KRRM - Local News

Jackson County Sheriff's Office Named "2023 Oregon DUII Enforcement Agency of Year"

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was honored with the 2023 Oregon DUII Enforcement Agency of the Year Award in a ceremony last week. The award came from the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force in recognition for outstanding professional achievement in the deterrence and prevention of impaired driving in the state. This award highlighted the Sheriff's Office comprehensive approach to ensuring road safety and reducing DUII incidents within Jackson County. In 2023, the Sheriff's Patrol Division -- which was comprised of approximately 40 sworn personnel -- was responsible for 1,032 crash investigations, 367 DUII arrests and 13,526 traffic stops. Beyond DUII enforcement, Jackson County has adopted a strategy to prevent DUIIs, emphasizing strong community ties and proactive education. These efforts include the launch of a Citizen Recognition Program to honor and encourage public involvement in identifying impaired drivers, enhancing collaborations with emergency response teams, and the delivery of extensive educational programs targeting various community segments. The Sheriff's Office also places a significant emphasis on law enforcement training including refreshers on field sobriety testing, advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement and specialized courses on drug influence evaluation.

Posted on 4/10/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

AllCare Health Awards $200K Grant to CASA of Oregon for Josephine County Housing

AllCare Health is pleased to announce a $200,000 grant award to CASA of Oregon for a significant housing project in Josephine County. This grant is for the preservation of a 110-space co-op manufactured home park in Grants Pass. AllCare officials said they are proud to support CASA of Oregon as a pioneering leader in services that improve community economic and housing stability while reducing the burden of homelessness and housing insecurity. This project supports members of AllCare Health's Coordinated Care Organization, low-income community members, tribal community members, and particularly community members experiencing economic and housing instability along with behavioral health challenges. AllCare Health is an innovative, physician-owned and locally-operated healthcare organization. The grant is part of AllCare's pledge of $2.7 million this year for improving the health and well-being of all Southern Oregon communities. CASA of Oregon is a non-profit community partner with AllCare providing housing stability for individuals and families throughout the state.

Posted on 4/10/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Public Works Department Announces 2023 Water Quality Report is Now Available

The Grants Pass Public Works Department is pleased to announce the annual Water Quality Report for 2023 is ready for public viewing. The purpose of this Consumer Confidence Report is to improve public health by providing information to allow customers to make educated decisions regarding any potential health risks regarding the quality, treatment and management of the Grants Pass drinking water supply. The report is required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to provide detailed information about the quality of local drinking water. Grants Pass Public Works Director Jason Canady said it's also an opportunity for the City to provide you with information on where your water comes from, how it is treated, and what is done to ensure it remains clean, fresh and safe. To view the 2023 Water Quality Report, visit "grantspassoregon.gov." If you would prefer to have a printed report mailed to you, please call the Public Works administration office at (541)-450-6110.

Posted on 4/10/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

BCC Set to Hold Public Hearing on Amendments to Rural Development Code

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Rural Land Development Code during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. The Board will hold the hearing on the first reading of an ordinance designed to update development code definitions and the chapter concerning rural residential zones. If approved, a second reading and adoption is set for April 24th. There are no Administrative Action items on the agenda for the meeting, which will begin with the monthly recognition of employees. As usual, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:52AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Collared IV Man for Outstanding Felony Warrant after Highway 199 Stop

The Oregon State Police jailed an Illinois Valley man on an outstanding felony warrant yesterday following a traffic stop in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Ford F-350 pickup driven by the 47-year-old Cave Junction man on Redwood Highway near Laurel Drive on Monday around 11:30 a.m.. State troopers said they stopped the man for observed traffic violations and they quickly discovered that he was wanted on a felony warrant for absconding on his parole from a previous conviction for an unspecified crime. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:23AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on Outstanding Warrant after Trespass Call at Safeway

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant and a new charge last night during a trespassing call at a downtown supermarket. According to the Police Department, officers responding to a trespassing complaint at Safeway on SE 7th Street on Monday around 10:50 p.m.. Police said a store manager reported a male subject wearing a backpack loitering around the entrance. The man previously had been trespassed from the store on January 8th. Responding officers contacted the 30-year-old man, confirmed the trespassing warning and learned that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Resisting Arrest and Criminal Trespass. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant along with a new charge of Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Apprehended City Park Camper on Local Felony Warrant in Patrols

Grants Pass Police arrested a city park camper on an outstanding felony warrant during a patrol check early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were patrolling Riverside Park in the 10 o'clock hour when they contacted the 42-year-old woman. Officers said they ran a routine records check that revealed the woman was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Criminal Mischief. She was lodged in jail on the no-bail warrant. Meanwhile, GPPD cited numerous campers for ordinance violations in city parks. A number of them were cited for failing to remove previously posted campsites and several were issued 30-day park exclusion orders.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:20AM by Sam Marsh

Two People Hurt and Another Cited after Multi-Vehicle Bridge Street Collision

Two people were injured and another was cited after a multi-vehicle collision on SW Bridge Street yesterday. Grants Pass Police and emergency personnel responded to the four-vehicle crash at the intersection of Bridge and Pine streets on Monday at about 2:35 p.m.. Officers said an investigation indicates the flow of traffic slowed down and one vehicle rear-ended another, causing a chain-reaction between a blue sedan, gray sedan, Range Rover and Honda Civic. According to the report, two people were transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with unspecified injuries. Following the investigation, one of the drivers was cited for Speeding.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Jacksonville Man for DUII after Williams Highway Stop in Murphy

The Oregon State Police arrested a Jacksonville man for impaired driving after a traffic stop on Williams Highway in Murphy late yesterday. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Toyota Tacoma driven by a 66-year-old man on Highway 238 near Murphy Creek Road on Monday at 4:54 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the man for traffic violations and he displayed several signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so a search warrant was obtained and they transported him to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented his impairment by alcohol. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Driving While Suspended. His pickup was towed to the impound yard.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:17AM by Sam Marsh

Occupant Kept Murphy Area RV Fire Small with Closed Door & Garden Hose

Rural Metro Fire Department said a closed door and a charged garden hose kept a fire small in the bathroom of a recreational vehicle in the Murphy area last night. On Monday at 6:49 p.m., Rural Metro responded to a reported structure fire in the 300-block of Shamrock Lane. Originally reported as a house on fire, arriving units found an RV being used as a residence. The occupant had used a garden hose to douse the flames prior to the arrival of firefighters who performed mop-up to ensure all heat was mitigated. Rural Metro officials said the occupant reportedly had a candle burning in a small space that evidently fell over or came into contact with flammable materials. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross was summoned to assist the occupant with temporary alternate living arrangements.

Posted on 4/9/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

Two People Killed in Monday Night Crash at Sharp Riverbanks Road S-Curves

Two people were killed late yesterday in a violent crash on Riverbanks Road about two miles east of Redwood Highway. On Monday at 6:03 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle wreck in the 2200-block of Riverbanks Road. Rural Metro officials said the crash occurred in the sharp S-curves between Marcy Loop and Douglas Drive. They said efforts to rapidly extricate and treat the two occupants were performed, but both were confirmed to be deceased on scene. Law enforcement was conducting the investigation and notifying next-of-kin. The Oregon State Police is the lead agency and it has not yet identified the deceased. Traffic was detoured while the crash scene was active. Officials said witnesses to this tragic event and citizens who assisted with rescue efforts were exposed to a very graphic scene. Anyone struggling with trauma or who was otherwise affected by the incident and might find the need to talk to someone is welcome to call Rural Metro at (541)-474-1218

Posted on 4/9/24 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Motorist for DUII after He Wrecked SUV near Hellgate Bridge

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving after he wrecked his vehicle near the Hellgate Bridge last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle rollover crash near milepost 6 of Galice Road -- between Hellgate Lookout and the bridge -- on Sunday around 8:40 p.m.. Deputies said another motorist reported the crash of a light-blue sport utility vehicle that had struck the guardrail twice before landing upside-down partially in the inbound travel lane. The caller said the driver appeared to be intoxicated and was walking toward Merlin from the wreck. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the 30-year-old male driver who displayed strong signs of impairment. After performing poorly in field sobriety tests and being checked out by medics, the man was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. The wrecked SUV was towed into Grants Pass. A white Bull Mastiff named "Daisy" went missing after the crash, but the dog was found on Monday.

Posted on 4/9/24 6:42AM by Sam Marsh