KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

BCC Tables Consideration of GP Library Lease Agreement Until Next Thursday

Led by Board Chair Andreas Blech, the Josephine County Commissioners have tabled consideration of a lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch library until next week. During a public hearing held after the weekly business session this morning, Board Vice-Chair Chris Barnett outlined the agreement which calls for an extension of the $1 per month lease for five years, with the Josephine Community Library District assuming financial responsibility for building and grounds maintenance plus paying 1/6th of the cost of replacing the roof at the building on NW C Street. JCLD Director Kate Lasky and the district's attorney Mark Bartholomew both championed the agreement, stating that it showed "a shared commitment for the welfare of the community" and urged the Board to approve it today. Numerous library supporters also encouraged to Commissioners to act now during public comment. However, library critics including recalled Commissioner John West and former Grants Pass Budget Committee member Mike Pelfrey spoke in opposition to the agreement. Commissioner Blech appeared to be listening to them. At what should have been the end of the hearing, Blech asked for a motion to table consideration of the lease agreement until next Thursday because of the late hour and an appointment he said he had at 1 p.m.. He stated that the Board faced lengthy deliberations to consider the pact, even though it was described as a "win-win" by Barnett, Lasky, Bartholomew and many others. Barnett made a motion to table the agreement, but appeared to change his mind when he stated that he wanted to "end this now." However, it was too late after Smith seconded the motion.

Posted on 8/14/25 1:12PM by Sam Marsh

Commission Approves Transfer of Four County Roads to City of Grants Pass

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners completed the first half of its weekly business session this morning by approving an order that transfers the jurisdiction of approximately 1.5 miles of county roads to the City of Grants Pass. The Board voted 3-0 to approve the jurisdictional transfer of parts of Highland Avenue, 10th Street, Willow Lane and Denton Trail to Grants Pass. The City has agreed to maintain these roads in the future, absolving Josephine County of their maintenance and repair. In other business, the Commissioners unanimously approved the sale of a small piece of county-owned property on Garden Valley Way in Grants Pass for $1,890 via quitclaim deed to a private party. Josephine County Transit Director Scott Chancey made two presentations to the Board. He first presented the Transit Coordination Plan, which is a federal and state requirement. He hopes to gain formal approval from the Commissioners on the 38-page document that outlines the agency's priorities in October. Chancey also presented planned transit service reductions for the district due to a staffing shortage. He said JCT will be dropping one run between Grants Pass and Cave Junction, one run between Grants Pass and Medford, and reducing evening service hours on all remaining routes from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m..

Posted on 8/14/25 12:48PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Serial Arsonist for Setting More Fires in Downtown Area

Grants Pass Police jailed a serial arsonist for setting more fires in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 56-year-old Shannon Dixon Beckett on railroad property between SE 8th and 9th streets on Wednesday at 6:23 a.m.. Police said three separate calls for service were generated for fires Beckett started at 210 SE 8th Street, 130 SE J Street and SE 9th Street at the tracks. They said a dumpster in the alley behind Point S Tire was set on fire and burned part of the fence at the Eagles Lodge. Damage estimates were not available. Beckett was contacted on railroad property from which he had been trespassed. He was in possession of a hat with soot on the bill and one glove plus a lighter was found that he admitted belonged to him. He admitted to lighting the fire on railroad property, causing damage to vegetation. He also admitted to lighting cardboard boxes in the alley on SE 8th Street. A citizen used a fire extinguisher to put it out. All the fires had been fully extinguished by 6 a.m. and Beckett was immediately identified as the primary suspect. He has intentionally set numerous fires in Grants Pass and Medford in recent months. He has been trespassed from the City of Medford for his actions. Beckett was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Arson, Reckless Burning and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without any scheduled bail.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:51AM by Sam Marsh

Police Arrested Woman for Causing Multiple Disturbances at GP Library Branch

Police arrested a woman for causing multiple disturbances at the Grants Pass Library early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers contacted 36-year-old Marissa Elizabeth Winters during a welfare check at the branch library at 200 NW C Street on Wednesday at 10:06 a.m.. Police said they were alerted to a female subject in a sleeping bag in the parking lot behind the library. She had just been trespassed from the library by a security guard. She reportedly spit in the guard's face twice and began throwing rocks at nearby vehicles. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that Winters was acting in a violent and disruptive manner, so they placed her into custody. On the way to the Josephine County Jail, she elected to continue spitting all over the backseat of the patrol vehicle. Winters was booked into jail for Physical Harassment, Disorderly Conduct, 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:50AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Woman for Violating Court Order by Causing Williams Incident

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for violating a court order after responding to a domestic disturbance in the Williams area yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to the disturbance involving 41-year-old Laura Lynn Zukowski in the 800-block of Glenlyn Drive on Wednesday around 10:20 a.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that Zukowski showed up at their home, was outside yelling and causing an issue. The caller told dispatchers that they had a court order in place that prohibits her from being on the property. He also said the woman had been texting his son with harassing messages. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the legal order with Josephine County Circuit Court and then placed Zukowski into custody. Zukowski was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Violation of a No Contact Order. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Generating Multiple Calls for Boorish Behavior

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman late yesterday after she generated multiple calls for service regarding her behavior. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a female subject who was walking down the middle of NW D Street while carrying a small dog shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Police said callers reported that 46-year-old April Anne Herzog appeared to be under the influence of narcotics or was having some sort of mental episode. One caller said the woman told them she wants to see people die "because they have wolf eyes." Another caller reported she tried to climb into the back of his truck. Officers responded and contacted Herzog who was lying in the middle of the street. They placed her into custody and seized her aggressive dog and took it to the Josephine County Animal Shelter. Herzog was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and she was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Causing Another Disruption on Local Roads

For the second time in less than two days, Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for causing a disruption on a local roadway. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident involving 38-year-old Jessica Shawnae Ryan Knowlton on Redwood Highway near Fairgrounds Road on Wednesday around 3:45 a.m.. Police said Knowlton was observed by a motorist lying in a travel lane on US Highway 199. They said she intentionally obstructed traffic while causing public alarm, annoyance and inconvenience. She was placed into custody. Knowlton was arrested on Tuesday for obstructing traffic on NW 6th Street near Pinnacle 365. She had been contacted several times for similar incidents that day. Knowlton was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:37AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Repeated Illegal Camping at Pierce Riffle Park

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for illegally camping at Pierce Riffle Park. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were alerted to the incident at the county park on Averill Drive on Wednesday morning. Deputies said 43-year-old Thibault Jacques Charvy and a woman created an ongoing problem by camping in the park. They reportedly ignored a park ranger who said he told the couple not to camp there several times. The ranger reported the couple leave during the day and return each night with a Gindy school bus. Upon arrival, deputies detained Charvy and he still refused to leave the park. Charvy was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He and the woman were trespassed from all county parks for one year.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:36AM by Sam Marsh

Crews Gaining Upper Hand on Scenic Fire in Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest

Firefighters seem to be gaining the upper hand on a wildfire burning in the High Cascades Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The US Forest Service this morning reported the Scenic Fire located near National Creek east of Highway 230 remains at 75 acres with 40% containment. Officials said they expect a significant increase in containment by the end of today's shift. Containment line has been constructed around 100% of the perimeter and hose lays are in place. A one-acre spot fire east of Wizard Creek is also fully lined and crews are working to mop up the entire fire area. Lower temperatures over the next few days will help moderate fire activity as crews work toward full containment. Resources on scene this morning were seven hand crews including one Hot Shot team, 15 engines, three bulldozers, two tree falling modules and multiple aircraft. Motorists should expect travel delays and smoke impacts along the Diamond Lake Highway. Please watch for firefighters working in the area. Fire danger on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is "high." Please use caution while recreating to keep the forest and firefighters safe. If you see any suspicious or careless behavior in the woods, please report it to law enforcement.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:35AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro & ODF Responded to Roadside Fire along Interstate 5 on Merlin Hill

Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a roadside fire along Interstate 5 on Merlin Hill early yesterday. It was not far from a similar fire that occurred Monday afternoon. Rural Metro and ODF crews were dispatched to the incident on Wednesday around 8:20 a.m.. Engine 7502 from Rural Metro's Monument Drive Station arrived to find the small fire already had been contained by several passersby who jumped into action. This included Smith's Lawn Care with a water tank and hose. Rural Metro officials said roadside fires like this one are common this time of year due to extremely dry conditions and vegetation that is receptive to the smallest spark. Officials thanked vigilant citizens who were in the right place at the right time with the tools needed to keep the fire small. But it is the responsibility of anyone taking independent action to understand the hazards fire can impose on personal safety.

Posted on 8/14/25 11:34AM by Sam Marsh

Prospect Man Killed in Tuesday Morning Rollover Crash on Crater Lake Highway

A Prospect man was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 62 in Jackson County this week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency first responders were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash near milepost 32 of Crater Lake Highway on Tuesday at 12:24 a.m.. Troopers said the preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet Suburban driven by 28-year-old Daniel Charles Forgey left the highway for unknown reasons, struck the guardrail and rolled. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and he was ejected from the SUV as it rolled. According to OSP, Forgey was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Fire District #4 and Mercy Flights.

Posted on 8/14/25 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed GP Man for Throwing Lumber over Fence and Hurting Neighbor

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass man for injuring his neighbor's wife by throwing lumber over the fence that separates the properties. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 50-year-old Michael Allen Smith for the incident in the 1500-block of Lonnon Road on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said an investigation determined that Smith had become hostile with his neighbors and he intentionally threw some boards over the fence that struck his neighbor's wife. The woman was hurt, but she did not require medical transport. Upon arrival, deputies attempted to contact Smith -- but he drove toward them with a skid steer and yelled at law enforcement to leave his property. He told deputies he did not want to talk to them and drove away on the skid steer. Smith reportedly showed up at the Sheriff's Office a few hours later to talk to a deputy about the incident and he was placed into custody. Smith was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two felony counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two misdemeanor counts of Menacing. He was being held without bail. He was also served with an unrelated Stalking Order.

Posted on 8/14/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

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