KRRM - Local News

Strong-Armed Robbery Leads to Suspect's Arrest by Ashland Police

Ashland Police officers responded to a parking area behind a local business for a report of a strong-armed robbery that occurred Monday.

Witnesses reported that a man pulled a female victim from a car and stole her purse in the 2300 block of Ashland Street around 6:55 p.m. The man reportedly fled the scene through an open field toward Interstate 5.

Officers, assisted by the Talent Police Department, arrived on scene and began looking for the suspect. He was quickly located walking northbound on I-5 near mile marker 15.5.

Officer retraced the path of the fleeing suspect, finding some of the stolen property. Further investigation indicated that the suspect likely intended to steal the victim’s car as well. The victim did not report being injured.

Officers were able to obtain video evidence in support of the charges, and the suspect was identified as Michael Scott Todnem, 39, of Grants Pass. He was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Robbery in the Third Degree, Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, Fourth Degree Assault, Harassment, Third Degree Theft, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

Any additional witnesses are asked to call the Ashland Police Department at 541-482-5211.

Posted on 7/28/26 11:41AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Man Camping by Railroad for Failure to Register, Trespass

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on trespass and failure to register charges after checking on an encampment near the railroad Monday.

Law enforcement located the suspect walking on the tracks near NW Sun View Place and NW Native Run Loop. He was contacted and identified as Jason Williams, and officers learned he was out of compliance with his sex offender registration.

Williams advised officers he was no longer living at his last listed residence, and he was promptly arrested. Police transported Williams to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for crimes of Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and Criminal Trespass in the First Degree.

He was trespassed from the railroad property and provided with a property receipt for his backpack. Due to a lack of jail resources, he was later released.

Posted on 7/28/26 11:33AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon Food Bank Awards Grant, Funds to Facilitate Williams Food Pantry

A $23,750 grant has been awarded to the Sugarloaf Community Association which will go to facilitate the Williams Food Pantry.

According to the association, the grant comes from the Oregon Food Bank. It provides the essential start-up funding needed to establish the Williams Food Pantry as a sustainable, community-operated partner agency.

It will support staffing, food transportation, storage improvements, and the equipment needed to serve local families reliably. By strengthening local capacity, the pantry will be better prepared to provide access to nutritious food, respond to emergencies like wildfires and severe weather, and help meet the rural community's needs.

The Williams Community Pantry is open every Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Williams Grange. It is made possible in partnership with the Josephine County Food Bank, Sugarloaf Community Association, and the Williams Grange.

Posted on 7/28/26 11:12AM by Alex Bauer

Systemic Search for Remaining Hotspots Continues on East Evans Creek Fire

Firefighters continued steady progress across the East Evans Creek Fire Monday, with crews focused on gridding the area to locate and extinguish any remaining hotspots. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, firefighters took advantage of overnight humidity recoveries to continue mop-up operations while an Uncrewed Aircraft System mapped remaining heat across the fire. The fire remains at 15,580 acres and 66% contained. Three chippers are working throughout the incident processing brush and small trees cut during suppression efforts. Crews are removing equipment from areas where it is no longer needed. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the fire area daily until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal. It compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters, and interferes with firefighting efforts. According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, all Level 1: BE READY to evacuate notifications for the East Evans Creek Fire have been canceled. All road closures are lifted but please be cautious as fire personnel are still in the area.

Posted on 7/28/26 8:18AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Seeking Help in Locating Missing Man

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing person. David Wright was last seen at Jubilation Fellowship Church in Murphy on July 21st around 8:00 a.m. He likely left the church on a white Genesis mountain bike wearing a tan short sleeve shirt and plaid shorts. He is described as a 71-year-old 5'9" Caucasian male with white hair, blue eyes, and weighing around 160 pounds. It is unknown where David may have gone, however, he was seen on security footage at Dollar General in Murphy around 9:30 a.m. that same day. Anyone with information on David’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office at 541-474-5123. Reference Case #: 26-20107

Posted on 7/28/26 6:02AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Yelling, Threatening Business Arrested by JoCo Sheriff's Deputies

A man caused a disturbance outside a business, leading to his arrest by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies.

Sunday around 5:13 p.m., the manager of the undisclosed business in the 2400 block of Rogue River Highway reported a man came in complaining about being injured. He was cussing, yelling, claiming his sister had stabbed him, and threatened to burn down the building.

Dispatch was then told the suspect had scared a customer away, and a request was made for him to be trespassed. The manager was advised to go back inside the business and lock all the doors. The suspect then reportedly walked away along the highway.

Deputies located and apprehended the suspect, identifying him as Nicholas Stephey. He was taken into custody for Second Degree Trespassing, Menacing, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was trespassed from the business, and lodged in jail.

Posted on 7/27/26 1:36PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Man for Meth Possession after Riverside Park Argument Response

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man for Methamphetamine Possession after responding to an argument in Riverside Park Saturday afternoon.

The incident occurred at the river's edge below 200 Lewis Avenue regarding a dog that was off its leash. One of the men, Peter Rivera, was reportedly holding a pistol in his hand during the argument. Video provided by the other man showed Rivera never threatened him with the firearm, but was already holding it upon the man's arrival.

Rivera denied having a firearm, but rather a black CO2 pellet pistol resembling a real firearm, was located near the incident location by a camp. A clear glass pipe with a burnt residue and small clear bag with a white crystalline substance were both located near the camp where Rivera and the dog's owner were sitting.

Rivera's parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was requested. The substance in the clear bag was field tested and showed positive results for Meth.

Officers then took Rivera into custody at the scene and transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. He was lodged for Possession of Meth and his detainer.

Posted on 7/27/26 1:18PM by Alex Bauer

Traffic Stop Leads to Incarceration of Two Men for Fentanyl Possession Warrants

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies pulled over and lodged two suspects for Fentanyl Possession warrants Sunday.

A traffic stop was conducted on a white Chevy at the Liberty Pentecostal Church in Fruitdale around 3:39 p.m. It initially took off from law enforcement in the 1500 block of Hamilton Lane, and the two men in the vehicle were contacted and detained.

Deputies found both men, Jeffery Haile, and Stephen Jarrard were both wanted out of the Sheriff's Department for Possession of Fentanyl warrants. They were taken into custody at the scene. Jarrard had a detainer placed on him per his parole officer.

The girlfriend of one of the suspects arrived to retrieve the vehicle. Haile and Jarrard were lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for their warrants.

Posted on 7/27/26 12:33PM by Alex Bauer

BCC Meets for County Communication Discussion

The Board of Commissioners held a meeting to discuss County communication needs. The meeting began at 10 a.m., with the purpose laid out to cover department needs, potentially create a coordinated plan, and find out where coverage can be increased. It is yet to be determined if other tower sites can be added for communication coverage. The possibility to purchase property for added sites was mentioned, with another option to co-locate with other sites and lease the space. Day Wireless' recommendation to the board was to build out a controlled communication system as the base with a backup system. The ballpark cost could be around $5 million with added support services and no additional sites. To qualify for grant funding to support the ballpark cost, a P25 system would be required. Any users of the system must have digital P25 radio equipment. It was highly suggested the County have a primary and secondary form of communication. A list will be provided by Day Wireless of all considerations made today for the board to narrow down. Further collaboration and deliberation will take place.

Posted on 7/27/26 11:53AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodged Man for DUII Warrant during Traffic Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on a warrant following a traffic stop Sunday morning.

The suspect driver was pulled over at the corner of SE 6th Street and SE G Street around 1:25 a.m. He was contacted due to illegal display of plates, and identified himself as Joshua Foster.

He was found to be wanted on a warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and was subsequently detained. Due to a lack of insurance, police had Foster's car towed from the scene to be impounded.

He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrant. He was also cited for traffic violations.

Posted on 7/27/26 11:31AM by Alex Bauer

Progress on East Evans Creek Fire Brings 66% Containment, Florida Team Takes Over

Firefighters made steady progress throughout the weekend on the East Evans Creek Fire, with containment lines being further reinforced, continued suppression repairs, and more than 300 feet of mop-up taking place along the perimeter. The latest Oregon Department of Forestry update reports the fire is 15,580 acres and is 66% contained. Crews took advantage of good overnight relative humidity recoveries to continue mop-up operations. Light interior smoke remains as pockets of unburned vegetation continue to smolder. Infrared mapping was used to assist with today's mop-up efforts. The Florida Complex Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the East Evans Creek Fire this morning. Weather will again elevate fire conditions, with mid to upper 80s temperatures and breezy winds. Firefighters will watch for changes and remain ready for any new starts. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

Posted on 7/27/26 9:56AM by Alex Bauer

Pacific Power Foundation Awards $340,000 in Grants to PNW Nonprofits

The Pacific Power Foundation awarded funds to organizations across the Pacific Northwest, with Josephine and Jackson County nonprofits receiving grant funding.

Throughout the region, local nonprofit organizations are expanding STEM and educational opportunities for teachers, students and their communities. To support these efforts, the foundation awarded $343,800 in grants to 93 organizations across Oregon, Washington and California.

The grants support an array of projects that inspire career readiness, improve literacy and empower skill development. Josephine County organizations receiving funding include Youth 71Five Ministries, Our Foster Kids, Inc., and Project Youth+. Recipients in Jackson County include Britt Rock Camp, Medford School District South High School, and Talent Maker City.

The Pacific Power Foundation’s Education and STEM grant cycle is just one of several funding opportunities throughout the year. Interested organizations may learn more about applying for the Arts and Culture grant cycle at PacificPower.net/Foundation by September 15th, 2026.

Posted on 7/27/26 9:35AM by Alex Bauer