KRRM - Local News

Winter Storm Blasts SW Oregon Causing Widespread Power Outages & Closures

Pacific Power responded to widespread storm-related outages across its Southern Oregon service area on Monday. Close to 11,000 customers in Oregon have been impacted by these snow-related outages. Crews are actively working to make repairs and restore power in areas impacted by the storm. Snow accumulation and continued winter weather has resulted in hazardous conditions impacting repair and restoration times. The National Weather Service underestimated Monday's storm by posting a Winter Weather Advisory that was upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning late yesterday. By then, record snowfall had already blanketed the region, forcing school closures and early releases. All local school districts remain closed today for safety. Grants Pass received a record snowfall of 5 inches yesterday, easily breaking the old record of a half-inch in 1949. The Medford Airport measured 6.3 inches. The National Weather Service has posted another Winter Weather Advisory for today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. More snow is expected, with up to an inch from the Illinois Valley to Grants Pass, but up to 5 inches across southeast Josephine County, most of Jackson County east of Rogue River and also eastern Douglas County near Toketee Falls.

Posted on 2/4/25 5:47AM by Sam Marsh

RCC Dental Program Offers Free Full-Mouth X-Rays during Winter Term 2025

Rogue Community College's dental assistant and dental hygiene students are offering full-mouth sets of X-rays free of charge during winter term. This hands-on opportunity is available through March 18th and is part of the RCC radiology lab training, preparing students for clinical examinations. Qualifying patients must have at least 24 teeth visible and present in the mouth, be at least 18 years old, and be eligible for a full-mouth X-ray -- meaning they have not had a full-mouth X-ray within the last three years. A full mouth set of X-rays typically includes 18 individual films and can cost up to $250 at a dental office. By participating, patients will assist students in honing their skills while receiving X-rays at no cost. Upon request, the X-rays can be sent to your dental provider. For more information on RCC's free dental X-rays, to find out if you qualify and to schedule your appointment, call Mons at (541)-956-7370. To learn more about RCC's dental assistant and dental hygiene programs, visit "roguecc.edu/dental."

Posted on 2/4/25 5:37AM by Sam Marsh

Sheriff's Deputies Incarcerated Man for Alleged Drug Trafficking Late Last Week

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office incarcerated a suspect for alleged local drug trafficking late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 62-year-old Santiago Rivera in an unspecified location last Thursday afternoon. There was no entry for the incident in the Sheriff's Log, but Rivera was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of Delivery of Methamphetamine, Delivery of Cocaine and Delivery of Heroin -- all felonies. Jail records show Rivera was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:10AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Violating Court Order by Contacting Protected Party

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for violating a court order by contacting the protected party in the Wilderville-Wonder area late last week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 12,400-block of Redwood Highway on Friday morning. Deputies said a female caller reported that 42-year-old David Brian Rich had been in contact with her and she has a valid restraining order in place to protect her. She advised that they had gotten into a verbal confrontation, but no one was hurt. Rich was reported to be homeless, but he was staying in a shack at that location. He had been flagged by law enforcement as being known to carry knives and making threats to kill deputies. Fortunately, he was placed into custody peacefully. Rich was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:09AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Probation Client for Indecent Exposure at Laundromat

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for indecent exposure at a north-city laundromat late last week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident involving 29-year-old Jake Robert Thompson at Steamboat Laundry on NW Vine Street on Friday afternoon. Police said they received multiple calls reporting a male subject who was naked and fondling himself inside the laundromat during business hours. Officers arrived on scene, identified the subject as Thompson and placed him into custody. Thompson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Public Indecency plus the resulting Probation Violation related to previous arrests for Criminal Mischief and Initiating a False Police Report. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:06AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Her Boorish Behavior at Fast Food Eatery

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for her boorish behavior at a local fast food restaurant over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a report of disorderly conduct involving 41-year-old Dellani Amber Decker at the McDonald's on NE 6th Street on Saturday around 9:30 a.m.. Police said the McDonald's manager called 9-1-1 to report a female subject outside the business who was yelling at and being hostile to customers. Officers arrived on scene, identified the subject as Decker and discovered that she had been trespassed before from the restaurant. Decker was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:05AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Multiple Moving Violations after Weekend Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for multiple moving violations during a weekend traffic stop near the downtown area. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a white minivan driven by 28-year-old Mason Jay Veilleux near the corner of NE 7th and A streets at 4:32 a.m. Saturday. Police said they stopped Veilleux for expired registration on his vehicle and they quickly found him to be driving with a suspended license, no insurance and without an ignition interlock device. They said he became uncooperative, started to curse and kick at the door of the patrol vehicle. He stopped after being warned. Veilleux was lodged in jail for Driving While Suspended. He was also cited for No Insurance and Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock Device. His minivan was impounded.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:03AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD Crews Doused Recreational Vehicle Fire in Selma Area Early Sunday

The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished a large vehicle fire in the Selma area early yesterday. On Sunday at 8:09 a.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to a recreational vehicle fire near the intersection of Thompson Creek Road and Lakeshore Drive. IVFD officials said it appeared a motorhome had been intentionally set on fire and it had been burning for some time prior to their arrival. The fire was extinguished with no spread to surrounding vegetation and the burnt-out motorhome was flagged for future towing.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:02AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Bomb Squad Secured Military Devices Turned in to Parkway Station

The Oregon State Police Bomb Squad secured multiple military training devices that were turned in to Grants Pass Fire & Rescue at the beginning of the weekend. OSP reports a bomb technician responded to the Parkway Public Safety Station on Friday afternoon after a citizen had turned in the unidentified military devices. According to the report, the devices were turned in by a 61-year-old Grants Pass man whose recently-deceased 65-year-old brother had them in his possession. According to OSP, the devices were secured and transported away from Grants Pass for future destruction.

Posted on 2/3/25 10:00AM by Sam Marsh

Five People Escaped with Minor Injuries after Jerome Prairie Area House Fire

Five people were able to escape with only minor injuries after their house caught fire in the Jerome Prairie area last night. On Sunday at 6:25 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the reported structure fire on Sleepy Hollow Loop. Rural Metro officials said arriving units found the home well-involved with fire, with everyone out and accounted for. Unfortunately, one pet dog did not survive. Officials said injuries were mostly from broken glass as family members escaped out a window. They were evaluated by AMR medics and released at the scene. According to Rural Metro, an investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing with assistance from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

Posted on 2/3/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

One Person Extricated & One Person Hurt after Sunday Collision near Merlin

One person was injured yesterday when two vehicles collided in the Merlin area. Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash at the intersection of Merlin Road and Jaime Lane on Sunday around 1:45 p.m.. Rural Metro officials said it took firefighters about 15 minutes to remove the roof of an overturned pickup blocking the intersection so they could remove the driver. Once freed, the driver claimed not to be injured and turned down an ambulance trip to the hospital. However, the driver of the other vehicle that ended up in the ditch was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center with minor injuries. The Sheriff's Office was investigating the cause of the collision.

Posted on 2/3/25 6:21AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Assaulting Girlfriend on Fir Canyon Road in Wilderville

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for assaulting his girlfriend in the Wilderville area late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 300-block of Fir Canyon Road on Friday morning. Deputies said they received a call from a woman who reported her 31-year-old boyfriend hit her in the face. The victim initially was not sure whether she needed an ambulance, but she later declined medical transport to the hospital. Sheriff's records show there had been one other domestic incident at that address. According to the report, the woman told dispatchers she was safe because her boyfriend was asleep in the other room. That's where he was placed into custody. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/3/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh