KLDR - Local News

Fatal Highway 238 Crash Occurred Sunday, OSP, Applegate Fire Responded

Oregon State Police responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash on Highway 238, near milepost 12, in Josephine County Sunday at 9:21 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Ford F-150, operated by Jacob David Bailey, 33, of Grants Pass, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and rolled multiple times. Bailey was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Applegate Fire.

Posted on 3/18/26 5:26AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District Responded to Traffic Accident, Suppressed Vehicle Fire

Two vehicle incidents Tuesday prompted the response of the Illinois Valley Fire District.

At 1:56 p.m., a traffic accident occurred in the 2000 Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien.

I.V. Fire, AMR, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the same location as a previous incident. A single vehicle collided with two parked cars and subsequently came to rest on the hillside.

The individual involved self-extricated and sustained no injuries. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation into the incident, and the vehicle was removed from the scene.

Then at 9:44 p.m., I.V. Fire responded to a vehicle fire on Kerby Mainline Road in Kerby. The fire had descended a hillside and branched out into the surrounding vegetation.

Fire suppression efforts helped in containing forward spread of the fire. An investigation is being conducted.

Posted on 3/18/26 4:59AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Workshop Covers County Property Business

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners began their workshop with Legal Counsel Business. A motion to adopt a policy addressing criteria for exclusion from county property and Telephonic Contact Prohibition passed 3-0, with added language for clarification of electronic communication. Legal Counsel Wally Hicks presented a policy for news media meeting attendance, particularly in executive sessions. He recommended reaching out to the community to comment on the policy for a week, then bring the results to the board for a decision. The board moved to approve the order in repealing the implementation of the clear bag policy with the exception of the language. A motion to accept a full price offer for 210 Tacoma property, after paperwork identifying no potential FAA or financial issues are located, passed 3-0. Commissioner Ron Smith dissented on a motion to approve counter offers for the Dimmick Campus, and staff was instructed to continue working until a 1798 SE N Street lease agreement is finalized regarding a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and HP Civil, Inc.

Posted on 3/17/26 3:15PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Exposes Himself to Hampton Inn Staff, Arrested by GP Police

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after exposing himself to staff at the Hampton Inn and Suites.

Monday at 11:46 a.m., the manager of the 110 NE Morgan Lane inn called 911, saying a housekeeper was cleaning a room, when the suspect came in and exposed himself to the employee. It was unknown if the man was associated with the room, and he hadn't been seen since the incident.

Officers soon contacted the suspect, Jagroop Singh, on the north side of the building. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Public Indecency.

Posted on 3/17/26 12:14PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Grange Co-op Theft Suspect, Lodged in Jail

An attempted theft at the Grange Co-op was reported to Grants Pass Police Monday.

Just before 10 a.m., the suspect was reported to have been caught stealing almost $50 worth of merchandise from the 1710 W Schutzwohl Lane store. Loss prevention said the suspect was being cooperative.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Morgan Wessel, who was found to have a Curry County Sheriff's Office warrant for Second Degree Theft. During a search of her bag, officers located a container with a white crystalline substance. A field test yielded a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine.

Officers took Wessel into custody and transported her to the Adult Jail Facility. She was lodged on her warrant and charges of Third Degree Theft and Meth Possession.

Posted on 3/17/26 11:56AM by Alex Bauer

Officers Arrested Suspect that Broke Windshield, Stole Backpack for Theft

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man following a report of a broken windshield and stolen backpack.

A call to dispatch around 6:45 a.m. Monday reported the suspect had broken the window of a Dodge Neon at the Mill Street Car Wash. He then left the scene west bound on foot.

According to the officer's report, the suspect, George Saint Clair, had been in an argument with a woman before breaking the vehicle's windshield and taking her backpack. He was soon located by law enforcement on the nearby train tracks. Saint Clair admitted to taking the backpack from the woman, who wished to pursue charges against him.

The owner of the Dodge Neon couldn't be determined. Officers then took Saint Clair into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Theft. A charge of Second Degree Mischief was referred to the District Attorney.

