KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

JoCo Sheriff's Office Arrest Intoxicated Woman on Harassment Charge

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was notified of a disturbance involving an intoxicated woman yesterday.

Officers arrived at 885 Robertson Bridge Road Wednesday afternoon where they contacted the suspect. She was highly intoxicated and had subjected a 16-year-old to unwanted physical contact by taking her to the ground by her hair.

The woman was detained and charged with Physical Harassment. After being cleared by Three Rivers Medical Center, she was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 9/18/25 5:35AM by Alex Bauer

ICAC and SOCET Jackson County Operation Results in 2 Arrests for Child Exploitation

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force worked with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) to execute several search warrants. The operation resulted in two arrests connected to an ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse material being traded online. Preliminary findings indicate more than a thousand images and videos were exchanged over social media platforms. The warrants, carried out in Jackson County, targeted individuals suspected of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first and second degree. Investigators seized multiple electronic devices, which will undergo forensic analysis, and the evidence will be referred to prosecutors for review. In White City, officers arrested Eddie Lukon Stith at an address on Avenue H on an outstanding warrant from Spokane, Washington, for sexual exploitation of a minor. In Medford, investigators arrested Matthew Mario Maya at an address on Table Rock Road on 10 new counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree.

Posted on 9/18/25 4:25AM by Alex Bauer

GP Firefighters Get Raise & Three Organizations Approved for Tourism Grants

Grants Pass Firefighters will receive a raise and three local organizations will receive $5,000 dollar grants to promote tourism. City Firefighters will get a raise on January first of next year after the City Council passed a resolution to enter a salary adjustment with the local Union. The current labor contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 3564 permitted a wage opener for wages for January 1st. Management entered negotiations began on May 7th and, following two meetings, the City and the Union reached a tentative agreement for a wage increase for all positions of 4%. The cost for fiscal year 2026 as compared to the prior year’s salary is approximately $107,251 including all benefits and taxes. This number does not include the six additional positions the Council recently authorized on September 3rd. The Fire/Rescue budget will be closely monitored for the remainder of the year.The Council the approved a resolution awarding Lodging Tax funds to three grant applicants from the fall 2025 cycle of the Tourism Promotion Grant Program for tourism promotion.The three recipients, including Latitude Wine Tours, Grants Pass Downs and the Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation, will each receive $5,000. This funding is for the fall 2025 cycle leaving $20,000 remaining for the spring 2026 cycle. The funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis.
The Council passed the consent calendar that contained a resolution allowing the City Manager to enter into a contract for the 2021 Safe Routes to School. The project will install sidewalk and pedestrian infrastructure in neighborhoods near Lincoln Elementary School to create a safer environment for children to walk or bike to school. The lowest bidder is Freedom Builders, LLC at $474,751, that was well below the Engineers original estimate.

Posted on 9/17/25 7:20PM by Chuck Benson

GP Police Find Suspect Hiding on Apartment Complex Roof, Arrest on Warrant

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a warrant after finding her on the roof of a local apartment complex.

Officers contacted Chastity Pinedo and a man earlier in the day on Clara Avenue after receiving a non-emergency call. She left the scene, and officers followed her to the Holiday Garden Apartments.

A resident advised officers where Pinedo was staying. She wasn't found inside, but was soon located on the roof of the complex. After coming down, Pinedo was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a warrant for Meth Possession.

Posted on 9/17/25 11:55AM by Alex Bauer

Prescription Opiate Litigation and Solid Waste Agency Topics for Commissioner Meeting

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners are set to tackle national and local actions during tomorrow's meeting.

Administrative Actions include discussing the National Prescription Opiate Litigation and Purdue Opioids Settlement, along with the Solid Waste Agency.

After Requests and Comments from Citizens, the board will approve minutes and consider other matters.

The Weekly Business Session will be held tomorrow, September 18th, at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW 6th Street.

Posted on 9/17/25 11:25AM by Alex Bauer

Kelsey Peak Fire Reaches 90% Containment, Mop-Up Operations Continue

Firefighters on the Kelsey Peak Fire are rounding the corner on mop-up operations, bringing containment up to 90%. The fire remains 1,039 acres in size. Helicopters will be working again to support ground crews, and repair work along fire lines is ongoing. This afternoon, a local Type 3 Incident Management Team made up of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest resources will work with ODF Team 1 to get a current overview of the incident. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 – BE READY evacuation order for Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management has a Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice for Zone JCU-801 in place.

Posted on 9/17/25 11:19AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Board of Commissioners to Request Added Security at Public Meetings

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will reach out for added security for public courthouse meetings after this morning's general discussion.

The commissioners met to discuss security in the courthouse. Commissioner Smith said he would reconnect with Sheriff Dave Daniel to supply another deputy and work out details for added security during meetings.

The board agreed on the decision with the objective to keep everyone safe. Not only staff, but the public who attend. They confirmed meetings will be held as usual, with public comment and the option to livestream.

The board also agreed to move forward with the recommendation for camera equipment upgrades in the courthouse after a previous brief from the IT Department.

Posted on 9/17/25 11:03AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Library District Responds to Commissioner's Statement Regarding Lease

The Josephine Community Library District released a statement in response to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners September 15th press release. The board said they "approved a lease with the library, and is pending the library board's approval" in their release sent out Tuesday. According to the library, county legal counsel and the library’s legal counsel are still drafting a new lease, with Commissioner Andreas Blech. The matter was initially scheduled to come before the Board of County Commissioners on September 18 during the commissioners’ weekly business session, but Commissioner Blech has since moved the discussion to the September 23 administrative session. During the August 21st Weekly Business Session meeting, Commissioner Blech added a "termination for convenience" clause allowing either party to cancel the lease on 30 days' notice, a clause he said was in the current agreement at that time.

Posted on 9/17/25 11:02AM by Alex Bauer

Rural Metro Fire Now Hiring Reserve Firefighters

Rural Metro Fire is recruiting local men and women for their part-time, call-back program.

Their state-accredited training program covers all-hazard topics like structural and wildland suppression, technical rescue, and medical skills.

Work schedules can vary based on call volume and shift availability, but will require a minimum 36 hours of active participation per quarter. This program starts at Oregon minimum wage.

To qualify, you must be 18 years of age, be able to show proof of your high school diploma or GED, and a valid Oregon driver's license, reside within Rural Metro's Response area or 30 minutes from the administration office, 807 NE 6th Street, in Grants Pass, successfully complete a physical abilities test, interview, drug screen, and background check.

Rural Metro invites you to join their team of firefighters and rescue professionals. Send them a letter of interest detailing why you want to join, your name, home address, email, and phone number to firejobs@ruralmetrofd.com.

Posted on 9/17/25 6:45AM by Alex Bauer

North Valley Teacher to be honored as Regional Teacher of the Year

The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Max Jones as one of Oregon’s 16 Regional Teachers of the Year. Jones teaches music and band at North Valley High School in Grants Pass. He will be honored in a classroom celebration at North Valley High School Thursday, September 18, at 10:20 a.m. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Jones was nominated by many parents and students. He said, “My philosophy of teaching – fostering collaboration, student ownership, and musical excellence – while ensuring all learners, regardless of background or ability, experience growth and success.” Each Regional Teacher of the Year is in the running for Oregon’s 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

Posted on 9/17/25 5:02AM by Alex Bauer

Jackson County SO Responded to Crash Involving Overturned Log Truck

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a major traffic crash involving an overturned log truck trailer Monday

The truck spilled its load of timber, crushing three vehicles and injuring two drivers. The incident occurred on Avenue G near the intersection of Highway 62 at approximately 10:15 a.m., September 15.

The initial report came in at 10:04 a.m. when a concerned motorist called 911 to report a log truck driving erratically on Highway 62, with its trailer wobbling severely.

Shortly thereafter, multiple 911 calls reported the trailer flipping at the intersection west of Highway 62, dumping heavy logs onto the roadway. A JCSO Deputy arrived on scene and discovered three vehicles crushed by the logs – a Ford F-150, a Hyundai Elantra, and a Nissan cargo van.

The driver of the F-150 suffered life-threatening injuries and the driver of the Elantra was also injured. Both were taken to medical facilities for care. The driver of the van did not require medical transport.

The investigation is being led by the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team. The operator of the log truck and the trucking company are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. No further information has been released at this time.

Posted on 9/17/25 5:01AM by Alex Bauer

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