KLDR - Local News

OSP Seeks Information about Vandalism and Salmon Theft at Cole Rivers Hatchery

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in identifying persons of interest in the vandalism of a cellular trail camera and the taking of salmon from a fish trap at the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery near Trail. OSP reports two individuals were first spotted by a trail camera at the hatchery on August 12, 2024, and they returned three days later wearing motorcycle helmets when they entered the stream around the fish trap, attempting to spear salmon. Trail camera photos showed one individual operating a red Harley Davidson or similar motorcycle and the second operating a black sport bike. The subjects were accompanied by a black German shepherd. On July 5th of this year at about 5 a.m., two masked individuals matching the description and builds of the two subjects in 2024 were captured on a trail camera approaching the outflow fish trap. They were again accompanied by a black German shepherd. One individual waded across the river and ripped the antenna off the cellular camera while the second individual remained on shore holding what looked like a large salmon net. The following day, OSP game troopers found the broken antenna and the trail camera pushed to the side. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife found the lock to the fish trap had been cut to gain access to the fish. An unknown number of salmon were netted from the trap.

Posted on 8/6/25 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Warn Residents Old Scam Re-Emerging on Area Telephones

If you receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be from the Grants Pass Police Department or any other law enforcement agency and demanding payment over the internet or phone, please hang up immediately. GPPD does not process payments in this manner and will not call you to collect money for fines, warrants, the policeman's ball or anything else. Another elaborate scam is hitting the Grants Pass community where the caller claims to be "Sergeant Moore" or "Lieutenant Lee" and demands that you need to immediately pay off fines -- using bitcoin -- or face being arrested. The caller then sends a QR code for you to use to pay the money. Please do not fall for this scam. If you get a similar call and are concerned it might actually be an officer, hang up and call the number for GPPD. The non-emergency number is (541)-450-6260. Do not call the number the caller gives you. They will spoof our local area code, making it appear to be a local call when it is not. Unfortunately, a member of the Grants Pass community fell victim to this scam earlier this week and lost $3,500 that she will never be able to recover.

Posted on 8/6/25 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Library Friends Encourages Supporters to Attend August 14th Meeting of BCC

Grants Pass Friends of the Library is encouraging its supporters to attend the August 14th meeting of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. As the Board liaison, Commissioner Chris Barnett and leaders of the Josephine Community Library District had agreed on a draft lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch. Library supporters understood that the lease would be voted on by the Board of Commissioners on August 14th. But in two separate meetings last week, Board Chair Andreas Blech surprised everyone by "setting the expectation" that the lease would not be voted on at the August 14th weekly business session. The postponed vote has given library leaders many reasons to be wary. The lease was canceled with no warning over seven months ago, but overwhelming citizen support for the library made the Commissioners back down. Since then, they said there's been a pattern of "evasion and double speak." If the lease is not resolved soon, the library district will enter the fall months with possible eviction looming in December.

Posted on 8/6/25 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Man for Breaking into CJ Home, Assaulting Woman and Theft

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for breaking into a Cave Junction residence and assaulting a woman while stealing tools and other items early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a disturbance at a home in the 300-block of Stevenson Street on Monday around 3 a.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report a man she identified as 62-year-old Donald Ray McIntosh went into her garden and ripped plants out of the ground before illegally entering her house. Once inside, the suspect allegedly grabbed her by the face and slammed her into the floor. She declined medical attention. According to the report, the victim told dispatchers she was missing tools and other miscellaneous items from her property. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed the woman, located McIntosh and placed him into custody. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary, Felony 1st-Degree Theft and 4th-Degree Assault. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/5/25 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Couple Involved in Domestic Disturbance on Cloverlawn Drive

Grants Pass Police jailed a man and woman who were involved in a domestic disturbance in the southeast part of the city late last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested 33-year-old Nestor Salazar and 29-year-old Erica Maria Chavez after responding to the incident on Cloverlawn Drive on Monday just after 11 p.m.. Police said an investigation determined Salazar subjected his girlfriend -- Sanchez -- to unwanted physical contact and was placed into custody. The suspect then intentionally caused damage to the interior door of a patrol vehicle with his knees and feet. Several large dents and other damage will cost more than $500 to repair. Salazar was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Harassment and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail. During the investigation, officers discovered that Sanchez was wanted on a Multnomah County felony warrant for Unlawful Use of a Weapon. She was placed into custody and lodged in jail without bail.

