KRRM - Local News

No Quorum Present for Thursday Vacancy Appointment Meeting

There was no quorum present for today's Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 meeting.

Commissioner Ron Smith was absent during the 10 a.m. meeting. No official business or actions could be conducted. The meeting was convened for informational purposes only.

A meeting with Interviews and an Appointment for the vacant position on the agenda is scheduled for the 16th at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room.

Posted on 1/15/26 11:54AM by Alex Bauer

Man Pulled Gun on Victim, Arrested by GP Police

A man in a black Cadillac pulled a gun on someone before leaving the scene Wednesday evening.

According to the victim's report to dispatch, they said the suspect had rolled down his vehicle's window and pointed the older revolver across the passenger side toward the victim.

The incident occurred at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Agness Avenue after a traffic incident on the freeway. Responding officers with Grants Pass Police laid a spike strip at the bottom of NE Industry Drive.

The suspect was located and was compliant after being held at gunpoint. He was detained and identified as Jesse Brissette. Officers arrested him on charges of Menacing and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/15/26 11:46AM by Alex Bauer

Four Suspects Trespassed from Grange Co-Op, One Arrested after Shoplifting Incident

Grange Co-Op Loss Prevention reported to dispatch a shoplifting incident, leading to one arrest, and four trespasses.

On Wednesday at 3:58 p.m. Loss Prevention believed the suspects were getting ready to leave. The suspects were concealing and wearing the merchandise, and a request was made to pursue charges for Theft and Trespass.

One suspect was detained by Loss Prevention on site, while another had taken off the merchandise and was let go. Upon arrival, Grants Pass Police detained one of the suspects, John Johann. He was found to have a felony warrant out for his arrest, and had tried to hide under clothes in another suspect's vehicle.

Marcus Erdman, one of the suspects, stole almost $80 worth of merchandise. He was released with a criminal citation. Erdman, Johann, and the two other suspects were all warned trespass from the Grange Co-Op.

Officers found a white powdery substance at the scene that tested positive for presumptive fentanyl. Charges will be referred to the District Attorney's office. Johann was transported and lodged for his warrant regarding Dangerous Drugs in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/15/26 11:08AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Suspect Outside Oregon DHS Building

Grants Pass Police contacted a suspect at the Oregon Department of Human Services Wednesday afternoon.

Officers detained Cheyan Smith at 12:42 p.m. in front of 2101 NW Hawthorne Avenue. She had a warrant out of the Police Department for First Degree Forgery.

Smith's identity was confirmed, her warrant was cleared, and she was taken into custody. Officers subsequently lodged her in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/15/26 10:35AM by Alex Bauer

Wednesday Recall Election Results Show Little Change

The latest election results for Commissioner Chris Barnett's recall are in. By 5 p.m. Wednesday, results showed 61.75% voted yes for the recall with 38.25% dissenting. The total numbers as of the latest update were yes 13,709 to the no votes 8,493. Should contested ballots be needed, that count will be released by 5 p.m. January 23rd. Certified results will be released no later than February 2nd but no sooner than January 28th.

Posted on 1/15/26 7:58AM by Alex Bauer

City Council Strategic Planning Agenda Includes Reports, Training, Liaisons

The Grants Pass City Council's Strategic Planning Agenda is scheduled for today and the 16th at the Police Station, 726 NE 7th Street.

Beginning today at 8:30 a.m., Effective Council Training will begin. Following a lunch break at noon, chairs from different committees and commissions will give reports from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

On Friday, Council Committee and Commission Liaisons are scheduled, followed by Public Meetings Law and Public Records Refresher training. Lastly, at 9:30 a.m., there will be a Strategic Plan Review, 4th Quarter Update, and Department Reports.

Posted on 1/15/26 5:35AM by Alex Bauer

Business Session Ends with Allegations and Disagreements on Appointment Process

The Board of Commissioners responded to the public, allegations, and disagreed on the appointment process during last night's Weekly Business Session. The meeting commenced at 5:37 p.m. with a Public Hearing in the Matter of Library Annexations. Motions to pass both annexations were not seconded. Topics brought to the board during public comment included 2 Guys 1 Truck, recusals and quorums, emails against fair fees, with some questioning Commissioner Ron Smith's reasoning for not voting on the vacancy and his responsibilities. Other topics included wanting elected officials to work as a team, in-person voting, the homeless, a time capsule, appreciation for both Smith and Commissioner Chris Barnett, questioning Barnett for not seconding the Library Annexation motions, and a document brought by former Commissioner John West regarding Smith and alleged sexual harassment. In response, Smith said

Posted on 1/15/26 4:29AM by Alex Bauer

Former GP Employee Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case

A former Grants Pass employee pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts related to child pornography possession. The Daily Courier reports Timothy James Conway, known as James Conway, was arrested in June and indicted on 20 counts of First and Second Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. The charges were based on accusations he possessed visual recordings of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, while knowing the creation of such recordings involved child abuse, according to an indictment. Conway, 42, pleaded guilty to three counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse Tuesday, Josephine County Circuit Court records show. His sentencing is for February 2nd. The district attorney's office has offered a prison sentence of 35 months, nearly three years, according to a plea agreement offer dated January 6th. Conway could have faced a maximum of more than 26 years in prison, the offer said.

Posted on 1/14/26 1:09PM by Alex Bauer

Dozens Participated in Protest and “Die-In” at Medford ICE Facility

Protesters gathered at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Medford Tuesday to voice their opposition to recent ICE actions across various locations, including Portland and Minnesota.

According to KDRV, demonstrators staged a die-in, lying on the ground to symbolize the multiple individuals who lost their lives due to ICE custody or actions in 2025.

While many participants chanted and sang, others engaged in a silent counter protest by driving by showing a vulgar hand gesture.

Two participants expressed their belief that ICE's recent actions contradict the core principles upon which the country was founded.

Leaders of the chants and songs emphasized their commitment to families, asserting that children deserve to remain with their families.

The protest and demonstration lasted about an hour.

Posted on 1/14/26 12:56PM by Alex Bauer

Two Suspects Arrested on Substance Possession Charges after Traffic Stop

A traffic stop at the corner of Redwood Avenue and Dowell Road lead to the arrest of two suspects on Controlled Substance charges.

Grants Pass Police stopped the suspect vehicle after observing traffic violations late Tuesday night. The driver and passenger, Antonio Sandoval and Hailey Berger respectively, were contacted.

A short straw with a white residue was observed in the passenger side door pocket. The residue field tested positive for the presumptive presence of cocaine. Further searching of the vehicle located a pipe with a white residue in the center console. A field test showed a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine.

Sandoval claimed ownership of the meth, and both he and Berger were taken into custody. He was charged with Possession of Meth, Berger was charged with Cocaine Possession. Law enforcement transported and lodged them in the Josephine County Jail. The vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 1/14/26 11:45AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Three Suspects Following Area Check at River City Grill

While conducting an area check at River City Grill, Grants Pass Police contacted and arrested three suspects.

A maroon SUV was observed Tuesday night near the 150 SE K Street restaurant. The officer knew the vehicle was associated with Heather Dixon, a woman wanted on a warrant for Possession of Meth.

Upon contact with the vehicle, other suspects ducked into the back seat. While a man was exiting the vehicle, he dropped a tooter on the ground. Law enforcement identified him as Trevor Bowen. He was detained and found to also have a warrant charging him with Meth Possession.

Dixon was observed inside the vehicle and detained, as was Aria Echavarria. She was wanted on two warrants, one for Meth Possession and the other for Robbery in the Third Degree.

All three suspects were taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on their warrants.

Posted on 1/14/26 11:24AM by Alex Bauer

Woman Wanted on Meth Possession Warrant Apprehended by GP Police

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman wanted on a Meth Possession warrant.

On Tuesday around 1:22 p.m., officers, while on a patrol check, contacted and detained Jennifer Fulmer in the 400 block of SW I Street.

She was found to have a warrant out for her arrest from the Police Department. After Fulmer's warrant was confirmed, she was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/14/26 10:58AM by Alex Bauer