KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Rogue Community College Seeing Enrollment Surge and Strengthen Local Economy

Rogue Community College is continuing its upward trajectory from the previous year, reporting a nearly 19% increase in full-time equivalent enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year. RCC's growth also stands out at the state level. The college's 18.9% enrollment increase from fall 2023 to fall 2024 far surpasses the average 5.7% increase reported by other Oregon community colleges. This positions RCC as one of the top-performing institutions in the state. During the past two fall terms, RCC has achieved a 24.7% growth in enrollment as compared to the statewide average of 6.3%. Enrollment for Fall 2024 is underway. RCC's total student population grew from 8,366 in 2022-23 to 9,280 in 2023-24. College officials report the increase is due to the school's recruitment initiatives, strong community support and commitment to high-quality education. RCC President Randy Weber said this achievement highlights the college's collective efforts and the unwavering support of the community. An analysis done by independent labor market analytics firm Lightcast using date from 2020-21 found that RCC contributes $306.5 million annually in income to the local economy.

Posted on 9/24/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

City of GP Still Seeking Next Urban Forester with Wednesday Deadline for Applications

The City of Grants Pass is looking for its next Urban Forester and time is running out for those wishing to apply. The Grants Pass Urban Forester conducts inspections of tree health and safety, determines approved street trees, develops permit conditions, assists with reviews of landscape plans and incorporates best management practices for the public tree canopy. The Urban Forester also presents tree-related topics to city boards and committees, oversees the Heritage Tree and Memorial Tree programs, and responds to citizen inquiries. The application period closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. For more information about the position and how to apply, please visit "governmentjobs.com/465316/urban-forester."

Posted on 9/24/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Investigating Several Small Fires in North Valley Area This Morning

Authorities are investigating several small fires that broke out in the North Valley area early today. It all started early this morning when the Oregon Department of Forestry and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to six fires along Interstate 5 near the Manzanita Rest Area. By 3 a.m., all the fires were out and under investigation by ODF and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Later this morning, ODF and Rural Metro crews responded to reports of two fires on the side of Walker Mountain above the Sportsman's Park. Fire activity was minimal, but smoke was clearly visible. Due to limited access, helicopters assisted hand crews in getting a jump on the fires. A bulldozer was brought in to build a road in order to get engines closer. Shortly before noon, ODF provided an update that the two fires on Walker Mountain were contained at about one acre combined. ODF and the Sheriff's Office are actively investigating the cause of the fires.

Posted on 9/23/24 11:57AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed IV Woman on Local Warrant after She Tried to Elude Deputies

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman on an outstanding warrant after she tried to elude deputies in the Selma area over the weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies initially tried to pull over a gray sport utility vehicle driven by the 23-year-old female subject in the 500-block of Deer Creek Road on Saturday at 1:21 a.m.. Deputies said the traffic stop was for failing to signal a turn and no registration on the vehicle. They said the driver -- later identified as "Angela Marie Yost" -- refused to yield and continued driving out Deer Creek Road while weaving back and forth in both travel lanes and straddling the center line. According to the report, Yost eventually slowed down and stopped. That's when deputies discovered that she was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. Yost was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. Her SUV was impounded.

Posted on 9/23/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Felon for Parole Violation after Buying Gas with Funny Money

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for violating his post-prison supervision by attempting to purchase gasoline at a local station with fake currency. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a fraud complaint at the Chevron station in the 600-block of Redwood Highway on Saturday at 7:27 p.m.. Police said 45-year-old Kayasith "Johnny" Thavisack tried to purchase $40 in gas using two counterfeit $20 bills. They said he was contacted and placed into custody following the complaint by the gas station attendant. During a consent search, Thavisack was found to be in possession of more than one gram of methamphetamine. It was seized for destruction and the 'funny money' was seized as evidence. Thavisack was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Forgery, Meth Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 9/23/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County DA Deciding Whether to File UUMV Charges against RR Man

The Josephine County District Attorney's Office was deciding whether to file charges against a Rogue River man who was caught driving a stolen vehicle during an Interstate 5 traffic stop near the Merlin Exit. The Oregon State Police reports troopers pulled over a Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by a 53-year-old male subject in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 61 on Friday afternoon. Troopers said they spotted the stolen vehicle and pulled it over, contacting the driver and his 48-year-old female passenger from Grants Pass. They said the truck had been reported stolen by a 55-year-old male victim. It was recovered and towed into Grants Pass by All Star 24-Hour Towing. The driver was not arrested, but charges of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle were referred to the District Attorney for consideration.

Posted on 9/23/24 11:13AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Man for Trying to Steal Merchandise from WinCo Foods

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trying to steal merchandise from an eastside supermarket over the weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.. Police said 30-year-old Eric Bryan Weldon was stopped by WinCo loss prevention after he tried to deprive the supermarket of more than $21 in items. They said the suspect attempted to give security officers his brother's name while in detention. When officers arrived on scene, they were able to determine the suspect's true identity from previous criminal encounters. He was placed into custody and the stolen items were returned to WinCo. Weldon was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 9/23/24 11:11AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving in Weekend Stop near Merlin

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving during a weekend traffic stop near Merlin. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a pickup driven by a 40-year-old male subject near the corner of Galice and Crow roads on Sunday at 1:40 a.m.. Deputies said they stopped the vehicle for speeding and the driver displayed signs of impairment. After performing poorly in field sobriety tests, the subject was taken into custody for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. A Smith & Wesson handgun found in the subject's truck was taken for safekeeping as his vehicle was impounded. The suspect was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was cited to appear in court.

Posted on 9/23/24 11:10AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Woman for Harassing Her Roommate at Merlin Area Residence

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman for causing a weekend disturbance in the Merlin area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 50-year-old Christina Marie Zamora on Saturday shortly after 8 p.m. for the incident that occurred at a home in the 200-block of Kira Lane. Deputies said Zamora's female roommate called 9-1-1 twice on Saturday to report the female subject was intoxicated, high on marijuana and being confrontational. The caller told dispatchers she would secure several firearms in the house and try to stay away from the subject while deputies responded. According to the report, the victim locked herself in her bedroom and Zamora was trying to unlock the door. The subject was also said to be pinching her own neck to cause injury so she could report an assault to law enforcement. Upon arrival, officers interviewed both parties and placed Zamora into custody. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 9/23/24 7:34AM by Sam Marsh

Two Occupants Hurt When Vehicle Struck Tree on Redwood Highway in Kerby

Two people were injured when their vehicle struck a tree along Redwood Highway in Kerby. On Saturday at 11:36 a.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash on US Highway 199 near Holton Creek Road. IVFD officials said arriving units found a vehicle had collided with a tree, with five people in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Two people were transported to Three Rivers Medical Center with minor injuries. No one else was hurt. Jerry's Towing responded to remove the vehicle and haul it into Cave Junction. The Oregon State Police was investigating the cause of the crash.

Posted on 9/23/24 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Firefighters Doused Large Vehicle Fire on Forest Service Road in Illinois Valley

Firefighters extinguished a large vehicle fire in a remote area of the Illinois Valley over the weekend. On Saturday at 7:46 a.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry and Grayback Forestry responded for a possible open burn on a Forest Service Road near Cave Junction. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center quickly upgraded the assignment to a large vehicle fire. Arriving units found a travel trailer that had been burning for some time and they quickly knocked down the blaze. ODF crews extinguished a minimal spread of flames to the surrounding wildland.

Posted on 9/23/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

Two Josephine County Jail Inmates Served with Jackson County FTA Warrants

Two adults in custody at the Josephine County Jail are facing additional charges after outstanding warrants were served on them late last week. The Sheriff Office reports deputies served a Jackson County misdemeanor warrant on 37-year-old DeShawn Winzer on Friday for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. Winzer was already lodged in jail for Felony Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for an unspecified crime and he was being held without bail. Also on Friday, jail deputies served a Jackson County felony warrant on 44-year-old Brian Moerhing for failing to appear in court for Possession of Heroin and Possession of Methamphetamine. Moehring was already being held behind bars as a Material Witness in an unrelated criminal investigation. He remains in custody with no scheduled bail.

Posted on 9/23/24 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

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