KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Oregon Public Utility Commission Approved Avista Rate Increase

The Oregon Public Utility Commission recently approved an overall increase in rates for Avista customers that will go into effect October 31.

The change is the result of several annual adjustments, including a decrease in natural gas prices combined with other filings focused on energy efficiency and customer programs.

The combined result of these annual filings means the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 46 therms per month will increase by $1.75 or 2.56%, bringing the average monthly bill to about $70.18.

Each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment. The PGA allows utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to customers without a markup on the price.

This year, natural gas prices were moderate, and Avista collected more than needed from customers last year. As a result, the PGA led to a decrease in natural gas costs in customers’ bills.

Despite the lower gas prices, other approved updates, such as funding for energy efficiency programs and customer support services, resulted in a net increase in rates. Altogether, these changes will raise Avista’s total revenue, or the amount collected from customers, by $4.1 million.

Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon. You can contact Avista at (800) 227-9187 or visit their website, www.myavista.com.

Posted on 10/29/25 10:20AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Arrested by GP Police after Reported Assault of his Brother

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of a reported assault Tuesday night.

The victim notified dispatch that his brother was attacking him and that he didn't have time to discuss before disconnecting the call.

He was still able to provide an address in the 1000 block of NE Savage Street, and officers responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, law enforcement contacted the victim outside the residence, who said he had just come back from work when his brother struck him. Officers identified numerous injuries on the victim.

The suspect said the dispute was verbal before becoming physical, but he refused to provide further details. Officers took him into custody, then transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Fourth Degree Assault.

Posted on 10/29/25 10:10AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested One Woman and Cited Another at Resting Site 5

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department reported to Resting Site 5 Tuesday afternoon.

While checking the area, they contacted a woman, Jaquelyn Hayes, who was in possession of a tent that exceeded the site footprint. She was cited, and then issued a 30 day exclusion from the 711 NW 5th Street property.

Officers next contacted Sabrina Willett inside of a tent that was outside the resting site. She claimed she and her tent had been pulled outside, but couldn't identify who did it.

Willett was found to be wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, and Third Degree Theft. She was subsequently taken to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on the warrant.

Posted on 10/29/25 9:56AM by Alex Bauer

Board of Commissioners Meeting for Light Weekly Business Session Thursday

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners have a very light agenda for this week's Business Session.

With no business or actions to consider, the board will listen to the public during the requests and comments period, followed by an approval of the consent calendar.

Pending any other matters from the commissioners, the meeting will adjourn.

Thursday's Weekly Business session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW 6th Street. It will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

All meeting attendees are required to comply with the clear bag policy.

Posted on 10/29/25 7:41AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Food Bank Assisting Public as SNAP Benefit Delays Loom

The Josephine County Food Bank is informing the public of food assistance opportunities before SNAP benefits are delayed. They will host a pop-up food pantry at the YMCA, 1000 Redwood Ave, on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Starting on November 4, this operation will continue until SNAP benefits are restored. No appointment is needed, and the Food Bank thanks the YMCA for their support and partnership. The Bridgeview Community Food Pantry in Cave Junction will also begin offering extended hours starting next week to better serve the community. From 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the public can receive food assistance at 5181 Holland Loop Road, Cave Junction. You can call (541) 592-3923 for more information. The Food Banks says with all the uncertainty surrounding the federal government shutdown, many families are wondering what this means for SNAP benefits. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, if you need to apply for or renew SNAP in October or November, they are still open during the federal government shutdown, and will continue processing applications and renewals.

Posted on 10/29/25 4:15AM by Alex Bauer

Interested Citizen Presents SE N Street Property Idea during BCC Workshop

Upon further review, we have adjusted this story for accuracy. A citizen interested in leasing the 1798 SE N Street property presented their idea to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners during Tuesday's Workshop. No decision has been made on the property as the presentation was strictly informational. Staff were directed to investigate how a lease would be handled, then report back to the board. The commissioners approved the Quitclaim Deed with Dean Davis for property from the September Auction, as well as confidential properties in relation to the Flying Lark, an invoice from Watkinson, Laird & Rubensten regarding former Commissioner John West, and a calendar with timelines to be compiled for the May Election. Board business included approval of a Community Justice Travel request, Forestry contract, the Recreation Department signing off on the Land and Water Conservation Fund Amendment, and the contract for Pressure Point Roofing LLC services for the jail.

Posted on 10/29/25 3:20AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Responded to Lil' Pantry Disturbance, Arrested and Trespassed Suspect

Grants Pass Police responded to a disturbance where the suspect made idle threats and refused to leave the premises late Monday night.

Officers were called out to the Lil' Pantry at 5030 Monument Drive. The suspect, later identified as Jeffrey DeYoung, had been asked to leave five times.

DeYoung was walking back and forth between his vehicle and the store, had asked what year it was, changed his clothes in the parking lot, and threatened to rob the business. He did not appear to be intoxicated.

Upon arrival, officers contacted and trespassed DeYoung from Lil' Pantry. He was then lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Posted on 10/28/25 12:11PM by Alex Bauer

Rever Grand Enters New Era of Leadership Following Comprehensive Settlement

Grand, Inc., a care provider for intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals throughout Oregon, announced today the finalization of comprehensive settlement agreements with the State of Oregon. The agreements conclude outstanding claims without the imposition of any financial fines or penalties on the company. The care organization said in a statement the settlement agreement was approved by Judge Brandon Thueson of the Circuit Court for Josephine County. The move stems from an alleged failure to disclose a manager during a provider renewal in October 2021, under the company’s prior ownership. Crucially, under the terms of the settlement agreement, Rever Grand will pay no fines or penalties. The company has agreed to implement several forward-looking compliance measures, including adding a new, independent board member and engaging an outside monitor to confirm that the company’s prior owners have no ongoing role in its affairs. The agreement resolves a single misdemeanor charge, allowing the company to operate without disruption or conviction.

Posted on 10/28/25 10:37AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Man after Attempted Dollar Tree Theft

Grants Pass Police officers apprehended a man shoplifting at a local dollar store Monday afternoon.

At 2:51 p.m., a report came in of a man leaving The Dollar Tree at 1200 NW 6th Street. An employee confronted the suspect who had put merchandise worth about $8 in his backpack.

The suspect denied the theft, then left the premises. The employee requested officers trespass the man from the store.

Officers tracked down and apprehended the suspect, Brandon Ginger. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Theft as well as a Meth Possession charge. Due to lack of jail resources, Ginger was released.

Posted on 10/28/25 9:29AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Arrested Man after Verbal Dispute turned Assault

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a dispute early Monday morning.

The caller reported the suspect and a woman were having a verbal altercation and had been drinking. The argument became physical when the suspect grabbed the victim and dragged her into the bedroom where he hit her.

The roommates of both the suspect and victim tried to help but the bedroom door was locked. The suspect began threatening the roommates, then threw the victim outside on the deck of the property in the 100 block of Pugetville Road.

Emergency units with AMR arrived and transported the victim to Three Rivers Medical Center to be evaluated.

Deputies contacted the suspect and transported him to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on charges of Fourth Degree Assault, and two counts of Menacing.

Posted on 10/28/25 8:00AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District Responded to Concurrent Traffic Accident and Vehicle Fire Incidents

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to two incidents within 10 minutes of each other Monday night.

At 8:47 p.m., units responded to a small vehicle fire at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Reeves Creek Road in Selma.

The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported.

Then at 8:57 p.m., a traffic accident occurred at the intersection of Redwood Highway and West Hanby Lane in Cave Junction.

Concurrently with the previous incident, the Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision.

Two individuals were transported by AMR with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Posted on 10/28/25 4:41AM by Alex Bauer

Utility Art Box Project Artists Announced, Installation to Conclude Wednesday

Thanks to contributions from the Josephine County Cultural Coalition and Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation, four of five art pieces are being installed as part of the Utility Art Box Project.

Installation began on October 23, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, weather permitting.

The Utility Art Box Project was established by the Committee on Public Art, which has identified 35 utility boxes for the project. There will then be 17 completed vinyl wraps from selected artists on utility boxes downtown along the 6th and 7th street corridors, celebrating public art and beautifying the City.

The Economic Development Division received 21 submissions that were sent to CoPA for review. At CoPA’s regular monthly meeting on September 9, 2025, members voted for their top five selections.

The selected artists and utility box locations scheduled for installation are Amelia Gladbach at 7th and "A" Streets, Ash Wissler at 6th and Savage Streets, Hannah Burrows at 6th and F Streets, Lisa Link at 4th and E streets, and Michelle Ava at 7th and Savage Streets.

Posted on 10/28/25 4:09AM by Alex Bauer

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