KAJO 99.7FM - Local News

Board to Consider Membership Invoice from Association of O&C Counties

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners should make quick work out of a very light agenda for tomorrow's weekly business session. The only Administrative Action item is consideration of an invoice from the O&C Counties, with Josephine County charged $68,642.40 for annual membership dues. The Association of O&C Counties represents 18 counties in western Oregon that host 2.1 million acres of timberlands once privately owned as part of a grant in exchange for construction of a railroad in the late 1800s, but that were returned to federal ownership in 1916. The association is committed to the economic and social well-being of local communities as well as the health and productivity of federal Oregon & California Railroad lands. It advocates for sustained yield management of the O&C forests, as required by federal law, to protect and support jobs and local economies, essential public services and healthy, resilient forests. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens in which people are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Thursday's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 5/21/25 1:09PM by Sam Marsh

Low-Level Drug Deal Turns into Felony Arrest at Ogle Park in Grants Pass

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for felony robbery and other crimes after he threatened two women with a weapon at a northwest city park last weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to a disturbance at Ogle Park on NW Washington Boulevard late last Saturday night. Police said an investigation revealed that 58-year-old Baron Carter Messier was angry because he had given money to two females to purchase methamphetamine for him. When neither the money nor the narcotics were delivered, he went to the park armed with a machete and demanded the return of his money. During the confrontation, Messier was disarmed -- but he punched one of the women in the eye and attempted to hit both women with a section of pipe. No one was seriously injured. Messier was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Felony 1st-Degree Robbery, two counts of Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Menacing and one count of 4th-Degree Assault.

Posted on 5/21/25 11:32AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Wolf Creek Man while Investigating GP Domestic Assault Call

The Oregon State Police arrested a Wolf Creek man while investigating a rolling domestic assault call in south Grants Pass late yesterday. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Mazda MZ3 driven by 40-year-old Sonny Hurt, II, near the intersection of Redwood and Rogue River highways on Tuesday at 4:28 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Hurt to investigate possible domestic violence that occurred between the male driver and 31-year-old female passenger. They said they also observed some traffic violations. Upon looking into the matter, troopers developed probable cause to arrest Hurt for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. Upon being notified that he was under arrest, Hurt resisted being placed into custody and had to be overpowered by law enforcement. Hurt was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest, Contempt of Court and the assault charge. He was being held without bail. The vehicle was impounded and two cats were taken to the Josephine County Animal Shelter.

Posted on 5/21/25 11:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Man for DUII while Investigating Domestic Violence Calls

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving while investigating a possible domestic violence incident at the Williams Highway Plaza late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to several calls regarding a male and female who appeared to be fighting in a Dodge sedan parked near Safeway on Tuesday at 5:40 p.m.. Police said callers reported that the male driver -- later identified as 60-year-old Clint Edward Robertson -- appeared to be intoxicated and his female passenger -- identified as "Melody Hefner" -- was yelling for others to call 9-1-1. According to the report, Hefner did not want to call 9-1-1 herself because she knew Robertson would be arrested. Officers said Robertson was still in the driver's seat when they contacted him and he displayed obvious signs of impairment. They said was unable to safely perform field sobriety tests as he could barely stand up. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. GPPD was aware of a history of domestic violence between Robertson and Hefner, so they contacted the Women's Crisis Support Team to assist her.

Posted on 5/21/25 11:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Vandalism at Options Crisis Resolution Center

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for vandalism at a mental health treatment facility near Three Rivers Medical Center yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Options Crisis Resolution Center in the 300-block of SW Ramsey Avenue at 10:27 a.m. Tuesday. Police said they contacted 49-year-old Kara Lynn Rupf at Options after she refused to leave the facility when asked to do so by staff. They said she screamed at staff to have her arrested and then threw plants all over the ground, causing well over $100 in damage. According to the report, Rupf was unable to formulate any type of productive conversation and seemed to be suffering from some type of mental health crisis. She was placed into custody after Options wished to pursue charges. Rupf was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and she was being held without bail.

Posted on 5/21/25 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Violating Court Order by Visiting Woman at City Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order by visiting a woman in a city park early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident involving 53-year-old Christopher Garvin Dotson at Tussing Park on Tuesday at about 9:20 a.m.. Police said they observed Dotson inside a woman's tent at the park and discovered that a Jackson County court order barred him from contacting the woman. They said the woman tried to conceal Dotson with blankets and pillows, but they located him and placed him into custody. After the order was confirmed by Jackson County, Dotson was booked into the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court -- Violation of No-Contact Order.

Posted on 5/21/25 11:25AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Unidentified Woman for Trespassing at SW City Restaurant

Grants Pass Police arrested an unidentified woman for trespassing and struggling with officers at a southwest city restaurant yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at Red Robin on Allen Creek Road on Tuesday around 1:20 p.m.. Police said they contacted the woman in a shed on the south side of the property and she gave them a false identity. The woman struggled with officers while they placed her into custody and she was eventually subdued. No one was hurt. The female suspect was charged with Resisting Arrest and Criminal Trespass. She was lodged in jail under the name "Jane Doe." Photos were taken in an attempt to identify her.

Posted on 5/21/25 11:23AM by Sam Marsh

Mexican Man Unlawfully Residing in White City Pleads Guilty to Firearm Crime

A Mexican national unlawfully residing in Jackson County pleaded guilty this week for illegally possessing a firearm. According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, 24-year-old Saul Uriel Nunez-Vega appeared Monday in US District Court in Medford. On November 14, 2023, law enforcement responded to an attempted kidnapping and shooting in White City where they recovered a firearm. Surveillance footage showed Nunez-Vega in the area before the shooting occurred and investigators learned that he possessed the firearm prior to its use in the shooting. On December 15, 2023, Nunez-Vega was charged by criminal complaint with Illegally Possessing a Firearm. Nunez-Vega faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 13th before a US District Judge. This case was investigated by US Homeland Security. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Posted on 5/21/25 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Incarcerated Suspect for Felony Sexual Abuse at Baker Park

Grants Pass Police incarcerated a man this week for a felony-level sex crime at a city park. The Police Department reports officers arrested 45-year-old Charles Ray Williams early Monday morning. On Sunday, GPPD officers responded to Baker Park regarding a report of sexual abuse. At the conclusion of the investigation, Williams was arrested out of his tent and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Sex Abuse. His bail was set at $250,000. Due to the nature of the crime, detectives said no further details can be released.

Posted on 5/21/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Man for Theft and Drugs after Grange Co-op Shoplifting Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for theft and drug possession after a shoplifting incident at Grange Co-op this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the store on West Schutzwohl Lane near Redwood Highway on Monday afternoon. Police said 31-year-old Elza Derado Yost intentionally deprived Grange Co-op of two hats and a shirt valued at $88 by passing all points of sale without paying. He was confronted by employees and fled the area, leaving behind his bicycle and backpack. A photo of the suspect was sent out to patrol teams who later contacted him at his residence and confirmed he was the theft suspect. He denied any involvement. During a search of his person, a small amount of methamphetamine was located. Yost was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of 3rd-Degree Theft and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 5/21/25 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Frequent Flyer for Probation Violation after Trespass at Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a well-known offender for violating his probation by trespassing at a city park this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 38-year-old Steven Carsten Juergensen at the Grants Pass Skate Park on Monday. Police said officers spotted Juergensen at Baker Park from which he had been trespassed on May 10th. After he saw officers, he took off running across the Debbs Potts Memorial Bridge and into the Water Treatment Plant. He fled from there to the Skate Park where he was placed into custody. Juergensen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass plus the resulting Probation Violation related to past arrests for Theft and Criminal Trespass. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 5/21/25 6:27AM by Sam Marsh

GP and Rural Metro Firefighters Extinguished Barn Fire on Williams Highway

Grants Pass area firefighters extinguished a barn fire on Williams Highway late yesterday. On Tuesday at 4:42 p.m., Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 2800-block of Williams Highway near Allenwood Drive. Arriving units found an old barn ablaze with flames quickly spreading to nearby blackberry bushes and threatening homes. A coordinated effort involving multiple apparatus along with vital support from the Grants Pass Police Department helped to successfully contain the fire. Williams Highway was briefly shut down to access a hydrant across the roadway. Officials said a quick response and mitigation efforts prevented the fire from reaching nearby residences. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Posted on 5/21/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh