KRRM - Local News

GP Police Nabbed Well-Known Offender for Trying to Steal from Home Depot

Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" for trying to steal merchandise from Home Depot last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a shoplifting call at the store on NE Mill Street on Sunday around 6:15 p.m.. Police said 44-year-old Donn Reeves Fincher entered Home Depot and passed all points of sale with $58 worth of unpaid-for items. They said loss prevention stopped the man and recovered the stolen items, but he fled on foot prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Officers searched the area and did not locate Fincher until 11:27 p.m. at the Pinnacle 365 convenience store on NE A Street. That's where he was placed into custody and then lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft.

Posted on 9/17/24 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon Secretary of State Celebrating "National Voter Registration Day" Today

Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade is celebrating National Voter Registration Day today by encouraging eligible Oregonians to register to vote or update their voter registration at "OregonVotes.gov/register." National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday started in 2012 that is dedicated to celebrating our democracy on September 17th. The deadline to register to vote to receive a ballot for the November General Election is October 15th. Ballots will start going out on October 16th. Oregonians can register online at "OregonVotes.gov/register." They may also choose to register by completing a voter registration form and returning it to a county elections office. To register to vote in Oregon, you must be a US Citizen, a resident of Oregon and at least 16 years old, with ballots being issued once you turn 18 years old. Already registered? You can use the "My Vote" tool to view your voter registration information and make any necessary updates including if you recently moved or changed your name.

Posted on 9/17/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

GP City Council Ready to Move Forward with $6.1M Project to Renovate Caveman Pool

The Grants Pass City Council is ready to move forward with a project to renovate Caveman Pool at an estimated cost of about $6.1 million. During its weekly workshop on Monday, the majority of the City Council was in favor of a municipal pool facility that is smaller in size than the current pool -- but has a greater number of play features. City Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins presented a plan that creates 4,234 square feet of water surface, with depths ranging from 3-feet-6-inches to 10-feet-8-inches. The four-lane 25-yard lap swim area would be oriented north and south rather than the current east-west configuration. Amenities to the pool would include a water slide, a 3-meter diving platform, a 3/4-meter diving board and several interactive water play toys. Hopkins said the main building would remain in its current location and the total size of the facility would not change. He said construction of the pool would be plaster, which lasts longer but requires water to be left in the pool during the offseason. Water leakage from the current pool would be virtually eliminated. The cost estimate for the new pool is estimated to be $6.1 million, with $6.3 million already earmarked for the project. Most of the funding would come from the Urban Renewal District, supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Posted on 9/17/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Dutch Bros Donates Downtown GP Offices to Oregon Center for Creative Learning

Drive-thru chain Dutch Bros said Monday that it will donate its former corporate headquarters in downtown Grants Pass to the Oregon Center for Creative Learning, which operates a preschool and children's museum. Dutch Bros will retain a corporate office in Grants Pass, about six miles north of downtown on North Valley Drive. The company moved its formal headquarters from downtown Grants Pass to the North Valley Drive office earlier this summer, months after it moved many of its corporate functions out of state. The Oregonian reports the company valued Monday's donation at $2.7 million. "Donating our building to Oregon Center for Creative Learning guarantees more kids and families in Josephine County have a compelling future through early childhood education and family activities," said Travis Boersma, Dutch Bros' chairman and co-founder. Dutch Bros is one of Oregon’s largest companies, operating more than 900 drive-thrus in 18 states. Earlier this year, the company moved many corporate jobs from Southern Oregon to new offices near Phoenix, Arizona. CEO Christine Barone works in Arizona, though Boersma still lives in Oregon.

Posted on 9/17/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

"StoryWalk" Arrives at Reinhart Volunteer and Redwood Parks in SW Grants Pass

The City of Grants Pass Parks & Recreation has successfully implemented the inaugural StoryWalk with two bilingual stories -- one at Reinhart Volunteer Park and the other at Redwood Park. A StoryWalk is a movement and literacy-boosting project that displays books, page by page, along a walking route. Grants Pass Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins said StoryWalk is a wonderful way for adults and their young children or grandchildren to combine literacy skills and healthy exercise as they walk to each of the 16 reading stations while enjoying the beauty of our parks. Hopkins said extending the StoryWalk into September offers a free activity for homeschool and playgroup families to enjoy during quieter mornings and for after-school families to take their children for a stroll in the afternoon. The StoryWalk is a free activity for all Josephine County residents and visitors that is accessible during normal park hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Bring your walking shoes, your reading glasses and enjoy StoryWalk at Reinhart Volunteer Park at 1690 SW Webster Road and at Redwood Park at 1395 Dowell Road.

