KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Commissioners Once Again Delay Sale of Pipe Fork Property near Williams

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners once again delayed the sale of the Pipe Fork property near Williams during its weekly business session this morning. The Board was scheduled to approve a purchase and sale agreement with The Conservation Fund and a contribution agreement with the Williams Community Forest Project valued at just over $2.3 million for the 320-acre forested property. Commissioner Herman Baertschiger made a motion to table consideration of the agreements because the Board recently received some new information from the Bureau of Land Management and he wanted more time to review it. The motion passed unanimously. County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks said the Board is facing a deadline to sign the sale agreement because funding won't be available after July 15th. He said the final contract must be signed by August 15th. In the public comment period, the Board heard complaints from two Williams residents about the Pipe Fork sale delays that may jeopardize the transaction, which has been years in the making. Other public comments included a complaint against an unnamed Board member for his conduct at a recent meeting and promotion of the Independence Day Celebration at the Courthouse tomorrow. The meeting opened with a presentation from the Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District regarding its Agricultural Water Quality Monitoring Program.

Posted on 7/3/24 11:21AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Glendale Man for Violating Court Order by Harassing Wife

Grants Pass Police jailed a Glendale man yesterday for twice violating a court order by harassing his estranged wife. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1800-block of Rogue River Highway on Tuesday around 9:45 a.m.. Police said the 21-year-old male subject is the respondent in an active restraining order where his spouse is the protected party. They said the subject violated the court order by contacting the woman at her residence twice on Saturday in order to harass and intimidate her. According to the report, the man threw eggs and watermelon on a friend's vehicle in one of the incidents. The victim showed police pictures of the vandalism. Officers contacted the suspect via phone and he agreed to meet them at the police station where he was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 7/3/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Violating Court Order by Contacting Grandmother

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for violating a court order by contacting his grandmother at a home located south of Grants Pass this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 6100-block of Cloverlawn Drive on Tuesday at about 9 a.m.. Deputies said they had responded to a similar call regarding the 27-year-old male subject the day before, but there were unable to find him. Turns out he had hidden himself in a small room in the house that serves as his grandmother's bedroom. According to the report, the grandmother let the man inside the house without her husband's permission. She is protected from her grandson by a court order. When deputies returned yesterday, they searched the residence and located the suspect hiding in the same room. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 7/3/24 11:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Woman Seriously Hurt after Being Struck by 2 Vehicles on RR Highway

A Grants Pass woman was seriously injured last night when she was struck by two vehicles on Rogue River Highway near Morrison Centennial Park. Grants Pass Police and emergency personnel were dispatched to the vehicle versus pedestrian accident in the 1,000-block of Highway 99 on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.. Police said the female victim unlawfully entered the south side of the highway and ran across the travel lanes where she was struck by one vehicle and then grazed by a second vehicle while she was down. They said she was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center where the trauma system was activated. An investigation determined the woman was at fault and she was issued a citation for Pedestrian with Improper Position on a State Highway at the hospital. No word on her medical condition today. One of the drivers who struck the woman was cited for Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 7/3/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Wilderville Man for DUII after He Crashed Jeep near Wonder

The Oregon State Police arrested a Wilderville man for impaired driving last night after he crashed his vehicle on Redwood Highway near Wonder. According to OSP, troopers and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck on US Highway 199 at Elliott Creek Road on Tuesday at 6:24 p.m.. Troopers said the 69-year-old man was not hurt when he lost control of the Jeep Wrangler he was driving. They said he displayed signs of impairment, performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was cited to appear in court and lodged at the Sobering Center while his damaged vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 7/3/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh

Large Vehicle Fire near CJ Prompted Response of IVFD, ODF & Deputies

A large vehicle fire in the Illinois Valley last night prompted the response of three local agencies. On Tuesday at 10:31 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the fire at the Mine Trail Campfire Lookout which is located at a dead end off Oregon and West 6th streets in Cave Junction. IVFD officials said the vehicle fire jumped the road and spread into blackberries and nearby brush. They said the blaze was quickly extinguished and mopped up. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Due to the Wildland Up-Staffing Grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal, officials said they are able to have more personnel on scene during fire season.

Posted on 7/3/24 11:12AM by Sam Marsh

JMET Detectives Raided Illegal Cannabis Growing Operation in Illinois Valley

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) raided an illegal cannabis growing operation near Selma yesterday. On Tuesday morning, JMET -- with assistance from Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety -- served a search warrant in the 1,000-block of Crooks Creek Road. During execution of the warrant, approximately 800 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. The property also had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations that could result in criminal forfeiture of the property. According to JMET, the primary suspect was not at the property during the search. If located, he or she will be charged with Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Appropriation of Water. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released at this time.

Posted on 7/3/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Seeking Public Assistance in Finding Missing Medford Teenage Girl

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is seeking public assistance in locating a missing teenage girl from Medford. According to a Tuesday afternoon press release, 15-year-old Maysa Kennedy has been missing since June 17th from her home in Medford. She is described as 5-feet-3-inches tall and 125 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Authorities believe Maysa may stay in the local area or travel to surrounding cities. In an effort to bring more attention to Maysa's case, her poster is being featured on the Ring's Neighbors app as part of a partnership between NCMEC and Ring. This feature reaches millions of users, providing real-time assistance in locating missing children. If you have any information about Maysa Kennedy or her disappearance, please contact NCMEC at 1-(800)-THE-LOST or the Medford Police Department at (541)-770-4783.

Posted on 7/3/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County SO Seeks Public Help in Locating Missing Illinois Valley Man

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in finding a missing Illinois Valley man. The Sheriff's Office reports 57-year-old Christopher Lloyd Simas was last seen on June 29th near the intersection of Redwood and Caves highways. He was reported missing on July 1st. Simas was on foot and is believed to be still in the Cave Junction area. Simas is described as a white male adult, 5-feet-8-inches tall and 236 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Christopher Simas is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123. Please reference Case #24-14391.

Posted on 7/3/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Felon for Unlawfully Entering Vehicle on Highland Avenue

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for unlawfully entering a parked vehicle in the northwest part of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the car-clouting incident in the 1800-block of NW Highland Avenue early Monday morning. Police said the 44-year-old male subject opened the passenger door to an unlocked Dodge Caravan, looking for a cigarette lighter and other valuables. The auto alarm sounded and he attempted to flee, but was observed by the homeowner. Officers located the subject at the Highland Market and he eventually admitted his involvement in the criminal offense. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and the resulting Parole Violation stemming from past convictions for Burglary and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. Jail records show the man has been arrested 10 times for Parole and Probation violations since July 15th of last year.

Posted on 7/3/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Man Who Climbed Up Downtown Redwood Tree

Grants Pass Police arrested a man who climbed to the top of a Redwood tree in the downtown area this week. The Police Department reports officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew were dispatched to the incident in the 300-block of SE I Street on Monday morning. Police said a 40-year-old male subject climbed the Redwood tree and was at least 50 feet off the ground, causing significant public alarm. The law enforcement and fire response blocked traffic while several citizens and business owners gathered in the area. A ladder truck was used to remove the man from the tree. He admitted to drinking alcohol and showed other signs of impairment consistent with the use of a narcotic stimulant. The tree-climbing suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 7/3/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

Board of Commissioners May Finally Sell Pipe Fork Property Today

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners may finally sell the Pipe Fork property near Williams during its weekly business session this morning. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider a purchase and sale agreement with The Conservation Fund for the 320-acre forested property. The Commissioners will also consider a contribution agreement covering funds from the Williams Community Forest Project for the former Josephine County timber property. Total purchase price for Pipe Fork is just over $2.3 million. The Board will open the session with the monthly recognition of employees and an Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District presentation on its agricultural water quality monitoring program. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 7/3/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh

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