KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Commissioners Approve 93 Cent Jail Tax for November 3rd Election

A 93 cent five year local option tax for the county jail was passed along to voters this November by the Board of County Commissioners during the Wednesday night Business Session. The 93 cents would fund 185 beds initially and could support juvenile justice. The former local option tax guaranteed 14 beds for juvenile offenders. Commissioner Richardson asserted expanded costs have reached a level where the 93 cents would provide funds for the jail only. Likely about $3 million short which is what the juvenile beds would costs. The general fund will be able to support juvenile justice for a couple of years. Commissioner Martin asserted the Board would find a way to fund the Juvenile Justice System.
The resolution passed unanimously.

Posted on 8/12/26 6:08PM by Chuck Benson

JoCo Sheriff Says Surveillance Cameras Turned off, Contract Cancelled

Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel has announced the surveillance cameras contracted through FLOCK, have been turned off and the contract with that company has been cancelled.Sheriff Daniel, in a press release dated August 12th, stated that as a result of significant public feedback, the automated license plate readers are no longer active in rural Josephine County and the contract with FLOCK has ended. While the company's equipment remains in the field the cameras are no longer operational. Some of the equipment has been vandalized meaning the Sheriff's office will have to pay for that equipment. A contract for 10 cameras was entered into to increase the ability to identify/locate stolen vehicles, wanted or missing subjects associated with a specific vehicle and in general enhance the ability to investigate crimes. While the technology has been beneficial in solving crime and overall public safety, it is clear much of Josephine County is not ready or willing to accept the use of the technology. There has been a great deal of public concern over this technology and its potential infringement of Constitutional 4th Amendment rights.Sheriff Daniel wrote in the release that the Sheriff's office works for the public and they are listening to you. The FLOCK equipment remains in the field and it is unknown when the company will remove it.

Posted on 8/12/26 2:46PM by Chuck Benson

Drug Possession & Valid Warrant Results in Arrest & Incarceration

Possession of Methamphetamine plus an out-of-county warrant was enough to incarcerate 29-year-old man Tuesday. An officer was requested to respond to the 800 block of Piedmont Avenue at 11:46 a.m. for a suspected burglary. According to the arresting officer's narrative Sage Thomas Gerald Green was invited into the premises by the resident, Michael Coggins. The home owner, referred to only as Zamboni returned to the residence finding both Coggins and Green intoxicated. A feud between Green and Zamboni made Coggins reconsider Green's presence. Coggins and Zamboni requested Green leave. Green walked outside but would not leave the premises and continued to try to enter the residence. Officers contacted Green who initially refused to remove his hand from his pockets, but did eventually comply. Green was taken into custody for public intoxication. A consent search yielded a syringe plunger that tested positive for methamphetamine. Green was lodged in the County Jail for possession of meth and an out-of-county hold warrant. He remained jailed this morning.

Posted on 8/12/26 10:15AM by Chuck Benson

GPPD Arrest Suspect after He Jumped into Road in Front of Off Duty Officer

Jumping onto Scoville Road in front of an off duty law enforcement officer lands offender in jail. The officer called 911 to report the incident and kept in distant contact with the suspect who was acting aggressively with the caller. The journey continued to Hillcrest where the suspect was advised he was under arrest. He continued traveling another quarter of a mile until backup arrived and was taken into custody. The suspect would not identify himself but was later confirmed as 46-year-old Timothy Allen Davis. He remained in the Josephine County Jail this morning facing charges of escape III and disorderly conduct II plus an out-of-county hold warrant from Multnomah County and a parole detainer.

Posted on 8/12/26 9:41AM by Chuck Benson

Repeat Offender Lands in Jail, Again

A repeat offender was arrested by Grants Pass Police Officers Tuesday for the 6th time since June.
Officers contacted and arrested 42-year-old Nicholas Richard Stephey at 9:25 Tuesday morning following and alleged altercation at the Alibi Tavern at 1220 Northwest 6th. 911 received a report of a male inside the Tavern threatening people and pushing the owner. The suspect left the incident location headed south on 6th and was followed by a Tavern employee. He was followed to the A-1 Market and proceeded down 6th continuing to yell at the employee. The suspect turned west on Manzanita and was contacted by officers and arrested. Stephey was lodged in the county jail on charges of disorderly conduct II and criminal trespass II. He remained in custody this morning.

Posted on 8/12/26 9:19AM by Chuck Benson

Troopers Lodge Two on Valid Warrants.

Oregon State Troopers made two arrests locally Tuesday on out-of-county warrants. The first arrest came at 9:46 a.m. when the Trooper stopped a black Ford Mustang for a traffic violation on I-5 near milepost 66. Contact was made with the suspect and it was determined that 19-year-old Eduardo Torres-Ramirez was wanted on a valid warrant for attempting to elude. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.The Second arrest came in Grants Pass at the corner of 7th and A Street. The Trooper observed a young male walking in between vehicles asking for money. The Trooper contacted Caden Ferman Morris Welch, 19, of Roseburg and discovered he had two warrants out of Douglas County. He was also lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 8/12/26 9:00AM by Chuck Benson

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