Posted on 9/17/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

Motorist Injured after Crashing Vehicle through Interstate 5 Guardrail in NE GP

A motorist was hurt after her car hit another vehicle, smashed through an Interstate 5 guardrail and landed on a Grants Pass Irrigation District canal late last week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash near milepost 55 of the southbound lanes of I-5 on Friday at 4:05 p.m.. Upon arrival, troopers found a blue Honda Accord had broken through a guardrail, tumbled down a hill and came to rest on the GPID canal. The driver -- a 62-year-old woman -- required heavy extrication from fire personnel. She was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with unspecified injuries. According to OSP, the other vehicle involved in the crash -- a Honda Pilot driven by a 53-year-old Grants Pass man -- was found down the freeway with no injuries to the driver or his three passengers. The heavily-damaged Accord was hauled up the hill and towed into town while the Pilot was able to be driven away from the scene. Following an investigation, the driver of the Accord was either cited or warned for an undisclosed traffic violation. OSP was assisted by Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, American Medical Response and Goodfellas Towing.

Posted on 9/16/24 10:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man on Statewide Warrant after Big Lots Trespass Complaint

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant after responding to a weekend trespassing complaint at a local retailer. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a trespassing call involving a man and woman at Big Lots in the 300-block of NE Agness Avenue on Saturday at 5:20 p.m.. Police said the 33-year-old male subject was called in by Big Lots who wanted him and his girlfriend trespassed due to frequent thefts from the store. The subject who refused to provide identification walked outside while officers sent photos and researched known associates of the girlfriend identified only as "Cassandra." The subject identified by GPPD as "Derrold Joseph Kinzel, III" was found to he wanted on a Santiam Correctional Institution warrant for Parole Violation related to a previous conviction for 1st-Degree Theft. He was located a short time later inside Big 5 Sporting Goods and placed into custody at the point of a Taser. Kinzel was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 9/16/24 10:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man on Warrants and Several Other Crimes at Campground

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on two outstanding warrants plus several other crimes after a weekend contact at one of the city's designated campgrounds. The Police Department reports officers located 37-year-old Kelcey Edwin Cummings at the SE J Street campsite on Saturday during the noon hour. Police said Cummings was contacted and advised he was under arrest for two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 2nd- and 3rd-Degree Theft. They said he attempted to flee on his bicycle, but lost his chain, crashed and was placed into custody. Cummings was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants along with charges of Escape and Methamphetamine Possession. He was also wanted for probable cause of 2nd-Degree Theft, 3rd-Degree Theft and two counts of 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. While arresting Cummings, officers said other park campers began yelling at a male subject who was cleaning up trash. They called him a "rat" and started to throw rocks at his truck. They were warned and asked to leave the campsite if they could not control their behavior.

Posted on 9/16/24 10:27AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared GP Man on Outstanding Warrant after Downtown Area Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man on an outstanding warrant during a weekend traffic stop in the downtown area. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a white Ford Explorer driven by a 46-year-old male subject near the intersection of NE 7th and A streets on Saturday at 12:23 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and discovered that the driver was wanted on a local warrant for Contempt of Court. The driver was placed into custody without incident and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. He was being held on $15,000 bail. His vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 9/16/24 10:24AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Motorist for Impaired Driving after Weekend Stop near Merlin

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving early yesterday following a traffic stop in the Merlin area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a white Jeep driven by a 30-year-old male subject near the corner of Merlin Road and Allman Way shortly after midnight on Sunday. Deputies said they stopped the Jeep for a traffic violation and the driver displayed strong signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests, a search warrant was obtained and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. Based on the results of the blood draw, the man was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His Jeep was impounded and towed to Grants Pass.

Posted on 9/16/24 10:23AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Police Department Investigating Weekend Stabbing at NE City Car Wash

The Medford Police Department was investigating a weekend stabbing incident on the northeast side of the city. On Saturday at about 6:10 a.m., an MPD officer was conducting an extra patrol at the Delta Waters Car Wash at the corner of Crater Lake Highway and Delta Waters Road. The officer made contact with occupants of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot, discovered that one of the occupants had just been assaulted with a knife and the suspect had fled just prior to the officer's arrival. The 44-year-old male victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was in stable condition. Police officers immediately established a perimeter in the area and an off-duty Jackson County Sheriff's Office deputy and K-9 assisted with a search. The suspect was not located. An MPD detective responded to the scene and has interviewed the involved parties and witnesses. Detectives were developing suspect information and are not releasing a description or name of any suspect at this time. It is believed the victim and suspect know each other, and this was an assault stemming from a previous disagreement. This investigation is ongoing and the incident will be updated as more information becomes available.

Posted on 9/16/24 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man on Warrants and New Charges after Safeway Disturbance

Grants Pass Police jailed a man on outstanding warrants and new criminal offenses after he got into a fight with a manager at the downtown Safeway store at the start of the weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 39-year-old Joshua Alexander Deivert for the incident at the supermarket on SE 7th Street on Friday at 8:55 p.m.. Police said Deivert entered Safeway where he has been previously trespassed and acted in a disorderly manner. They said he was screaming at random individuals about a lost debit card, which caused a scene in front of numerous customers. A manager of the store asked the subject to leave, but he refused and kept yelling. As the manager escorted Deivert out of the business, he attempted to use an electric scooter to strike the manager, but the manager was able to successfully disarm the subject. The suspect then struck the manager, causing physical injury. Upon arrival, officers discovered that Deivert was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for Petty Theft and Criminal Trespass. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus new charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, 4th-Degree Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass.

Posted on 9/16/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh