KRRM - Local News

Grants Pass Officials Unveil New Inclusive Playground Game at Eckstein City Park

The newest play equipment in Grants Pass city parks is a 'Movmnt by Burke' game at Eckstein Park next to Riverside Elementary School. Parks officials said the game appeals to kids and adults and it's accessible to people who use mobility devices. The inclusive game is powered by a hand-crank that generates a charge to power a series of flashing lights that briefly illuminate various pads. The game can be played by one or two people. Eckstein Park, formerly known as Portola Park, was chosen because there is no room for a traditional play structure. The game is situated along the walking path near the outfield of the baseball field. Officials said the cost of this game was approximately $18,000, with an additional $4,000 for the concrete pad and curbing installation.

Posted on 8/29/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh

GP Council Sets Standards for the New Temporary Campgrounds

The Grants Pass City Council convened an emergency meeting Wednesday night to deal with the details of service to be provided to the unhoused population that have been moved from city parks to the two designated camping areas. They were also met with a chamber filled to capacity with citizens providing over an hour of public comments. The council passed a motion to provide the approved city campsites with standard sanitation facilities, cigarette collection cans, and doggie bags with a receptacle for that waste plus non-profit organizations would be allowed to provide potable water, park benches and approved shade structures. The motion was approved on a 7 to 1 vote. Council then approved allowed time to remain in the park expanding the time allowed to one week before citations may be issued with a three-day time limit to move. The vote was 4 to 4 with Mayor Bristol breaking the tie with a yes vote. The cost for the temporary services is estimated to be $280,000. Multiple councilors expressed belief that the city should consult with businesses neighboring the “J” Street campground that have experienced theft and vandalism as to a solution that would likely include some fencing. The council was informed temporary fencing for the facility would cost $1200 monthly.

Posted on 8/28/24 9:11PM by Chuck Benson

Commissioners Approve 1st Reading of Ordinance for North Valley Development

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning approved the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to a proposed development project in the North Valley area. Following a brief public hearing, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the first reading and schedule the second reading and adoption for September 11th. Board Chair John West recused himself from the hearing due to a potential conflict of interest. James Black of the Community Development Department testified that it has been a lengthy process to approve the project proposed by KND Development, LLC. He said the Rural Planning Commission first recommended approval of the project to the Board in June 2021, but there were two subsequent appeals to the Land Use Board of Appeals that were remanded back to the Board prior to today's approval. With final approval next month, the comprehensive plan will be amended from Forest to Residential and the zoning map will be amended from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential with a five-acre minimum lot size. In the public comment period, the Board of Commissioners heard complaints about "Democratic Party manipulation," defunding the 4-H Extension District, the new Youth & Ag Club and the demise of the Firewise program. The Board heard praise for their leadership in opposition to the statewide wildfire hazard map.

Posted on 8/28/24 11:53AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass PD Assists US Marshals with Apprehension of Nationwide Fugitive

The Grants Pass Police Department assisted the United States Marshals Service with the apprehension of a nationwide fugitive late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers and detectives arrested 24-year-old Hunter Lee Schoen at the Gospel Rescue Mission on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.. Police said Schoen was wanted on a fugitive warrant issued by the Utah Attorney General's Office in Salt Lake City for Felony Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. No other details were available about the alleged crime. According to the report, officers initially checked a residence in the 700-block of SW Greenwood Avenue for the fugitive, but he was not there. Investigators then tracked him down and placed him into custody at the Gospel Rescue Mission. Schoen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail pending extradition proceedings that will likely send him back to Utah.

Posted on 8/28/24 11:51AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Felony Robbery after Theft Call at Convenience Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known criminal offender for felony robbery after he stole some items from a convenience store and then fought with a worker in an effort to retain the pilfered goods. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a reported theft at the Rogue River Market & Deli on Rogue River Highway on Tuesday at 5:20 p.m.. Police said a man they identified as 37-year-old Bradley Andrew Peckham tried to conceal various items he took at the store and was confronted before exiting the business. They said he used physical force to overcome the resistance of the employee who attempted to stop him. There were no injuries reported. A photo of the suspect was sent out to patrol officers who eventually placed him into custody near Morrison Centennial Park at 7:37 p.m. with assistance of a police K-9. Peckham was subsequently booked into the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery and misdemeanor 3rd-Degree Theft.

Posted on 8/28/24 11:50AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Trashing Local Convenience Store after Argument

Grants Pass Police arrested a man who trashed a downtown convenience store early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a disturbance at A-1 Market & Deli on NE 7th Street on Tuesday at 6:47 a.m.. Police said a 36-year-old male subject got into an argument with a woman outside the market and then followed the woman into the store to get some coffee. They said the subject began throwing items all over the store and shattered a beverage refrigerator door in the process. The suspect identified as "James Hill McLemore" claimed his outburst was self-defense, but video surveillance show the woman was on the opposite side of the store at the time. He was placed into custody without further incident. McLemore was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. His dog was transported by Animal Control officers to the shelter.

Posted on 8/28/24 11:48AM by Sam Marsh

911 Investigation Led Grants Pass Police to Fugitive at Taco Bell on Terry Lane

A 9-1-1 investigation led Grants Pass Police to a local fugitive at a fast food eatery yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers arrested a 41-year-old male subject at the Taco Bell on NE Terry Lane on Tuesday at 3:42 p.m.. Police said a man they identified as "Rell Allen Baty" was located at Taco Bell after a hang-up call associated with his cell phone was pinged in the area. They said his information was run through dispatch and there was a valid warrant for his arrest through GPPD. Baty was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The warrant was confirmed and his corrections officer was contacted. Baty was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/28/24 11:47AM by Sam Marsh

CJ Motorist Injured after Wrecking SUV on Redwood Highway at Hayes Hill

A Cave Junction man was injured yesterday when he wrecked his sport utility vehicle on Redwood Highway at Hayes Hill. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle crash near milepost 15.5 of US Highway 199 at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Troopers said the 67-year-old man was driving a Hyundai Kona southbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and collided with the embankment on the north shoulder. According to OSP, the man was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries. His wrecked SUV was hauled into Grants Pass by Bulldog Towing.

Posted on 8/28/24 11:46AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Police Investigating Fatal Shooting of Suspected Intruder at Apartment

The Medford Police Department was investigating a weekend incident in which an intruder was fatally shot by a resident during an apparent break-in. Medford police officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Berrydale Road last Saturday evening following a report of an unknown individual trying to force entry into an apartment. Within minutes, a second call was received reporting gunshots at that location. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased male subject with gunshot wounds. According to MPD, a preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased male had forced entry into the apartment and was advancing toward a resident with a knife when another resident fired their gun in self-defense. The deceased has not yet been identified pending the ongoing investigation.

Posted on 8/28/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Stealing U-Haul Trailer after Hawthorne Avenue Stop

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for two felony-level crimes after he was caught with a stolen U-Haul trailer this week. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a blue Chevrolet pickup pulling the stolen trailer in the 1700-block of NW Hawthorne Avenue late Monday night. Police said they stopped the 48-year-old male driver of the vehicle for traffic violations and discovered that he was in possession of a U-Haul trailer that he had just stolen off the lot at the corner of NW Vine Street and Hawthorne Avenue. Officers took the man they identified as "Ralph Francis Chiampi, III" into custody. News archives show the suspect has a lengthy local criminal history. Chiampi was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. He was initially being held without bail, but was released early yesterday due to "beyond available resources." The stolen trailer was hauled back to its owner by 3 Boys Towing.

Posted on 8/28/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Felon for Vandalizing Ceramic Pots outside Downtown Florist

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for vandalizing flower pots outside a downtown florist shop this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the reported incident at Grants Pass Florist & Gifts on SW 6th Street on Monday evening. Police said a 29-year-old male subject was observed destroying ceramic flower pots outside the business. They said he was actively vandalizing the pots and making a large mess in the area. Upon arrival, the subject tried to flee from officers -- but they were able to place him into custody. He was found to be a convicted felon, so officers contacted his corrections officer. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested for violating his parole a total of 12 times since August 2023.

Posted on 8/28/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Well-Known Offender for Trying to Start Fire near Local Mission

Grants Pass Police jailed a well-known offender for suspicion of setting a fire near the Gospel Rescue Mission. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 31-year-old female subject at Debo Park on SW G Street Monday evening. Police said a trusted witness told them that "Whitney Ann Word" attempted to start a fire on railroad property near the mission on Monday morning. They said there was evidence someone tried to start a fire, but they were unsuccessful. Word was placed into custody at the city park and taken to the Josephine County Jail where she was booked for Felony 2nd-Degree Arson and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/28/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh