KRRM - Local News

BCC Workshop Covers County Property Business

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners began their workshop with Legal Counsel Business.

A motion to adopt a policy addressing criteria for exclusion from county property and Telephonic Contact Prohibition passed 3-0, with added language for clarification of electronic communication.

Legal Counsel Wally Hicks presented a policy for news media meeting attendance, particularly in executive sessions. He recommended reaching out to the community to comment on the policy for a week, then bring the results to the board for a decision.

The board moved to approve the order in repealing the implementation of the clear bag policy with the exception of the language. A motion to accept a full price offer for 210 Tacoma property, after paperwork identifying no potential FAA or financial issues are located, passed 3-0.

Commissioner Ron Smith dissented on a motion to approve counter offers for the Dimmick Campus, and staff was instructed to continue working until a 1798 SE N Street lease agreement is finalized regarding a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and HP Civil, Inc.

The board then moved to approve a drafted letter on the BLM Western Oregon Timber Plan. Before then, they were presented with an Oregon Board of Pharmacy case regarding pharmacy licensing and medication dispensing at the Juvenile Justice Department. Commissioner Smith said without objection he would have Legal Counsel proceed to fight for the county, with Commissioner Colene Martin agreeing "to a limited degree" citing financial needs of the county.

Without objection, the board approved the transfer of Airport Improvement Program Funds and all requests from Human Resources.

Posted on 3/17/26 3:15PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Exposes Himself to Hampton Inn Staff, Arrested by GP Police

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after exposing himself to staff at the Hampton Inn and Suites.

Monday at 11:46 a.m., the manager of the 110 NE Morgan Lane inn called 911, saying a housekeeper was cleaning a room, when the suspect came in and exposed himself to the employee. It was unknown if the man was associated with the room, and he hadn't been seen since the incident.

Officers soon contacted the suspect, Jagroop Singh, on the north side of the building. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Public Indecency.

Posted on 3/17/26 12:14PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Grange Co-op Theft Suspect, Lodged in Jail

An attempted theft at the Grange Co-op was reported to Grants Pass Police Monday.

Just before 10 a.m., the suspect was reported to have been caught stealing almost $50 worth of merchandise from the 1710 W Schutzwohl Lane store. Loss prevention said the suspect was being cooperative.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Morgan Wessel, who was found to have a Curry County Sheriff's Office warrant for Second Degree Theft. During a search of her bag, officers located a container with a white crystalline substance. A field test yielded a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine.

Officers took Wessel into custody and transported her to the Adult Jail Facility. She was lodged on her warrant and charges of Third Degree Theft and Meth Possession.

Posted on 3/17/26 11:56AM by Alex Bauer

Officers Arrested Suspect that Broke Windshield, Stole Backpack for Theft

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man following a report of a broken windshield and stolen backpack.

A call to dispatch around 6:45 a.m. Monday reported the suspect had broken the window of a Dodge Neon at the Mill Street Car Wash. He then left the scene west bound on foot.

According to the officer's report, the suspect, George Saint Clair, had been in an argument with a woman before breaking the vehicle's windshield and taking her backpack. He was soon located by law enforcement on the nearby train tracks. Saint Clair admitted to taking the backpack from the woman, who wished to pursue charges against him.

The owner of the Dodge Neon couldn't be determined. Officers then took Saint Clair into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Theft. A charge of Second Degree Mischief was referred to the District Attorney.

Posted on 3/17/26 10:45AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Drops Shoes in front of Patrol Vehicle, Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after dropping a pair of shoes in front of a patrol car in motion.

Monday night, while the officer was driving up NE 7th Street, a man stepped out from Resting Site 7 and walked into traffic. He dropped a pair of shoes in the path of the officer's travel, forcing a quick stop.

The suspect refused to identify himself when contacted by the officer, and he was detained at 9:50 p.m. The officer arrested the man, later identified as Jeffrey Richards, for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. Richards was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 3/17/26 10:21AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges by GP Police

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on drug charges following a report from the Federal Probation Office.

At 11:26 a.m. Monday, the suspect, Sean Logan, was reported to be at a property in the 900 block of NE 11th Street. He was suspected to have meth in his possession, and an officer's assistance was requested.

