KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Rogue Valley Organizations Coordinate Rapid Response as SNAP Benefits Stall

The Rogue Valley Food System Network and its regional partners will hold a press briefing to address SNAP disruptions and the rising food insecurity across Southern Oregon. On Monday, November 3, at 4:00 p.m. via webinar, RVFSN will be joined by the Medford Food Project, Josephine County Food Bank, Josephine County Farm Collective, Family Nurturing Center, Rogue Food Unites, and Farmers Market Fund. With thousands of households bracing for delayed or reduced SNAP benefits, leaders from food banks, farms, pantries, community organizations, health systems, and public agencies will outline urgent needs, share rapid-response efforts, and announce the Rogue Valley Good Food Fund—a local fund to keep fresh, healthy food flowing to families during this period of uncertainty. The meeting is virtual. Those wanting to attend can register by following the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__GYFYcSyRbCbs-8wbQgQhA#/registration

Posted on 10/31/25 3:47AM by Alex Bauer

Interested Citizen Presented 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 10/30/25 2:10PM by Alex Bauer

GP Fire Extinguished Structure Fire, Alert Bystanders Helped Minimize Damage

Grants Pass Fire responded to a commercial structure fire today at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the 600 block of SE 7th Street.

Thanks to the quick action of an alert passersby, the fire was kept small, and damage was minimized.

Fire crews arrived to find smoke coming from the front window of an office building. Prior to the arrival of firefighters, bystanders noticed the smoke and quickly called 9-1-1 while using available fire extinguishers to slow the spread of the flames.

Battalion Chief Nelson of Grants Pass Fire praised the individual's quick thinking, saying, “By notifying emergency services right away and taking safe, appropriate steps to limit the fire, they helped prevent what could have been a much larger incident.”

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within 10 minutes of arrival. Damage was contained to a small area, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be an overloaded electrical outlet.

Grants Pass Fire reminds everyone that early detection and rapid reporting are key to limiting fire damage. Anyone who sees smoke or fire should immediately call 9-1-1 before attempting to intervene and only use fire extinguishers when it is safe to do so.

Posted on 10/30/25 12:27PM by Alex Bauer

Medford Charter School Receives Grants to Help Fight Hunger in the Community

Logos Public Charter School has received grants for two separate projects to help combat hunger due to food insecurity in the community as part of the Explore.Act.Tell Program. The Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning (FILL) and Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors provided the grants. The first project, Food for All, is a student-led pantry offering a wide variety of foods, including gluten-free and dairy-free options, canned goods, box mixes, and long-lasting staples. The pantry allows anyone in the community to select the items they need. The second project, the Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive, provided complete holiday meals to families in need. Students organized a school-wide competition by grade to collect non-perishable items. The initiative engaged the entire K-12 school community in a friendly, collaborative effort to support local families. Explore.Act.Tell. helps students in grades 6 to 12 recognize food insecurity issues in their neighborhoods. The students learn skills needed to be responsible citizens and advocate for community service.

Posted on 10/30/25 10:50AM by Alex Bauer

County Commissioners Clarify Concerns during Weekly Business Session

The Board of County Commissioners clarified topics of concern during their Weekly Business Session. Commissioner Chris Barnett was absent and excused due to a prior obligation, but both commissioners approved the Consent Calendar minutes. Commissioner Ron Smith, during other matters, stated the board has not negotiated with anyone regarding homeless sites. He said they have listened to discussions, and will continue to seek a solution. After doing more research, Commissioner Andreas Blech said the property presented to him previously as a potential resting site is not viable despite appropriate zoning. He reiterated they haven't made any negotiations on the N Street property. Commissioner Blech continued, saying the rental process and policy for the Anne G. Basker Auditorium hasn't been followed properly, and he took full responsibility. He said moving forward, they would "make everything as right and correct as possible."

