KLDR - Local News

Deputies Jailed Man on State and Local Warrants plus New Charges after Pursuit

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on statewide and local warrants plus new charges after he led deputies on a weekend pursuit in the Murphy area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 48-year-old Ronald Michael Varner, Sr., in the 100-block of Scott Drive on Sunday at 12:09 p.m.. Deputies said they initially attempted to stop an unplated motorcycle ridden by Varner in the 7200-block of North Applegate Road, but he refused to yield and sped away, turning onto Board Shanty Road and Scott Drive before stopping. Upon contact, deputies discovered that Varner was wanted on a state warrant for Parole Violation stemming from convictions for Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Delivery of Methamphetamine. He was also wanted on a Josephine County warrant containing a secret indictment for 3rd-Degree Robbery, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, 4th-Degree Assault and Petty Theft as well as a Jackson County warrant for Contempt of Court. Varner was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus new charges of Reckless Driving and Driving While Suspended. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. His motorcycle was impounded.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Woman for Probation Violation after Foot Pursuit at Park in CJ

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for violating terms of her probation following a foot pursuit in Cave Junction late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a disturbance involving 31-year-old Carly Brooke Jensen in the parking lot of Jubilee Park on Monday at 5:47 p.m.. Deputies said a citizen reported that Jensen and a male subject were intoxicated and arguing inside a dark-green sport utility vehicle. Prior to the 9-1-1 call, the citizen advised both the man and woman had punched each other, but no one was hurt. The feuding couple were taking turns walking a dog in the park. Upon arrival, the unidentified male subject told deputies that Jensen had broken a window on his vehicle -- but he didn't want to press any charges against her. Both Jensen and her corrections officer were contacted, and the officer wanted her detained. She tried to run away, but was quickly subdued and placed into custody. Jensen was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Probation Violation and 3rd-Degree Escape. She was being held on a no-bail detainer. She was also trespassed from Jubilee Park for one year.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Fighting with Officers Investigating Trespass Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for fighting with officers who responded to a weekend trespassing complaint at a northeast city residence. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident involving 43-year-old Dion Micki Cleek in the 1300-block of NE 10th Street on Sunday at about 7:15 p.m.. Police said Cleek returned to the home after previously being warned for trespass at that address. After being contacted by officers, Cleek refused to stop and used physical force to prevent being placed into custody. She intentionally kicked one officer before she was taken to the ground. She was not hurt in the apprehension. Cleek was uncooperative throughout the investigation and she was ultimately arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail and her trespass warning was updated.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:42AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Violent Behavior Toward Others at Resting Site

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for her violent behavior toward others at a downtown resting site early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the disturbance at the NE 7th Street resting site on Monday at 9:50 a.m.. Police said they were alerted to a man and woman fighting on the ground at the designated campsite. The male subject -- identified by GPPD as "Gregory Kime" -- came into the nearby police lobby to file a complaint against 63-year-old Carol Selph who was also identified as "Carol Ann Taylor" in the report. An investigation determined that Selph shoved gravel into Kime's mouth and then threw gravel at others in the resting site. Her behavior caused public alarm and generated multiple calls for service. Video surveillance footage showed her to be the primary aggressor in the altercation with Kime. Selph was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail. She was also trespassed from the resting site for 30 days.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Frequent Flyer for Parole Violation after Downtown Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for violating terms of his post-prison supervision after he was found to be in possession of drugs early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to reports of suspicious activity involving 23-year-old Xander Arthur Michael Strow at the A-1 Market & Deli on SE 8th Street on Monday at 8:55 a.m.. Police said they arrived on scene and observed Strow acting erratically at the corner of 8th and H streets. They said he voluntarily admitted to them that he was in possession of a controlled substance that tested positive as methamphetamine. Strow was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Meth Possession plus the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:39AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Naked Woman for Entering Redwood Home & Taking Blanket

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a naked woman for walking into a Redwood area home, stealing a blanket, fleeing and then returning yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies and Grants Pass police officers responded to the incident in the 2500-block of Leonard Road late Monday morning. Deputies said a teenager called 9-1-1 to report the incident involving the 38-year-old woman because both their parents were at work. The 13-year-old caller told dispatchers the naked woman came into the house without permission, took one of their blankets and urinated on the floor before leaving the house and walking toward Redwood Elementary School. The woman had returned to the house by the time law enforcement arrived and she was placed into custody. She was lodged in jail for 1st-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/10/25 11:38AM by Sam Marsh

Medford Police Detectives Investigating Weekend Homicide at Elementary School

The Medford Police Department is investigating a weekend homicide that occurred in the parking lot of an elementary school. MPD officers were dispatched to Wilson Elementary School where a deceased male was discovered on Sunday around 6:30 a.m.. Detectives responded to the scene and confirmed this is a homicide investigation. Surveillance footage obtained from the Medford School District shows the incident occurred several hours earlier. Investigators are working to collect additional surveillance footage to identify the suspect or suspects and any associated vehicles. At this time, there is no known threat to the public or school community. According to MPD, this remains an active and ongoing investigation. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

Posted on 6/10/25 6:53AM by Sam Marsh

Man Killed in Weekend Rollover Crash on Williams Highway at Green Meadow

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a motorist was killed in a weekend crash in the Williams area. On Saturday at about 8:30 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Williams Highway and Green Meadow Road. Williams Fire & Rescue also responded to the scene and found a single-vehicle rollover crash with a single occupant identified as 31-year-old Spencer Donald Goulding. Deputies said the initial investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling on the highway when -- for an unknown reason -- it left the road, eventually coming to rest on its top partially blocking the highway. Goulding was found unrestrained and he was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Three Rivers Medical Center. Next of kin have been notified. According to the Sheriff's Office, no further information will be released at this time.

Posted on 6/10/25 6:48AM by Sam Marsh

Man Missing and Presumed Dead after Crashing over Cliff in Galice Area Chase

A man is missing and presumed dead after he wrecked his motorcycle off a cliff above the Rogue River during a law enforcement pursuit northwest of Galice last weekend. The Oregon State Police reports troopers assisted the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with the single-vehicle crash near milepost 17 of Galice Road late Sunday night. OSP said a preliminary investigation indicates a Honda motorcycle ridden by an unidentified man was being pursued by sheriff's deputies when it left the roadway and crashed into a tree on the downward slope of a cliff overlooking the river. According to OSP, the rider was not found and his identity was unknown. A 46-year-old Grants Pass man was mentioned in the report, but not confirmed as the rider. Unconfirmed sources reported a motorcycle helmet was found in the river. Bulldog Towing collected the heavily-damaged motorcycle and transported it to their secure storage facility in Grants Pass. On Monday, sources reported a body was found in the Rogue near Rainie Falls. However, that report has not yet been confirmed by the Sheriff's Office.

Posted on 6/10/25 6:47AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Investigating Causes of 2 Small Monday Afternoon Fires in Jackson County

The Oregon Department of Forestry is investigating two small fires that broke out late yesterday in Jackson County. On Monday afternoon, ODF and Jackson County Fire District #1 responded to a reported grass fire in the median of Interstate 5 near milepost 44 just north of Gold Hill. ODF officials said the fire was knocked down at an estimated 1/10th of an acre and the cause of the blaze was under investigation. A short time later, ODF and Jackson County Fire District #3 responded to a fire near the intersection of Agate and Pruett roads north of White City. Firefighters engaged in an aggressive initial attack and stopped the spread of the fire at a half-acre. The cause of that fire is also under investigation. ODF also spent Monday afternoon and evening tracking thunderstorms that materialized near the Oregon-California border. Several lightning strikes were recorded in western Jackson and eastern Josephine counties, but so far there have been no reports of fires. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast for this afternoon.

Posted on 6/10/25 6:45AM by Sam Marsh

ODOT Announces Interstate 5 Road Maintenance Projects in Jackson County

The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced two road maintenance projects that could cause delays for motorists traveling on Interstate 5 in Jackson County this week. Northbound commuters on I-5 between Medford and Grants Pass should plan for delays this morning. Crews are repairing worn pavement and potholes in the northbound lanes between Exits 40 and 43. Expect a single-lane closure until late morning. Watch for workers and be prepared to slow down. Nighttime work continues through June 20th on I-5 from Ashland to Phoenix. Watch for single-lane closures while crews seal cracks in the pavement in the northbound and southbound lanes between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. Motorists can expect enhanced law enforcement patrols in the work zones, made possible by safety grant funding.

Posted on 6/10/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP VFW Post Holding American Red Cross Blood Drive at Fruitdale Grange

Donate blood and help save lives. The Grants Pass VFW Post 2302 is holding an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday at the Fruitdale Grange at 1440 Parkdale Drive. Tomorrow's blood drive runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-(800)-REDCROSS or visit "RedCrossBlood.org" and enter "VFW Grants Pass." Maximize your blood donation and help more patients. If you are an eligible type O, B- or A- donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component. Blood has a shelf life of 42 days, which means ongoing donations are key to ensure medical needs are met. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed during the summer season. If you give blood to the American Red Cross in June, you are eligible to receive a $15 gift card via email. You will also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Terms apply. Visit "RedCrossBlood.org/June."

Posted on 6/10/25 6:38AM by Sam Marsh