KRRM - Local News

Generosity of People in GP Helped Provide Joy to Children in Need around World

The overwhelming generosity of the people of Grants Pass helped provide joy to children in need through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this season. Across the United States, the Samaritan's Purse project collected 10.5 million shoebox gifts in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries, the ministry is now sending over 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide. Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. It's a tangible expression of God's love, given to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. These simple gifts, packed with love, remind children around the world that they are loved and not forgotten. For more information visit "samaritanspurse.org."

Posted on 1/30/25 6:08AM by Sam Marsh

BCC Approves Several Administrative Action Items in Weekly Business Session

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office played a prominent role in today's weekly business session of the Board of Commissioners. The Board started the meeting by presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel who received the "Sheriff of the Year" award from the Oregon State Sheriff's Association in December. Sheriff Daniel thanked his staff and said he was "humbled and honored to serve this community." Several items were approved under Administrative Actions including an agreement to indemnify Boersma Family Farm, LLC, from liability at Lathrop Boat Landing, which is owned by the corporation. Legal Counsel Wally Hicks said the agreement has been in the works for some time and it protects both parties. The Commissioners also approved a personal services contract with Cauble, Furr & Beguin, LLP, to provide legal services to Planning, Building Safety, Solid Waste and Code Enforcement for $81,000 per year as well as a personal services contract with FasPsych, LLC, to provide mental health services to inmates at the Josephine County Jail for a base price of $1,750 per month. The Board also approved a Sheriff's Office quote of just over $19,000 for the purchase of new radios to replace the outdated models. Sheriff Daniel said the radios will be paid for with proceeds from drug bust forfeitures. In other business, the Commissioners approved out-of-state travel requests from the Community Corrections and Veterans Assistance departments. Both directors testified that members of their departments will attend these conferences with pass-through funding and no money coming from the Josephine County General Fund.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:35AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Parole Violation after He Led Deputies on Hugo Chase

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for leading deputies on a pursuit in the Hugo area early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 41-year-old Kyle David Thier at Taser point in the 900-block of Hitching Post Road at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Deputies said they attempted a traffic stop on Thier, but he refused to yield and led them on a chase that ended when he bailed out of the vehicle, jumped a fence and started running down a hill. He was placed into custody a short time later. Thier was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. He was additionally charged with Felony Attempt to Elude Police, Reckless Driving and Escape. Thier was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:33AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Motorist for DUII & More after He Fled Scene of Traffic Crash

Grants Pass Police jailed a motorist for impaired driving and more last night after he crashed into another vehicle on Williams Highway and fled the scene. The Police Department reports officers tracked down and arrested 27-year-old Zachary Justin Woodruff at his residence on Tuesday at 7:47 p.m.. Police said Woodruff was driving a Toyota 4-Runner that crashed into the back of a Toyota minivan near the corner of Highway 238 and Union Avenue at 6:30 p.m.. They said he fled the scene without exchanging information with the other driver after a collision that caused more than $2,500 in damage. No one was hurt. According to the report, the other driver recited the Toyota's license plate by memory which allowed officers to identify the suspect and his home address. Woodruff was contacted at his residence and he reportedly showed several signs of impairment. He performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that confirmed impairment. Woodruff was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:32AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested GP Man on Local Felony Warrant in Fish Hatchery Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man on a local felony warrant last night following a traffic stop in the Fish Hatchery area. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford Escape driven by 48-year-old Jack Thomas Conklin near the corner of Fish Hatchery and Southside roads on Tuesday at 9:06 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and discovered that Conklin was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation. There was no information available on the underlying charge or charges. Conklin was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His car was turned over to a friend at his request.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:30AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Habitual Suspended Driver in Rogue River Highway Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist with a bad habit of suspended driving yesterday during a traffic stop on Rogue River Highway near Savage Creek. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 49-year-old Marc Robert Edwards in the 5300-block of Highway 99 at 1:07 p.m. Tuesday. Troopers said they spotted Edwards and were aware of his status as a habitual offender for driving with a suspended license. They said he was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where a small amount of methamphetamine was found on his person. It was seized for destruction. Edwards was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving While Suspended and a Meth Possession charge was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. His pickup was left with a friend at the scene of the traffic stop.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Old & New Drug Crimes during Downtown Patrol

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on old and new drug charges early yesterday during a patrol check in the downtown area. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 30-year-old Kraig Dean Toothman near the Grants Pass Boys & Girls Club at SE 10th and G streets on Tuesday at 7:35 a.m.. Police said they spotted Toothman walking in the area and they knew that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Possession of Methamphetamine. He was also found to be in possession of a small amount of the narcotic stimulant, which was seized for destruction. Toothman was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Meth Possession.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:27AM by Sam Marsh

GP Pedestrian Hurt and Cited after Getting Hit by Car on Williams Highway

A Grants Pass pedestrian was both injured and cited after he ran across Williams Highway and was struck by a vehicle late yesterday. Grants Pass Police and emergency personnel responded to the collision near the corner of Highway 238 and Harbeck Road on Tuesday around 5:25 p.m.. Police said a motorist was driving a Ford Escape and preparing to turn east onto Harbeck Road when a male pedestrian walked into the middle of the highway from the west. They said the pedestrian ran in front of the car while it was moving and it collided with the man. According to the report, the pedestrian was laying on the highway when officers arrived on scene. Details were sketchy, but witnesses said the man had a head injury and may have broken some bones. He was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center. ODOT crews assisted with traffic control. Following the investigation, police cited the man at the hospital for Improper Positioning of a Pedestrian in a Roadway.

Posted on 1/29/25 11:25AM by Sam Marsh

Central Point Company Fined by Oregon DEQ for Hazardous Waste Violation

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued six penalties totaling nearly $489,000 in December for various environmental violations -- including one in Jackson County. According to DEQ, the fines ranged from $5,050 to $372,600, with violations including a wastewater treatment and disposal system that exceeded pollution limits and discharged wastewater into a creek without a permit. Locally, HempNova Lifetech Corporation of Central Point was fined $7,000 for a hazardous waste violation. The agency alleges the company failed to comply with management, transport and disposal requirements for handling hazardous waste. Recipients of DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty. They may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project. Penalties may also include orders requiring specific tasks to prevent ongoing violations or additional environmental harm. DEQ works with thousands of organizations and individuals to help them comply with laws that protect Oregon's air, land and water. The agency uses education, technical assistance, warnings and penalties to change behavior and deter future violations.

Posted on 1/29/25 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Warn Citizens about New Scam Involving Sheriff's App and Website

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a new scam involving the Sheriff's App and website. Scammers may be using the inmate search feature on the app and website to contact family members, falsely claiming they can help release loved ones for a fee. Sheriff's officials said do not send money or share personal information. Verify any claims with official sources. In addition, the Sheriff's Office is continuing to receive numerous reports of an individual posing as a deputy demanding payment for various things that they are claiming citizens have or haven't done. Officials are reminding everyone that law enforcement does not conduct business in this fashion. They will never call and demand payment over the phone, with gift cards or cryptocurrency. Regardless of what a scammer tells you on the phone, simply hang up.

Posted on 1/29/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Repeat Trespassing on Railroad Property in the City

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trespassing on railroad property near Home Depot this week. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a trespassing call in the 100-block of NE Mill Street on Monday morning. Police said 34-year-old Ryan Adam Burrows was observed on railroad property after he had been trespassed from it in October. He admitted to trespassing and was placed into custody. During a consent search of Burrows' belongings, a glass bulb-shaped pipe was found with an untestable amount of drug residue. It was seized for destruction. Burrows was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He and two other men were trespassed from the railroad property.

Posted on 1/29/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Frequent Flyer for Trespassing Again at Downtown Safeway

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for trespassing at a downtown supermarket this week.. The Police Department reports officers contacted and arrested 30-year-old Dustin Michael Fontana in the Beaver parking lot off SE 7th Street on Monday morning. Police said Fontana was found naked in the bathroom by Safeway staff and he fled the store. It was unclear why he was unclothed, but he had been trespassed from the store before and managers wished to press charges against him. Upon contact with law enforcement, Fontana admitted to being at Safeway so he was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and his trespass warning was updated.

Posted on 1/29/25 6:29AM by Sam Marsh