KLDR - Local News

IMET Dismantled Black-Market Cannabis Grow in Rural Jacksonville Last Week

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County raided a black-market cannabis grow in rural Jacksonville last week. In a Wednesday afternoon press release, IMET reports detectives served a search warrant on September 19th at an illegal marijuana growing operation in a heavily forested area off Yale Creek Road south of Jacksonville. Detectives said the property was littered with piles of trash, broken-down cars, tires, fertilizers, chemicals and other environmental hazards. The grow was also illegally siphoning water from a nearby creek on US Forest Service land. During execution of the warrant, IMET seized nearly 4,000 illegal marijuana plants and six firearms. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at the remote location. The team was assisted by the Jackson and Josephine County Sheriff's offices as well as the Oregon State Police. Two suspects were detained and charges of Felony Marijuana Manufacture and Possession were referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Law enforcement also found evidence of suspected poaching at the scene, which was turned over to the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division for potential prosecution. During the search, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded and issued a total of $25,000 in fines to two separate landowners for several violations. The Oregon Water Resources Department also responded to investigate the property's water usage. A Notice of Violation was issued to the responsible parties for unauthorized appropriation of water from a tributary of Yale Creek.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:26AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared IV Man on State Warrant after Assault Complaint at CJ Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended an Illinois Valley man on a statewide felony warrant after responding to an assault complaint in Cave Junction this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 60-year-old Dominic Gilbert Rivera in the 100-block of North Junction Avenue on Tuesday night. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 after Rivera threatened him at his business and then followed him home, shoved him and told him that if he didn't move, he would be killed. The caller said it has been an ongoing issue between the two men since a prior unspecified incident. Rivera was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for 4th-Degree Assault. He was placed into custody after deputies were advised that an officer safety alert had been entered on him. Rivera was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Stealing Washer & Dryer Set from Business Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing a washer and dryer set from a business in the southeast part of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint in the 900-block of SE M Street on Tuesday afternoon. Police said 43-year-old Shylo Ann Kinchela was observed on video surveillance loading an Electrolux washer and dryer set valued at $1,528 into the back of her truck with assistance from a man and woman. The truck and stolen items were located by the victim a short time later at a residence on SE Clarey Avenue. According to the report, Kinchela admitted to stealing the items and altering the license plate on her truck to make it harder for law enforcement to find. She was placed into custody while the stolen washer and dryer were returned to the victim. Kinchela was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft. She was also cited for Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Reports Disabled Vehicle Entered on Interstate 5 in the North Valley Area

The Oregon State Police is reporting a motorist whose vehicle became disabled on Interstate 5 in the North Valley area was broken into earlier this week. OSP reports troopers were notified of the car-clouting incident that occurred on Monday night in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 65. Troopers said a 30-year-old man was driving a white Jeep when it broke down and he left it on the side of the freeway. Sometime late Monday night, someone broke into the vehicle and stole an estimated $2,000 worth of personal belongings. According to OSP, the Jeep owner called 9-1-1 when he returned to retrieve his vehicle and found it had been entered. There is no suspect information at this time. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to dial *OSP.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

RR City Council Convenes This Evening for What Appears to be Short Meeting

The Rogue River City Council convenes this evening for what appears to be a relatively short meeting. Following Committee Reports and Public Input, there are only three items of New Business on the Council agenda. The City Council is set to approve Mayor Pam VanArsdale's appointment of City Administrator Ryan Nolan as the voting delegate representing Rogue River at the League of Oregon Cities annual conference. The Council will also review and provide a local government recommendation for a liquor license application from Taproots Nursery. The panel is also scheduled to accept the September 12th minutes of the 2024 Tree City USA Committee. Tonight's meeting starts at 6 at Rogue River City Hall, 133 Broadway Street. A Council-Planning Commission Workshop will take place next Tuesday at 10 a.m.. The agenda includes parking reform. There will be discussion regarding the Rogue River Municipal Code plus a review of required parking standards and exemption requests.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Commissioners Approved Supplemental Budget and Dissolved Three Old Committees

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. During a public hearing before the 3-0 vote, County Finance Director Sandy Novak testified no new expenses or revenue are reflected in the revised budget. She said insurance payment covering the Sheriff's Office that has been made from the General Fund is being shifted to the local law enforcement agency's budget. In other business, the Board dissolved a task force and two committees that have served their intended functions and are no longer necessary. They included the COVID-19 Relief Funds Task Force, the Fire Protection Committee and the Advisory Committee on Forestry Affairs. The Commissioners voted 2-0 to appoint Robert Stumbo to the Mining Advisory Committee. Board Chair John West did not vote to avoid a possible conflict of interest. During the Public Comment period, the Board heard continued complaints about defunding the 4-H Extension Service District. One woman stated representatives from the Master Gardeners program did not attend a recent forum because they are no longer supported by the OSU Extension. The same woman said Josephine County missed an opportunity to host a state youth sport-shooting event in 2025.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

Total Payroll Employment in Jackson County Increased by 440 Jobs in August

Total payroll employment in Jackson County rose by 440 jobs in August. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 103,514 people working in Jackson County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.6%, which was down slightly from 4.7% in July. Retail trade and private education & health services had the largest private-sector gains over the month. Small increases were noted in construction; transportation, warehousing & utilities; and financial activities. Industries with estimated job losses in August were leisure & hospitality, manufacturing, and other services. Government had a net gain of 140 jobs over the month, with an increase of 160 in local government education and a slight loss of 20 jobs in federal government. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County rose by 740 jobs, an increase of 0.8%. Since August 2023, industries adding jobs were private education & health services (+1,160) and retail trade (+80). Industries with over-the-year losses included manufacturing (-320), financial activities (-170), leisure & hospitality (-160), professional & business services (-150), construction (-150), and other services (-30).

Posted on 9/26/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Rogue Community College to Honor Two Women at President's Circle Dinner Tonight

Rogue Community College will recognize two honorees at the 2024 President's Circle Dinner this evening. The event is being held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Vista 222 in the Applegate Valley. Jaida Ross, a 2020 RCC graduate, was named Alum of the Year for exemplifying the spirit of academic and athletic excellence. Helen Hanson was named RCC Citizen of the Year for her philanthropic work and dedication to the school's nursing program. Ross completed a college transfer degree as a dual-credit student through Logos Public Charter School. After launching her college career at RCC, she transferred to the University of Oregon where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a master's degree in prevention science. An accomplished track and field athlete, Ross was the 2024 PAC-12 and NCAA Division 1 shot put champion and she recently competed in the Summer Olympics in Paris, France. President Randy Weber said Jaida and Helen represent what it means to embody the values of RCC, whether it's through athletic and academic achievement or by selflessly giving back to the community.

Posted on 9/26/24 6:03AM by Sam Marsh

Commissioners Approve Supplemental Budget and Dissolve Three Committees

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning unanimously approved a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. During a public hearing before the 3-0 vote, County Finance Director Sandy Novak testified no new expenses or revenue are reflected in the revised budget. She said insurance payment covering the Sheriff's Office that has been made from the General Fund is being shifted to the local law enforcement agency's budget. In other business, the Board dissolved a task force and two committees that have served their intended functions and are no longer necessary. They included the COVID-19 Relief Funds Task Force, the Fire Protection Committee and the Advisory Committee on Forestry Affairs. The Commissioners voted 2-0 to appoint Robert Stumbo the Mining Advisory Committee. Board Chair John West did not vote to avoid a possible conflict of interest. During the Public Comment period, the Board heard continued complaints about defunding the 4-H Extension Service District. One woman stated representatives from the Master Gardeners program did not attend a recent forum because they are no longer supported by the OSU Extension. The same woman said Josephine County missed an opportunity to host a state youth sport-shooting event in 2025. Other citizen comments centered around the proposed fire district, support for small businesses, the US Constitution as it relates to public education, veiled threats against members of the local Democratic party and a general lack of integrity on the current Board of Commissioners.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared IV Man on State Warrant after Assault Complaint at CJ Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended an Illinois Valley man on a statewide felony warrant after responding to an assault complaint in Cave Junction last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 60-year-old Dominic Gilbert Rivera in the 100-block of North Junction Avenue on Tuesday at 9:11 p.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 after Rivera threatened him at his business and then followed him home, shoved him and told him that if he didn't move, he would be killed. The caller said it has been an ongoing issue between the two men since a prior unspecified incident. Rivera was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for 4th-Degree Assault. He was placed into custody after deputies were advised that an officer safety alert had been entered on him. Rivera was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Stealing Washer & Dryer Set from Business Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing a washer and dryer set from a business in the southeast part of the city yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint in the 900-block of SE M Street on Tuesday around 12:40 p.m.. Police said 43-year-old Shylo Ann Kinchela was observed on video surveillance loading an Electrolux washer and dryer set valued at $1,528 into the back of her truck with assistance from a man and woman. The truck and stolen items were located by the victim a short time later at a residence on SE Clarey Avenue. According to the report, Kinchela admitted to stealing the items and altering the license plate on her truck to make it harder for law enforcement to find. She was placed into custody while the stolen washer and dryer were returned to the victim. Kinchela was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft. She was also cited for Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:16AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Woman for Unlawfully Entering Home and Man Still At Large

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for unlawfully entering another person's residence and she might also be on the hook for stealing a prized comic book collection. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a break-in at a house in the 5500-block of Rogue River Highway on Monday afternoon. Deputies said the resident called 9-1-1 to report a man and woman were inside his house. The caller said the woman drove through his yard in a white Kia Optima while the man fled on foot. The caller also reported his comic book collection valued at $30,000 and ring cameras were missing. Deputies located the Kia a short time later and pulled it over on Elrod Lane. A 29-year-old female driver was placed into custody, but the stolen items were not found in her car. The woman produced a lease agreement as a defense for lawfully being at the property, but further investigation determined it was not legitimate. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. The male suspect was not located. It is believed he escaped in a 1996 gold Lexus sedan that may have contained the stolen items. The investigation was continuing.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh