KLDR - Local News

City Council Proceeds with Pathways to Stability's Homelessness Application

The Grants Pass City Council will move forward with Pathways to Stability's Addressing Homelessness Grant Program Application. The special workshop began with a presentation on parameters for the Addressing Homelessness Grant Program Application Review. Requirements for the proposed sites included being located within the Urban Growth Boundary, be fully operational within 6 months, have 24/7 managed shelter services with a capacity for 150 people, and meet ADA requirements. Mandatory disqualifiers were Failure to Meet Program Requirements, Unacceptable Location based on code compliance, Missing Application Deadlines, and Improper Communication. After discussion, none of the three applicants were disqualified. Diversion by Design presented their application to the council first, describing their goal to build 150 private, low barrier, micro shelters, each costing $467. With voluntary entry and exit and mandatory adherence to their zero-tolerance safety policy, plus a six step path to independence, the potential site cost would be $1.2 million.

Posted on 10/20/25 7:08PM by Alex Bauer

Loss Prevention Detained Trespassed Woman, GP Police Arrested Her at WinCo

WinCo Loss Prevention detained a woman after she attempted to steal goods from the store Sunday night.

At 8:54 p.m., a caller reported the suspect, later identified as Dawn Cruz, was contacted by loss prevention at the 231 NE Terry Lane grocery store. She had passed all points of sale without paying for goods worth over $7.

Following a brief struggle, Cruz conceded to being detained by loss prevention. Grants Pass Police officers arrived, identified Cruz, and found she had been warned for trespassing from WinCo on October 4th.

Cruz was taken into custody, and officers lodged her in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Trespass, and Third Degree Theft and Robbery.

Posted on 10/20/25 11:05AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Troopers Apprehended Man, Cited Woman for Drug Possession during Traffic Stop

Oregon State Police apprehended a man for drug possession and other charges following a traffic stop Sunday morning.

At 9:32 a.m., troopers pulled over a silver Ford Fusion on US Highway 199 near milepost 32. Upon investigation, the driver was found to be suspended and had common burglary tools in plain sight.

The suspect driver, Luke Mulligan, was detained and he admitted to having methamphetamine in the cup holder. The passenger was told to exit the vehicle, and she also admitted to being in possession of meth.

The passenger was detained as well, and troopers conducted a search of the vehicle. They located a knife in the center console, and additional drug paraphernalia was found and placed into evidence for destruction.

Mulligan was placed into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Meth, and Driving While Suspended.

The passenger was given a criminal citation for Meth Possession, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Posted on 10/20/25 10:36AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Services Responded to Traffic Accident on Redwood Highway

A rollover accident occurred on Redwood Highway at Briggs Valley Road in Wilderville this morning.

Emergency services, including the Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and the Oregon State Police, were dispatched to the reported incident.

A Josephine County Animal Control Officer provided initial support at the scene, assisting the self-extricated patient. The driver was assessed by AMR personnel and did not require transportation to a medical facility.

The Oregon State Police is managing the ongoing investigation, and Jerry's Towing was contracted for vehicle removal.

Posted on 10/20/25 10:16AM by Alex Bauer

Reported Theft Suspect Damaging and Pocketing Merchandise Apprehended By Police

Grants Pass Police officers were called out to a reported theft at the Pinnacle 365 Sunday afternoon.

At 1:46 p.m., an employee of the 1044 NW 6th Street service station alerted dispatch to a man that was refusing to leave after having been in the store for about an hour.

The suspect was damaging merchandise and putting items for sale in his pockets. He was also wearing a hat from the store he hadn't purchased. The employee requested the man be trespassed.

Officers arrived on the scene and contacted the suspect, Thomas Wilson, after he had bypassed all points of sale with almost $41 worth of merchandise.

Wilson was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Mischief and Third Degree Theft.

Posted on 10/20/25 6:47AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Deputies Arrested Man on Multiple Charges after Disturbance

Josephine County Sheriff's Deputies apprehended a man after a reported disturbance Saturday afternoon.

Dispatch received a call at 2:53 p.m. The caller was screaming for help saying his son was attacking him and had punched him in the face.

At one point, the suspect grabbed a knife and forced the caller and his wife outside of the house in the 2000 block of Robinson Road.

Deputies arrived and contacted the suspect walking toward Redwood Highway. He was being verbally uncooperative while deputies held him at Taser point and restrained him.

The suspect was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Fourth Degree Assault, and Cocaine Possession.

Posted on 10/20/25 5:54AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Responded to Complaint of Nude Woman in Street, Arrested Suspect

A complaint of a nude and potentially intoxicated woman causing a disturbance led police to the 1800 block of Washington Boulevard Saturday afternoon.

Multiple calls came in to dispatch regarding a woman without any clothes on in the middle of the road flailing her arms and stopping traffic. At one point she began hitting an RV and pulling on its mirrors.

Witnesses reported the suspect then struck a parked truck trailer while talking to herself, yelling, screaming, and walking up the middle of the road.

Officers arrived, contacted the woman, then transported her to the Josephine County Jail where she was later cited and released.

Posted on 10/20/25 5:31AM by Alex Bauer

Finance Director Files Whistleblower Complaint Suspecting Record Tampering

Josephine County's finance director filed a complaint with law enforcement after suspecting the alleged destruction of a public record regarding the promotion of a county manager. Meanwhile, the Daily Courier reported Legal Counsel Wally Hicks warned "All Elected Officials, Department Heads, and Department Managers" about the potential ramifications of violating public meetings laws, especially related to pay raises, and that, "Explaining the necessity of ethical conduct by government personnel is not an efficient use of my time." In emails obtained by the Courier following a public records request, Finance Director Ruth Nelson wrote to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Legal Department about a citizen's request for all personnel forms relating to County Information Technology and Emergency Management Director Michael Sellers. Noticing the Interim Director of Operations Personnel Action she signed reportedly wasn't included, Nelson said she was concerned that what was released wasn't complete.

Posted on 10/19/25 6:48PM by Alex Bauer

Local Fire Crews Responded to Multiple Roadside Fires over Weekend

Multiple calls came in Friday to Grants Pass 911 regarding fires alongside Interstate 5 north of the Hugo Exit.

Rural Metro Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District responded and quickly converged on the location.

Crews were able to keep the fires under control, with spread only consuming 1/4 acre or less each.

Then on Sunday, at 4:33 p.m., a large vehicle fire was reported at 905 Kerby Mainline Road in Kerby.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, ODF Southwest Oregon District, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the incident.

Fire personnel extinguished the recreational vehicle fire.

Roadside fires are common during warm and dry periods, indicating a possibility of poor vehicle maintenance, or a deteriorating catalytic converter.

Posted on 10/19/25 4:58PM by Alex Bauer

"No Kings" Rally Draws Those For and Against Current Administration

On Saturday, people rallied in Grants Pass as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protest. KDRV reports more than 2,000 people gathered in front of the Josephine County Courthouse, waving signs, wearing costumes, and honking horns in a demonstration that organizers said was meant to push back against what they see as authoritarian leadership. Across the street, counter-protesters also assembled, with many holding signs and expressing support for the current administration. While interactions reportedly remained peaceful, there were moments when tensions escalated. Some counter-protesters crossed into the area where No Kings supporters had gathered. Organizers said they had anticipated the possibility of confrontations and instructed attendees in advance not to engage. They said the event was meant not only as a protest but also as a celebration of community solidarity.

Posted on 10/19/25 4:49PM by Alex Bauer

City of Grants Pass Launches "The Update" Podcast

The City of Grants Pass has launched its first podcast.

Known as "The Update", the podcast is a way for Grants Pass residents, business owners, and partners to stay informed, engaged, and continue moving forward.

In Friday's podcast, City Manager Aaron Cubic discussed the goal of The Update. City Councilor Seth Benham provided an update from Wednesday’s City Council Meeting, followed by Sam Engel, CEO of Rogue Retreat, and City Attorney Stephanie Nuttall.

Engel explained the difference between an unmanaged resting site and a managed facility for unhoused individuals. Nuttall discussed the process related to the grant proposal for a managed site for unhoused individuals in Grants Pass.

The plan will be to publish a podcast every other week, usually a day or two after the most recent Council meeting.

The podcast can be found on the City’s YouTube channel and will soon be available on the major podcast sites like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Posted on 10/19/25 4:10PM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Respond to Vehicle Crash at Cave Junction Farmers Building Supply

A traffic accident occurred at 434 Caves Highway in Cave Junction this afternoon.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office provided a response to the non-injury incident at 12:02 p.m.

A vehicle made contact with the outside wall of Farmers Building Supply while trying to park. The occupant did not require transport by ambulance.

The store was open at the time of the incident, and there were no reported injuries to individuals inside. The staff effectively executed emergency procedures, including building evacuation and incident verification.

Posted on 10/17/25 1:52PM by Alex Bauer