Posted on 3/17/26 10:45AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Drops Shoes in front of Patrol Vehicle, Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after dropping a pair of shoes in front of a patrol car in motion.

Monday night, while the officer was driving up NE 7th Street, a man stepped out from Resting Site 7 and walked into traffic. He dropped a pair of shoes in the path of the officer's travel, forcing a quick stop.

The suspect refused to identify himself when contacted by the officer, and he was detained at 9:50 p.m. The officer arrested the man, later identified as Jeffrey Richards, for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. Richards was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 3/17/26 10:21AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges by GP Police

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on drug charges following a report from the Federal Probation Office.

At 11:26 a.m. Monday, the suspect, Sean Logan, was reported to be at a property in the 900 block of NE 11th Street. He was suspected to have meth in his possession, and an officer's assistance was requested.

Logan was cooperative when law enforcement arrived and detained him. His parole officer had requested a detainer, so officers took him into custody. He was lodged on the detainer, as well as multiple drug charges in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

Officers had seized approximately 131 grams of meth, 151 hits of LSD, and about 5 grams of fentanyl at the scene. Logan was charged with Possession and Distribution of Meth, Fentanyl Possession, LSD Possession, and Manufacturing and Distributing Controlled Substances within 1,000 feet of a school. A Possession of Cocaine charge was referred to the District Attorney's office.

Posted on 3/17/26 10:12AM by Alex Bauer

Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Transient Causing Disturbance at Elementary School

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a transient after she was causing a disturbance outside Manzanita Elementary School.

The principle reported the suspect Monday morning, saying she was walking in the roadway, obstructing traffic, and yelling at both staff and students. Deputies responded around 7:18 a.m. to find the suspect kicking over trash cans and standing in the middle of the roadway blocking a vehicle.

As law enforcement pulled up by the woman, she quickly headed into a field. Deputies followed her to the corner of Corporate Way and Tech Way where she was detained.

The suspect, identified as Carrie Ann Wood, was arrested for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. She was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail, but later released on a court order.

Posted on 3/17/26 9:55AM by Alex Bauer

No Injuries in O'Brien Traffic Accident, I.V. Fire, AMR, JoCo Sheriff's Office Responded

Emergency crews were alerted to a traffic accident Monday afternoon around 3:10.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the incident in the 2000 block of Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien.

First responders arrived and discovered a vehicle that had collided with a tree and subsequently ignited. Bystanders and local residents were able to extricate the driver, who had sustained no injuries.

The fire was promptly extinguished, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting the investigation.

Posted on 3/17/26 7:17AM by Alex Bauer

Bat Infected With Rabies Identified In Jackson County

The Jackson County Public Health Department reported a bat, found just north of Shady Cove, tested positive for rabies.

According to Jackson County Health and Human Services, confirmatory tests were performed at Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory after a Jackson County resident noticed a bat in a cat’s mouth.

The cat is a stray, and its vaccination history is unknown. Rabies is transmitted through the bites of an infected animal, and while post-exposure vaccination is effective, Jackson Baures, Jackson County Public Health Division Manager, says the best plan is prevention.

Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call your local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office.

For more information about rabies, visit the OHA website at www.public.health.oregon.gov.

Posted on 3/17/26 4:56AM by Alex Bauer

Council Hears Staffing Change Requests and Budget Policy Section Edits at Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council began their workshop with a presentation regarding requests for staffing changes Monday morning. Changes included reallocation from Downtown Development to Police, replacing one Engineering Tech, with an increase of about $20,000 per year, and additional police and fire facilities staff, with an increase of about $112,200 billed to those departments. The changing of Urban Forester and Trail Coordinator duties with a funding change of $54,600 per year was also requested. The council agreed to decide on the changes during their Wednesday meeting, with additional information to be provided. The council was presented with a look at the budget and proposed policy edits to sections including but not limited to Revenue, Capital Improvement, Expenditures, Fund Balance and Reserves, Debt Management, and Investments. The revisions and additions were aimed to consolidate current state practices within one document, improving general understanding of local government performances.

Posted on 3/16/26 7:27PM by Alex Bauer