KRRM - Local News

Pacific Power Foundation Announces Grants to Support Rogue Valley Health & Safety

Across the West, local organizations are caring for their most vulnerable neighbors and working to create safe, supportive, healthy communities where everyone can thrive. To help them turn their aspirations into reality, Pacific Power Foundation is donating $245,000 in new grant funding in Oregon, Washington and California. The grants will fund a diverse range of programs including many that provide meals for those facing food insecurity, offer shelter for those who are unhoused or facilitate healthcare for underserved communities. These are projects to increase public safety and services for teenagers, families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Eight grants totaling $39,270 were given to local nonprofits supporting communities in the Rogue Valley. They include a grant to the Josephine County Foundation to assist the Williams Rural Fire Protection District with station and engine equipment and a grant to the Redwood Foundation for Education to help reduce food insecurity by providing packaged foods at local elementary schools. Other local Pacific Power grant recipients include Mercy Flights, La Clinica, Rogue Community Health, Rogue Valley Mentoring and Crossing Bridges Therapeutic Riding Center.

Posted on 6/7/24 5:52AM by Sam Marsh

American Red Cross Issues Urgent Summer Alert for Blood and Platelet Donations

The American Red Cross critically needs blood and platelet donors now following a concerning decrease in donations as the country has experienced an increase in severe weather systems and historic travel. In fact, over the past month about 20,000 fewer blood donations were collected than needed to maintain the Red Cross national blood supply. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), five of the busiest travel days happened in May and more record-breaking travel is expected this summer -- a busy time when many regular donors may be unable to give. Additionally, the US is approaching what AAA calls the "100 deadliest days" of summer for auto accidents. It is critical hospitals have lifesaving blood products on hand for all trauma and accident victims who count on transfusions when there is no time to waste. Make a blood donation appointment by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting "RedCrossBlood.org" or by calling 1-(800)-RED-CROSS. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

Posted on 6/7/24 5:50AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Male Transient for Accosting Man near Downtown Post Office

Grants Pass Police arrested a male transient for attacking another man near the downtown Post Office yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the corner of NE 6th and E streets on Wednesday around 12:35 p.m.. Police said the victim was walking in the crosswalk when the suspect began stating that the victim had ruined his family. They said the suspect then walked to where the man was standing with his chest puffed up and fists clenched. The victim told officers he pushed the suspect due to the threat of close proximity and the suspect punched him. The victim defended himself by punching back, but neither man was seriously injured. The victim's $20 watch was broken in the fight. According to the report, several people witnessed the altercation and many of them were familiar with the homeless man sitting near the Post Office on a daily basis. Following the investigation, officers placed the 58-year-old suspect into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Causing Disturbance at Baseball Game near School

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing a disturbance at a youth baseball game near a local elementary school late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the baseball field at Allen Dale Elementary School in the 2300-block of Williams Highway on Wednesday at about 5 p.m.. Police said the multiple witnesses observed the 39-year-old man driving a black Kia Sportage around 50 miles per hour in the gravel parking lot near the baseball field, nearly running another motorist off the roadway. When confronted about his dangerous driving, the man began yelling and threatening to fight parents and coaches. No one was hurt in the altercation. Responding officers interviewed witnesses and then placed the suspect into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:10AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Woman for Unlawful Entering Home after Being Trespassed

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman yesterday for unlawfully entering a residence from which she had already been trespassed and making herself at home. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the break-in at a home in the 1200-block of NE A Street on Wednesday at 3:50 p.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 to report a female subject had entered his home and remained there, knowing that she had been previously trespassed on February 16th of this year. The caller told dispatchers he walked into a spare bedroom and found the woman lying on a bed doing her makeup. She immediately got up and left. Officers searched the area and found the woman at the corner of NE Beacon Drive and D Street. She admitted that she had returned to the home, but thought that the trespass warning lasted for only 30 days. That only pertains to city parks. The 29-year-old suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Burglary and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail. The victim and his family were advised to let police know if they noticed any damage or missing items.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Cited CJ Motorist for Crashing into ODOT Vehicle on Redwood Highway

The Oregon State Police cited a Cave Junction woman for causing a motor vehicle accident on Redwood Highway just west of Grants Pass early yesterday. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle crash near milepost 4 of US Highway 199 on Wednesday shortly after 9 a.m.. Troopers said the 38-year-old female motorist was driving a Toyota Corolla when she crashed into an Oregon Department of Transportation vehicle driven by a 26-year-old ODOT worker. The wreck resulted in suspected minor injuries, but no one was transported to the hospital. According to the report, the Toyota was towed into Grants Pass while the ODOT truck was still drivable. Following the investigation, the woman was cited for Careless Driving, Speeding and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:06AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed GP Man for Felony Driving Violation after He Wrecked His Truck

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man for a felony driving violation after he wrecked his vehicle in the Jerome Prairie area late last night. According to OSP, troopers and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle crash at the corner of Demaray Drive and Woodland Park Road on Wednesday just before midnight. Troopers said it initially appeared the Ford F-350 pickup driven by the 48-year-old man had been involved in a crash, but they discovered the rear driver-side tire had fallen off after the driver replaced it. It was also discovered that the man's driving privileges had been suspended at the felony level. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Aggravated Driving While Revoked. His disabled pickup was towed.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:04AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Two Women for Stealing Small Items from Local Retailers

Grants Pass Police arrested two women for stealing small amounts of merchandise from local retailers in separate incidents that occurred late yesterday. According to the Police Department, the first incident occurred on Wednesday at 4:48 p.m. when a 34-year-old woman was detained at the Dollar Tree on NW 6th Street for stealing $18.75 worth of items. She admitted to the heist and was lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. The second incident happened on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. when a 28-year-old woman was detained at Bi-Mart for stealing headphones valued at $7.99. She was also lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. Both women were trespassed from the stores where the crimes were committed.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:03AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Evicted 6 Campers for Violating Ordinances in City Parks

Grants Pass Police evicted six campers from city parks on Wednesday after they were found to have violated ordinances. At Lawnridge Park, a man was cited for Fentanyl Possession and trespassed from the park for 30 days. A total of nine campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to the United Community Action Network (UCAN). At Baker Park, one woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish while another woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Staking a Tent. Both were issued 30-day exclusions. Eight campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to UCAN. At Morrison Centennial Park, one man was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Staking a Tent while another man was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Scattering Rubbish. Both were trespassed from the park for 30 days. Five campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to UCAN. At Gilbert Creek Park, a woman was cited for Marijuana Possession and she was issued a 30-day exclusion. At Kesterson Park, a man and woman were cited for Scattering Rubbish. Six campsites were posted for Illegal Camping and an e-mail was sent to UCAN.

Posted on 6/6/24 11:01AM by Sam Marsh

OSP: Excessive Speed a Factor in Redwood Highway Crash that Claimed GP Man

A Grants Pass man was killed when he crashed his vehicle on Redwood Highway at Hayes Hill earlier this week. In a Wednesday press release, the Oregon State Police reported that troopers and emergency personnel were dispatched to the single-vehicle accident near milepost 16 of US Highway 199 on Monday at 7:08 p.m.. OSP said the preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Dodge Ram 1500 driven by 28-year-old Brandon Richard Cain failed to negotiate a curve, left the highway and struck a tree on the southbound shoulder. Troopers said Cain was declared deceased at the scene. They said excessive speed is considered to be the primary factor in the crash. According to OSP, Redwood Highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted at the fatal crash scene by Rural Metro Fire Department, Illinois Valley Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Posted on 6/6/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Grand Jury Indicts Shady Cove Man for Killing His Father in Trail

A Jackson County Grand Jury has indicted a Shady Cove man for killing his father last weekend. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports 34-year-old Travis Clayton Driver was indicted yesterday on a charge of Felony 2nd-Degree Murder. The victim in the June 1st homicide in rural Shady Cove was identified as 64-year-old Lowell Driver, III. An Oregon State Police forensic pathologist conducted an autopsy this week revealing the cause of death as blunt force trauma. Last Saturday at 11:03 a.m., sheriff's deputies responded to a call for a possible homicide with an armed suspect on scene at a property in the 23,000-block of Highway 62. Deputies arrived on scene with the SWAT Bearcat. After receiving another 9-1-1 call for the potential suspect at the Trail Market, deputies responded and placed the suspect into custody without incident. Detectives from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Central Point Police Department responded to the scene to assume the homicide investigation. Travis Driver remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail in Medford. The Jackson County District Attorney's Office will prosecute the case.

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

GP Police Arrested Assisted Living Resident for Threatening Staff with Hammer

Grants Pass Police jailed a resident of an assisting living center for threatening employees with a hammer this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 52-year-old man for the incident that occurred at The Bridge Retirement and Assisting Living Center on SW Bridge Street on Tuesday morning. Police said the man felt staff members were laughing at him following a series of mornings that made him increasingly upset about violations of the noise curfew at the facility. They said he retrieved a hammer from his room, walked upstairs and proceeded to yell threatening profanities throughout the facility, telling staff he was going to be "smashing faces." The incident was seen on video surveillance. According to the report, frightened staff members locked themselves in a room to avoid being hit with the hammer and then called 9-1-1. Responding officers seized the hammer as evidence and placed the suspect into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Misdemeanor Menacing. He was being held without bail.

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