KRRM - Local News

ODF Grants Reduce Wildfire Risks

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) launched a new round of funding through its Small Forestland Grant Program to help landowners reduce wildfire risk before and after the 2026 fire season. This year, ODF awarded funds to 11 projects to mitigate wildfire risk on 1,023 acres by reducing hazardous fuels, improving community preparedness, and supporting long-term landscape resilience. Most of the funded work is in Southern and Central Oregon, where wildfire risk is especially high. One example of success comes from the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council, based in Jacksonville, Oregon, which received Small Forestland Grant funds to complete significant fuels reduction and community engagement work. ODF also coordinates with state and federal partners to maximize the impact of investments for landscape resiliency. The project used about $269,000 to significantly improve local wildfire preparedness by assessing wildfire risk for 60 homeowners, removing more than 800 dead or hazardous trees, reducing plants along driveways and public roads to make safe evacuation routes and improving firefighter access in and around communities The removal of hazardous trees also reduced safety risks for residents, forestry workers and first responders. This project strengthened community safety, reduced wildfire risks, and improved the landscape’s resilience. The project leveraged more than $2.4 million provided through the National Resource Conservation Service to treat another 262 acres of private land. To stretch funding further, ODF and partners used a cost-share model that encouraged landowner participation. Landowners have contributed $45,349, about 18% of the total cost of work completed.

Posted on 5/28/26 2:00PM by Chuck Benson

Grants Pass Spray Park & Splash Pads Open Friday

Even though the weekend forecast won't inspire anyone to take a cold plunge, the Spray Park at Riverside Park and the splash pad at Morrison Centennial Park will operate daily from noon to 7 PM, starting tomorrow (today.) Each Splash Pad has a control button that is pushed by the participants to make the sequencer run the features for three-minute intervals. Water-conserving versions were selected for many of the features. Smaller Kid’s Splash Pad-Highlights are: the Flower Shower, the Ride & Spray Horse, Ride & Spray Zebra, Water Weave and the Pop Dropps. The larger pad features: a 3 Bucket Fill N Spill, Mission Hill Showers, a Water Fence. A Water Arch, and Several varieties of ground sprayers. The highlight of the larger pad is the Tidal Barrel, which has a "big splash" effect. The barrel fills and then spills its contents around the base of the tank, creating a circular sheet of water with a 16-ft radius.

Posted on 5/28/26 1:48PM by Chuck Benson

GPPD Summoned to Family Court When Woman Discarded Her Clothing

Grants Pass City Police Officers were summoned to Family Court Wednesday afternoon at the report of a woman discarding all of her clothing, then walking around the building leaving the juvenile department to clean up her clothes. The woman, now identified as 38-year-old Danielle Renee Osborne, was described as having a tattoo on her back with her hair in a bun. It was fairly easy to determine she was not armed as she was headed north yelling and screaming to "call the police now." Multiple callers documented Osborne's trip from Family Court to Women's Crisis where she was detained after challenging the staff there to combat. She was arrested and transported to the Adult jail where she was lodged on a charge of disorderly conduct II. She has since been released.

Posted on 5/28/26 9:56AM by Chuck Benson

Stolen Shoes Not Fast Enough to Avoid Jail Time.

An alleged shoe theft from Famous Footwear were not fast enough for the alleged perpetrator to avoid jail time. Shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday the Grant Pass Police were dispatched to the shoe outlet in the shopping center to the report of disorderly conduct and a theft of shoes valued at $64.99. The suspect, identified as Gregory Anthony Lacki, 35, led investigators away from the shoe store, headed to the high school area, changing his appearance as best he could, dropping his ball cap and headlight, and was detained at "A" and Olive Streets at 2:35 p.m. Lacki was lodged in the adult jail facility on a charge of theft III and trespassed from Famous Footwear.

Posted on 5/28/26 9:26AM by Chuck Benson

Suspected Shoplifter Arrested and Jailed after Albertson's Theft

The attempted theft of expensive shampoos, razors and charging equipment from Albertsons landed a 48-year-old female in the Josephine County Jail. City Police received a call from loss prevention reporting the alleged theft at 2:13 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Investigating officers located Amanda Lynn Gilmore in the Albertsons parking lot at 2:26 p.m. Ms. Gilmore was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County jail facing a charge of Theft II plus an out of county hold warrant that no other information was available on the police log or the booking sheet. She remained in custody Thursday morning.

Posted on 5/28/26 8:21AM by Chuck Benson

City Police Officers Cited Two Juvenile Males for Pot Possession

Two juveniles were cited for marijuana charges yesterday in the 1700 block of Highland Avenue. According to the Grants Pass City Police, the first citation was issued at 11:24 a.m. when the young male was found in possession of a vape pen and admitted to being under the influence. He is suspected of being in possession of marijuana.The second citation was issued at 12:03 p.m. when the young male was found in possession of a marijuana vape pen when it fell out of his sweat pocket during physical education. He was cited for being a minor in possession of marijuana. Both juveniles were released to the care of their mothers.

Posted on 5/28/26 7:57AM by Chuck Benson

JoCo Jobs Increased in April According to Oregon Employment Dept.

The Oregon Department of Employment reported total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 190 jobs in April. Job gains were estimated in leisure and hospitality, up 90 jobs; private education and health services was up by 40; there were 30 more construction jobs; and retail trade incre3ased by 20 jobs. Employment was essentially flat in other published industries. Government employment also showed little movement in April. Over the past year payroll employment in the Grants Pass-Josephine County decreased by 130 jobs, a loss of one half of a percent. Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries, excluding private education and health services, which gained 310 jobs. Job declines occurred in retail trade; manufacturing; construction; information; professional and business services; and wholesale trade. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities employment decreased by 30 jobs since April 2025. Government employment fell by 110 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education while federal government lost 20 jobs over the year.
Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 6.7% in April, little changed over the month and up slightly from the April 2025 rate of 6.2%

Posted on 5/28/26 5:11AM by Chuck Benson

ODF Monitoring Lightning Strikes in Josephine & Jackson Counties

Thunderstorms have been making their way through southern Oregon, and a few lightning strikes have been recorded on Oregon Department of Forestry protected land in both Jackson and Josephine counties. While these storms have brought rain, it is possible to see fires spark from lightning strikes, especially as temperatures heat up. Following these storms, ODF firefighters are ready to respond to any new reports of fire. Our detection specialists are monitoring these strike areas thru the next couple of days to watch for any signs or smoke or fire. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast for today as well.

Posted on 5/28/26 4:49AM by Chuck Benson

Law Enforcement Search Central Point Home with Warrant for CSAM

Multiple law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant Wednesday morning in Central Point looking for evidence of child sex abuse material known as CSAM. Investigators served the search warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the address to the social messaging app Discord. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. The search warrant was served at a residence in the 5000 block of Table Rock Road in rural Central Point. The investigation began after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

Posted on 5/28/26 4:23AM by Chuck Benson

RCC Seeking Nominations for Outstanding Alumni Award

The Rogue Community College Foundation is accepting nominations for its 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award.

According to RCC, the award, established in 2008, honors graduates who have made meaningful contributions to their profession, community, or the world. Nominations are open through June 30th.

To be eligible, nominees must have completed a certificate or degree at RCC. They must also have either demonstrated success in their business, profession or other vocational field, or made significant contributions to their community through civic involvement, volunteerism, public service, or other humanitarian efforts.

Students, employees, alumni, and community members are all welcome to participate by submitting a nomination. The form and more information are available at www.roguecc.edu/foundation.

The 2026 recipient will be honored during RCC’s President’s Circle Reception in September.

Posted on 5/27/26 1:34PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Woman Wanted on MPD Assault Warrant

A woman wanted on an out-of-county warrant was lodged in the Josephine County Jail after being detained by Grants Pass Police Tuesday at 10:42 p.m.

The suspect, Lindsey Schmit, was located at the Quality Inn at 1889 NE 6th Street. She was contacted and positively identified as being wanted for a charge of Assault out of the Medford Police Department.

Officers took Schmit into custody at the scene on her warrant. She was subsequently transported to and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 5/27/26 1:24PM by Alex Bauer

Three Suspects Arrested at Resting Site Six South by GP Police

Grants Pass Police officers arrested three suspects Tuesday afternoon at Resting Site 6 South.

The first suspect, Ethan Wilcox, was located around 1:02 p.m. on the south side of the 704 NW 6th Street site. He was in a small blue tent that reportedly didn't belong to him. Officers found him hiding underneath blankets, and he was taken into custody.

Wilcox was wanted on three police department warrants charging him with First Degree Theft, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. His warrants were faxed to the jail and cleared, and he was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

While on the scene, officers next contacted Kristopher Young. He was wanted on two warrants for Meth Possession and a Probation Violation. Police took him into custody, then proceeded to contact a third suspect, Aria Echavarria, in the far northwest corner of the site.

Her Parole Officer had requested a detainer, so officers took her into custody. She was found with a substance suspected to be meth, so an additional charge of Meth Possession was added. Both Young and Echavarria were taken to the Adult Jail Facility to be lodged on their respective warrants and charges.

Posted on 5/27/26 1:11PM by Alex Bauer