KRRM - Local News

Several Small Fires along Freeway Prompted Aggressive Attack from Agencies

Multiple small fires along Interstate 5 from Mount Sexton to Grants Pass yesterday prompted an aggressive response from local firefighting agencies. On Sunday around 2:15 p.m., the Oregon Department of Forestry, Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue were dispatched to fires along the southbound lanes of I-5 between mileposts 68 and 58. ODF reported numerous resources were ordered including their Type 2 helicopter out of Grants Pass. An aggressive initial attack was mounted on the fires and they were fully contained by 3 p.m.. Crews continued to work on the fires until they were in fully-controlled status. The largest was just under 1/10th of an acre. ODF is handling the investigation into the cause of the fires although officials believe it is likely vehicle-related.

Posted on 8/25/25 6:35AM by Sam Marsh

Rescue Teams Extricated Injured Hiker from Rainie Falls on Wild & Scenic RR

Rescue teams from local agencies put in nearly five hours yesterday extricating an injured hiker from Rainie Falls on the wild and scenic section of the Rogue River. Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and Josephine County Search & Rescue were dispatched to the incident on Sunday at 8:14 a.m.. Rural Metro official said the hike from the trailhead at Grave Creek Bridge was approximately 1.5 miles. By 1:30 p.m., they said the injured hiker was in transit to the hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said the overall time of the rescue was accelerated by enhancements with cellular technology. In the past, someone would need to hike out and drive to the nearest phone at either Almeda Park, the Rand Ranger Station or Galice. Newer devices now allow for texting to the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center via satellite connection. First responders convey a message of safety by reminding everyone that receiving help in remote locations will inevitably take time. The best outcomes are with those who take special precautions during their outings and go prepared with necessary supplies. Adequate hydration this time of year is also very important.

Posted on 8/25/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police and Firefighters Logged Active Week Protecting the Community

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged another active week protecting citizens and property. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 615 calls for service along with 254 officer-initiated calls last week which resulted in 54 arrests, 34 citations, 50 warnings and six highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 66 traffic stops in the city and they made 22 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 72 contacts with potential troublemakers while arresting eight people, citing five more and warning 20 others. The CRT unit trespassed eight individuals and made 43 park checks. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 118 calls last week including 42 for emergency medical service, three reports of fire or smoke, 14 lift assists, 10 rescue situations, five assist to other agencies and 12 false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,118 emergency calls last week.

Posted on 8/25/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Local Law Agencies Reminding Motorists Schools Resume Classes Today

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Grants Pass Police Department are reminding motorists that local schools are resuming classes today. That means motorists should use extra caution on local roadways, especially in the vicinity of schools in Josephine County including Grants Pass, Merlin, Murphy, Cave Junction, Williams and Wolf Creek. The Sheriff's Office and GPPD are presenting drivers with their "Back to School" assignments: Obey school speed zones. Stop for buses -- red, flashing lights mean STOP. Watch for walkers, bicycle riders and skateboarders. Have patience with other drivers, especially in the school drop-off and pick-up lines. Have a great, fun and safe 2025-26 school year!

Posted on 8/25/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

PAC Plans to File Recall Petitions against Commissioners Blech & Barnett Today

A political action committee plans to file recall petitions against two out of three members of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. In a weekend post on Facebook, "Restore Josephine County" announced it will file recall petitions today against Board Chair Andreas Blech and Board Vice-Chair Chris Barnett. In a statement, the PAC said "Josephine County Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett have taken a series of actions in 2025 that have damaged public trust and harmed our county. These actions warrant recall." Commissioner Ron Smith is not targeted in the recall effort. Once the petitions are filed with the Josephine County Clerk's Office, the group will have 90 days to collect nearly 7,500 signatures. If successful, their targets can either resign immediately or decline and request a recall election. Restore Josephine County held a Pre-Launch Meeting on Sunday evening at Wild River Pub in Grants Pass. They invite recall supporters to join them in front of the Josephine County Courthouse at 9 o'clock this morning when the petitions will be filed.

Posted on 8/25/25 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine Library Board Rejects GP Lease Amendment & Schedules Press Conference

In response to the Board of Commissioners' recent vote to reinstate a "termination for convenience" clause in the Grants Pass library lease, the Josephine Community Library District and its partners will hold a press conference on Tuesday. The JCL press conference is set for tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Grants Pass branch library located at 200 NW C Street. Library leaders said this press conference will give the media an opportunity to hear the full story directly from them -- why the library board unanimously rejected the commissioners' amendment, what is at stake for the future of public library services, and how the library and community are working together toward stability while raising funds for a new main library building in Grants Pass. Library officials emphasize that no organization -- and certainly not a public library serving thousands of residents -- can operate responsibly under a lease that could be canceled with just 30 days' notice.

Posted on 8/25/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

OHA Urges Children be Up to Date on Required School Vaccinations for School

The Oregon Health Authority reports children across the state are still behind on their routine vaccinations and it's critical to get them back on track as school starts to protect them as well as schools and communities from preventable diseases. For the 2024-25 school year, only 86.3% of Oregon's kindergarteners were up to date on their required vaccinations, down slightly from 86.4% the year before. Twenty years ago, that number was 93.4%. The overall decline has state health officials concerned about a possible resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles which can cause severe illness, even in previously healthy children. Every child who attends public and private schools, preschools, child care facilities and Head Start programs in Oregon must be up to date on required vaccinations unless they have a medical or non-medical exemption.

Posted on 8/25/25 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Jailed IV Man on Out-of-State Fugitive Warrant after Visit at GP Station

The Oregon State Police jailed an Illinois Valley man on an out-of-state fugitive warrant after he paid a visit to the Grants Pass station yesterday. OSP reports troopers arrested 41-year-old Christopher Day of Kerby at the OSP Office on NE 7th Street on Thursday around 11:20 a.m.. Trooper did not disclose why Day came to the station, but he was placed into custody when they discovered that he was wanted on an out-of-state felony warrant for an unspecified crime. The origin of the warrant and the exact charges against him were also not in the report. Day was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held without bail pending extradition proceedings.

Posted on 8/22/25 10:53AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Felon for Parole Violation during Patrol Check at Resting Site

Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for violating his post-prison supervision early yesterday during a patrol check at a downtown resting site. The Police Department reports officers arrested 33-year-old Aliczandr Mikal McClymonds at the NW 6th Street homeless encampment on Thursday around 10:30 a.m.. Police said McClymonds was under the influence of a narcotic stimulant while he was spray-painting the frame of a BMX bicycle. They said he is known to engage in the sale of stolen property, and he admitted to using methamphetamine and missing an appointment with his corrections officer. McClymonds was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show he has been arrested for violating his parole five times since June 2024. Officers noted that the tent next to McClymonds was oversized and it had a large amount of drug paraphernalia inside. He denied ownership of the tent, so it was destroyed. Another tent that had blood and burnt foil inside was also disposed of.

Posted on 8/22/25 10:51AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Drug Possession after Illegal Camping Call at Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for drug possession early yesterday after he was caught illegally camping in a city park on Rogue River Highway. The Police Department reports officers contacted 35-year-old William Lee Jensen at Morrison Centennial Park on Thursday shortly after 7 a.m.. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a male subject in a motorhome had been staying overnight at the park for the past two nights. Officers contacted Jensen and found him with burnt foil on his chest and a plastic straw in his hand. He admitted that the substance on the foil was fentanyl and consented to a search, which found a baggie with a white crystal substance that tested positive as methamphetamine. Jensen was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for both Meth and Fentanyl Possession. He was also trespassed from the park for 30 days and advised that overnight camping is no longer allowed in any city parks. While at the park, officers also cited two people identified as "Anna Newell" and "James Redden" for Illegal Camping.

Posted on 8/22/25 10:49AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Woman Wanted on Local Warrants in Downtown Cave Junction

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a woman wanted on two local warrants in downtown Cave Junction yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies contacted 48-year-old Crystal Mae Lucas in the 100-block of North Redwood Highway on Thursday at 12:28 p.m.. Deputies said they spotted Lucas and knew that she was wanted on a Josephine County Supervisory Authority warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a 2022 conviction for Felony Attempt to Elude Police. She was also wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct. Lucas was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/22/25 10:48AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Warrants & Drug Possession at City Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender on four local warrants at a city park yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were looking for 38-year-old Bradley Andrew Peckham when they found him at Kesterson Park on NE Evelyn Avenue on Thursday at 12:23 p.m.. Police said Peckham was wanted on four Grants Pass warrants charging him with four counts of 3rd-Degree Theft plus single counts of Disorderly Conduct and Attempted Escape. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of a glass pipe and an inhaler that were both coated with methamphetamine residue. Peckham was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus a new charge of Meth Possession. He was also excluded from the park for 30 days. The case was forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Posted on 8/22/25 10:46AM by Sam Marsh