KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

USDA Sending Grants to 3 Jackson County Firms to Increase Energy Efficiency

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley recently announced that the US Department of Agriculture is sending nearly $2.2 million in Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) grants and close to $3.2 million in REAP loans to support renewable energy projects in Oregon. The investments will help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses adopt renewable energy technologies, conduct critical energy audits, and cut costs and carbon pollution with energy efficiency improvements. Wyden and Merkley said these projects will strengthen the resiliency of their operations and generate new income while boosting the economy in rural Oregon. REAP investments coming to the state in this new wave of grants include $167,407 to help ASC LLC #1 purchase and install a 150 kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV on top of the Ashland Electric Services building that is owned by the City of Ashland. Rocky Knoll LLC will receive $37,058 to purchase and install a 25.28 kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV on top of their building in Medford. Fred Gebhart Writing & Photography will get $18,018 to purchase and install a 5.6 kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV system on top of their office building in Gold Hill.

Posted on 8/28/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Firefighter Receives National Honor for Lifesaving Action in Grants Pass

Medford Fire Department Engineer Manny Sharp has won the 2024 Ben Franklin Award for Valor, which was recently presented at the International Fire-Rescue Conference in Dallas, Texas. The Ben Franklin Award recognizes exceptional acts of heroism by firefighters who must be nominated by their chief for life-saving actions taken during an incident. While off-duty on August 15, 2023, Sharp bravely responded to a house fire on his street in northwest Grants Pass and rescued three individuals. Dressed in just a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, he kicked in the front door and safely evacuated two teenagers and an adult victim. Medford Fire Chief Eric Thompson said Manny's courage and quick-thinking exemplify the highest standards of their profession. He said they are incredibly honored to have him as part of their team. Congratulations Medford Firefighter Manny Sharp!

Posted on 8/28/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh

Board of Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on North Valley Development

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposed development in the North Valley area during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. Following the hearing, the Board will consider the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the comprehensive plan from Forest to Residential and amend the zoning map from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential, 5-acre minimum. The property owner is KND Development, LLC. If approved by the Board, the second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for September 11th. There are no other action items on the agenda. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, participants are given three minutes to address the Commissioners on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 8/27/24 1:18PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Stealing U-Haul Trailer after Hawthorne Avenue Stop

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for two felony-level crimes after he was caught with a stolen U-Haul trailer late last night. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a blue Chevrolet pickup pulling the stolen trailer in the 1700-block of NW Hawthorne Avenue on Monday at 11:17 p.m.. Police said they stopped the 48-year-old male driver of the vehicle for traffic violations and discovered that he was in possession of a U-Haul trailer that he had just stolen off the lot at the corner of NW Vine Street and Hawthorne Avenue. Officers took the man they identified as "Ralph Francis Chiampi, III" into custody. Chiampi was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. He was being held without bail. The stolen trailer was hauled back to its owner by 3 Boys Towing.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:27AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Felon for Vandalizing Flower Pots outside Downtown Florist

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for vandalizing flower pots outside a downtown florist shop late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the reported incident at Grants Pass Florist & Gifts on SW 6th Street on Monday at about 6:15 p.m.. Police said a 29-year-old male subject was observed destroying ceramic flower pots outside the business. They said he was actively vandalizing the pots and making a large mess in the area. Upon arrival, the subject tried to flee from officers -- but they were able to place him into custody. He was found to be a convicted felon, so officers contacted his corrections officer. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested for violating his parole a total of 12 times since August 2023.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

Sheriff's Deputies Jailed Man for Roughing Up Woman at Residence in Merlin

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for roughing up a woman at a home in Merlin yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 100-block of 3rd Street on Monday at about 3:30 p.m.. Deputies said a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report that it sounded like a male was beating up a female. The caller said the woman was screaming for the man to stop. According to the report, there was a history of domestic violence at the residence. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and placed the 31-year-old male subject into custody. There was evidence of domestic violence, but the woman was not seriously hurt. The subject was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Harassment and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:25AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Collared Fugitive on Outside Warrant after Traffic Stop near Grants Pass

The Oregon State Police apprehended a man wanted on an outside warrant during a traffic stop just south of Grants Pass late last night. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Honda CRV driven by a 64-year-old male subject near the corner of New Hope and Lonnon roads at 11:55 p.m. Monday. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for an observed traffic violation and quickly discovered that the driver was wanted on a warrant for Reckless Endangering. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and his vehicle was towed for "community caretaking" purposes.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:23AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Attempting to Swindle Walmart Out of Clothing

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for attempting to swindle Walmart out of some clothing last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a theft complaint at the store on NE Terry Lane on Sunday shortly after 2 p.m.. Police said a 43-year-old female subject was observed on camera skip-scanning about $42 in clothing items. They said she was stopped by loss prevention as she tried to leave the store and she later admitted to the crime. Walmart managers said the first-time offender was cooperative after being detained. She was lodged at the nearby Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested GP Man for DUII & More after Redwood Highway Stop near RCC

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man for impaired driving and more last night after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway just west of the city. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Hyundai Accent driven by a 54-year-old male subject on US Highway 199 near Midway Avenue on Monday at 9:55 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for multiple traffic violations and the driver displayed strong signs of impairment. They said the driver -- who was operating the car with his 11-year-old son -- refused to participate in field sobriety tests, was told he was under arrest and refused to cooperate. When troopers tried to place the driver into custody, he resisted and had to be Tased multiple times. He was handcuffed and transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw after a search warrant was granted. Based on the results of the blood draw, the suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Resisting Arrest. He was lodged in jail and his vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:20AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Motorist for Impaired Driving after Williams Highway Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving early yesterday after a traffic stop on Williams Highway. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by a 25-year-old male subject on Highway 238 near Wagon Wheel Drive on Monday at about 12:30 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped the pickup for traffic violations and the driver showed signs of impairment by alcohol. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was nearly twice the legal driving limit. The suspect was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His pickup was towed to a local impound yard.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

No One Hurt When Two Vehicles Crashed at Happy Camp & Takilma Crossing

No one was hurt when two vehicles collided near Cave Junction last weekend. On Sunday at 6:31 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the crash at the intersection of Happy Camp and Takilma roads. IVFD officials said arriving units found all the occupants out of the vehicles that had crashed. They said the occupants exchanged information and arranged for their own tows. Officials said the cause of the wreck was under investigation.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:18AM by Sam Marsh

Local Agencies Extinguished Grass Fires in SW Grants Pass & Cave Junction

Four local agencies responded to grass fires in the Redwood area of Grants Pass and near Cave Junction late yesterday. On Monday afternoon, Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a grass fire in the area of Demaray Drive and Willow Lane. Rural Metro officials said the fire was contained to 1/4-acre and intervention by civilians was instrumental in controlling the blaze. The cause of the fire was under investigation. On Monday evening, the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a grass fire in the 100-block of Patton Bar Road. IVFD and ODF crews extinguished the fire, keeping it away from a nearby home. Officials said the fire originated from a malfunctioning extension cord.

Posted on 8/27/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

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