KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP Police Jailed Felon for Roughing Up Woman at Harbeck Village Apartments

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for roughing up a woman at a south-city apartment complex last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Christian Anthony Bartell for the incident at the Harbeck Village Apartments on Sunday morning. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Bartell hit her several times and she was bleeding. She requested medical attention and stated that the suspect left the scene on a bicycle. She was treated by medics for noticeable swelling and a cut. Officers tracked Bartell down in the 1,000-block of SE Park Plaza and placed him into custody. They contacted his corrections officer about the incident. Bartell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault and Physical Harassment plus the resulting Probation Violation related to an arrest for Felony Criminal Mischief. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/13/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Violating Parole after Drug-Fueled Call on NW D

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his post-prison supervision after a drug-fueled incident at a residence on the east side of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers placed 26-year-old Zachary Randall Holmes into custody for the incident at the NE D Street home of his girlfriend on Monday morning. Police said Holmes arrived at his girlfriend's residence while under the influence of methamphetamine, forced his way into the home and began breaking items. They said he showed up wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and his girlfriend told them he was not allowed to be there. Responding officers arrested Holmes and confirmed that he was under a "meth psychosis." He was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of cuts on his hands from breaking his girlfriend's property. Holmes was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Meth Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. He was also trespassed from the property. Jail records show it was the fourth time this year that Holmes had been arrested for violating his parole.

Posted on 8/13/25 6:20AM by Sam Marsh

Forest Service Crews Battling New Wildfire on High Cascades Ranger District

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is battling a wildfire that broke out in the High Cascades Ranger District yesterday. The US Forest Service reported last night that the Scenic Fire near Foster Creek Campground had reached an estimated size of 70 acres. Firefighters first responded to the fire on Tuesday afternoon when it was reported to be three acres in size and burning in heavy timber. Two hand crews backed by seven engines, a water tender, heavy equipment and four helicopters went into action. A fixed-wing aircraft helped coordinate air resources. At 5:30 p.m., six additional engines, two falling modules and a bulldozer were ordered. By 6:45 p.m., the fire had grown to an estimated 15 acres and the Oregon Department of Transportation was requested to help with traffic control on Highway 230. The Umpqua National Forest also provided additional resources. By 7:30 p.m., the Scenic Fire had grown to an estimated size of 50 acres. Total resources deployed to the incident included four hand crews backed by 17 engines, three bulldozers, two falling modules and multiple aircraft including helicopters and fixed-wing planes. Law enforcement is investigating the cause of the fire. Forest officials urge people to use extreme caution while recreating in the woods. Extremely dry conditions, gusty winds and elevated temperatures are conducive to rapid fire spread from a single spark. If you see suspicious or careless activity in the forest, please report it.

Posted on 8/13/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

RCC Launching Pre-Dental Hygiene Course to Support Student Success

Rogue Community College is expanding opportunities for students interested in dental careers with the launch of a new online course this fall and an upcoming session for its Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs. Beginning fall term, RCC will offer DH100 Pre-Dental Hygiene, an online course designed to introduce students to foundational concepts in dental hygiene. Students will learn basic dental terminology, how to access a patient's oral needs and how to plan appropriate dental hygiene treatments. Completion of the course can strengthen applications to RCC's competitive dental programs. Students who complete DH100 will receive additional points on their program application. Applications are now open through this Friday for the Fall 2025 cohort of RCC's Dental Assisting certificate program, a four-term program that runs fall through summer. Attendance at an information session is required as part of the application process. Details are available at "roguecc.edu/dental."

Posted on 8/13/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Governor Proclaims August to be "National Emergency Management Awareness Month"

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has officially proclaimed August 2025 as "National Emergency Management Awareness Month, recognizing the vital work of emergency managers and the role they play in helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. The proclamation supports a national campaign spearheaded by the International Association of Emergency Managers to increase public awareness and appreciation for the emergency management profession. In Oregon, the campaign is being led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) in partnership with local, regional and state emergency management agencies. OEM plays a key leadership role in supporting and strengthening emergency management across the state. Through its Regional Emergency Management Coordinators Program, OEM employs specialized field staff to support all 36 counties and Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribes. These coordinators provide on-the-ground guidance and technical assistance across all phases of emergency management -- from preparedness to long-term recovery. OEM also manages the State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC), which is activated during large-scale or multi-jurisdictional emergencies.

Posted on 8/13/25 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Merkley Announces Committee Action to Boost Wildfire, Water & Climate Investments

US Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon announced he helped advance critical investments to strengthen forest health and wildfire resiliency, protect public lands and the environment, boost important programs for Tribes and support critical projects for local communities. The federal funding comes through the Fiscal Year 2026 Senate Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Merkley pushed to include key priorities for Oregon in the bill. This includes over $45 million for 23 community-initiated projects throughout the state. Merkley -- along with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden -- secured the funding. Local projects include $2.5 million for the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal's Statewide Wildfire Risk Reduction Program, $2 million for the City of Talent for its resilient waterline installation project to replace existing asbestos cement pipes, $1.554 million for the South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership for its Wild Fish Habitat Restoration and $1 million to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to stand up grant programs that will enable communities to implement alternatives to open burning of woody debris.

Posted on 8/13/25 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

US Senator Wyden to Hold Josephine County Town Hall Meeting at RCC in GP

US Senator Ron Wyden has announced he will hold a town hall meeting in Grants Pass early next week. The Josephine County town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. at Rogue Community College in the Redwood Campus gym, 3345 Redwood Highway. Wyden will also hold town halls this weekend in Polk, Jefferson, Benton and Clatsop counties. Heading into these five meetings, the US Senator has held a total of 1,129 town halls in keeping his promise to hold at least one each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. Senator Wyden said he's looking forward to these town halls in large and small communities because hearing Oregonians' opinions and answering their questions are a must to do his job representing all parts of the state. For everyone's security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town hall meetings.

Posted on 8/13/25 6:08AM by Sam Marsh

Eagle Point Woman Died after Being Struck by Commercial Truck on Interstate 5

An Eagle Point woman died last weekend when she was struck by a commercial vehicle while crossing Interstate 5 in Jackson County. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews were dispatched to the vehicle versus pedestrian crash on I-5 near milepost 35 on Sunday at 4:50 a.m.. Troopers said the preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Freightliner and trailer driven by a 37-year-old Riverside, California, man hit 50-year-old Scarlet Laresia Guenther who was standing in the travel lane. According to OSP, Guenther was declared deceased at the scene. The truck driver and his 38-year-old male passenger were not injured. OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. The freeway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

Posted on 8/12/25 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Felon for Roughing Up Woman at Harbeck Village Apartments

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for roughing up a woman at a south-city apartment complex last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Christian Anthony Bartell for the incident at the Harbeck Village Apartments on Sunday at 3:01 a.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Bartell hit her several times and she was bleeding. She requested medical attention and stated that the suspect left the scene on a bicycle. She was treated by medics for noticeable swelling and a cut. Officers tracked Bartell down in the 1,000-block of SE Park Plaza and placed him into custody. They contacted his corrections officer about the incident. Bartell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault and Physical Harassment plus the resulting Probation Violation related to an arrest for Felony Criminal Mischief. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/12/25 11:24AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Violating Parole after Drug-Fueled Call on D Street

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his post-prison supervision after a drug-fueled incident at a residence on the east side of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers placed 26-year-old Zachary Randall Holmes into custody for the incident at the NE D Street home of his girlfriend on Monday at 3:12 a.m.. Police said Holmes arrived at his girlfriend's residence while under the influence of methamphetamine, forced his way into the home and began breaking items. They said he showed up wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and his girlfriend told them he was not allowed to be there. Responding officers arrested Holmes and confirmed that he was under a "meth psychosis." He was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of cuts on his hands from breaking his girlfriend's property. Holmes was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Meth Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. He was also trespassed from the property. Jail records show it was the fourth time this year that Holmes had been arrested for violating his parole.

Posted on 8/12/25 11:22AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Corrections Client on State Warrant for Felony Parole Violation

Grants Pass Police jailed a Josephine County Community Corrections client on a statewide felony warrant early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 41-year-old Jeremy Douglas McGhee at the Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Monday at 8:21 a.m.. Police said McGhee's corrections officer notified them that his client was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous assault conviction. According to the report, McGhee was unaware he was about to be arrested. McGhee was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/12/25 11:21AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man on State Warrant after Trespassing Call at Restaurant

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant while investigating a weekend trespassing complaint at a gas station-convenience store. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 23-year-old Xander Arthur Michael Strow at the Muchas Gracias restaurant on Redwood Highway on Sunday around 1:45 p.m.. Police said they responded to a trespassing call at the nearby Chevron-Pinnacle 365 regarding a male subject loitering outside the business. The man identified himself as "Rizani Smurda" and he left the scene after being warned. Further investigation determined that "Smurda" was actually Strow and he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous burglary conviction. When contacted at Muchas Gracias, Strow admitted to using the phony name in order to avoid being arrested. Strow was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Officers added a charge of Furnishing False Information to Police to his criminal bill.

Posted on 8/12/25 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

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