KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP Accepting Applications for Collaborative Economic Development Committee

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee (CEDC) due to a vacancy. This term is due to expire on June 30, 2025. The CEDC is an advisory committee that is responsible for the implementation of the joint Economic Development Strategic Plan adopted by the Grants Pass City Council and Josephine County Board of Commissioners. The Economic Development Strategic Plan can be found on the City website at "grantspassoregon.gov." Target areas include services, infrastructure and workforce development. All members of the CEDC must be at least 18 years of age and reside within the boundaries of Josephine County. The special qualification or experience for this position is Business Retail. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 18th.

Posted on 3/15/24 5:30AM by Sam Marsh

US Senators Wyden and Merkley Announce Major Funding for Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced major investments to enhance water infrastructure and conservation including nearly $3 million for the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery in Jackson County. More than $12.5 million in funding for eight critical community-initiated projects across the state have passed through the Fiscal Year 2024 Minibus Funding Package. The six-bill package cleared both chambers of Congress last week and was quickly signed into law by President Biden. Wyden and Merkley secured the investments in the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development bill in the funding package. It supports programs and projects to enhance water infrastructure, small ports and fisheries. The Cole Rivers Hatchery on the Rogue River will receive $2.92 million for repairs to the fresh water supply system. This will prevent the complete failure of and loss of fish at the hatchery as well as to help create a more climate-resilient hatchery that meets its mitigation obligations, reliably sustains regionally important fisheries and economies, and plays a key role in conservation programs for at-risk native fish populations. The Oregon Senators said these actions will boost job creation, particularly in rural and coastal communities.

Posted on 3/15/24 5:27AM by Sam Marsh

Pacific Power Foundation Awards Art Grants to Support Six Rogue Valley Organizations

The Pacific Power Foundation is donating more than $110,000 to organizations that deliver music, theater, community festivals and connections that are essential to their communities in the three states it serves. Pacific Power officials say these organizations create beauty, join people together across cultures, generate jobs and nurture the creativity needed to solve complex problems. Six grants totaling $19,000 were given to organizations supporting communities in the Rogue Valley region. In Josephine County, grants were awarded to the Grants Pass High School Band Boosters for props, trailer wraps and instruments, Grants Pass Museum of Art for a traveling Ezra Tucker exhibit and Rotary Foundation for the installation of a new mural in downtown Grants Pass. In Jackson County, grants were awarded to the Rogue Gallery & Arts Center for the annual "Best of the Best Student Art Show"; the Southern Oregon Historical Society to digitize, preserve and make publicly available over 6,000 glass plate negatives made by pioneering western US photographer Peter Britt; and the Talent Historical Society for a celebration of that city's cultural and artistic heritage.

Posted on 3/15/24 5:17AM by Sam Marsh

New Josephine County Sheriff's Office App Now Available for Citizen Downloads

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is excited to announce that its new app build is complete and ready for citizens to download. Features include the ability to file online reports, submit tips, compliment staff and much more. Citizens who sign up for "push notifications" will be alerted when there is urgent news such as severe weather, fire alerts and road closures. This does not replace signing up for Citizen Alerts -- which can also be done on the app -- but it's another form of emergency communication when situations may be changing rapidly. People are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the app and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is open to feedback as they begin to use it. The Sheriff's Office tried to cover all of the bases, but won't know what is important to you unless you share with them. iPhone users can download the app at "apps.apple.com" while Android users can download the app at "play.google.com."

Posted on 3/15/24 5:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Felon on Statewide Warrant after Lois Lane Trespass Complaint

Grants Pass Police jailed a local felon on a statewide warrant after they found him sleeping in a vehicle in the Redwood area early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a male subject sitting in a silver Ford pickup with a canopy in the 2900-block of Lois Lane at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday. Police said a neighbor knocked on the window of the pickup and the 38-year-old man told them he was waiting for a friend. The caller told dispatchers she had seen his mug shot on a wanted poster, so she called 9-1-1. Responding officers contacted the man and confirmed that he is a convicted felon who was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. After the warrant was confirmed with Oregon State Parole Board, the suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/14/24 10:22AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared Man on Statewide Felony Warrant after US Highway 199 Stop

