KRRM - Local News

Swiped Swine Pens Returned to Josephine County Fairgrounds Ahead of August Event

Thanks to the intervention of Josephine County leaders and Oregon State University Extension staff, swine pens that had been removed from the Fairgrounds last Sunday have been returned to their original location. According to a Josephine County news release, volunteers and children with local agricultural programs were on hand at the Fairgrounds to unload and set up the pens on Tuesday morning. The swine pens were removed from the Fairgrounds in Grants Pass by members of the public unaffiliated with Josephine County government or the OSU Extension. OSU stated at the time the action was not part of the Extension's planned closeout of local operations after the Board of Commissioners voted to defund the district. The Commissioners and Fairgrounds staff worked closely with the OSU Extension to secure the return of the pens ahead of the Josephine County Fair, which begins August 7th. Josephine County Recreation Director Tamra Martin said the fair is about kids and the livestock community is the heart of the fair. She said they're thrilled to get the pens back and ensure a successful fair for everyone. In a Facebook post, Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel said deputies escorted the semi-truck returning the pig pens back to the Fairgrounds yesterday. He said he is proud of how everyone handled this unfortunate situation with calm resolve.

Posted on 7/24/24 5:50AM by Sam Marsh

ODOT Warns Motorists about Chip Seal Project on Highway 66 East of Ashland

Motorists should expect daytime lane closures and delays along Oregon Highway 66 east of Ashland due to a two-day chip seal project that starts tomorrow. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports flaggers and pilot cars will provide traffic control through the work zone, which starts at Dead Indian Memorial Road and ends near the east end of Emigrant Lake. According to ODOT, crews will be in that six-mile stretch of highway to complete prep work ahead of the chip seal project. Chip seal projects can result in loose rock on the roadway. Motorists are advised to slow down, drive with caution and allow additional space between vehicles. While lane closure are in effect, ODOT asks local residents to wait at the end of their driveways for a pilot car before turning onto the highway. ODOT will post signs at each driveway and flaggers will provide traffic control at intersections. Through mid-August, drivers should watch for intermittent daytime lane closures for striping and sign installation. For updated information about road conditions and active work zones, visit "tripcheck.com."

Posted on 7/24/24 5:41AM by Sam Marsh

City of Grants Pass Issues Call for Artists for Utility Box Art Project Proposals

The City of Grants Pass -- in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation -- has an agreement to wrap utility boxes with vinyl artwork. Grants Pass officials said this project will further the City's goal of creating vibrant art to be enjoyed by all citizens and visitors. All art must be original and proposals will be recommended by the Grants Pass Committee on Public Art, with final approval from the City Council and ODOT. Local artists, artist teams and students are encouraged to apply. There will be an artist stipend given for each of the boxes, depending on the method used. The art should be whimsical, fun, family-friendly and highlight nature with animals, wildlife and plants. The proposed utility box art must cover all four sides and the top of the box. The goal of the public art program is to transform traffic control boxes into distinctive works of art to create a more vibrant and attractive cityscape. For more details, please visit "grantspassoregon.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3351."

Posted on 7/24/24 5:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Roughing Up Girlfriend at Hilltop Drive Residence

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for roughing up his girlfriend at a home in the south part of the city. The Police Department reports officers responded to the domestic disturbance at a residence on Hilltop Drive on Sunday at 7:55 p.m.. Police said a 55-year-old male subject and his girlfriend were involved in a loud argument that lasted more than an hour. They said neighbors called 9-1-1 after they could hear a man and woman screaming at each other. An investigation revealed that the man chased the woman and grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to come back. The woman said she did not wish to pursue any charges -- but after speaking with officers, her boyfriend was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Menacing, Disorderly Conduct and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records showed the male suspect has been arrested for violating his post-prison supervision three times since March 27th.

Posted on 7/23/24 11:47AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Collared Man on Local Felony Warrant after Service Call in Wolf Creek Area

The Oregon State Police apprehended a man wanted on a local felony warrant after a weekend incident in the Wolf Creek area. OSP reports troopers responded to a call for service near the corner of Edgewood Road and Old Highway 99 on Sunday at 7:54 p.m.. No other details about the call were disclosed, but troopers contacted a 31-year-old man who was wanted on an active arrest warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The suspect was placed into custody without incident. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 7/23/24 11:46AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Salem Man with 200 Pounds of Marijuana in Illinois Valley Contact

The Oregon State Police arrested a Salem man for possessing a large amount of illegal marijuana during a weekend traffic stop in the Illinois Valley. According to OSP, troopers stopped for a Chevrolet Colorado driven by a 43-year-old man on Takilma Road on Saturday during the noon hour. Troopers said the pickup was parked on the shoulder of Takilma Road and probable cause was developed that a criminal amount of marijuana was being transported by the vehicle's driver. The driver gave consent to search the truck and approximately 200 pounds of marijuana was seized for destruction. The suspect was charged with Felony Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. He was cited to appear in Josephine County Circuit Court and released. His pickup was impounded. The suspect's passenger was identified as a 23-year-old Cave Junction man. He was detained, but not arrested.

Posted on 7/23/24 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested 2 People for Trying to Steal Items from Rite Aid & Bi-Mart

Grants Pass Police arrested two people for trying to steal merchandise from south-city retailers in separate incidents yesterday. According to the Police Department, the first incident occurred on Monday at 11:23 a.m. when officers were alerted to a shoplifting incident at the Rite Aid in the Williams Highway Plaza. Police said a 32-year-old woman concealed $42 worth of merchandise in the front pocket of her jacket and walked past all points of sale without making any attempt to pay. She was placed into custody in the store parking lot and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. The second incident happened on Monday at 2:25 p.m. when officers responded to a shoplifting call at Bi-Mart. Police said a 37-year-old man concealed $30 worth of 9-millimeter ammunition and passed all points of sale without making any attempt to pay. They searched the area and found the suspect on the west side of Riverside Park. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. The suspects were trespassed from Rite Aid and Bi-Mart, respectively.

Posted on 7/23/24 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Investigating Cause of Monday Night Grass Fire near Pomeroy Dam in IV

The Oregon Department of Forestry was investigating the cause of a vegetation fire that broke out last night near Pomeroy Dam in the Illinois Valley. ODF and the Illinois Valley Fire District responded to the reported fire between two US Forest Service roads off West Side Road on Monday at 10:38 p.m.. Arriving units found a 2/10th of an acre blaze burning in blackberries and brush. ODF and IVFD crews mounted an aggressive attack and limited the fire to around a half-acre. An IVFD water tender remained on scene to assist ODF with mopping up the fire. The scene was eventually turned over to ODF for an investigation.

Posted on 7/23/24 11:41AM by Sam Marsh

ODF and Rural Metro Firefighters Kept Vehicle Fire from Spreading into Brush

Firefighters were able to keep a vehicle fire from spreading into the surrounding wildland off Interstate 5 in the Hugo area early yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the reported blaze near milepost 68 of I-5 on Mount Sexton at 10:23 a.m. Monday. Rural Metro and ODF were both called in due to the high potential for spread into nearby vegetation. An ODF engine arrived first and was able to keep the fire in-check and away from the brush and trees on the side of the freeway. Rural Metro officials said there were no injuries reported, but the vehicle was destroyed by the fire. The cause was believed to be mechanical.

Posted on 7/23/24 11:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Department Releases Information about Fatal Shooting on RR Highway

The Grants Pass Police Department has released more information about the fatal shooting that happened last weekend at an apartment complex off Rogue River Highway. On Friday at about 9:20 p.m., the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center received multiple calls about a shooting that had just occurred in the 1400-block of Highway 99. A male victim was down in the parking lot of the apartment complex. GP police officers responded to the scene along with the Oregon State Police and Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, law enforcement personnel found and provided immediate medical care to a male gunshot victim. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response also provided medical care, but the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. GPPD detectives took over the investigation and identified the deceased as 24-year-old Jose Regalado of Grants Pass. The initial investigation was supported by the OSP Major Crimes Team, Josephine County District Attorney's Office and Josephine County Medical Examiner. GPPD Captain Justin DeKruger said this remains an active investigation and they are requesting anyone with information or video to call the agency at (541)-450-6260 and reference Case #2024-26283.

Posted on 7/23/24 6:56AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Attacking Longtime Girlfriend at Home near City Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for attacking his long-time girlfriend at a home near Riverside Park. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 53-year-old male subject for the incident that occurred at a residence on SE Vista Drive late Sunday night. He was placed into custody at 2:15 a.m. yesterday. Police said they were alerted to the domestic violence incident by Three Rivers Medical Center when the female victim drove herself to the hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the altercation. They said the couple has been in a romantic relationship for about 23 years. The victim told officers her boyfriend's physical violence against her had increased since last Thursday. She said the man grabbed a bath towel which he used to choke her and leave visible bruising on her neck. She was in fear for her life and believed he was going to kill her. According to the report, the boyfriend was located and placed into custody at the couple's home. He was forthcoming and admitted to all reported incidents. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Domestic Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Domestic Strangulation and Domestic Menacing. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 7/23/24 6:55AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Assaulting Girlfriend at Cloverlawn Drive Residence

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for physically assaulting his girlfriend at a home in the southeast part of the city last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the domestic violence incident at a property on Cloverlawn Drive on Sunday around 11:30 a.m.. Police said a 32-year-old male subject was reported to have physically assaulted his girlfriend at the incident location inside his father's trailer. Units arrived on scene and removed the female victim to a safe location. The subject initially refused to exit the trailer, advised he would not go to jail and stated that officers would have to shoot him. After several minutes speaking with the subject, officers said he complied and exited the trailer. He was detained during the investigation which revealed that he slammed his girlfriend against a couch and the floor while telling her he was going to kill her. The woman sustained injuries and said she was in fear for her life. According to the report, the suspect intentionally destroyed his father's trailer by damaging both doors and a table inside valued at more than $5,000. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for five counts of Domestic Strangulation plus single counts of 4th-Degree Domestic Assault, Domestic Menacing and Felony Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 7/23/24 6:54AM by Sam Marsh