KRRM - Local News

Three New Lawsuits Filed Against Asante RV Medical Center and Former Nurse

Three new lawsuits have been filed against a regional hospital in Medford and a former nurse. The hospital could now face over $477 million in damages. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports alleged victims and their surviving relatives filed three new civil lawsuits against Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center and former nurse Dani Marie Schofield last week, with more expected soon, according to attorneys representing the plaintiffs. The Jackson County District Attorney's Office charged Schofield with 44 counts of second-degree assault last year. Authorities accuse her of swapping patients' liquid fentanyl with non-sterile tap water, causing infections in dozens of patients. At least 16 of those alleged victims died. The latest complaints name James Geear, Jill Baylor and Kevin Jay Hughes as being under the care of Asante and Schofield when they developed bacterial infections. Hughes died due to his infection, according to the complaint filed by his estate. The lawsuits seek from $6 million to over $9 million in damages. Not all of those lawsuits name Schofield, who is out on $4 million bail. Her first pre-trial criminal hearing is scheduled for April 28th.

Posted on 4/8/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

BLM Reopens Rogue River National Recreation Trail with Path around Big Landslide

The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management has reopened the Rogue River National Recreation Trail after crews created a path around a large landslide that occurred from heavy rains in March. Wildland firefighters from BLM's Veteran Crew 10 -- along with BLM recreation staff -- were able to clear the landslide and re-route the trail around a large boulder. The crews also removed several downed trees and addressed other issues along the first few miles of the trail near the Grave Creek Boat Landing. The Rogue River Trail is rated as difficult due to the remote nature of the path, tall cliffs, potential for downed trees, landslides and high water in creeks. Hikers may still encounter smaller landslides, unstable footing, erosion and other storm-related impacts along the trail. If you find damage on BLM lands, please report it to the Medford District Office at (541)-618-2000. The Rainie Falls Trail on the opposite of the Rogue River has also been repaired and is now open for public use.

Posted on 4/8/25 6:09AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland Ski Area Announces Launch of New Mobile App with Many Features

Mount Ashland Ski Area has announced the launch of its new mobile app, which is designed to enhance the guest experience and provide real-time updates for visitors to the resort. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices through the Apple App Store and Google Play. It serves as the ultimate companion for anyone planning an adventure at Mount Ashland. Upon signing up, users will gain access to a variety of features including real-time updates on mountain operations, weather forecasts and personalized alerts based on individual interests. Guest can track ski and snowboard stats, connect with friends on the mountain and received tailored notifications to improve their overall experience. Whether carving through fresh powder or planning a future visit, the Mount Ashland Ski Area Mobile App will be an indispensable resource for all activities. For more information, please visit "mtashland.com."

Posted on 4/8/25 6:07AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared Nationwide Fugitive after Weekend Stop in New Hope Area

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a nationwide fugitive after a weekend traffic stop in the New Hope area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by 42-year-old Dixie Alliea Rhodes near the intersection of New Hope and Fish Hatchery roads on Saturday at 5:49 p.m.. Deputies said they stopped Rhodes for a moving violation and quickly discovered that she was wanted on a felony warrant issued by the Versailles, Kentucky, Police Department for Theft-by-Deception Over $10,000 and Possession of a Forged Instrument. After the warrant was confirmed, Rhodes was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. She was being held without bail pending extradition proceedings that will likely send her back to Kentucky.

Posted on 4/7/25 10:04AM by Sam Marsh

Friday Morning Patrol Check Resulted in Arrest of Man on GP Felony Warrant

A patrol check in the downtown area late last week led to the arrest of a man on a Grants Pass felony warrant. Grants Pass Police contacted 39-year-old Charles Lee Shull near the corner of NE B and 8th streets on Friday morning. Police said they were on patrol when they spotted Shull whom they knew was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for 3rd-Degree Robbery. He was placed into custody without incident. Shull was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 4/7/25 10:02AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Trespassing at Family Member's House

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for trespassing at a family member's residence over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call in the 2,000-block of Opie Place on Saturday around 9:20 p.m.. Police said 41-year-old Amber Marie Al-Sarf was called in as the subject of a trespass at a home where her sister resides. They said she had previously been trespassed from the residence in March when she was given a courtesy warning. Al-Sarf's sister reported that she left in a car and officers were able to track her down at the Taco Bell on Allen Creek Road where she was placed into custody. Al-Sarf was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and she was being held without bail. Jail records show she has been arrested several times recently for stealing beer and food from local convenience stores.

Posted on 4/7/25 10:01AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Weekend Stop on Interstate 5 near Hugo

The Oregon State Police arrested an Albany man for impaired driving following a weekend traffic stop on Interstate 5 near the Hugo Exit. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford F-250 driven by 28-year-old Cameron Albert Gillott in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 67 on Friday at 9:05 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Gillott due to observed violations and him possibly fleeing the scene of a crash. They said he displayed several signs of impairment, so he was placed into custody and transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was nearly twice the legal driving limit. Gillott was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was lodged at the Sobering Center and the investigation was continuing. His pickup was impounded due to the DUII arrest and being involved in a crash.

Posted on 4/7/25 9:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Woman for Possession of Stolen Vehicle & Methamphetamine

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman late last week after she was found to be driving a stolen vehicle while in possession of narcotics. The Police Department reports officers arrested 39-year-old Shayna L. Dowell in the 1900-block of NW Vine Street on Friday morning. Police said a Hyundai Elantra had been reported stolen and the registered owner's son notified her that he spotted the car in the north part of the city. Officers found the vehicle, confirmed it had been stolen and contacted Dowell inside. Officers said Dowell was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and they noted that efforts were made to alter the appearance of the vehicle. She was placed into custody, the stolen car was recovered and the meth was seized for destruction. Dowell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Meth Possession. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 4/7/25 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Apprehended State Fugitive after Anonymous Caller Saw Him at Bar

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant after he was spotted at a southeast-city watering hole. The Police Department reports officers arrested 26-year-old Anthony Michael Moreno near Flespy's Bar & Grill on Fruitdale Drive on Saturday shortly before midnight. Police said an anonymous caller notified them that Moreno was inside the bar and officers knew that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for 2nd-Degree Robbery. When officers approached Moreno, he fled on foot and led them on a pursuit in some nearby storage units until they cornered him. He continued trying to flee, so officers deployed a Taser which proved to be ineffective. However, the suspect gave up and was placed into custody without further incident. Moreno declined medical treatment and was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 4/7/25 5:57AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on 3 Local Warrants after Short Chase in SE Part of City

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on three local warrants following a weekend chase in the southeast part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers were performing a patrol check while trying to find 58-year-old Todd Charles Harphant at a home in the 900-block of SE Grandview Avenue on Saturday evening. Police said they observed Harphant in the yard of the residence and they knew that he was wanted on three Grants Pass warrants -- one for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Theft and two for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft. After Harphant was told he was under arrest, the suspect fled into the home and then took off from the house. A short foot pursuit ensued before he surrendered. After the warrants were confirmed, Harphant was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus a new charge of 3rd-Degree Escape. He was being held on $110,000 bail.

Posted on 4/7/25 5:56AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Vandalism and Bad Behavior at SO Goodwill Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for vandalism and bad behavior late last week after a violent incident at Southern Oregon Goodwill. The Police Department reports officers responded to a trespassing complaint at the thrift store in the 300-block of NE Beacon Drive on Friday afternoon. Police said the store manager called 9-1-1 to report that 51-year-old Sean William MacDowell was trespassing. The caller said the suspect broke a bathroom stall door, causing several hundred dollars in damage. He was also screaming, yelling and cussing in a threatening manner, causing public alarm and annoyance. MacDowell was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail and he was trespassed from Southern Oregon Goodwill.

Posted on 4/7/25 5:54AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Unruly Weekend Antics at Riverside Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for her unruly weekend antics at Riverside Park. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident involving 32-year-old Whitney Ann Word at the city park on Saturday around 2:40 p.m.. Police said Word was called in for fighting, screaming and taking her clothes off near the Riverside Park playground. They said one caller was very upset that the woman was making people very uncomfortable at a public facility. Others stated that the woman was walking up to citizens' vehicles and causing them to drive off. When officers arrived at the park, they observed Word walking in the middle of the parking lot with her pajama bottoms removed and her shirt half off. She was placed into custody without further incident. Word was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and she was being held without bail.

Posted on 4/7/25 5:53AM by Sam Marsh