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant yesterday during a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a white Toyota sedan driven by a 56-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Squaw Mountain Road on Wednesday at 12:33 p.m.. Deputies said the driver was slow to pull over, but did so after turning onto Falling Leaf Road. They said they stopped the man for traffic violations and learned that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Felony Assault. After the warrant was confirmed, the suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/14/24 10:20AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man on Local Warrant and for Spitting on Officer at Post Office

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant and then added a felony-level charge to his criminal bill after he intentionally spat on an officer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a fight between two male subjects at the downtown Post Office on Wednesday at about 3 p.m.. Police said passing motorists on NW 6th Street called 9-1-1 to report the brawl between the men, one of whom was riding a bicycle. They contacted both parties, including a 46-year-old man who was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for Disorderly Conduct. That man was placed into custody. While being placed in the backseat of a patrol vehicle, the man intentionally expelled saliva from his mouth and spit on an officer's face. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant along with a new charge of Felony Aggravated Harassment. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/14/24 10:18AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Camper on Local Felony Warrant during Riverside Park Patrol

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant during city park patrol check early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were patrolling Riverside Park at 10 a.m. Wednesday when they contacted the 57-year-old male camper. Police said they recognized the man from prior contacts and knew that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Felony 3rd-Degree Assault. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 3/14/24 10:16AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving after Highway 199 Stop West of GP

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving late last night after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway near Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford F-150 pickup driven by a 32-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Hubbard Lane on Wednesday at 11:50 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the driver for traffic violations and he displayed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample exceeding the legal driving limit. The motorist was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was cited to appear in court and then released. Per his request, his vehicle was picked up by a family member.

Posted on 3/14/24 10:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Evicted Campers for Various Violations at Baker & Riverside Parks

Grants Pass Police evicted a total of 10 campers from two city parks during patrol checks on Wednesday morning. At Baker Park, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Park Open Spaces, a man was cited for Illegal Camping and Scattering Rubbish, a woman was cited for Illegal Camping, and a man and woman were cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Misuse of Park Open Spaces. All six were trespassed from the park for 30 days. Six campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at Baker Park and an e-mail was sent to United Community Action Network (UCAN). Community Corrections workers removed six tents that were either soiled or contained drug paraphernalia. At Riverside Park, a man was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Open Flame in a Park, a woman was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Misuse of Park Open Spaces, and a man and woman were cited for Scattering Rubbish. All four were issued 30-day park exclusions. Twenty-one campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at Riverside Park and an e-mail was sent to UCAN. Community Corrections workers removed four tents that were either soiled or contained drug paraphernalia.

Posted on 3/14/24 10:13AM by Sam Marsh

Ashland Police Jailed Man for Allegedly Threatening another Man with Handgun

The Ashland Police Department has arrested a man for allegedly threatening another man with a handgun this week. On Tuesday at 8:19 p.m., APD officers received a complaint of menacing with a firearm in the area of Faith Street and Ashland Street. APD Chief Tighe O'Meara said the victim told officers that 24-year-old Kyle Anthony Smith fired two rounds at him from a handgun. Officers attempted to locate the suspect at the time, but were unsuccessful in doing so. Members of APD's Criminal Investigation Division took over the case on Wednesday and located Smith at his residence on Highway 66 near Emigrant Lake. He was placed into custody without further incident. Chief O'Meara said two handguns were recovered at Smith's residence. He said officers were not able to determine where the fired shots landed. No injuries or damaged property have been reported. Kyle Smith was transported to Medford and lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing.

Posted on 3/14/24 5:18AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Captured Out-of-State Fugitive after Responding to Interstate 5 Complaint

The Oregon State Police apprehended a fugitive from another state this week after responding to a complaint at the East Grants Pass Interchange of Interstate 5. OSP reports troopers were alerted to a male subject walking in and out of traffic on the southbound I-5 off-ramp near milepost 55 on Tuesday evening. Troopers said they contacted a 27-year-old Merlin man a short time later along the Grants Pass Parkway near NE Terry Lane. They discovered that he was wanted on a felony fugitive warrant from another state. No other information was provided. The suspect was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged without bail pending extradition proceedings

Posted on 3/14/24 5:16AM by Sam Marsh

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