20/24 5:13AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII after McDonalds Drive-Thru Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving this week after he refused to leave the drive-thru at a north-city fast food restaurant. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a traffic complaint at the McDonalds on NE 6th Street on Monday night. Police said a restaurant employee called 9-1-1 to report an intoxicated driver in the drive-thru. The caller said the man was slurring and stuttering while arguing about a one-way street. The suspect paid for his food, but refused to move his vehicle. Upon arrival, officers contacted the 64-year-old man who displayed strong signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. The suspect was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was cited and released for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

Posted on 3/20/24 5:02AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Evicted Campers from Riverside Park in Early Morning Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police evicted two campers from a city park during an early morning patrol check on Tuesday. The Police Department reports officers performed a patrol check at Riverside Park at 4:40 a.m. yesterday. Police said they observed one man under the influence of fentanyl with drug smoking materials around him. He was cited for the narcotics violation and issued a 30-day exclusion from the park. The suspect objected to officers taking away his fentanyl smoking materials and stated he didn't think it was fair that the homeless had to move from park to park. An officer replied that he didn't think it was fair that parents have to worry about tin foil with fentanyl on it lying around the park near the children's playground. Police contacted another man who had been previously trespassed from Riverside Park. They said the camper was cooperative and respectful. He was cited to appear in court for Criminal Trespass and his 30-day trespass from the park was renewed.

Posted on 3/20/24 5:00AM by Sam Marsh

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