KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP Police Arrested Community Corrections Client on Outstanding MPD Warrant

Grants Pass Police arrested a Josephine County Community Corrections client on an outstanding warrant yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were called to the Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Tuesday at 10:36 a.m.. Police said 36-year-old Adam Joseph Jansen was wanted on a Medford warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. They said Jansen was there to meet with his corrections officer when the warrant was discovered. Jansen was cited to appear in court and released because the corrections officer advised his client is staying at the Gospel Rescue Mission and "doing well."

Posted on 6/11/25 10:45AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Evicted Two from Resting Sites for Repeat City Ordinance Violations

Grants Pass Police evicted two people from designated resting sites yesterday for repeated violations of city ordinances. During a patrol check at Baker Park, Terry Carnicello was contacted because his tent was oversized and tied to a tree. He had been given several warnings about his tent. He was cited for both violations and trespassed from the park for 30 days. During a patrol check at the NE 7th Street resting site, Laurie Momney was cited for Utilization of Space. It was her second such citation, so she was issued a 30-day exclusion notice.

Posted on 6/11/25 10:43AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Police Arrested Juvenile Suspects for Homicide at Elementary School

The Medford Police Department has arrested two juvenile suspects for their roles in last weekend's homicide in the parking lot of Wilson Elementary School. MPD officers responded to a report of a man down in the school parking lot located in the 1400-block of Johnson Street early Sunday morning. The man was identified as a 26-year-old Medford resident and he was pronounced deceased at the scene from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. MPD detectives obtained surveillance video from the school and nearby homes. The footage revealed that the shooting occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. No calls for service related to suspicious activity or gunshots had been received. Utilizing resources from the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force and in collaboration with the Medford School District, detectives swiftly identified the suspects. The investigation revealed that a 15-year-old girl allegedly lured the victim to the school where her 17-year-old male accomplice confronted the victim and shot him multiple times. Both suspects fled the scene on foot. Early Tuesday morning, an MPD officer located the 17-year-old male suspect riding a bicycle on Hawthorne Street. He attempted to flee into Hawthorne Park but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Shortly thereafter, the 15-year-old female suspect was arrested at her residence in the 1500-block of Johnson Street. Due to their ages, the names of the juvenile suspects are not being released. The victim's family was notified and requested the name of the victim not be released. The juvenile suspects were lodged at the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Murder and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The case has been referred to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:42AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Identify Man Who Led Deputies on Pursuit before Plunging Off Cliff

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who led deputies on a high-speed pursuit near Galice before plunging to his death off a cliff and into the Rogue River last weekend. On Sunday at 10:25 p.m., deputies attempted to stop a speeding motorcycle on Galice Road near Merlin. The motorcyclist failed to yield and continued outbound on Galice Road toward the river corridor. The pursuit continued through Galice and past Almeda Park. Near milepost 17, the rider lost control of the motorcycle, crashing off a cliff and into the river below. Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response responded. The area below the crash scene was searched by a drone camera equipped with thermal imaging capabilities. A marine deputy and Rural Metro crews launched a raft at Almeda Park, searching the river and along the riverbank to the Argo Recreation Site, but the rider was not located. On Monday morning, rafters located the body of 46-year-old Brock Andrew Ewers of Grants Pass near Whiskey Creek. The recovery of Ewers was a coordinated effort between the BLM River Rangers and Josephine County Search & Rescue. Next of kin have been notified. At the request of the Sheriff's Office, the Oregon State Police is investigating the fatal incident.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

Illinois Valley Man Jailed on Dozen Charges after Violent Incident in Selma Area

An Illinois Valley man was jailed on a dozen charges this week following a violent incident in the Selma area. The Oregon State Police reports troopers arrested 36-year-old William Arthur Way of O'Brien on Hogue Drive late Monday night. Troopers said they were flagged down by a man at the Ray's Food Place in Selma and advised of a possible assault victim at the store. The victim told them that he had fled from an incident after observing his friend being held at gunpoint by Way. They had given the suspect a ride on Illinois River Road. While attempting to locate the Toyota Tundra Way had stolen from the men, state troopers observed Way run a stop sign, turn onto Redwood Highway and then onto Hogue Drive. Meanwhile, the man being held at gunpoint called 9-1-1 and reported that he was a passenger in the vehicle during the pursuit. Way bailed out of the stolen vehicle and fled southbound on foot. He resisted arrest while being placed into custody by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Way was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on charges including Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Felony Kidnapping, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Menacing, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:32AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Violent Behavior Toward Others at Resting Site

