KRRM - Local News

City of GP Cancels Addressing Homelessness Grant after Geodomestic Drops Out

It's back to the drawing board for the Grants Pass City Council for awarding a grant addressing homelessness. In a press release this morning, the City of Grants Pass announced it received a notice from Geodomestic withdrawing its application from consideration for the Addressing Homelessness Grant Program. Geodomestic had been recommended as the recipient of the $1.2 million grant after the applications had been reviewed by a panel that included members of the City Council. Geodomestic's Executive Director Shawn Petche has apologized, explaining that he believed someone had spoken with identified partners when the application was submitted as well as when advising City staff that the signed memorandums of understanding with Pathways to Stability and U-Turn for Christ could be provided. Petche now acknowledges there were no such partnership agreements. The agenda item to approve issuing a notice of intent to award the contract has been removed from the September 3rd business meeting. A discussion of the cancellation of the current Request for Proposal and issuance of a revised grant program will take place at the Council workshop on September 2nd.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:49AM by Sam Marsh

Rogue River Closures This Weekend for Whitewater Practice & Labor Day Race

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has announced that the Rogue River will be closed in designated areas and during designated times this weekend for the Cal-Ore Whitewater Association's Labor Day practice and race. On Saturday, the Rogue will be closed from Matson Park to Griffin Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the practice schedule. On Sunday, the Rogue will be closed from Baker Park to Griffin Park from noon to 3 p.m. for the annual Labor Day race. The race starts at 1 p.m.. All spectators must remain off the water until the practice and race are over. During the race, spectators must remain 50 feet from the waterway at all times. Movement on the water is restricted to Law Enforcement, Rescue Personnel and Authorized Race Officials during the closures. Private boats are not allowed to assist with crash or rescue operations for safety reasons. Any unauthorized boat on the water during the closures may be cited for Reckless or Unsafe Operations, with a fine of up to $440. Law enforcement will be patrolling the river during the practice and race events.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:47AM by Sam Marsh

GP Man Incarcerated Motorist for Driving Dangerously and Hit & Run Collision

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for driving recklessly around town, striking another vehicle and leaving the scene while putting other motorists in danger. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident involving 58-year-old Eric Allen Beardslee on Thursday at 10:51 a.m.. Police said they received three calls for service regarding a white Dodge truck driving at fast speeds, running red lights and crashing into at least one vehicle. Officers contacted the suspect driver at the Super 8 motel and he claimed to be driving fast in an attempt to go to the hospital. He was nowhere near a hospital. The investigation determined Beardslee fled the scene of a crash that caused about $4,000 in damage before fleeing and he endangered the safety of other drivers with his erratic behavior. Beardslee was placed into custody and several firearms were located in his truck after a consent search. They were logged into evidence for safekeeping. Beardslee was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Criminal Mischief and Reckless Driving. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:46AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Man for Stealing Vehicle & Possessing Drugs at Boat Landing

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for stealing a vehicle and possessing narcotics at Robertson Bridge Boat Landing late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident involving 40-year-old Joseph Lee Bishop, Jr., on Thursday around 4:30 p.m.. Deputies said an investigation determined that Bishop stole a Dodge flatbed single-cab truck with toolboxes on the bed and a trailer that was parked on Rogue Riffle Drive off Lower River Road. The registered owner reported seeing his vehicle parked under the bridge at the boat landing. Upon arrival, deputies immediately placed Bishop into custody and found him to be in possession of methamphetamine. Bishop was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail. According to the report, the registered owner recovered his truck but not the trailer.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Trio for Drug Possession after Lawnridge Park Complaint

Grants Pass Police arrested three people for narcotics possession yesterday while investigating a reported disturbance at a northwest neighborhood park. The Police Department reports officers responded to the call at Lawnridge Park on Thursday during the noon hour. Police said a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report two men and a woman who were inside the men's restroom at the city park. The caller said one of the men was yelling while going through the woman's belongings. Officers arrived on scene and contacted three subjects identified as 42-year-old William Lee Asbury, 41-year-old Leladawn Smith and 26-year-old Robert Michael Tiefenback. All three were found to be in possession of controlled substances and all three were placed into custody. Asbury was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Methamphetamine Possession. He was being held without bail. Smith was lodged in jail for Fentanyl Possession and Supplying Contraband. Tiefenback was jailed for Meth Possession. Asbury, Smith and Tiefenback were also trespassed from the park for 30 days.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Woman on Statewide Warrant at Downtown Resting Site

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman on a statewide felony warrant yesterday during a patrol check at a downtown resting site. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 40-year-old Jennifer Susan Condon at the 6th & A Street homeless encampment on Thursday at 12:36 p.m.. Police said they initially cited Condon for Improper Use of Space at the resting site before discovering that she was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Condon was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. She was also found to be in possession of prescription medications belonging to another person. They were seized and destroyed.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Man Who Tried to Break into Car on Rogue River Highway

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trying to break into a parked rental car in the southeast part of the city early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the car clouting call in the 1700-block of Rogue River Highway on Thursday shortly before 9 a.m.. Police said they received a call about a "homeless" man who was trying to enter a rented vehicle at that location. They said the man was seen on video surveillance and identified as 41-year-old Jesse Army Ambrose. The caller told the suspect to leave the property and he initially refused before walking away. Officers caught up to Ambrose a short time later and detained him. They said he was making nonsensical statements about what happened and they placed him into custody. Ambrose was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Dining and Dashing from Downtown Restaurant

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for "dining and dashing" at a downtown restaurant late yesterday. According to the report, officers responded to the theft complaint at Taqueria Mexico on SE H Street at about 6 p.m. Thursday. Police said an investigation determined that 53-year-old Shawn Sterling Leson, Sr., ordered and consumed a meal valued at $37.50 at the restaurant before telling the waiter he did not have any money to pay for the food. He also admitted to the waiter that he knew he did not have any money before he ordered the meal. Leson left the restaurant without paying and officers located him a short time later standing at the bar at the Wonder Bur. The bartender had been informed by the restaurant that Leson was the suspect and he pointed him out to law enforcement. Leson was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. He was also trespassed from Taqueria Mexico and the Wonder Bur.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Trespassing at Pinnacle 365 Station and Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trespassing at a gas station-convenience story early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the Pinnacle 365 station at the corner of NW 6th Street and Manzanita Avenue on Thursday around 3 a.m.. Police said 43-year-old Bobbie Jo Langdon returned to the business after being trespassed from that location last November. She was told by staff to leave several times, but refused to go and remained in the restroom for more than 30 minutes. Langdon was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/29/25 11:37AM by Sam Marsh

JMET Arrested 2 People after Raiding Illegal Cannabis Grow on Laurel Road in CJ

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) arrested two people earlier this week while raiding an illegal cannabis growing operation in Cave Junction. JMET served a search warrant in the 2,000-block of Laurel Road on Monday. During execution of the warrant, approximately 1,000 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Detectives said the grow site also had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations, which could result in the civil forfeiture of the property. According to JMET, 55-year-old Koy Chounlabout and 52-year-old Lae Robert Chounlabout were placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Manufacture and Felony Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. The investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released at this time.

Posted on 8/29/25 6:45AM by Sam Marsh

Sheriff's Deputies Incarcerated Young Man for Alleged Sex Crimes with a Juvenile

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man early yesterday for alleged sex crimes with a minor. Jail records show sheriff's deputies arrested 20-year-old Travis Jerome Modtland and booked him on Thursday at 3:49 a.m.. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose any details from the investigation that led to Modtland's arrest, but he was charged with a felony-level sex crime along with misdemeanor charges of 3rd-Degree Sex Abuse, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Sexual Misconduct Contributing the Delinquency of a Minor and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Modtland was being held without bail pending his Circuit Court arraignment this afternoon.

Posted on 8/29/25 6:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man on California Warrant after Investigating Fire at City Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a man on an out-of-state fugitive warrant this week while investigating an ordinance violation at a city park. The Police Department reports officers arrested 34-year-old Ari Abel Kamin at Riverside Park late Wednesday afternoon. Police said a citizen reported that a male subject had piled up trash and lit it on fire on the grass near the park boat ramp. They found the man with a small fire going about 20 feet away from the Rogue River. Officers contacted Kamin, discovered that he was wanted on a Tracy, California, felony warrant for an unspecified weapon offense and placed him into custody. Kamin was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Reckless Burning. He was being held without bail pending extradition to Tracy. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 8/29/25 6:43AM by Sam Marsh