KRRM - Local News

IVFD Responded to Sunday Morning Flue Fire Incidents in Kerby and near CJ

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to two flue fire incidents in one day last weekend -- one in Kerby and another near Cave Junction. On Sunday at 6:34 a.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 100-block of Kerby Mainline Road. Also responding to the incident were Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response. Upon arrival, crews found no visible fire and conducted a thorough investigation. The incident was determined to be a contained flue fire that was successfully put out by firefighters. The fire was limited to the woodstove chimney flue. On Sunday at 9:53 a.m., IVFD responded to a reported flue fire in the 9400-block of Takilma Road. IVFD officials said the fire was contained to the chimney and subsequently extinguished. They said the occupant had started putting out the fire prior to their arrival.

Posted on 4/1/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Crews Trained for Rope Rescues at North Valley High School

Rural Metro Fire Department had a rope-training session last weekend at North Valley High School. Rural areas around Grants Pass often play into the challenge of rescuing people who may have crashed their vehicle off a roadway or fell off a trail. After sustaining a traumatic injury, getting someone back up the hill requires crews with the necessary rope equipment and training. These techniques are even used to save pets as well. Rural Metro is geared up for a quick response anywhere in Josephine County. The private fire company routinely works with Josephine County Search and Rescue. Rural Metro officials would like to thank North Valley High School for use of the hill near the track for their training exercises.

Posted on 4/1/25 5:52AM by Sam Marsh

Local Government Grant Program Accepting Applications for Recreation Projects

The Local Government Grant Program's 2025 grant cycle is now open and accepting applications to help government agencies to fund everything from playground equipment and restrooms to splash pads and bike paths. Approximately $15 million in funds are available in this competitive grant process this year. The purpose of the program is to help local government agencies fund projects to acquire, develop and rehabilitate parks and public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Eligible applicants are cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, park and recreation districts, and port districts. The maximum awards range from $50,000 for small community planning grants to $100,000 for small projects to $1 million for large projects. The Oregon Lottery-funded program is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Program grants are split into large, small and planning categories. Application deadlines vary by grant type. Local governments can apply online at "oprdgrants.org." A recording of an online workshop held in March is available to view at "oprdgrants.org."

Posted on 4/1/25 5:49AM by Sam Marsh

Ashland Electric Utility Received National Recognition for 2024 Exceptional Reliability

The City of Ashland Electric Utility received national recognition for achieving exceptional reliability in 2024. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association, a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit community-owned electric utilities. APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA's Reliability Team compares this information to national statistics tracked by the US Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities. The Service Availability Index for Ashland Electric Utility was an impressive 99.9956% in 2024. Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do. Thomas McBartlett, City of Ashland Electric Utility Director, said they are proud to receive this recognition. He said it's a testament to the hard work of all their staff to ensure that they keep Ashland powered.

Posted on 4/1/25 5:39AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland 2025-26 Season Pass Sale Runs from April 1st Through April 30th

With the winter season coming to end at Mount Ashland later this month, purchase your 2025-26 Season Pass now during the Spring Sale and ride that stoke all the way to next winter. Save up to $200 on next year's Mount Ashland Season Pass when you purchase it before April 30th. Unlock five months of financing and season pass benefits such as unlimited skiing and riding, day lift tickets to partnering ski areas and more. If it's your first time purchasing a pass, buy now and get 25% off daily lift tickets at Mount Ashland for the rest of this season. It's never too early to get ready for another epic season at Mount Ashland, your local mountain playground. For more information, visit "mtashland.com."

Posted on 4/1/25 5:36AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Violating Court Order after Lathrop Landing Incident

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for violating a court order after a late-night incident at a county park on the Rogue River. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at Lathrop Boat Landing off Lower River Road on Saturday at 10:35 p.m.. Deputies said they were two vehicles at the park -- one belonging to 51-year-old Amen Sky McDonald and the other belonging to a woman who had a valid court order protecting her from him. Few details about the incident were available, but McDonald's behavior caused deputies to flag him as "hostile." McDonald was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court. He was being held without bail. The female victim called for a ride and a deputy stayed with her until she was picked up by a friend and given transportation home. The other vehicles were secured at the park as both drivers had been drinking.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Stealing Food and Scuffling with Worker

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for becoming violent with a supermarket employee after stealing food from the store over the weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to the trespassing call at the downtown Safeway on SE 7th Street on Saturday at 8:12 p.m.. Police said 41-year-old Amber Al-Sarf matched the description from a worker who reported the disturbance. She is well-known to law enforcement for stealing food and beer from local convenience stores while scuffling with workers. According to the report, Al-Sarf exited Safeway with more than $20 in food and started eating it in the store parking lot. She then engaged in violent behavior with one employee while yelling and hitting another worker's vehicle with her fist. When she was told to leave the store, she pulled a female employee's hair. Officers arrived on scene and placed Al-Sarf into custody. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail. She was also trespassed from Safeway.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:26AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Motorist for DUII after Weekend Stop on RR Highway in GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving during a weekend traffic stop on Rogue River Highway in southeast Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle with Washington plates driven by a 33-year-old man in the 2400-block of Highway 99 late Friday night. Deputies said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so he was placed into custody and transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented his impairment. The suspect was lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. According to the report, the Washington plates did not belong to the vehicle. They were seized and the vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:24AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving in Weekend Traffic Complaint

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving following a weekend traffic complaint in the south part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers contacted the female driver of a 2005 Chrysler Pacific station wagon at Baskin Robbins Ice Cream on Union Avenue on Saturday around 2:15 a.m.. Police said a fellow motorist called 9-1-1 after the female subject nearly rear-ended them and could not maintain her lane of travel. Officers located the suspect vehicle and the woman had the driver-side door open while vomiting. Multiple signs of impairment were observed and she performed poorly in field sobriety tests. The 32-year-old suspect was placed into custody and transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where she provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. She was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, given a court date and lodged at the Sobering Center. Her vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:22AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Young Woman for Probable Cause of Domestic Violence

Grants Pass Police jailed a young woman for probable cause of domestic violence crimes following an investigation late last week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 23-year-old Rylee Madison Bowker at a home in the 700-block of NW C Street on Friday morning. Police said they received a call regarding the alleged incident from the male victim and he made statements to law enforcement about the case. Bowker arrived at the residence while they were interviewing the victim and officers placed her into custody. Bowker also made some statements to police and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. After being medically cleared at the hospital, Bowker was booked into the Josephine County Jail for probable cause of Contempt of Court, Domestic 4th-Degree Assault, Domestic Strangulation and Interfering with Making a 9-1-1 Call. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/31/25 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Young Man for Warrant & Drugs after Suspicious Activity Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a young man on an outstanding warrant and for drug possession while investigating a report of suspicious activity at a convenience store located near the high school. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to four subjects doing drugs in a vehicle parked at the Pinnacle 365 on NE A Street at 9:33 p.m. Friday. Police arrived on scene, contacted the subjects and determined the drug report was unfounded. However, they discovered that 19-year-old Daniel David Deleone was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft. While placing Deleone into custody, officers found him to be in possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl and assorted drug paraphernalia. He was placed into custody and the drug items were seized for destruction. Deleone was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Methamphetamine Possession and Fentanyl Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/31/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on State Warrant While Searching for a Different Fugitive

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant while they were looking for another man who was also wanted. The Police Department reports officers contacted 43-year-old Lee Nicholas Rich at the former Dutch Bros headquarters on SW 4th Street around 11:30 p.m. Friday. Police said they were patrolling the area looking for another fugitive when they came across Rich and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Felony Identity Theft. After the statewide warrant was confirmed, Rich was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. GPPD did not disclose the name of the fugitive they were initially looking for.

Posted on 3/31/25 6:27AM by Sam Marsh