KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Anonymous Oregon Community Foundation Donation Helps House IVCanDo

The Illinois Valley Community Development Organization has a new and permanent home.

The Daily Courier reports the new building, located at 287-289 Hamilton Avenue in south Cave Junction, is the former home of Dave's Outdoor Power Equipment. IVCanDo purchased the building for $475,000 using $500,000 from an anonymous donor given through the Oregon Community Foundation.

The economic development agency is currently headquartered in two adjacent offices at 341 Cottage Park Drive. Plans for the new building include visitor amenities, staff offices and a meeting space, landscaping, and a metal roof with solar power.

Posted on 12/23/25 1:18PM by Alex Bauer

$65 Million Investment for Behavioral Health Beds, $6 Million for Southern Oregon

Governor Tina Kotek announced a $65 million statewide investment to add and maintain behavioral health treatment beds on Monday.

KDRV reports the investment, funded through House Bill 2059, includes up to 146 new residential treatment beds and the continuation of 128 existing beds. A total of 14 projects were selected for funding based on local urgent needs. All projects with new beds are expected to be completed between December 2026 and January 2028.

Two projects in Jackson County are receiving funding. Both are operated by Continuum, formerly known as OnTrack. The projects include SUD Residential Treatment Facility & Withdrawal Management, receiving over $5.5 million for 21 new beds, and SUD Residential Treatment Facility receiving $150,000 for 10 new beds.

An additional $1.2 million project in Southern Oregon will be operated by NiBBus. This Residential Treatment Home could provide between eight and 16 new beds.

Oregon Health Authority has been working with community partners to determine what services are needed most in different regions of the state, helping shape how the investment is used.

Posted on 12/23/25 11:46AM by Alex Bauer

Commissioner Smith Leaves Meeting, Sites Litigation against Him, County

Commissioner Ron Smith departed during the initial roll call of the 8th Commissioner meeting stating there was litigation filed against him and the county. Applause from present community members followed, and since there was no quorum, no business could be conducted. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m. Commissioner Chris Barnett remained present but didn't proceed with discussion or questions from the community. Legal Counsel Wally Hicks confirmed the active litigation and didn't recommend further discussion. Commissioner Smith has been absent for the last eight meetings, but according to the Daily Courier, he announced Monday he will "reengage" in the process of filling the open seat, based on new legal guidance. However, he also said he continues to object to the process. Meetings are scheduled for December 29th, 30th, 31st, and January 5th at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room. Those wishing to attend in person must abide by the clear bag policy. The meetings will be available to stream at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 12/23/25 11:31AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Trooper Conducted Traffic Stop for Violations, Arrested Suspect on Warrant

The Oregon State Police stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on I-5 near milepost 71 Monday afternoon.

Before the traffic stop, the registered owner was observed next to the vehicle while parked. The trooper knew the suspect, Donald Denny, 44, of Williams, had a U.S. Marshal warrant out for his arrest.

The warrant was confirmed and, upon contact, Denny was detained and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was transferred to a Rogue River Police Department officer for the arrest.

Denny's vehicle was released to his passenger.

Posted on 12/23/25 8:21AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Captures Suspect, Arrested on Two Warrants, New Charges

After eluding deputies, a suspect wanted on two warrants was arrested by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

On Sunday around 8:47 a.m., Eric Rice was at the Bottle Drop on the corner of Rogue River Highway and Parkdale Drive. He then drove into Morrison Centennial Park towards Fruitdale Drive. He continued to elude deputies by running on foot through nearby apartments, but was soon detained.

Deputies brought Rice to the ground. They initially requested medical assistance for an injury to Rice's forehead, but later cancelled the request. After removing a smoking battery in Rice's car, deputies took him into custody.

He was wanted on an Oregon Parole Board warrant for Parole Violation and the Manufacture and Delivery of Meth. Rice also had a US Marshals warrant charging him with Parole Violation and Weapon Possession.

He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was further charged with Reckless Driving, three counts of Reckless Endangerment, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Elude, and Escape.

Posted on 12/23/25 7:34AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Apprehended Suspect on Warrant with Multiple Charges

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies took an adult into custody at their facilities, 1901 NE F Street, Monday afternoon.

The suspect, Xander Strow, had a warrant from the Oregon Parole Board charging him with First Degree Burglary, Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Aggravated Harassment, and Meth Possession.

He was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 12/23/25 5:20AM by Alex Bauer

OEM Encourages Safe Travels this Holiday Season

As Oregonians prepare for one of the busiest travel periods of the year, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging residents and visitors to take extra precautions. A series of weather systems will bring rain, mountain snow, and increasingly strong winds through Wednesday, creating potentially hazardous travel conditions across the state and may bring additional power outages. According to the National Weather Service, waves of snow showers, gusty coastal winds, and a potential for strong inland winds may impact travel, particularly over mountain passes, on the coast and along the I-5 corridor. Be prepared for any potential flooding and hazardous water conditions. Recent heavy rainfall has also

Posted on 12/23/25 4:54AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Troopers Responded to Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 5

On Friday at 11:45 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 70 in Josephine County. The preliminary investigation indicated a red GMC Jimmy, operated by Jimmy Warren Stanley, 82, of Dunsmuir, California, was traveling northbound on I-5 when it veered off the roadway for an unknown reason onto the gravel shoulder. The vehicle rolled over, and Stanley was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation by the OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit. Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response ambulance service, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted OSP.

Posted on 12/22/25 1:00PM by Alex Bauer

Commissioner Smith Absent for Seventh BCC Meeting

The seventh meeting for Interviews and the Appointment of Commissioner Position 1 could not proceed as planned due to Commissioner Smith's absence.

No business our actions could take place due to a lack of quorum. The meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m., and Commissioner Chris Barnett proceeded to ask questions to Legal Counsel Wally Hicks for informational purposes only.

Questions asked were in regards to the basis for recusal, board responsibility, lack of quorum, the vacancy appointment process, and chair responsibilities.

Meetings with the same agenda are scheduled for December 23rd, 29th, 30th, 31st, and January 5th at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room. Each meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those who would like to attend in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

Posted on 12/22/25 12:14PM by Alex Bauer

Oregon Encourages Health Plan Enrollment for 2026

As people in Oregon prepare to welcome in the New Year, now is the time to make sure you and your family have the health coverage you need. Health insurance provides access to essential services helping you begin 2026 with confidence and peace of mind. All plans sold through OregonHealthCare.gov cover essential health benefits such as preventive services, mental and behavioral health care, pregnancy, maternity and newborn care, gender-affirming care, prescription drugs, and emergency and hospitalization services. During the open enrollment period for 2025, the vast majority of people in Oregon who enrolled through OregonHealthCare.gov qualified for financial help. In 2025, 80 percent of

Posted on 12/22/25 11:14AM by Alex Bauer

Man Running in Roadway, Threatening Drivers Arrested by JoCo Sheriff's Deputies, GPPD

A caller reported a man causing a disturbance at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Agness Avenue early this morning.

The suspect, Richard Koep, was running and stumbling out in the roadway around 12:05 a.m. He was reportedly threatening to kill drivers and shoot officers if law enforcement was contacted.

The caller reported Koep "jumped out of a ditch like Superman" in front of her vehicle, causing her to swerve to avoid striking him. He ran up to her vehicle as she was contacting law enforcement and threatened to kill her if 911 was called. No weapons were seen on his person.

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies observed Koep along NE F Street and detained him after he fell down in the roadway. GPPD officers were then able to identify Koep via officer recognition and his missing toe per prior jail bookings, and detained him.

Koep was taken into custody and lodged for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 12/22/25 11:02AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Trespassing Suspect on Two Substance Possession Warrants

A tenant reported homeless people were trespassing on a property in the 500 block of NW A Street.

The suspects were reportedly going through people's mail and rummaging through the trash. Two had left and headed back towards a nearby camp before officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrived.

Officers contacted a suspect, Kristopher Young, and found he was wanted on two separate warrants charging him with Possession of Meth and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Young's identity was confirmed and he was taken into custody. Officers transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail on his warrants.

Posted on 12/22/25 10:37AM by Alex Bauer

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