KLDR - Local News

I.V. Fire District, AMR JoCo Responded to Single Vehicle Collision

A traffic accident occurred on Holland Loop Road at Caves Highway in Cave Junction early this morning.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the reported incident at 1:08 a.m.

Upon arrival, units discovered a single-vehicle collision, with the vehicle having left the roadway and impacted a group of mailboxes. A thorough search of the area confirmed that no occupants were present at the scene.

The vehicle was subsequently marked for identification, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was informed for removal.

Posted on 1/7/26 11:34AM by Alex Bauer

Second Highest Numbers of Pertussis in Jackson County in Over Two Decades

Jackson County experienced the second highest numbers of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in over two decades.

Public health officials are encouraging people to ensure they and their families are up to date on vaccinations and to use other strategies to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to the press release from Jackson County Health and Human Services, pertussis often goes undiagnosed. The illness is tricky to diagnose because not everyone with pertussis will have the trademark “whooping" sound when coughing.

In 2025, 63 pertussis cases were reported to Jackson County Public Health. Among reported cases, 65% occurred among school-aged children and adolescents ages 5 to 19, and 19% occurred among children ages 1 to 4.

Vaccination status data indicate that 13% of reported cases were up to date on pertussis vaccination, 24% were undervaccinated, and 63% of the cases were not vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. As of December 27, 2025, a total of 1,541 pertussis cases were reported in Oregon, and one infant died earlier in 2025.

Jackson County Public Health recognizes pertussis activity may be concerning for families, particularly those with young children, and encourages families to review vaccination records and contact a healthcare provider if they have questions about pertussis vaccination or symptoms.

Posted on 1/7/26 11:15AM by Alex Bauer

Eagle Point PD Serve Search Warrant for Animal Abuse, Neglect Case, Arrest One

The Eagle Point Police Department served a search warrant in the 400 block of Crystal Drive following a two-year investigation into allegations of animal neglect and animal abuse at the residence, as well as numerous City Ordinance violations. On Tuesday, officers attempted to serve the warrant, but the resident was uncooperative. After negotiations, the resident, identified as Jana Tepper, exited the residence and was detained. A second male occupant then refused to leave the residence. Due to the large number of dogs believed to be inside, officers attempted to remove the occupants without entering the home. When the male occupant continued to refuse to exit, officers entered and safely escorted him outside. Officers from the Eagle Point Police Department, along with Jackson County Animal Control, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Mental Health, and Rogue Valley Emergency Veterinary Hospital, began processing the scene. Investigators estimated that more than 30 dogs were living inside the residence.

Posted on 1/7/26 10:59AM by Alex Bauer

Fairground Fee Hearing Set, Consent Calendar Not Approved during WBS

The Board of Commissioners approved a request for a hearing to review fees associated with the fair, and did not approve the consent calendar during the Weekly Business Session.

The hearing will take place January 28th, and the fees will not go into effect until March 1st. The matter of Rescheduling the Regular Weekly Business Session Meeting of the Board for 2026 was tabled.

While Commissioner Chris Barnett made a motion to approve the consent calendar, Commissioner Ron Smith said he would make a motion to approve the calendar provided the record was amended to show he wasn't absent, but had recused himself from the appointment meetings. Neither motion was seconded.

A motion to approve the Annexation to the Josephine County Community Library District by Petition of Landowner without Election passed, and comments from the public included 2 Guys 1 Truck, meetings per the county code, fairground fees, consideration of pre-teens, and a writ of certiorari.

Before the session adjourned, Barnett told the audience to remain civil, and acknowledged the importance of public service and community engagement in Josephine County.

An Administration Workshop including a Legal Counsel Update on County Circuit Court Cases, and Board Business in the matter of Interviews and Appointments for the vacant Commissioner Position will begin at 1 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room.

Posted on 1/7/26 10:48AM by Alex Bauer

Budget Committee Requesting Applications for Four Positions

Applications are now being accepted for four positions on the Budget Committee.

The City of Grants Pass Budget Committee receives and reviews the Recommended Budget and approves a Budget for Council’s consideration.

Half of the City of Grants Pass Budget Committee members are elected officials, and half are applicants from the community at large. The committee representation welcomes divergent views of the community.

Applicants must be residents and electors of the City of Grants Pass to qualify for the positions.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. January 23rd.

Candidates will be interviewed by the City Council on February 2nd, who will then make appointments at the City Council meeting on February 4th.

Posted on 1/7/26 5:40AM by Alex Bauer

Barnett Recalled!

Josephine County Commissioner Chris Barnett has been recalled. The results by 10:30 p.m. election night showed 61.86% voted yes for the recall with 38.14% dissenting. The total numbers as of the latest update were yes 13,350 to the no votes 8,230. The total numbers were similar to the recall results last year of John West. More votes from outlying precincts plus mailed ballots with the correct postmark will be tallied with the results updated by 5 p.m. January 14th. Should contested ballots be needed, that count will be released by 5 p.m. January 23rd. Certified results will be released no later than February 2nd, but no sooner than January 28th.

Posted on 1/6/26 8:25PM by Chuck Benson

30-Day Timeline Missed, Chair and Vice-Chair Designated, Update on Airports at Workshop

The Board of Commissioners met for their first workshop of the year at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. When designating the Chair and Vice-Chair for the New Year, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks said if no agreement is made, the longest serving member shall be chair. If members are tied for longest continued period of service, the member whose surname comes first in the alphabet would become chair. Commissioner Ron Smith claimed Commissioner Chris Barnett and former Commissioner Andreas Blech "blindsided" him and took the chair from him in a previous meeting. There was an impasse, so Barnett said they would designate Smith as Vice-Chair and him as Chair, per the function of the code requirement. Since the 30-day deadline to appoint a new Commissioner was missed, Counsel will have a discussion with the board tomorrow afternoon at the 1 p.m. workshop. During an update from the Airports Department, Smith asked about the $3 million line of credit and its usage. $1.2 million from the credit was used for the first Knife River balance. Knife River also provided fill from their I-5 project for the Taxiway 'A' extension project coming this summer.

Posted on 1/6/26 3:21PM by Alex Bauer

Aggressive Motel 6 Suspect Apprehended by GP Police

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a disturbance at the Motel 6 at 1800 NE 7th Street where a man became aggressive with the manager Sunday afternoon.

According to the police report, the suspect, Trevor Allred, was advised by the manager he could not extend his stay, leading to an employee and bystander coming to her aid in fear of Allred causing the woman physical harm.

Allred got into his vehicle while arguing with the bystander, and then pepper sprayed the man before fleeing the scene. Officers located Allred at a property in the 300 block of SW L Street where they told him he was under arrest.

Allred was uncooperative and attempted to enter the front door of the residence. A family member prevented him from entering however, and Allred was then held at taser point by law enforcement. He became cooperative and was safely taken into custody.

Officers found Allred to be in possession of several pills, which he advised were Oxycodone and Xanax. He was also wanted on valid and serviceable warrants for Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Along with his warrants, Allred was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Unlawful Use of Mace in the Second Degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Posted on 1/6/26 12:20PM by Alex Bauer

Grocery Outlet Trespassing Complaint Lead to Detainer Arrest of Different Man

A man refused to leave Grocery Outlet Monday morning, leading to a call to 911.

The suspect was reportedly yelling at customers while employees tried to get him to leave the 350 NE Agness Avenue grocery store. He eventually did leave on foot towards to former Big Lots.

The caller reported the suspect had shoulder length gray hair and a beard. He was wearing a brown sweatshirt, black shirt, and blue jeans. A trespass request was made, and Grants Pass Police located a man fitting the description by the Big Lots.

Officers contacted the man, Jacob Reeder, and contacted his Parole Officer. A detainer was requested, so he was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

The manager of Grocery Outlet advised officers that Reeder wasn't the trespasser. Donn Fincher was then identified by officers as the suspect and was warned trespass from the store. Reeder was not trespassed.

Posted on 1/6/26 11:30AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Responded to Reported Indecent Exposure, Arrested Suspect on Detainer

A call to the 911 Dispatch Center reported an indecent exposure incident at the Grants Pass Pharmacy Monday evening.

The caller advised dispatch at 5:12 p.m. that she was walking by the 414 SW 6th Street pharmacy when she reportedly saw a man in the doorway exposing himself.

Officers arrived to search the area and found the suspect, identified as Jake Thompson, at 420 SW 6th Street. Probable cause was not established for indecent exposure, but officers did contact his Parole Officer, who requested a detainer.

Thompson was taken into custody, transported, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/6/26 10:36AM by Alex Bauer

Weekly Business Session to Cover Library Annexations, Session Rescheduling

The Board of Commissioners will convene for their Weekly Business Session Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

A public hearing in the matter of Library Annexations will start the meeting, followed by administrative actions in consideration of rescheduling Weekly Business Session Meetings for 2026, and the procedure for setting fees charged by the County and setting public hearings.

The board will hear requests and comments from citizens, approve the consent calendar, then, pending other matters, adjourn the meeting.

Wednesday's 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW 6th Street, will be livestreamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those in attendance must comply with the clear bag policy.

At 1 p.m., the board will meet in the BCC Conference Room for an Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 meeting.

Posted on 1/6/26 7:32AM by Alex Bauer

Council Workshop Concludes with Playground Motion, Meeting Begins with Ordinances

The Grants Pass City Council concluded their workshop Monday with unanimous approval of a motion for the Parks Department to explore designs for a natural playground at Reinhart Volunteer Park.

A motion failed to increase the number of members on the Committee on Public Art from 9 to 11, and a request was made for a short executive session Wednesday to give the council updates on an HR position.

A Strategic Planning Meeting will convene January 15th and 16th, and a special meeting for the non-bargaining taskforce will meet January 20th at 11:45 a.m.

The Council will next convene Wednesday for their meeting in Council Chambers, beginning with a Public Hearing regarding an ordinance amending Development Code for Zoning Districts.

Council action will follow with an ordinance to municipal code providing clarification to better address public safety risks associated with open flames and flammable materials in parks and exclusion orders.

Appointments will be made to the Committee on Public Art and the Bikeways and Walkways Commission, followed by Public Comment and the Consent Agenda. After comments from the Mayor, Council, and Staff, the meeting will adjourn.

An Urban Renewal Agency Meeting will then convene for a resolution designating the City Manager as the Budget Officer.

Wednesday's meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 1/6/26 5:30AM by Alex Bauer