KRRM - Local News

RCC Contributed $325.6 Million to Southern Oregon Economy, New Study Finds

An economic impact study released last week by the Oregon Community College Association showed Rogue Community College providing a $325.6 million boost to the economies of Jackson and Josephine counties, or about 1.9% of the region’s total gross regional product.

The RCC analysis, published by Lightcast in April 2026, is based on the college’s 2023-24 academic, employee and financial data and examines RCC’s economic impact on Jackson and Josephine counties as well as its return on investment for students, taxpayers and society.

The largest share of RCC’s economic impact comes from alumni who enter the regional workforce with new knowledge and skills. RCC’s total impact also includes $45.3 million from college operations and $8.3 million from student spending. The combined impact was equal to approximately 1.9% of the gross regional product of Jackson and Josephine counties.

The study found that RCC’s activities supported jobs across a range of sectors, including healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, as well as professional, technical, and other services.

RCC contributes to the regional economy through its own operations. It also generated $40.9 million in present-value benefits for state and local taxpayers through increased tax revenue and public-sector savings.

Posted on 9/16/26 6:57AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Approves Grant Funding via Opioid Settlement Funds for Organizations

The Board of Commissioners approved a grant supporting Continuum Behavioral Health and Recovery Strategies, The Grants Pass Sobering Center, and HIV Alliance through Opioid Settlement funds. During their 1:30 p.m. workshop, the board moved unanimously for over $140,000 in settlement funds be approved for Behavioral Health, over $44,000 for the Sobering Center, and almost $29,000 authorized for HIV Alliance. No cost will be incurred for the county. Information Technology gave an overview of their work with different departments, and provided a final draft of the Strategic Communication plan to the board. All position requisitions and actions from Human Resources were approved, as was the Stonefly Subdivision Plat Map. A motion to approve the Roadless Rule Comment letter be submitted to the federal government passed 3-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Posted on 9/15/26 3:05PM by Alex Bauer

One Cited Following Vehicle Maintenance Report in Business Parking lot

Three suspects were contacted, with one being cited after a 911 call reporting work being done on a vehicle in a parking lot.

The owner of the property, where multiple businesses are located, called 911 to report someone working on a car in the lot. He was reportedly not a patron of any of the area businesses, and he would leave the vehicle to get parts from Autozone.

The caller requested the suspect be contacted and trespassed. Upon arrival, a Grants Pass Police officer contacted three individuals at the scene. One of them was found to have a valid and serviceable warrant out of Linn County charging her with a Drug Offense.

She was issued a warrant citation and advised of her court date and time. All three suspects were trespassed from the parking lot area.

Posted on 9/15/26 2:13PM by Alex Bauer

Tickets on Sale Now for 2026 Tap Walk

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is reminding the public that tickets are available for the 2026 Tap Walk.

The valley's premier walking beer tour, this popular event will take place Saturday, October 10th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Grants Pass. Breweries, restaurants, and food vendors will be inside different establishments, where participants can enjoy a stroll from business to business, enjoying brews and food while discovering new local gems.

The Chamber's mission with such events is to create opportunities for commerce, encouraging shopping, dining, and playing local. This is a 21 and older event, and tickets are priced at $50 Pre-Sale and $55 Day-Of.

Tickets are available now online at www.grantspasschamber.org or at the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce located at 1995 NW Vine St. This year, the event will feature 25 participating locations, including several new stops.

Posted on 9/15/26 12:53PM by Alex Bauer

BMX Turf Thief Cited by GP Police for Theft, Criminal Mischief Charges

During a theft attempt of BMX turf Monday, Grants Pass Police cited the suspect and trespassed him from the track.

A 911 caller, upon receiving third party information, told dispatch at 9:31 a.m. that transients were allegedly stealing the turf at the 257 NE Agness Avenue track. The complainant pulled into the location and did not see anyone, but requested officers check the area.

The alleged suspect had cut an unknown length of turf from a roll donated to the track. The dumpster on sight had been gone through as well, with some bags inside reportedly having been stolen.

Law enforcement tracked down the suspect, Kirk Witworth, and learned he had damaged and stolen a truckload of turf from the track. He was cited to appear for Second Degree charges of Theft and Criminal Mischief. He was also warned for trespassing.

Posted on 9/15/26 11:50AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Accused of Assault with a Bag of Cans Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police arrested a man accused of assaulting another person with a bag of cans.

Dispatch was alerted to the altercation Monday at 9:19 a.m. It was reported the suspect threw something at the caller, hitting them in the face. The two began screaming at each other, with the suspect being described as having long brown hair, wearing a red or purple jacket, and a gray sweater.

