KLDR - Local News

Deputies Jailed Man for Stealing Items from Shop & Pickup in Cave Junction

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for breaking into a shop building and a vehicle while stealing some items in the Cave Junction area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 33-year-old Timothy Rain Davis for the incident in the 200-block of North Old Stage Road on Saturday at 11:55 a.m.. Deputies said the property owner called 9-1-1 around 7:45 a.m. to report the incident they said occurred at 2:13 a.m.. The caller told dispatchers they had video of the incident and the caller's son recognized Davis as the culprit. Davis illegally entered a shop building and stole several items including a small torch and a bottle of champagne. He also entered and rummaged through a nearby pickup truck. The suspect then reportedly returned to the property and threatened to hit the complainant with the champagne bottle before fleeing into the woods. Upon arrival, deputies located Davis near the corner of Junction Avenue and West Watkins Street, placing him into custody without incident. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Menacing, 2nd-Degree Burglary, 3rd-Degree Theft, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 12/2/24 10:31AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Drug & Parole Violations after Redwood Area Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for drug and corrections violations following a weekend traffic stop in the Redwood area. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a blue sedan driven by 38-year-old David Jacob Wise on Redwood Avenue near McDonald Lane on Saturday around 12:30 a.m.. Police said they stopped Wise for failing to maintain his travel lane and discovered that he was driving without insurance and no front license plate. The rear plate on the vehicle was expired and did not belong to the car. It was removed and seized. Wise reportedly consented to a search and was found to be in possession of 1.3 grams of methamphetamine. Additional drug-related items were found in the center console of the sedan. The meth and drug paraphernalia were also seized. Wise was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. After being warned for the traffic violations, he was being held on a no-bail detainer. His vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 12/2/24 10:30AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Cited Wolf Creek Man for Drug Possession after Thanksgiving Contact

The Oregon State Police arrested a Wolf Creek man for drug possession after a Thanksgiving Day contact in northern Josephine County. According to OSP, troopers spotted a suspicious-looking Ford Crown Victoria that was illegally parked in the 100-block of Front Street in Wolf Creek last Thursday night. Troopers said they contacted the driver -- 44-year-old Abraham Benjamin Swanson -- and noticed drug paraphernalia sticking out of his jacket pocket. Swanson was searched and a white powdery substance which tested positive as fentanyl was located. It was seized for destruction. Swanson was cited to appear in court for Fentanyl Possession and then released.

Posted on 12/2/24 10:28AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Tenant for Assaulting His Landlord at Wonder Area Residence

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for assaulting his landlord in the Wonder area late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 71-year-old Louis Nathaniel Smith for the incident in the 13,300-block of Redwood Highway last Friday morning. Deputies said Smith is a tenant of the victim, who was in the emergency room at Three Rivers Medical Center after being pushed down by the suspect, hitting his head in the process. The victim was treated and released for his minor injuries. According to the report, Smith broke into his landlord's house prior to the incident. No reason was given for the attack. Smith was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 12/2/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man with Bad Habit of Stealing Shopping Carts from Stores

Grants Pass Police arrested a man with a bad habit of stealing shopping carts in the downtown area late last week. The Police Department reports officers observed 57-year-old James Daniel Bisel pushing two shopping carts near the corner of NW D and 4th streets on Friday afternoon. Police said Bisel was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft following a recent arrest for stealing a shopping cart from a local retailer. He also had been warned for stealing a shopping cart on October 9th and November 7th. Bisel was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus two new counts of 2nd-Degree Theft. The stolen carts were returned to Fred Meyer and Home Depot. Trash inside the carts was disposed of.

Posted on 12/2/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Redwood Highway Stop West of GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway west of Grants Pass late last week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a white Ford pickup driven by a 42-year-old male subject on US Highway 199 near Robinson Road early Friday morning. Deputies said they stopped the pickup for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. They said the driver performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. For undisclosed reasons, the man was also taken to Three Rivers Medical Center. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His pickup was towed.

Posted on 12/2/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Investigating Cause of Shop Building Fire near Cave Junction

Authorities were investigating the cause of a fire that damaged a shop building in the Cave Junction area on the morning after Thanksgiving. The Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the structure fire near the corner of Aquarius Way and Masters Drive on Friday at 3:35 a.m.. IVFD officials said arriving units observed smoke emanating from the eaves of a 40-by-80-foot metal workshop. Firefighters successfully located the flames and extinguished the fire. There was no damage estimate available. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among civilians or firefighters.

Posted on 12/2/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Crews Rescued Stranded Dog off Island in Applegate River

Rural Metro Fire Department rescued a stranded dog off an island in the Applegate River over the weekend. On Saturday at 1:12 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department was dispatched to help rescue "Harley" after the dog became stranded on an island in the Applegate off Fish Hatchery Road. Rural Metro officials said Harley explored the island and attempted to cross a swift channel of water, but he became too cold and tired. Officials said Harley's owner called for assistance and the dog was soon reunited with his family as well as his warm and dry home.

Posted on 12/2/24 6:08AM by Sam Marsh

GP City Council Set to Find Out Guaranteed Max Price of New Water Plant

The Grants Pass City Council is set to find out exactly how much it will cost to build a new water treatment plant during its workshop session today. The first topic on the workshop agenda is "Water Treatment Plant Guaranteed Maximum Price and Funding." It is the largest municipal project in city history. The City Council is also scheduled to receive a staff presentation on a Navigation-Shelter Services Grant before it reviews the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 12/2/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

OR State Marine Board to Hold Hearing on Proposed Upper Rogue Rules This Week

The Oregon State Marine Board will hold a public hearing this week on proposed rules for boat operations on the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County. The hearing will be held Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Riverside Campus of Rogue Community College in Medford at 114 South Bartlett Street. The Marine Board is considering proposed rules for the Rogue River between Fishers Ferry and Lost Creek Dam. They include speed limits for boats on that section of the river including a possible ban on jet boats. Testimony will only be accepted by telephone on the day of the rule hearing. Written comments will also be accepted until December 20th by 12:55 p.m.. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to "osmb.rulemaking@boat.oregon.gov" or by US Mail to Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Agency staff will compile all comments for the board to review before their next quarterly meeting on January 23, 2025. At that meeting, the board may make a motion to adopt, amend or take other action on the proposed rulemaking.

Posted on 12/2/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

National Weather Service Posts Air Stagnation Advisory for Most of Southern Oregon

After an exceedingly wet November, Southern Oregon is starting out the month of December with stagnant air and no precipitation. The National Weather Service has posted an Air Stagnation Advisory that runs until 4 p.m. Wednesday and possibly longer. The advisory includes Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Lake and eastern Curry counties. The Weather Service in Medford reports a ridge of high pressure has led to a strong inversion and stagnant air conditions near the valley floors that will continue to trap pollutants. This could worsen air quality over time. Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems. Persons with respiratory illness should follow their physician's advice for dealing with high levels of air pollution during periods of stagnant air. Grants Pass received 8.21 inches of precipitation in the month of November. The first chance of precipitation in December will arrive Saturday.

Posted on 12/2/24 5:55AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland Ski Area Announces Early Season Opening This Coming Weekend

Mount Ashland Ski Area has announced that it will open early for the 2024-25 winter season this coming weekend. The local ski resort will open Friday for "Season Passholder Appreciation Day" and Saturday for all guests with the Sonnet, Comer and Windsor lifts running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Single-day lift tickets won't be available for purchase until the 7th. The Ski Area will welcome guests this season with exciting upgrades such as the widening of the entryway to the main mountain, updated LED night-lighting for twilight skiing beginning January 9th, and the highly-anticipated opening of the first new chairlift in over 30 years. All services will be available on Opening Day including lessons, rentals, retail shop, T-Bar Lounge and the Grill. Opening day is only the beginning as the 2024-25 season promises a schedule packed with events.

Posted on 12/2/24 5:53AM by Sam Marsh