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for her violent behavior toward others at a downtown resting site this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the disturbance at the NE 7th Street resting site on Monday morning. Police said they were alerted to a man and woman fighting on the ground at the designated campsite. The male subject -- identified by GPPD as "Gregory Kime" -- came into the nearby police lobby to file a complaint against 63-year-old Carol Selph who was also identified as "Carol Ann Taylor" in the report. An investigation determined that Selph shoved gravel into Kime's mouth and then threw gravel at others in the resting site. Her behavior caused public alarm and generated multiple calls for service. Video surveillance footage showed her to be the primary aggressor in the altercation with Kime. Selph was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail. She was also trespassed from the resting site for 30 days.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on Old New & Drug Charges in Downtown Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on old and new drug charges during a patrol check in the downtown area early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 36-year-old Ian Seiwell Hogue while he was sleeping in an alley behind the 300-block of SE G Street on Tuesday at 5:30 a.m.. Police said Hogue was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of a substance that field-tested positive as meth. Hogue was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:20AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland Association Hosting Thursday Webinar to Recap 24-25 Season

The Mount Ashland Association is hosting a webinar to share a recap of the 2024-25 Winter Season on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.. The association will also take a closer look at the upcoming 2026 Chairlift Replacement Project and so much more. Stick around for a "live" Q & A session with Ski Ashland General Manager Andrew Gast where you'll have the chance to get your questions answered directly. To submit your questions in advance and get the webinar link, please visit "mtashland.com/events/2025-virtual-town-hall."

Posted on 6/11/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

New Medford BLM Timber Sales to Offer Up to 8.5 Million Board Feet in SW Oregon

The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management is offering up to 8.5 million board feet of timber across 380 public acres for sale on June 26th. BLM officials said timber produced from these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries as well as support jobs across western Oregon economies. The Salt Creek Salvage Sale will offer salvage logging on 110 acres, producing an estimated 2.2 million board feet. The Rotors Up Timber Sale will offer commercial thinning on 16 acres, selection harvest on 252 acres and right-of-way clearing on two acres, producing an estimated 6.3 million board feet of timber. BLM Medford District Manager Elizabeth Burghard said these timber sales provide jobs that improve life in local economies while also improving the health of local forests. In western Oregon, the BLM manages 2.4 million acres of some of the most productive forests in the world. The agency is committed to supplying a reliable, secure and resilient domestic supply of timber. BLM forestry supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, conserves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases costs of energy production. Each year, the BLM Oregon-Washington forestry program generates more than $1 billion for local economies and supports approximately 2,000 local jobs.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

New RCC Surgical Tech Program Launches to Meet Growing Local Healthcare Demand

Rogue Community College has announced a partnership with Linn-Benton Community College and Providence Medford Medical Center that will bring a Surgical Technology program to the Rogue Valley -- an important step toward addressing the critical need for trained surgical technologists in Southern Oregon. This collaborative effort allows students in the Rogue Valley to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree without leaving the region. The Linn-Benton Community College program blends online coursework with in-person labs at RCC's Table Rock Campus in White City and hands-on clinical experience at Providence Medford Medical Center. Graduates will be prepared to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam, administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The program is fully-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, ensuring students receive industry-recognized, high-quality training. Enrollment is now open for the Fall 2025 Cohort. For more information, visit "roguecc.edu/SurgicalTech."

Posted on 6/11/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Main Street Revitalization Grant Awarded to Remodel Historic Downtown GP Building

Big news for downtown Grants Pass. Main Street Grants Pass has announced that the Partake Project has been awarded a $400,000 state grant to bring the historic Shallhorn-Harmon Building back to life. With the support of local owners Patty and Scott Hillier and funding from Oregon Lottery-backed funds, this two-story brick landmark at 221 SE 6th Street will soon be home to Partake Shop, Lounge & Dine on the ground floor, and a beautiful second-floor restaurant and lounge in a space unused since the 1960s. Key project elements include reconstruction of the historic stairway from 6th Street to the second floor, full façade restoration reflecting the building's original design, activation of the upper floor space that has been vacant for over 60 years, and creation of between 15 and 20 permanent jobs plus numerous construction jobs. Seth Benham, Co-Chair and President of Main Street Grants Pass, said this project is a cornerstone of their efforts to revitalize downtown. Construction will begin this summer.

Posted on 6/11/25 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Illinois Valley Man Jailed on Dozen Charges after Violent Incident in Selma Area

An Illinois Valley man was jailed on a dozen charges last night following a violent incident in the Selma area. The Oregon State Police reports troopers arrested 36-year-old William Arthur Way of O'Brien on Hogue Drive on Monday around 10 p.m.. Troopers said they were flagged down by a man at the Ray's Food Place in Selma and advised of a possible assault victim at the store. The victim told them that he had fled from an incident after observing his friend being held at gunpoint by Way. They had given the suspect a ride on Illinois River Road. While attempting to locate the Toyota Tundra Way had stolen from the men, state troopers observed Way run a stop sign, turn onto Redwood Highway and then onto Hogue Drive. Meanwhile, the man being held at gunpoint called 9-1-1 and reported that he was a passenger in the vehicle during the pursuit. Way bailed out of the stolen vehicle and fled southbound on foot. He resisted arrest while being placed into custody by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Way was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on charges including Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Felony Kidnapping, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Menacing, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:46AM by Sam Marsh

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