Posted on 10/30/25 10:30AM by Alex Bauer

Governor Kotek to Spend $5 Million in Food Bank Assistance, Made Emergency Declaration

Governor Tina Kotek announced she will send $5 million in state money to Oregon food banks to soften the blow of SNAP delays. According to the Oregonian, Kotek joins the governors of at least 12 other states in diverting millions in state money to backfill the lost federal funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, starting Saturday. Kotek said she has directed the Oregon Department of Human Services to send $5 million in unspent money that was designated in past years for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to Oregon’s network of food banks. The governor also made a 60-day “emergency declaration,” which will allow the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to respond. That will also mean that, when the shutdown ends, the state “will be best positioned to turn SNAP benefits back on as swiftly as possible,” according to Kotek’s office. In Oregon, SNAP money helps some of the most vulnerable residents put food on the table. About 210,000 are children, and 130,000 are ages 65 and older.

Posted on 10/30/25 9:08AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Troopers Responded to SB Interstate 5 Crash

Oregon State Police responded to a crash on southbound Interstate 5 just before milepost 74 Wednesday morning.

A grey Honda lost control on a curve, crashed into a semi-truck, and then into the center median barrier.

The vehicle came to rest blocking the left lane. The vehicle was removed from the lane by the Oregon Department of Transportation, and then towed from the scene.

No injuries were reported. The driver of the Honda was cited for failure to drive within lane and no Oregon driver's license.

Posted on 10/30/25 8:50AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended a Trespassing Woman Wanted on Two Warrants

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of a trespassing complaint Wednesday morning.

A woman called dispatch while in Medford at 11:19 a.m., saying the suspect was on her porch in the 700 block of SW L Street. She said there was a handicapped resident in the home at the time. Both wanted the suspect trespassed from the premises.

Another caller from across the street of the property told dispatch the suspect was smoking a pipe and throwing items, possibly causing damage.

Officers arrived on scene and contacted the suspect, Stephanie Johnson. She was known to have two warrants out of the GPPD, so she was taken into custody.

Johnson was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants. Charges included Disorderly Conduct, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

Posted on 10/30/25 7:22AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Deputies Detained and Arrested Man on Three Charges

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on three charges Wednesday afternoon.

At 2:16 p.m., Thomas Fite was contacted and detained by deputies at the corner of South Junction Avenue and East Watkins Street.

Deputies advised Fite he was under arrest, and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Theft, Second Degree Robbery, and Third Degree Assault.

Posted on 10/30/25 4:43AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Apprehended Suspended Driver with Albany Police Warrant

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office contacted the owner of a vehicle on private property Wednesday night.

The vehicle, a Nissan Altima, had no license plates, and was parked at the corner of Caves Highway and South Junction Avenue with the property owner's permission.

Deputies contacted the owner of the Altima, Daren McCollum, and found he was wanted on an Albany Police Department Warrant for Contempt.

McCollum was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the warrant, and a charge of Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 10/30/25 4:28AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Responded to House Fire, Reminds Public of Heating Device Safety

Just before midnight Tuesday, crews from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and AMR-Josephine County responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of East Jones Creek Road.

Firefighters found the home filled with smoke and fire racing through the attic. Ceiling material was pulled down in several rooms to quickly reach the flames and stop the spread. Most of the contents were spared.

All occupants and pets escaped without injury, despite smoke alarms not working correctly. Investigators are looking into the cause in an attempt to rule out electrical issues or heat coming from the woodstove pipe.

As such, this is the season when firefighters see an increase in home fires caused by heating devices. The operation of any heating device that uses flame or hot elements should be carefully evaluated each year to confirm they are in proper working order and have adequate space away from flammable materials.

Rural Metro reminds the public to ensure they have properly working smoke alarms in their homes, especially near sleeping areas.

Posted on 10/29/25 12:25PM by Alex Bauer

ODFR Warns the Public to Stay Alert for Scammers

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning the public to stay alert for scammers impersonating government officials, law enforcement, or financial experts. According to the 2025 Enforcement Report from the North American Securities Administrators Association, scams involving digital assets, social media, and impersonation are among the top threats this year with artificial intelligence making it easier for criminals to create convincing fakes. Fraudsters can now clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted individuals or organizations. This all results in tricking victims into sharing personal information, transferring money, or granting remote access to devices. These scams are increasingly polished, personalized, and difficult to detect until after significant losses occur. Even more concerning are reports of in-person scams. Reported cases describe so-called “gold traders” or “bankers” who contact victims online, build rapport, and later arrive in person to collect cash, gold, or gift cards under false pretenses.

Posted on 10/29/25 12:15PM by Alex Bauer

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