KRRM - Local News

Josephine Community Transit Able to Maintain Services after Electric Bus Fire in GP

Josephine Community Transit services were unaffected by a fire that engulfed an electric bus at the Public Works charging area this week. No one was harmed in the fire and similar vehicles have been taken out of service as a precaution. JCT program supervisor Scott Chancey said the 35-foot low-floor Gillig Battery Electric Bus was not scheduled for service Wednesday when a transit operator saw a fire emerging from the vehicle's roof. The operator immediately called 9-1-1 and other operators followed existing protocol to move other vehicles away. Chancey said their team's quick actions prevented further loss of equipment and ensured the safety of everyone at the charging area. He said he's thankful no one was hurt and that they were able to continue serving residents without interruption. Chancey said the incident is categorized as a runaway thermal event, which happens when a battery cell shorts out or is damaged, causing it to discharge its electrical energy. Grants Pass firefighters aided in the emergency by keeping the thermal event from spreading from the battery packs on the top of the bus to those at the back. Fleet maintenance crews disconnected the remaining undamaged battery packs right after firefighters stopped their operations.

Posted on 1/10/25 6:09AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine Community Library Foundation Stands in Support of District in Lease Dispute

The Josephine Community Library Foundation has pledged its full support for the library district in response to the Board of Commissioners' January 6th vote to terminate the lease for the Grants Pass branch library. Library Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Stoltz said the Board's decision raises serious concerns about the legality and process of the termination. She calls on the Commissioners to reverse their vote and honor the library's lease agreement, which is set to run through December 31st of this year. Stoltz said the library is a vital community resource, and decisions about its future should reflect thoughtful collaboration and input from the public. Library donors, volunteers and patrons have expressed frustration and a desire to support the library during this critical time. The foundation has provided tools to make that possible including contact information for the Commissioners and a customizable letter template on its website. These resources empower residents to voice their concerns and advocate for the library. The lease termination is scheduled to take effect in 30 days following written notification, potentially disrupting access to critical library programs and services relied upon by thousands of Josephine County residents.

Posted on 1/10/25 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Residents Encouraged to License Pets with Animal Services in 2025

Every pet parent's worst nightmare is having their furry family member go missing. In 2025, getting a license for your pet to help them return home is easier than ever. Online pet licensing is now available on Jackson County Animal Services' website. Jackson County Animal Services requires that all dogs over six months old be licensed. This helps ensure compliance with vaccinations and helps keep the whole community safe. If a licensed pet gets loose and ends up with Jackson County Animal Services, they offer a free ride home if it is the pet's first incident in 12 months. This means that your four-legged friend will be returned to you at no charge. In 2024, 55 dogs were returned using the Free Ride Home Program. If a dog is brought to the shelter without a license and the owner is located, they are required to pay the redemption fees along with purchasing a license. The new online system makes it easier than ever for pet parents to protect their pets and keep them safe all year. Make safety for the family your 2025 resolution.

Posted on 1/10/25 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Woman on Statewide Felony Warrant for Violating Her Parole

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman on a statewide felony warrant after an early morning contact today on the west side of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 39-year-old Ciera Michelle Lokken near the corner of SW J and Alder streets at 4:34 this morning. Police said they spotted Lokken pushing a shopping cart at that location and they were familiar with her from frequent law enforcement contacts. She was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a 2021 conviction for an unspecified weapon offense. Lokken was placed into custody without incident and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Community service officers returned the cart to the business from which it was taken. Jail records indicate Lokken has been arrested for violating her post-prison supervision at least nine times in the past year.

Posted on 1/9/25 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

GPPD Investigation Resulted in Arrest of Man for Menacing & Drug Possession

A Grants Pass Police Department investigation into a violent crime resulted in the arrest of a man last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested 39-year-old Sean Patrick Mitchell in the 200-block of NW 4th Street on Wednesday at 10:04 p.m.. Police said they contacted Mitchell in his parked vehicle at that location and they knew he was a suspect in a criminal investigation. While he was being placed into custody, a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue was found in plain view near the front driver-seat. The pipe was seized for destruction. Mitchell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for probable cause of Menacing plus a new charge of Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 1/9/25 11:07AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Violating Court Order by Being on Sibling's Property

