KLDR - Local News

Forest Service Announces 10-Day Camping Closure near Huckleberry Mountain

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has announced a temporary 10-day closure in the vicinity of Huckleberry Mountain. If you're planning on camping in a High Cascades Ranger District campground between August 22nd and 31st -- including Labor Day weekend -- a few areas will be closed. The US Forest Service reports several campgrounds will be open during the closure including Union Creek, Natural Bridge, Jim Creek, River Bridge, Mill Creek, South Fork and Farewell Bend. Some dispersed camping sites will also be available.

Posted on 8/19/25 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP City Council Favors Adding 12 New Positions to Police and Fire Departments

The Grants Pass City Council is in favor of adding 12 positions to the police and fire departments as soon as possible. During its workshop on Monday, the City Council informally voted unanimously to create six new positions for both agencies at an estimated cost of $1.83 million. City Manager Aaron Cubic presented two options to the Council. The first would add seven full-time public safety positions -- four for GPPD and three for GP Fire & Rescue. But Council members agreed that public safety is their first priority and budget cuts may have to be made in order to fund the 12 additional positions. Another consideration was improving the city fire department's ISO rating to "1," which could significantly lower fire insurance premiums for residents and business owners. A final vote on the public safety staffing increase is set for September 3rd. In other business, the City Council tabled a request from Main Street Grants Pass to provide $100,000 in funding for its staffing and operations. The organization currently has only 11 members and the panel wants to see more participation. The Council approved a $3,000 funding request for the painting of murals in the Redwood Alley. The Committee on Public Art previously requested $15,000 for a mural, but the committee came back with a proposal to take three murals that will have to be removed due to the Owl Parking Lot Project and put them in the alley. The artist is willing to repaint them for a total of $6,000, with private donations picking up half of the cost.

Posted on 8/19/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

BCC Forced to Hold Public Hearing on Lease Application from Mineral Research Firm

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a lease application from a locally-owned mineral research property development company during its weekly business session this week. American Mineral Research (AMR) last week published a 14-page story about their 5-1/2-year journey researching a Josephine County Forestry property east of Wolf Creek which contains a storied gold mine. AMR previously filed a lawsuit against Josephine County due to the Board of Commissioners not acting on the company's lawful mining lease application submitted in May 2023. In June, the lawsuit was settled in AMR's favor, requiring the Commissioners to hold a public hearing and make a decision on the application before the end of this month. The hearing was set for this Thursday at 10 a.m.. AMR officials believe Josephine County can earn over $400,000 in royalties each year to help fund law enforcement. While most revenues will come from gold production, the company also seeks to produce rare minerals such as Tellurium, which is used in building high-efficiency solar panels and other technology.

Posted on 8/19/25 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Being Accepted for Open Seat on Joint Bikeways & Walkways Committee

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass and Josephine County Joint Bikeways & Walkways Committee due to an expiring term. This is a three-year appointment. The purpose of the Bikeways & Walkways Committee is to seek input from the community, coordinate and disseminate information for public education about biking and walking routes and rules, and serve as a resource and advisory group regarding bicycle and pedestrian trails for the City and County. Applicants for this open position must be residents of the City of Grants Pass who represent the interests of bikers and walkers. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 3rd. Applications will be reviewed by the Committee on Tuesday, October 14th. The Grants Pass City Council will make the appointment at its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 5th.

Posted on 8/19/25 6:08AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Exposing Himself to Children while Urinating at Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for exposing himself while urinating in front of two juveniles at a city park late last week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Redwood Park on Dowell Road on Friday around 4:20 p.m.. Police said an investigation determined that 50-year-old Brian Jay Steffen exposed himself to the 12- and 10-year-old children who reported the incident to American Medical Response personnel at the park. AMR staff reported the suspect's behavior was violent and alarming as he charged and lunged at them several times. Officers arrived on scene and placed Steffen into custody without further incident. Steffen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail on a probation detainer.

Posted on 8/18/25 10:57AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Out of Compliance Sex Offender on Warrant at RR Viewpoint

Grants Pass Police arrested an out-of-compliance sex offender on an outstanding warrant while performing a weekend patrol check at the 5th Street Overlook. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 65-year-old William Ward Fleming, Jr., and another person at the Rogue River viewpoint in the 1200-block of SW 5th Street on Saturday at about 9 p.m.. Police said they located Fleming on the other side of the fence after the posted hours of operation. He was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. He was also found to be out-of-compliance with his sex offender registration. Fleming was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant as well as for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/18/25 10:56AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Motorist for Suspended and Impaired Driving at Local Bar

Police arrested a motorist for suspended and impaired driving after a weekend traffic complaint at a bar in the Grants Pass Shopping Center. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the incident at Joe's Sports Bar & Grill off NE E Street on Saturday at 9:15 p.m.. Police said a bar patron reported that 62-year-old Troy Alan Farrow appeared to be intoxicated and he was trying to leave the watering hole in a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect and he displayed multiple signs of impairment. He was also found to be driving with a felony-level suspended license. Farrow performed poorly in field sobriety tests and he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Farrow was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Felony Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 8/18/25 10:54AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Trespassing at Market and Resisting Arrest

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trespassing at a Rogue River Highway market and added another charge when she scuffled with officers late last week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli at the corner of Highway 99 and Parkdale Drive on Friday around 5:15 p.m.. Police said the store manager asked 35-year-old Richelle Marie Staples to leave the business more than five times, but she refused to do so and advised them to "call the cops." She then fled the scene and was located near the Bottle Drop Center. Staples reportedly refused to provide her name and actively resisted arrest by using force to prevent officers from placing her in a patrol vehicle. She refused to listen to lawful commands to stop resisting until officers used force to subdue her. Staples was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was positively identified by jail deputies using photos of her and her tattoos.

Posted on 8/18/25 10:53AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested GP Teenager for Stealing Beer from North Valley Area Market

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass teenager for stealing beer from a North Valley convenience store yesterday. OSP reports troopers were on routine patrol in the 5,000-block of Monument Drive on Sunday around 11 a.m. when they observed a physical altercation between two individuals on the passenger side of a white Toyota Camry. Troopers said the Camry took off west on Camp Joy Road and the other person who was an employee of the Li'l Pantry Market & Deli stated the subjects in the car had just stolen beer from the store. The suspect vehicle was stopped in the 3200-block of Camp Joy Road and all the occupants were detained. According to OSP, a 14-year-old Grants Pass boy admitted to stealing the beer. He was arrested for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery and a probation detainer. He was lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center. The driver was identified as 18-year-old Jewlyanna Marie Perry of Wolf Creek. She was released pending charges being considered by the District Attorney.

Posted on 8/18/25 10:52AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Cited Motorist for Causing Crash that Hurt Woman in North Grants Pass

The Oregon State Police cited a motorist for causing a crash that injured the other driver in north Grants Pass yesterday. According to OSP, troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of NE 7th Street and Morgan Lane on Sunday at about 3:45 p.m.. Troopers said evidence at the scene and witness statement indicated a Ford F-150 driven by 71-year-old Wilbur Eugene Gunderson failed to obey a traffic control device and proceeded through the intersection at the same time a Nissan Sentra driven by 49-year-old Jaime Christine Hager was also attempting to get onto southbound Interstate 5. Witness statements indicated the Nissan has a green light at the time of the crash. Hager was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries. Gunderson was not hurt, but he was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device. The damaged Nissan was towed into town.

Posted on 8/18/25 10:51AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Intoxicated Man for Fighting with Officers at Sobering Center

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for fighting with officers at the Sobering Center after a disturbance at a north-city gas station convenience store early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 36-year-old Cameron Michael Davis at the Pinnacle 365 station on NE 6th Street at 2:41 a.m. Sunday. Police said they contacted Davis after an employee advised he appeared to be intoxicated while making statements about driving a vehicle. They said he had slurred speech, watery and blood-shot eyes, displayed poor balance and made statements not based in reality. When advised he was under arrest, Davis walked away before complying with lawful commands. He was taken to the Sobering Center where he clenched both fists before raising one above his head and lunging toward officers. Compliance was gained by joint manipulation and he was placed into custody. Davis was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/18/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Drug Possession after Friday Stop on Monument Drive

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for drug possession late last week after a traffic stop near Hugo. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a unplated Chevrolet pickup driven by 45-year-old Eric Michael Spears in the 9200-block of Monument Drive on Friday around 3:15 p.m.. Deputies said they stopped Spears for the traffic violation and quickly learned that his driving privileges had been suspended. They also found him to be in possession of methamphetamine and discovered that ownership of the pickup was unclear. Spears was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended and the pickup was impounded.

Posted on 8/18/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh