Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for her churlish behavior at a Rogue River Highway business last weekend. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a theft complaint at Hogan's Stained Glass in the 800-block of Highway 99 on Sunday at 4:55 a.m.. Police said the property owner called 9-1-1 to report a female subject identified as 36-year-old Melissa Sue Koenig was seen on her Ring camera. The caller said the woman unplugged light fixtures and removed wall art from the fence with a screwdriver while causing substantial inconvenience. The property owner noticed an Iron Cross valued at $100 was missing, and several other items had been moved about and placed in random areas on the property. Officers arrived on scene and placed Koenig into custody. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 3rd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail and was trespassed from the property.

 

Rural Metro Fire Department is pleased to announce the graduation of their newest firefighters from the National Fire Protection Association Academy (NFPA). The academy -- which was hosted by the Rogue Interagency Training Association -- brought together new firefighters from departments across Josephine and Jackson counties. The graduation ceremony was held on Saturday. Rural Metro celebrates seven NFPA Academy 1 graduates who will join their Reserve Firefighter team, working alongside full-time firefighters to protect the community. Nearly all come to Rural Metro with a background in wildland firefighting or emergency medical services. Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2025!

 

Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), is embarking on a new chapter as the agency begins its search for a new executive director. SOREDI extends its gratitude to outgoing Executive Director Colleen Padilla for her contributions and leadership during her tenure. This pivotal transition marks an opportunity to build on SOREDI's strong legacy of promoting business growth, fostering collaboration and driving economic develop-ment in the Rogue Valley and throughout Jackson and Josephine counties. For more than 30 years, SOREDI has served as a cornerstone for economic prosperity in the region while supporting businesses, nurturing innovation and advocating for a robust and thriving community. The upcoming leadership transition signals a renewed focus on the agency's mission and goals, aligning with the evolving needs of the local economy and its stakeholders. For more information about the Executive Director search or SOREDI's programs and initiatives, please visit "soredi.org" or call (541)-773-8946.

 

In response to the severe winter storm that occurred earlier this month which caused significant citywide impacts to trees, the City of Ashland is temporarily suspending enforcement of Hazard Tree Removal Permit requirements for storm-damaged trees. Property owners in Ashland may remove hazardous trees without obtaining a permit if the tree has sustained storm-related damage necessitating its removal. This suspension is in effect through April 30th and applies only to trees that have been damaged by the storm to the extent that they pose an immediate hazard. Trees removed for non-emergency reasons remain subject to Ashland's standard permit requirements. This temporary suspension is issued under the authority of the Ashland City Manager's Office in recognition of the urgent need for residents and businesses to quickly respond and recover from storm-related damage while prioritizing public safety and property protection.

 

KAJO Radio afternoon talk show host Dan Bongino has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Bongino made the announcement on Monday during his talk show that airs weekdays from 1 to 4 p.m. on KAJO Radio. The Westwood One radio network congratulates Bongino on his decision to take on the new role at the FBI. In a statement, the network said "Dan has entertained and informed tens of millions of listeners every day and we are grateful for our successful partnership. We look forward to welcoming Dan back in the future." According to Westwood One, Bongino's last show will be Friday, March 14th. Network officials said they are working hard to bring you the next exciting chapter and they will be in touch with us about this programming in the near future.

 

KAJO Radio afternoon talk show host Dan Bongino has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Bongino made the announcement today during his talk show that airs weekdays from 1 to 4 p.m. on KAJO Radio. The Westwood One radio network congratulates Bongino on his decision to take on the new role at the FBI. In a statement, the network said "Dan has entertained and informed tens of millions of listeners every day and we are grateful for our successful partnership. We look forward to welcoming Dan back in the future. According to Westwood One, Bongino's last show will be Friday, March 14th. Network officials said they are working hard to bring you the next exciting chapter and they will be in touch with us about this programming in the near future.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving and more after he backed out of a driveway in the south part of the city and crashed into a passing vehicle before fleeing the scene. The Police Department reports officers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision near the corner of Williams Highway and SE Grandview Avenue on Saturday around 6:15 p.m.. Police said an investigation determined that 38-year-old Kenneth Joseph Feith was impaired when he backed his friend's Nissan Titan from a driveway at a high rate of speed and did not stop for passing traffic. They said he struck the passenger side of a southbound Buick sedan driven by a woman who swerved to avoid impact. The female motorist gave officers a thorough description of the suspect vehicle, which allowed law enforcement to track it down and place Feith into custody. He had offered to drive his friend home because the friend was highly impaired. Feith reportedly refused to participate in field sobriety tests or provide a breath sample, so a search warrant was obtained and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented a high level of impairment. He was subsequently lodged in jail for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two out-of-area motorists for impaired driving in Josephine County over the weekend. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Saturday at 12:04 a.m. when state troopers pulled over a Honda Odyssey driven by a 53-year-old Portland man in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 66. Troopers said they received a driving complaint, the suspect vehicle was located and traffic violations were observed. During contact, the driver showed signs of impairment and performed poorly in field sobriety tests. The second incident happened on Saturday at 2:37 a.m. when troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 66. Troopers said a 37-year-old Eugene man who admitted to dispatchers that he was "high as a kite" failed to remain with his wrecked Hyundai Genesis due to what they called "generalized paranoia." During contact, the driver showed signs of impairment and he declined to participate in field sobriety tests.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two women on outstanding warrants during contacts in the Grants Pass area late last week. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Friday at 11 a.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Camry driven by 29-year-old Allen Junior Strahan on Fruitdale Drive near Gardendale Lane. Troopers said they stopped Strahan for a traffic violation and quickly learned that his passenger -- 25-year-old Katrina Marie Armstrong of Grants Pass -- was wanted on a felony warrant out of Marion County. She was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail. The second incident happened on Friday at 4:41 p.m. when troopers contacted a female subject suspected of criminal activity on Williams Highway at Rosewood Drive. Troopers said 38-year-old Debra Ann Hill of White City was wanted on a Jackson County felony warrant for Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. She was lodged in jail on $17,500 bail.