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order by being caught on his sister's property early today. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint at a home in the 1,000-block of SW I Street shortly after midnight. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her 55-year-old brother just got out of jail and he was on her property, which was in violation of an active restraining order. The caller said she saw her sibling leaning on her car, but he left and went in to her backyard. That's where officers located him and placed him into custody. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 1/9/25 11:05AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Jail Inmate Served with 2024 Warrant for Trying to Elude Police

A Josephine County jail inmate is facing an additional charge after being served with an outstanding warrant yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports a jail deputy served 38-year-old Braide Preston Shipman with a Josephine County warrant on Wednesday at 1:45 p.m.. Preston was wanted for failing to appear in court for Attempting to Elude Police related to an incident that occurred last year. Jail records show he was already serving a 60-day sentence for Felony Parole Violation. Shipman remains in custody without any scheduled bail.

Posted on 1/9/25 11:03AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Local Warrant & Drug Possession on Railroad Land

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant and for drug possession after contacting him on railroad property near the Sobering Center. The Police Department reports 51-year-old Sean William MacDowell was one of two men located on railroad property near the 1300-block of SW Foundry Street on Wednesday around 9:55 a.m.. Police said MacDowell was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Petty Theft and he was placed into custody. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of a 7.7-gram baggy containing a white substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine. It was seized for destruction. MacDowell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 1/9/25 11:02AM by Sam Marsh

Creosote Buildup Contributed to Flue Fire at Jack Creek Road Home near Hugo

Creosote buildup contributed to a flue fire at a home in the Hugo area yesterday. On Wednesday at 1:42 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 call from a residence in the 500-block of Jack Pine Road. Visible flames shooting out of a stovepipe mobilized engine companies from Rural Metro's Monument Drive Station. Arriving units extinguished the flames and confirmed the structure was not damaged. No injuries were reported. Rural Metro officials said flames that travel inside a chimney or stovepipe are not a problem, but flames that escape into the attic or wall are a problem. In fact, that is one of the leading causes of house fires this time of year. Certain tools carried by firefighters like thermal imaging cameras allow crews to detect hidden fire in the attic and walls. Specialized suppression equipment can provide cooling of the pipe without causing damage. Firefighters and chimney sweep professionals recommend regular cleaning and inspections to confirm your wood heating devices are in good working order -- and always have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home, especially near sleeping areas.

Posted on 1/9/25 10:59AM by Sam Marsh

DINT Arrested Glendale Man on Drug Charges after Suspected Deal in Roseburg

A Eugene television station is reporting the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested a Glendale man on various drug-related charges after a suspected drug deal in Roseburg late last week. According to KEZI-TV, DINT detectives learned through an ongoing investigation that a suspected drug dealer -- 30-year-old Ryan Heaven -- was in the parking lot of a business in the 1400-block of Garden Valley Boulevard, where he was allegedly waiting to complete a drug deal. Detectives contacted and detained Heaven at about 4 a.m. last Friday. They said he was arrested after investigators found about 40 suspected Clonazepam pills and a user amount of suspected methamphetamine following a search of Heaven and his vehicle. Authorities said Heaven was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on charges that included Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Schedule 4 Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Meth and Criminal Conspiracy.

Posted on 1/9/25 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man Wanted on Statewide Felony Warrant at J Street Campsite

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant at one of the city's temporary campgrounds this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 33-year-old Derek Withrow at the SE J Street campground on Tuesday morning. Police said they were performing a patrol check at the campground when they contacted Withrow and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. He was immediately placed into custody. Withrow was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Jail records indicate Withrow spent four months in jail last year after he was convicted for two counts of Felony 4th-Degree Assault and one count of Escape. By order of the Grants Pass City Council, the J Street campground will be closed by this coming weekend, leaving hundreds of homeless people with no place to go.

Posted on 1/9/25 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man on Outside Warrants after Disturbance at Merlin Area Store

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on two outside felony warrants this week after investigating a disturbance in the Merlin area. The Sheriff's Office reports 50-year-old Ronald Eugene Baysinger, Jr., was arrested by deputies at the corner of Merlin Road and Monument Drive on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said they responded to a complaint about a male transient yelling at people for money at the Dollar General store. The caller said the man appeared to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. According to the report, Baysinger told one customer that if he had a gun he would kill them. Baysinger was found to be wanted on two Marion County felony warrants for failing to appear in court for Harassment. He was contacted, placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail where he was being held without bail.

Posted on 1/9/25 6:40AM by Sam Marsh