Posted on 8/5/25 11:16AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Felon for Parole Violation after He Returned to South GP Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a felon for multiple crimes after he returned to a south Grants Pass property from which he had been trespassed. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 3100-block of Williams Highway on Monday shortly after 10 a.m.. Deputies said the property owner called 9-1-1 to report that 46-year-old Dallas Lee Silva had been evicted a couple of months ago, but he returned and was watching the main house. The man had a pit bull dog with him, so the caller and a family member were not comfortable getting out of their vehicle. A records check showed that Silva was evicted by the Sheriff's Office in March, served time in prison and was back on the property without permission. He was placed into custody and found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Silva was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass, Meth Possession and Driving While Suspended plus Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/5/25 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested 3 People on Outstanding Warrants after Saturday Contacts in GP

The Oregon State Police arrested three people on outstanding warrants in the Grants Pass area on the same day last weekend. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Saturday morning when troopers contacted 40-year-old Sean Patrick Mitchell of Grants Pass near the intersection of NE Spring Mountain Drive and Greenfield Road. Mitchell was found to be wanted on a bench warrant for failing to appear in court. He was cited and released from custody. The second incident happened on Saturday afternoon when 28-year-old Tristan Stephen Smith of Jacksonville entered the OSP office on NE 7th Street in Grants Pass. Smith was found to be wanted on a warrant for 1st-Degree Aggravated Theft. He was cited to appear in court and then released. The third incident took place Saturday night when troopers pulled over a Honda Civic driven by 28-year-old Andrew Anthony White, Jr., of Grants Pass near the corner of Elk Lane and Lonnon Road. White was found to be wanted on two bench warrants for failing to appear in court for Contempt of Court and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was lodged in jail and his car was impounded.

Posted on 8/5/25 10:43AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro and ODF Crews Battled Stubborn Fire at Industrial Park in Merlin

Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry used copious amounts of water to extinguish a stubborn fire at the old Rendatta Industrial Park in Merlin early yesterday. Rural Metro and ODF crews worked with site crews to put out a large pile of burning bark dust near the Merlin Distribution Center off Merlin Road. Smoke and steam from the incident location were visible most of the morning. Rural Metro officials said the fire was fully extinguished by 8:30 a.m..

Posted on 8/5/25 10:41AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD & ODF Firefighters Knocked Down Small Grass Fire near Lake Selmac

Firefighters knocked down a small grass fire near Lake Selmac yesterday. On Monday at 3:56 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the reported fire near Lakeshore Drive and Parker Road. IVFD officials said the grass fire was quickly extinguished by responding units. Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Posted on 8/5/25 10:40AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Woman for Stabbing Male Roommate at Azalea Drive Residence

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman for stabbing her roommate at a home between Grants Pass and Merlin last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 35-year-old Jaci Rai Hoyt for the incident in the 800-block of Azalea Drive on Saturday at 9:13 a.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 from the residence to report that Hoyt used a butter knife to stab a 35-year-old man with whom she lives. The caller said he saw Hoyt with the butter knife and she had been acting in a violent manner recently. When deputies and medical personnel arrived on scene, they found the victim lying in bed while applying pressure to the knife wound and Hoyt sitting in the dining room. The victim was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center. The suspect reportedly asked: "Are they taking me to jail?" The answer was "yes." Hoyt was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was booked on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Following her court arraignment, she was being held on $250,000 bail.

Posted on 8/5/25 6:47AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Stealing Pickup during Weekend Traffic Stop near CJ

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for stealing a vehicle from Reedsport following a weekend traffic stop near Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado pickup near the intersection of Waldo and Rockydale roads on Saturday night. Deputies said they spotted 36-year-old Zachrie Mencarelli driving the Silverado that had been reported stolen by the Reedsport Police Department. After the traffic stop, they placed him into custody at gunpoint. Mencarelli was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. He was being held without bail. The Sheriff's Office notified Reedsport PD of the stolen vehicle recovery. The victim was contacted and made arrangements to pick up the vehicle that had been towed to Cave Junction.

Posted on 8/5/25 6:46AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Stealing Bicycle from SE City Apartment Complex

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing an expensive bicycle from a southeast city apartment complex late last week. The Police Department was alerted to the bicycle theft at the Garden Grove Apartments on Fruitdale Drive on Friday morning. Police said the victim reported the bicycle was stolen out of the back of his truck around 3:15 a.m.. The caller said the bike is a TREK with MAXXIS wheels. He said it is a one-of-a-kind bike with custom forks, frame and after-market parts with an estimated value of $8,000. Officers reviewed surveillance video and identified the suspect as 28-year-old Aleksandr Uchytil. He was spotted with the stolen bicycle at Baker Park around 12:15 p.m. and placed into custody. The bike was returned to its rightful owner. Uchytil was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/5/25 6:45AM by Sam Marsh