KLDR - Local News

Appeals Court Case of Former Commissioner John West and County Clerk Scheduled

An oral argument has been scheduled for March 5th by the Oregon Court of Appeals in former Commissioner John West's case against County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels.

The Daily Courier reports that, three weeks before the recall election against West, he filed a complaint in Josephine County Circuit Court asking a judge to declare the recall petition void and block the election.

He argued the statistical sampling method that Henkels used to verify that petitioners had turned in enough valid signatures to trigger the election was wrong, and she should have verified every signature. He also asked for a temporary restraining order prohibiting her from conducting the election.

On December 4th, 2024, Henkels responded that the sampling method was carried out according to state law and administrative rules, which reportedly tell clerks to use statistical sampling.

West amended the complaint in a court filing December 16th, 2024, the day before the election was to take place. The amended complaint also asked the judge to declare the election void.

The day after the election, attorneys for West and Henkels argued the case before Circuit Court Judge Robert S. Bain. He ruled in favor of Henkels on January 6th, 2025, dismissing the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. However, it can be appealed, which West filed notice he was doing on February 7th of that year.

Posted on 1/21/26 1:10PM by Alex Bauer

Two Suspects Arrested by GP Police for Controlled Substance Possession

Two men using what appeared to be meth were observed by Grants Pass Police Tuesday morning.

Officers contacted the suspects, Adam Boger and William Asbery, at 704 NW 6th Street around 7:56 a.m. Both were trespassed from the location for 30 days. Officers then found that Asbery was wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Department warrant for Second Degree Theft.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail. Boger was lodged for Possession of Methamphetamine, Asbery was lodged for Meth Possession and his warrant.

Posted on 1/21/26 11:40AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Trespassing Suspect at North Safeway

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department were notified of a trespassing complaint Tuesday at 10:45 a.m.

The manager of the North Safeway at 115 SE 7th Street alerted dispatch that Jacob Reeder had returned to the store, despite having been previously trespassed. The manager wanted to pursue charges for trespassing.

Upon arrival, officers contacted Reeder and took him into custody. His Parole Officer was contacted and a detainer was requested. Reeder was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Second Degree Criminal Trespass and the Parole Violation detainer.

Posted on 1/21/26 10:48AM by Alex Bauer

No Quorum for Weekly Business Session, Smith on Vacation

No quorum was present for today's Weekly Business Session at 9 a.m.

Commissioner Chris Barnett said he received notice from Commissioner Ron Smith that he's chosen to take a vacation. According to a statement from Smith, he will be returning January 29th.

No quorum was present, so no official business could be conducted. The meeting was held for informational, administrative, and transparency purposes only. Barnett adjourned the meeting at 9:03 a.m.

Appointment meetings for the vacant Commissioner seat are scheduled for this afternoon at 1:30 p.m., and the 22nd and 23rd at 10 a.m. The meetings will be held in the BCC Conference Room, and attendees must abide by the clear bag policy.

Posted on 1/21/26 10:40AM by Alex Bauer

No Quorum Present for County Administration Workshop

There was no quorum present for yesterday's County Administration Workshop.

Commissioner Ron Smith was absent, so no official business or actions could be conducted. Commissioner Chris Barnett said he had received no official notification from Smith regarding him missing the meeting. According to a call to the Commissioner's office, Smith is on vacation.

This morning at 9 a.m., the board's Weekly Business Session is scheduled to convene in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. While there is no board business on the agenda, public comment, other matters, and announcements will still take place. The meeting will be viewable at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream

Appointment meetings for the vacant Commissioner seat will be held this afternoon at 1:30 p.m., as well as the 22nd and 23rd at 10 a.m. The meetings will be held in the BCC Conference Room, and attendees must abide by the clear bag policy.

Posted on 1/21/26 6:22AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Suspect for Hitting his Father

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were alerted to a domestic disturbance Tuesday.

At 5:10 a.m., a man called 911 to report his son had punched him in the face. No weapons were involved and the two had separated.

Deputies arrived at the property in the 2000 block of Caves Highway. The victim denied needing medical attention, and the son was taken into custody. Deputies charged him with Fourth Degree Assault, and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/21/26 5:45AM by Alex Bauer

City Council Directs Staff to Bring Salary Schedule 10% Less than Recommendation

The Grants Pass City Council directed City Staff to bring a salary schedule 10% less than the Taskforce Recommendation to consider at a later date. The council was presented with updated approaches to adjusting the Non-bargaining Employee's compensation and classification based on market analysis and Oregon Pay Equity law. The funding for these adjustments is in the budget. These aren't merit increases, it's a question of if these positions are paid competitively and whether employee placement is consistent with their experience. The goal was to find the most cost-effective salary schedule adjustment and implementation that allows for recruitment and retention of qualified employees and ensures compliance with legal requirements. Four options were presented to the council. The first was recommended by the Taskforce starting with a 2.71% Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) with phased implementation over the five fiscal years. The second would be Full Implementation starting with the same COLA, then 3% over subsequent fiscal years.

Posted on 1/21/26 4:59AM by Alex Bauer

Kelly's Automotive Service Seeking Donations for 'Wipe Out Hunger'

The community is encouraged to donate to Kelly's Automotive Service's Wipe Out Hunger event!

Going until February 13th, you can donate a 40 ounce or larger jar of peanut butter and a 12 ounce jar or larger of Jelly to be donated to the food insecure in our community.

In exchange for your donation, you will receive a pair of standard windshield wipers up to $45 in value installed on your vehicle.

Soy, Sun, or Almond butters are also accepted, and all the food will be given to the Salvation Army and ROC Food Pantries for distribution.

Donations are accepted at both locations. 1661 NE 6th Street in Grants Pass, and 2990 Biddle Road in Medford.

Posted on 1/20/26 1:57PM by Alex Bauer

Petition to Compel Commissioner Smith to Fill Board Vacancy Dismissed

A judge has thrown out a petition that sought to force Commissioner Ron Smith to participate in filling the board vacancy.

The Daily Courier reports Circuit Court Judge Robert S. Bain dismissed the petition on Thursday, according to court records that now list the case as closed.

The petition was filed December 18th by Ron Lamb, a retiree and chair of the Josephine County Republican Party. He said he filed the petition as a private citizen.

In the petition, Lamb sought to force Smith to work with Commissioner Chris Barnett in filling the vacancy created by the December 5th resignation of Andreas Blech.

Lamb requested "judicial clarification" as to whether the county charter imposed a "mandatory duty" on Smith to participate in the appointment of someone to fill Blech's seat.

Smith has insisted that county commissioners have a wide degree of discretion to act or not act under the county charter and state law. In Bain's ruling, he said he was denying Lamb's petition on the grounds that it "fails to state facts showing the obligation" of Smith to act or "show facts that the defendant failed to perform the act."

The judge added, "It appears, based upon the petition, that the issue is moot, as the issue is now before a temporary board."

Posted on 1/20/26 1:54PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Responded to Fatal Three-Vehicle Crash over the Weekend

Oregon State Police responded Saturday to a fatal three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kirtland Road and High Banks Road, in Jackson County. The initial investigation indicated a Cadillac Escalade, operated by Michael Bryan Dickerson, 74, of Grants Pass, was heading northbound on High Pass Rd. and entered Kirtland Road where it was struck by a Ford Escape, operated by a female juvenile of Central Point. About five minutes after the crash, an eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Jeremy Bruno Fantechi, 27, of Grants Pass, struck the Cadillac at a reported high rate of speed. Fantechi was declared deceased at the scene. Dickerson and the female juvenile were reportedly uninjured.

Posted on 1/20/26 1:53PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Contacted, Arrested Suspect for GPPD Warrant

A man was contacted by Grants Pass Police at the corner of Rogue River Highway and Clara Avenue Sunday night.

At 7:31 p.m. Thomas Pitts, who was known to the officer by sight, was detained for a known, active warrant out for his arrest. He was charged with Second Degree Theft and Second Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance in the GPPD warrant.

Following a positive identification of Pitts, law enforcement took him into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/20/26 11:35AM by Alex Bauer

No Quorum Present for Tuesday Vacancy Appointment Meeting

There was no quorum present for today's Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 meeting.

Due to a technical difficulty, the meeting began at 10:07 a.m. Commissioner Ron Smith was absent, so no official business or actions could be conducted. The meeting was convened for informational purposes only.

Appointment meetings for the vacant seat will be held January 21st at 1:30 p.m., and the 22nd, and 23rd at 10 a.m. All meetings will be held in the BCC Conference Room, and attendees must abide by the clear bag policy.

The Board of Commissioners are scheduled to meet again today for their 1:30 p.m. County Administration Workshop. Only Human Resources will present during Department Business.

On Wednesday at 9 a.m., the Weekly Business Session will convene in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. While there is no board business on the agenda, public comment, other matters, and announcements will still take place.

Posted on 1/20/26 11:25AM by Alex Bauer