The caller denied medical attention, and told dispatch the suspect was walking past Bi-Mart. Officers contacted the complainant, who told them the suspect had a crack pipe in his possession. Law enforcement was then able to contact the suspect, Kyle Harris, and determined he had assaulted the complainant with a bag of cans and punches.

Harris was found to be in possession of methamphetamine during a consent search, and officers took him into custody for Assault in the Fourth Degree. He was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 9/15/26 11:28AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Woman Yelling at ARCO for Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer

A report of a woman yelling in an ARCO bathroom dispatched Grants Pass Police to the scene Monday morning.

An employee of the 190 NE Terry Lane gas station reported the suspect was acting strange while inside the building at 11:34 a.m. She was displaying numerous indicators of impairment, and was yelling inside the bathroom.

Police responded and attempted to contact the uncooperative suspect. She was held at taser point before being taken into custody and being identified as Christina Nissen.

During detainment, she hit an officer in the arm. She was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged for Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer

Posted on 9/15/26 10:26AM by Alex Bauer

Council Hears Redevelopment Plan, Sign Presentations, City Manager Salary Motion Passed

Grants Pass City Council held two interviews for the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, then heard presentations for the Washington Midland Redevelopment Plan and Interstate 5 Sign Code overlay. Council was presented the preferred redevelopment framework and potential steps recommended to implement the plan. The project has moved from concepts to a preferred plan and development strategy. This includes improved streets and utilities on Franklin and Bunnel Avenues, improved pedestrian accessibility, commercial uses, and housing options with a range of townhomes and apartments as rentals or to own. Potential costs could be $1.9 million for the city and public, $190K in Private property and Frontage costs, with a combined investment of $2.09 million. A draft plan will be prepared for final review by council before potential adoption. Next for consideration was the potential I-5 Sign Code overlay following a previous appeal for a 100 foot Dutch Bros. and Les Schwab sign. Current regulation permits one freestanding sign per street frontage up to 25-foot height and 100-square-foot sign area.

Posted on 9/15/26 6:42AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Responded to Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash on Highway 199

Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 199 near milepost 20 Friday around 2:30 p.m.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Ram 3500 pickup, operated by Harvey Anthony Caron, 72, of Cave Junction, was traveling southbound on Highway 199 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed the center median and northbound lane before striking several trees on the shoulder of the highway.

Caron was pronounced deceased at the scene. The highway was not impacted during the investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Illinois Valley Fire District, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Posted on 9/14/26 2:34PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Respond to Two Crashes, Both Fatal

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to two fatal crashes early in the weekend. Friday at 8:18 p.m., a vehicle vs pedestrian crash was reported near the 2600 block of Merlin Road. A Geo Metro car was traveling east on Merlin Road when the vehicle hit a male pedestrian. The driver of the Geo Metro stayed on scene. The pedestrian was identified as Scott Starke, 88, who was transported to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified. This case is still an active investigation and pending results of evidence, charges will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office. No further information in this case will be released at this time. Saturday afternoon at 12:15 p.m., deputies, American Medical Response, and fire personnel responded to Monument Drive near Mary Harris Way for a report of an ATV crash. Once on scene, a male, Barry Fell, 58, was found with serious injuries after crashing an ATV. He was transported by AMR to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin have been notified. No further information will be released.

Posted on 9/14/26 1:30PM by Alex Bauer

Body Located in Rogue River at Baker Park, JoCo Medical Examiner Investigating

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was notified of a body located in the Rogue River at Baker Park Friday at 1:23 p.m. Deputies and fire personnel arrived on scene and made contact with the individuals who originally made the call to 911. The body was located in the main channel of the Rogue River at Baker Park. The Jackson County dive team was activated to assist with the recovery of the body. The individual has not been identified and next of kin has not been notified. The Josephine County Medical Examiner will be continuing their investigation to identify the individual.

Posted on 9/14/26 1:21PM by Alex Bauer

Bicycle Thief Returned to YMCA, Arrested for Theft, Unlawful Entry Charges

A man stole a bike from the Grants Pass Family YMCA, only to return in later and be arrested by Grants Pass Police.

The bike owner called 911 to report his stolen property at 9:14 a.m. The bike was reported to be valued at about $1000 and was taken from the property while the owner was in the gym. The suspect had reportedly stolen from the location before.

Surveillance footage was able to capture the theft, but the suspect and the bike were not located. Around 2:36 p.m. the same day, dispatch was advised by employees that the suspect, Anthony Horton, had returned to the YMCA after being confronted by the bike's owner. The bike had been recovered, and Horton was arrested by arriving officers.

He was trespassed from the YMCA, and lodged in jail for two counts of First Degree Theft, Second Degree Theft, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle.

Posted on 9/14/26 12:52PM by Alex Bauer