KRRM - Local News

OHA Urges Oregonians to Prepare For Dangerous Heat

As Oregon enters the hottest months of the year, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging people to take steps now to protect themselves, their families and their communities from heat-related illness.

Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly and can become life-threatening. Older adults, infants and young children, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, pregnant people and those with chronic health conditions face a higher risk during periods of extreme heat.

Spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible and limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Schedule outdoor work and recreation for early morning or evening hours, and utilize cooling methods such as cool showers, damp cloths and misting.

Everyone is also encouraged to wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing, drink plenty of water while avoiding alcohol or caffeinated, sugary drinks, never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in parked vehicles, and check on neighbors, family members and friends who may be more vulnerable to heat.

People should also know the warning signs of heat-related illness. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps.

Posted on 6/11/26 1:01PM by Alex Bauer

MPD Unveils New K-9 Memorial outside Station

The Medford Police Department unveiled a new K-9 Memorial today alongside City Councilors, leadership, retired MPD K-9 handlers, family, and friends.

According to the department's Facebook page, the memorial, located in front of the Medford Police Station, replaces the vandalized tribute to K-9 Oxer, who served alongside handler Tony Young as part of Medford’s first police canine team. It recognizes K-9 Oxer and the many police dogs who have faithfully served the Medford community.

In addition to the names of MPD's canines, the memorial bears the inscription, “In gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of Medford Police K9 teams. May their courage, loyalty, and service inspire us always.”

Posted on 6/11/26 12:48PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Trespass Suspect at Resting Site 7

Officers with Grants Pass Police lodged a man at Resting Site 7 Wednesday morning.

The suspect, Larry Knight, was found to have been trespassed from the 712 NE 7th Street site back on April 20th. He returned unlawfully to the location without any reported reason to do so.

Law enforcement contacted Knight and arrested him for Second Degree Criminal Trespass at the scene. He was promptly taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility, before being released due to a lack of available jail resources.

Posted on 6/11/26 12:44PM by Alex Bauer

Two Trespassing Suspects Arrested at Resting Site 6 by GP Police

A man and woman trespassing at Resting Site 6 South were apprehended by arriving police units.

Officers located Sean O'Keefe at the 704 NW 6th Street resting site Thursday around 9:35 a.m. He had been issued an exclusion order the day before, which he admitted to understanding.

While officers took O'Keefe into custody, Elizabeth Krol was also observed trespassing at the site. She had received an exclusion order the day before as well, so officers detained her. O'Keefe and Krol were both issued 90 day exclusion orders, and lodged in jail for charges of Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Krol was later released due to a lack of resources, and the charge against O'Keefe was dismissed by the District Attorney according to jail logs.

Posted on 6/11/26 11:59AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Reported to Disorderly Man, Lodged Him on Detainer

Grants Pass Police responded to a report of a man causing a disturbance at the corner of NE 7th Street and NE Manzanita Avenue.

Wednesday around 7:51 a.m., Brandon Stradford was called in to police after he was seen acting disorderly. He was reported as having a Monster logo tattooed on his left cheek, and wearing a gray shirt and black track pants. He appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine.

Arriving officers contacted Stradford, and he admitted to the use of meth. His parole officer was contacted, which led to a detainer being requested. Stradford was arrested at the scene and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on his detainer.

Posted on 6/11/26 11:43AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Hears Ordinance, Policy Revisions at Legal Counsel Update

The Board of Commissioners met for a Legal Counsel Update this morning to discuss ordinances and policy revisions.

Legal counsel presented an ordinance amending the County Code relating to Meetings of the board, with a: recommendation to update the Executive Session Rule. Amended language in draft was presented, and the board chose to move the ordinance to the next Weekly Business Session agenda.

Administrative Policy Revisions regarding contract signing authority, position requisitions, personnel actions, and advisory bodies were discussed, along with the possibility of liaisons representing departments that don't have one.

The board were presented with personnel policy revisions regarding service or working animals in the workplace, and business travel. A resolution from Community Corrections will be considered for the next Weekly Business Session.

Posted on 6/11/26 11:34AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Accepted Two I.V. Fire District Applicants, Heard Code Enforcement Comments

The Board of County Commissioners moved to accept two applicants into the Illinois Valley Fire District by petition during Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. Weekly Business Session.

The motions passed unanimously, and during public comment, the most prominent topic brought to the board was code enforcement. Other community members asked about trash in the community, tax deductions, and a reminder was given of the 4th of July reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The board moved to approve the consent calendar 3-0, and Commissioner Gary Richardson encouraged the public to know their zone and sign up for the alert system. Also mentioned before the meeting adjourned was Airport Day 2026, the Grants Pass Garden Club's 100th Anniversary, and a reminder to exercise caution during fire season.

Posted on 6/11/26 5:55AM by Alex Bauer

Driver Crashed ATV, JoCo Sheriff's Office Responded, Charges Forwarded to DA

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was dispatched June 4th at 7:41 p.m. to an ATV crash involving one adult and two juveniles. Deputies responded to the incident in the 1000 block of Caves Camp Road in Williams. It was determined that the driver of the quad ATV, Timothy Cornia, left the roadway, struck a tree and came to rest in nearby blackberry bushes. He had two juveniles riding on the quad with him, and none of them were wearing helmets. All three riders sustained physical injuries and were transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Cornia was reported to be intoxicated by hospital staff and the incident was forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office. Charges up for prosecution include DUII, Reckless Driving, and two counts each of Reckless Endangering and Third Degree Assault. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office emphasizes the dangers of impaired driving and urges all motorists to make responsible choices to ensure the safety of our community and to wear helmets when using all-terrain vehicles.

Posted on 6/10/26 1:58PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Arrested Motorcyclist and Passenger on Warrants in Separate Traffic Stops

Oregon State Police conducted two separate traffic stops Monday that resulted in the warrant arrests of two men.

A motorcyclist was pulled over by troopers at the corner of Azalea Drive Cutoff Road and Upper River Road around 6 p.m. He was observed driving without a helmet and license plate, and provided a false name to law enforcement.

After admitting to his real name, Martin Mitchell Jr., troopers learned he had warrants out of both Josephine County and California for Probation Violation and Contempt of Court.

Martin, 46, of Grants Pass, was arrested on his warrants and lodged in jail.

A half hour later, troopers stopped a vehicle for an observed traffic violation on U.S. Highway 199 and Hogue Drive at 6:31 p.m. During the stop, it was determined the passenger, Jason Halseth, 48, of Eagle Point, was wanted on a Jackson County warrant.

Troopers cited the driver, and arrested Halseth for his Harassment warrant. He was promptly transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged.

Posted on 6/10/26 1:13PM by Alex Bauer

Woman Wanted for Theft Warrant Apprehended by GP Police

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a woman wanted on a theft warrant at the 790 SW 6th Street 7-Eleven.

Early this morning at 3:13, law enforcement were checking the area near the business when they observed and detained Susana Walden after she entered the building. She had an active felony warrant out of the police department, leading to her arrest by officers.

Charges against Walden included Identity Theft and Second Degree Theft. Following a positive confirmation of her identity and warrant, she was transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging.

Posted on 6/10/26 12:54PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Woman Yelling at Resting Site 6 North for Trespassing

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman at the Resting Site 6 North for trespassing.

Officers located the suspect, Samantha Crutcher at the 714 NW 6th Street site at 12:58 p.m. She was yelling inside the area was taken into custody. She had previously been trespassed from the site, but that order had expired according to the police report.

Crutcher was taken into custody at the scene by law enforcement, and a 180 day exclusion order was entered. She was taken to the Adult Jail Facility and lodged on a charge of Second Degree Criminal Trespass. Due to a lack of jail resources, she was subsequently released.

Posted on 6/10/26 12:14PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Conducted Welfare Check, Lodged Suspect on Out-of-County Warrant

A welfare check request led Grants Pass Police to arrest a man on a parole violation detainer.

Dispatch received word Tuesday that a man was having what appeared to be a medical episode in the 531 NE E Street parking lot around 7:19 a.m. The caller described the man as wearing a grey hoodie and dark pants, and that he was rolling around on the ground flailing.

The man then stood up and continued flailing. The caller observed no weapons or bags on the man, and had been watching him for about a half hour. A welfare check was requested, and officers detained the man upon arrival, identifying him as Cody Lathrom.

His parole officer was contacted and a detainer was requested. Officers subsequently transported Lathrom to the Josephine County Jail where, according to jail logs, he was incarcerated on an out-of-county hold warrant before being transported to another agency.

Posted on 6/10/26 11:36AM by Alex Bauer