KRRM - Local News

JMET Detectives Raided Illegal Cannabis Grow near CJ and Identified Suspect

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) raided another illegal cannabis growing operation in the Illinois Valley this week and this time the task force has identified the primary suspect. On Thursday, JMET served a search warrant in the 1,000-block of White Schoolhouse Road. The team was assisted by the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety. The suspect in this case -- 47-year-old Sharon Margulis -- had an OLCC license for marijuana at the property, but it was used to shield the site from law enforcement actions against their illicit activity. Despite having a license for a small portion of the property, the suspect knowingly grew marijuana far outside the scope of what their license legally allowed. During execution of the warrant, approximately 200 pounds of processed cannabis and 400 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. The site also had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations that could result in the criminal forfeiture of the property. While authorities were on scene, they identified Margulis as the primary suspect, although they were not there at the time of the search. Charges of Unlawful Manufacture and Possession of Marijuana as well as Unlawful Appropriation of Water have been forwarded to the District Attorney's Office.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Warrants and Other Crimes after Wilderville Area Chase

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for outstanding warrants and other crimes after he attempted to elude deputies near Wilderville this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 42-year-old Robert Dwight Elling on or near Fish Hatchery Road late Wednesday night. Deputies said they were performing a patrol check at Griffin Park when a black sedan with two people inside went out onto the gravel bar, turned around and sped away south on Riverbanks Road to Redwood Highway to Old Redwood Highway to Fish Hatchery Road. The pursuit reached speeds of over 90 miles per hour. With assistance from the Oregon State Police, the eluding car was successfully spiked at the end of Riverbanks and its tires started losing air. Elling tried to bail out of the disabled vehicle, but he was placed into custody. Elling was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a recent conviction for drug possession and a Yolo County, California, warrant for drug possession. Elling was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrants plus new charges of Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. His California-registered vehicle was impounded. His female passenger was given a courtesy ride to her home.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man on Local Warrant after Domestic Violence Call on Dexter

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for domestic violence and an outstanding warrant in the Fish Hatchery area this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 300-block of Dexter Way on Wednesday night. Deputies said the property owner called 9-1-1 to report that their adult son was out of control. The caller said the 35-year-old male subject had a club in his hand and screamed that he was going to hit them with it. Fortunately, no one was injured. Upon arrival, deputies set up a perimeter around the residence that contained the suspect, his wife and a child. When he spotted law enforcement, he turned off the outside lights and retreated into the back part of the home. He eventually gave up and was placed into custody. The suspect was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass Police Department warrant for failing to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct. He was lodged in jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Domestic Menacing.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Male Transient after He Vandalized Vehicle at D7 Bus Shed

Grants Pass Police jailed a male transient for multiple crimes after he vandalized an employee's vehicle at the School District 7 bus shed this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 31-year-old Jose Manuel Urias on railroad property off NE Agness Avenue near Shannon Lane on Wednesday. Police said Urias was seen on security cameras striking an employee's vehicle, causing damaged to the passenger door and mirror. They said he then walked toward other bus shed workers while acting in a violent and tumultuous manner before running away from the incident location. After being found by officers on the railroad property, Urias was told he was under arrest. However, he fled on foot until a Taser was deployed and he was placed into custody. Officers said he was clearly under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Urias was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Escape. He was also trespassed from the bus shed as well as multiple properties he ran through while trying to avoid arrest.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Two Escaped Serious Injury When Pickup Crashed into Semi on Highway 199

Two people escaped serious injury early yesterday when they crashed into a semi-truck on Redwood Highway in Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Oregon State Police were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision in the 27,500-block of US Highway 199 on Thursday at 6:45 a.m.. IVFD officials said arriving units found a semi-truck and a pickup truck towing a trailer off to the side of the roadway with minor damage to both vehicles. Officials said two people were checked out by AMR medics, but no one was transported to the hospital. OSP was investigating the cause of the crash.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Table Rock Road Waterline Project Night-Paving Work Set to Start Late Sunday

The Medford Water Commission and its contractors are continuing work installing a large waterline along Table Rock Road. Beginning Sunday at 5 p.m. and lasting for two or three nights, nighttime paving work will be occurring on Table Rock between Vilas Road and TouVelle State Park near the Rogue River. Nighttime paving is scheduled to take place between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sunday and Monday, with any delays requiring work to continue on Tuesday. Steve Lambert of Jackson County Roads and Parks said contractors are required to perform the work at times when traffic is at lowest volumes to reduce congestion. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the work area entirely and taken alternate routes if possible. Watch for construction workers, equipment and congestion, and please slow down in the work zone area.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:03AM by Sam Marsh

Final Design Concept Announced for New State-of-the-Art Library in Downtown GP

Josephine Community Library has announced the final selection of the design concept for a new, state-of-the-art library in downtown Grants Pass. After extensive outreach and years of planning, local library leaders have selected a single-story, 22,000-square-foot design that will anchor a new community hub in the plaza bordered by 6th, 7th, J and K streets. The Josephine Community Library Foundation hosted a series of eight community listening sessions with ZCS Engineering & Architecture and surveyed participants. More than 60% of survey respondents favored "Concept A," a modern, one-story design featuring a secure outdoor courtyard, expanded spaces for children and teens, meeting rooms and potential for future expansion. The library district and foundation recently held a joint board session with 25 library leaders who reviewed survey results and unanimously confirmed the choice of Concept A. Considerations included budget constraints, staffing limitations, funding challenges and balancing immediate versus long term needs, with future enhancements likely to follow after the library is established in the new building. The project is estimated to cost about $26 million and will be rolled out in phases to ensure uninterrupted access to services while fundraising and construction are in progress.

Posted on 9/27/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Public Health Reports 4 Foxes near Butte Falls Tested Positive for Rabies

Jackson County Public Health is warning residents to take precautions after four foxes found in the Butte Falls area tested positive for rabies. Rabies is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal -- and while post-exposure vaccination is effective, the best plan is prevention. Public health officials remind residents to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your pets from rabies. Do not feed or otherwise handle stray animals and wildlife. Avoid physical contact with wild mammals -- especially foxes and bats -- healthy, sick, alive or dead. Be sure to keep children and pets away from wild animals. Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. While bats and foxes play a valuable role in nature, contact with humans should be avoided. Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a bat or other wildlife species on your property acting strange, take children and pets indoors and call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (541)-826-8774. If a person or pet does come in physical contact with a bat or is bitten by a wild animal, promptly seek medical attention and report it to Jackson County Public Health at (541)-774-8045.

Posted on 9/27/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh

USA Today Names The Winchester Inn in Ashland as "Top 10 Bed and Breakfast"

The Winchester Inn in downtown Ashland recently received a present for its 40th anniversary: It was named the Best Bed and Breakfast in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for its location, hospitality and gourmet breakfast. The Inn's handsome Victorian era and newer buildings at 35 South Second Street are elevated above Main Street's independent shops and are a few blocks from Oregon Shakespeare Festival stages and a shady stroll along Ashland Creek and into Lithia Park. The garden-filled corner property is also a short scenic drive to Ashland's rural wineries and tasting rooms overlooking vineyards with views of Cascade and Siskiyou mountains. The Oregonian reports The Winchester Inn's longtime owners, the Gibbs family, restored the original 1886 mansion and added two restaurants offering fine cuisine, cocktails and a wine list showcasing Rogue Valley-grown pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.

Posted on 9/27/24 5:55AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Warrants + Other Crimes after Wilderville Area Chase

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for outstanding warrants and other crimes after he attempted to elude deputies near Wilderville late last night.The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 42-year-old Robert Dwight Elling on or near Fish Hatchery Road on Wednesday at 11:53 p.m.. Deputies said they were performing a patrol check at Griffin Park when a black sedan with two people inside went out onto the gravel bar, turned around and sped away south on Riverbanks Road to Redwood Highway to Old Redwood Highway to Fish Hatchery Road. The pursuit reached speeds of over 90 miles per hour. With assistance from the Oregon State Police, the eluding car was successfully spiked at the end of Riverbanks and its tires started losing air. Elling tried to bail out of the disabled vehicle, but he was placed into custody. Elling was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a recent conviction for drug possession and a Yolo County, California, warrant for drug possession. Elling was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrants plus new charges of Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. His California-registered vehicle was impounded. His female passenger was given a courtesy ride to her home.

Posted on 9/26/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man on Local Warrant after Family Violence Call on Dexter

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for domestic violence and an outstanding warrant in the Fish Hatchery area last night. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 300-block of Dexter Way on Wednesday shortly after 9 p.m.. Deputies said the property owner called 9-1-1 to report that their adult son was out of control. The caller said the 35-year-old male subject had a club in his hand and screamed that he was going to hit them with it. Fortunately, no one was injured. Upon arrival, deputies set up a perimeter around the residence that contained the suspect, his wife and a child. When he spotted law enforcement, he turned off the outside lights and retreated into the back part of the home. He eventually gave up and was placed into custody. The suspect was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass Police Department warrant for failing to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct. He was lodged in jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Domestic Menacing.

Posted on 9/26/24 11:24AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Male Transient after He Vandalized Vehicle at D7 Bus Shed

Grants Pass Police jailed a male transient for multiple crimes after he vandalized an employee's vehicle at the School District 7 bus shed yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 31-year-old Jose Manuel Urias on railroad property off NE Agness Avenue near Shannon Lane on Wednesday at 2:50 p.m.. Police said Urias was seen on security cameras striking an employee's vehicle, causing damaged to the passenger door and mirror. They said he then walked toward other bus shed workers while acting in a violent and tumultuous manner before running away from the incident location. After being found by officers on the railroad property, Urias was told he was under arrest. However, he fled on foot until a Taser was deployed and he was placed into custody. Officers said he was clearly under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Urias was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Escape. He was also trespassed from the bus shed as well as multiple properties he ran through while trying to avoid arrest.

Posted on 9/26/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh