KLDR - Local News

BCC Proclaimed 'National Police Week' & Defined Road Official Responsibilities

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners opened its business session this morning by proclaiming May 11th-17th to be "National Police Week." All three Commissioners then signed the proclamation and presented it to Sheriff Dave Daniel and Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman who thanked the Board and the community for their ongoing support. Next Tuesday, May 13th, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Grants Pass Police Department and Oregon State Police will honor the six local officers who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives while on duty. The event will take place at 10 a.m. in front of the Courthouse in Grants Pass. The lone Administrative Action item on the agenda was an order defining the responsibilities of the County Road Official. The designated official is identified as Neil Burgess who is the the Josephine County Engineer. Burgess's responsibilities include standing operating procedures such as Maintenance, Permitting Authority, Traffic and Safety Operations. They also include approving easements, street plug placement, removal and crossings, minor road closures and road inventory management as well as the release of liens and bonding. During the Public Comment period, several people spoke in favor of removing objectionable books and materials out of local libraries. At least two people complained about private security who allegedly harassed those gathered for a public protest at the Courthouse on May 1st. A representative of American Mineral Research promoted the utilization of the "vast" mineral wealth of Josephine County.to help pay for law enforcement.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:32PM by Sam Marsh

GPPD Deployed SWAT Team to Help End Standoff with Hidden Felony Suspect

The Grants Pass Police Department deployed its SWAT team to help end a three-hour standoff with a felony suspect at a residence near the high school yesterday. On Wednesday at 10:12 a.m., the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call regarding a disturbance at a home on NE 8th Street that led to a male suspect threatening to kill a woman with a knife, attempting to stab her and then spraying her with mace as he fled the scene. The female victim reported that the suspect -- 51-year-old Barney Adam Clem -- left on foot wearing a bright orange shirt. Officers arrived in the area and observed Clem walking on NE B Street. As officers called for him to stop, he quickly entered a B Street residence that is considered by GPPD to be a nuisance. Calls for Clem to exit the home went unanswered and officers received permission to search the residence. During the initial search, they found 36-year-old Bryan William Suthann hiding in a bedroom. Suthann was wanted for Probation Violation and was in possession of methamphetamine. He was lodged in jail. Sounds were heard inside the residence indicating someone was moving around, but Clem could not safely be located. Due to potential safety issues, GPPD SWAT was called to the scene. Following a lengthy search with numerous canisters of irritant being deployed in the attic and under the house, Clem finally emerged from the crawlspace and surrendered. Clem was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Use of Pepper Spray and Escape plus a local warrant charging him with two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and 1st-Degree Theft. The District Attorney's Office was asked to consider adding Attempted Assault charges.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:30PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man for Causing Disturbance at Downtown Safeway Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing a disturbance near the downtown Safeway last night. According to the Police Department, officers were dispatched to multiple reports of bad behavior near the corner of SE 8th and G streets at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday. Police said 42-year-old David Brian Rich was called in for causing a disturbance near the intersection. A victim reported that Rich had unlawfully blocked traffic by standing in the roadway and stopping motorists from passing. The suspect struck one driver's foldable mirror with a closed fist, causing it to fold inward. Rich reportedly fled into Safeway and caused alarm by yelling that he was struck by a car and robbed. Officers arrived on scene and placed him into custody. Rich was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:29PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man on State Warrant and for Using Drugs in Public Place

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant and for using narcotics in a public place yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a male subject openly smoking fentanyl on the east side of Fred Meyer on Wednesday at 2:18 p.m.. Police said they were able to identify the subject as 30-year-old Dylan James Wilson who was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. He was placed into custody a short time later in the 200-block of NE B Street. Wilson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus Possession of Fentanyl. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:28PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Drug Possession and Evicted Man at City Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for drug possession and cited a man for city ordinance violations during a patrol check at a city park early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers observed 42-year-old Rachel Annette Beeman holding a glass pipe that contained a crystal-like substance at Baker Park on Wednesday shortly before 10 a.m.. Beeman was placed into custody for Methamphetamine Possession and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. The meth and drug paraphernalia were seized. Shane McCombs was cited for Drug Paraphernalia in a City Park and Scattering Rubbish. He was trespassed from the park for 30 days.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:26PM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Crash on Reeves Creek Road in Selma

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving after he crashed a vehicle near Selma late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck in the 1900-block of Reeves Creek Road at 5:35 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies said an investigation indicated that 42-year-old Rell Allen Baty was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Traverse when he went off the north side of the road. They said Baty displayed signs of impairment and was acting belligerent with emergency responders. According to the report, Baty performed poorly in field sobriety tests, a search warrant was obtained and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented a high level of impairment. He was lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His vehicle was impounded. Deputies noted that Baty threatened to kill them and their families when he is released from jail. He was flagged for threatening law enforcement.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:25PM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested CJ Woman for DUII after Several Redwood Highway Complaints

The Oregon State Police arrested a Cave Junction woman for impaired driving last night after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in southwest Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Mini Cooper driven by 53-year-old Jennifer Denise Cochran on US Highway 199 near Allen Creek Road on Wednesday at 7:21 p.m.. Troopers said they received multiple calls about a motorist having difficulty maintaining their travel lane and driving into oncoming traffic. They located the vehicle, pulled it over and contacted Cochran who displayed signs of impairment. She consented to perform field sobriety tests, but was unable to complete them. Cochran refused to provide a breath sample so a search warrant was obtained and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that showed impairment by both alcohol and narcotics. Cochran was lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Controlled Substances as well as Reckless Driving. Her vehicle was impounded and her dog was taken to the Animal Shelter.

Posted on 5/8/25 12:23PM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Incarcerated Man for Stabbing Mother with Butcher Knife

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for stabbing his mother with a butcher knife at a southwest city home early yesterday. On Wednesday at 10:16 a.m., the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call from a woman who reported that her adult son had stabbed her in the back and she was still impaled by the knife. GPPD, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response rushed to the crime scene at a home on SW Vicki Lane. Upon arrival, officers arrested 33-year-old Adin Byron Kimball and began first aid for the victim who still had a 12-inch butcher knife sticking out from her shoulder blade. Arriving medics stabilized the victim and transported her to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment. She was last reported to be in serious condition. GPPD detectives assisted with the investigation. No reason was disclosed for the violent attack. Kimball was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Assault and Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was being held without bail pending his Circuit Court arraignment which is scheduled for this afternoon.

Posted on 5/8/25 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Woman for Felony Drug Trafficking in SE City Traffic Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for felony drug trafficking and she could be facing additional charges following a traffic stop in a southeast city neighborhood. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a Dodge Durango driven by 48-year-old Raelene Michele McKy near the corner of SE 10th and H streets around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officers said they stopped McKy for an obstructed license plate and she told them there was methamphetamine in the vehicle. They said she consented to a search which uncovered a black box containing about 16 grams of meth plus packaging materials and $210 in cash. She was also found to be in possession of multiple cellphones and shaved keys, which were also seized as evidence. McKy was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Possession and Delivery of Meth. She was also cited for Driving While Suspended and No Insurance. Her vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 5/8/25 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Deputies Nabbed Man for Impaired Boating at Lost Creek Lake

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 55-year-old man for impaired boating and endangering four teenagers at Lost Creek Lake. On Tuesday evening, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon received a report of a boat speeding recklessly near the shore of the lake with a man and four teenagers aboard. Marine deputies arrived at the lake, contacted the boater and observed multiple indicators of impairment. After standardized field sobriety tests, deputies arrested the man for Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants and four counts of Reckless Endangering. Although this incident ended safely, sheriff's officials said alcohol use remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. They said their priority is to take immediate action to remove impaired boaters who pose a risk to themselves and others. For more information on BUII, visit "operationdrywater.org."

Posted on 5/8/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

IV Firefighters Battled Small Grass Fire from Escaped Debris Burn near Selma

The Illinois Valley Fire District battled a small grass fire near Selma yesterday that was the result of an escaped debris burn. On Wednesday at 1:22 p.m., IVFD crews responded to an uncontrolled burn in the 1900-block of Draper Valley Road. IVFD officials said the fire was contained and mopped-up at an estimated 1/4-acre. Firefighters warned the responsible party for burning debris on a "No Burn" day and for doing so without a required IVFD permit.

Posted on 5/8/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Board Slated to Proclaim "National Police Week" & Define Road Official Duties

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to make an important proclamation regarding law enforcement during its business session this morning. The Board will open the meeting by proclaiming May 11th-17th as "National Police Week." Next Tuesday, May 13th, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Grants Pass Police Department and Oregon State Police will honor the six local officers who have given their lives to safeguard our rights and freedoms. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider an order that defines the responsibilities of the County Road Official. There will also be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 5/8/25 6:29AM by Sam Marsh