Logan was cooperative when law enforcement arrived and detained him. His parole officer had requested a detainer, so officers took him into custody. He was lodged on the detainer, as well as multiple drug charges in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

Officers had seized approximately 131 grams of meth, 151 hits of LSD, and about 5 grams of fentanyl at the scene. Logan was charged with Possession and Distribution of Meth, Fentanyl Possession, LSD Possession, and Manufacturing and Distributing Controlled Substances within 1,000 feet of a school. A Possession of Cocaine charge was referred to the District Attorney's office.

Posted on 3/17/26 10:12AM by Alex Bauer

Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Transient Causing Disturbance at Elementary School

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a transient after she was causing a disturbance outside Manzanita Elementary School.

The principle reported the suspect Monday morning, saying she was walking in the roadway, obstructing traffic, and yelling at both staff and students. Deputies responded around 7:18 a.m. to find the suspect kicking over trash cans and standing in the middle of the roadway blocking a vehicle.

As law enforcement pulled up by the woman, she quickly headed into a field. Deputies followed her to the corner of Corporate Way and Tech Way where she was detained.

The suspect, identified as Carrie Ann Wood, was arrested for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. She was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail, but later released on a court order.

Posted on 3/17/26 9:55AM by Alex Bauer

No Injuries in O'Brien Traffic Accident, I.V. Fire, AMR, JoCo Sheriff's Office Responded

Emergency crews were alerted to a traffic accident Monday afternoon around 3:10.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the incident in the 2000 block of Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien.

First responders arrived and discovered a vehicle that had collided with a tree and subsequently ignited. Bystanders and local residents were able to extricate the driver, who had sustained no injuries.

The fire was promptly extinguished, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting the investigation.

Posted on 3/17/26 7:17AM by Alex Bauer

Bat Infected With Rabies Identified In Jackson County

The Jackson County Public Health Department reported a bat, found just north of Shady Cove, tested positive for rabies.

According to Jackson County Health and Human Services, confirmatory tests were performed at Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory after a Jackson County resident noticed a bat in a cat’s mouth.

The cat is a stray, and its vaccination history is unknown. Rabies is transmitted through the bites of an infected animal, and while post-exposure vaccination is effective, Jackson Baures, Jackson County Public Health Division Manager, says the best plan is prevention.

Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call your local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office.

For more information about rabies, visit the OHA website at www.public.health.oregon.gov.

Posted on 3/17/26 4:56AM by Alex Bauer

Council Hears Staffing Change Requests and Budget Policy Section Edits at Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council began their workshop with a presentation regarding requests for staffing changes Monday morning. Changes included reallocation from Downtown Development to Police, replacing one Engineering Tech, with an increase of about $20,000 per year, and additional police and fire facilities staff, with an increase of about $112,200 billed to those departments. The changing of Urban Forester and Trail Coordinator duties with a funding change of $54,600 per year was also requested. The council agreed to decide on the changes during their Wednesday meeting, with additional information to be provided. The council was presented with a look at the budget and proposed policy edits to sections including but not limited to Revenue, Capital Improvement, Expenditures, Fund Balance and Reserves, Debt Management, and Investments. The revisions and additions were aimed to consolidate current state practices within one document, improving general understanding of local government performances.

Posted on 3/16/26 7:27PM by Alex Bauer

Woman Bribed DMV Employee for Test Answers, Arrested, Later Released by GP Police

A woman was arrested by Grants Pass Police Friday afternoon after she bribed DMV employees.

An employee of the 162 NE Beacon Drive DMV reported to dispatch a man and woman attempted to bribe employees for answers to the driving test. The woman was taking the test at the time of the report around 3:04 p.m. The incident was caught on surveillance footage, and multiple employees reportedly witnessed the bribe.

Officers contacted Jyoti Sharma, and she was untruthful about basic details, denying offering money to the employees. Sharma was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for a Bribe Giving charge, but was later released.

Posted on 3/16/26 11:20AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Attempted Mail Theft Suspect on Warrant

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man after he was caught fishing through mailboxes Sunday morning.

A 911 caller told dispatch the suspect was rummaging through a large blue mailbox at the Selma Post Office around 9:54 a.m. The man didn't stop looking through the receptacle when the caller showed up.

Deputies arrived and contacted the suspect, Michael Carrero, who was found to have a warrant charging him with Meth Possession. He was detained and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on the warrant and an additional charge of Attempted Mail Theft.

According to the Sheriff's Report, Carrero was found to have an RCC Student ID and Visa Card on his person. The owner was contacted, and she reportedly had her wallet stolen approximately a month ago. Deputies destroyed the cards after being given permission by the owner.

Posted on 3/16/26 10:32AM by Alex Bauer