KLDR - Local News

Task Force Busted Black-Market Marijuana Grow Hidden In Pear Orchard

Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Tuesday at a black-market cannabis grow in the 1000 block of Old Stage Road in rural Central Point. IMET detectives seized approximately 25,000 marijuana plants hidden in pear orchards, 16,000 lbs. of usable cannabis, and 1,470 plants in five “hoop-style” greenhouses. One suspect, Jorge Alexander Ruiz, 35, of Central Point, was arrested in connection to the property and is charged with three felony counts of unlawful production, manufacture, and possession of a marijuana item. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. The farm applied for an Oregon Department of Agriculture license for growing hemp while concealing cannabis starter plants in the pear orchard.

Posted on 6/19/26 5:39AM by Alex Bauer

2026 Medford Cruise to Celebrate 41 Years

The 41st Annual Medford Cruise Events are set to take place Saturday, June 20th, with cars, food, vendors, and family fun all lined up.

The Medford Cruise Association organizes the show and, when done, donates to the kids' organizations that volunteered. With a long-running partnership with the City of Medford & the Medford Parks and Recreation Department, all of the events are free to attend for the people of Southern Oregon.

The fun kicks off Friday with a new event, the Lithia & Driveway Friday Show ‘n Shine Dinner & Music Party in the Park. Other events taking place Saturday include The High Road Autos '80 & Newer Show-n-Shine, The Gills Point S Tire & Auto Service '79 & Older Show-n-Shine, and judging events.

From there, the Best in Class will be awarded. Best-in-class winners will then be judged for Best in Show. These and many other trophies will be awarded from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Grand Finale happens from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Rogue Credit Union Downtown Cruise Show, where over 450 extraordinary cars, trucks and motorcycles will circle downtown Medford.

You can still register for the events in person at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park on Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., or when you arrive on Saturday.

Posted on 6/18/26 12:56PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man Causing Disturbance at Speedway Express, Lodged for Trespass

Staff at a Speedway Express called 911 requesting a man be trespassed from the business after he was reported yelling and screaming at others.

The suspect refused to leave the 1094 NE E Street location Wednesday around 1 p.m. despite being asked to leave by employees about five times. Dispatch was told the suspect was only wearing blue underwear with pants around his ankles, had a Mohawk, a white bag, and was screaming at others in the vicinity.

He had tried to force himself into the business before walking in front of cars on his way to the nearby KFC. He returned briefly to the Speedway Express before walking on E Street, disturbing traffic.

According to the police report, the suspect, Rell Baty, was contacted near the Wells Fargo on SE 6th Street. He was advised he was under arrest, then taken into custody for a charge of Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Officers provided Baty with a property receipt for his items, then transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was subsequently lodged.

Posted on 6/18/26 12:41PM by Alex Bauer

Woman Defecated on Vehicle, Apprehended and Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police responded to a public defecation complaint Wednesday, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Dispatch was notified of the incident in the parking lot of G Street Bar and Grill around 9:53 p.m. The caller reported the suspect, Bobbie Jo Langdon, had defecated on his vehicle, and then walked away from the scene screaming.

He reported she continued to walk back and forth in a nearby alley, and law enforcement responded. Langdon was soon contacted at the corner of J and 8th Streets and arrested for a charge of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree. Officers proceeded to lodge her in the Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 6/18/26 11:44AM by Alex Bauer

Man Possessing Fentanyl Arrested, Lodged on Drug Charge, Detainer by PO

Grants Pass Police arrested a man in possession of fentanyl after he was detained by his parole officer.

The suspect, Matthew Montgomery, was detained Wednesday at 4:54 p.m. at 202 Redwood Highway. A consent search had taken place, and inside Montgomery's red El Camino was a puck full of what was believed to be fentanyl.

He hadn't yet been questioned, and law enforcement's response was requested. Upon the officer's arrival and after being read his rights, Montgomery admitted to the possession of fentanyl.

He was transported to jail, and lodged by his parole officer on a Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance charge and detainer.

Posted on 6/18/26 11:26AM by Alex Bauer

Axe-Swinging Suspect Apprehended by GP Police

A man waving an axe and jumping around downtown was arrested by Grants Pass Police after being contacted at Debo Park.

A report came in to dispatch Wednesday around 1:50 p.m. about a man outside with an axe near the Grants Pass Museum of Art at 229 SW G Street. The caller said the man was jumping up and down and swinging the axe around before walking down by the Herb Shop.

The suspect was located by officers in Debo Park. He was with a group in the north east corner, and was identified as Michael Carrero. Officers took him into custody for a charge of Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, as well as a Parole Violation Detainer.

He was promptly transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged.

Posted on 6/18/26 10:59AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Dispatched to Two Separate Traffic Accidents

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response responded to two traffic accidents yesterday and this morning with the help of law enforcement.

Wednesday at 8:19 p.m., crews joined the Josephine County Sheriff's Office in responding to a vehicle vs. motorcycle incident that occurred in the 25,000 block of Redwood Highway in Cave Junction.

One person was transported with non-life-threatening injuries, and deputies conducted the investigation.

I.V. Fire and AMR were again dispatched to a two-vehicle traffic accident at the 17 mile marker of U.S. Highway 199 this morning at 8:18 a.m.

Along with the Oregon State Police, crews responded to find none of the occupants of the involved vehicles sustained injuries. The scene was subsequently transferred to the Oregon Department of Transportation and OSP troopers. The vehicles were towed from the scene.

Posted on 6/18/26 10:41AM by Alex Bauer

Council Approved Resolution Supplementing Budget, Residential Development Agreement

City Council began their 6 p.m. meeting with unanimous approval of a resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The resolution would change appropriations to the water fund for the creation of the special payments category. This used for returning previous Urban Renewal contributions. Council then approved a resolution for the City Manager to enter an agreement with Allenwood Homes, LLC, to construct a residential development on Allenwood Drive. The closing date for the sale set in the agreement is on or before July 1st, with the option for an extension. Revenue for the site comes from surplus property sales. A resolution consenting to the change in assignment of Southern Oregon Sanitation to Waste Connections passed unanimously, as did approval of a real property purchase at

Posted on 6/18/26 5:46AM by Alex Bauer

Man Arrested for Failing to Register, Parole Board Warrant after Missing Phone Investigation

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a warrant and for failing to register as a sex offender after he was found in possession of someone else's phone.

A man called 911 to report his wife's phone was pinging at the Parker's Place warming shelter. Law enforcement was advised the couple believed the phone was dropped in the Donut Land parking lot at 2 o'clock this morning, and it was possible a transient took it from there.

Officers arrived at where the phone had been pinging and contacted Brandon Lewis. He was found to be in possession of the phone, and told officers he had been given the phone earlier in the day.

Upon further investigation, Lewis was found to be both wanted on an Oregon Parole Board warrant, and out of compliance with his Sex Offender Registry. Officers arrested Lewis and transported him to jail. He was lodged on his warrant and for Failing to Register.

Posted on 6/17/26 2:11PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Nude Suspect on Disorderly Conduct Charge, Detainer

The 911 Dispatch Center received multiple calls Tuesday afternoon regarding a man in the nude causing public alarm.

One of the calls reported the suspect was playing with himself and pretending to pull up pants that he didn't have outside Dan'l Boone's Trading Post at 470 Redwood Highway. Other callers reported the same suspect was throwing rocks at passing vehicles.

He was soon contacted and taken into custody by arriving officers at Parker's Place around 1:42 p.m. Law enforcement identified him as Jake Thompson, and arrested him for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. He was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility on his charge and a parole violation detainer.

Posted on 6/17/26 1:45PM by Alex Bauer

Library Presents Teen Bad Artists Club at Participating Branches

The Josephine Community Library invites teens ages 13 through 17 to join the Summer Reading Program Teen Bad Artists Club at participating library branches this summer.

During each club session, participants make themed craft projects and new friends. The program, including craft activities and promotional materials was developed by teen volunteers, who will lead each session. Snacks will be provided while participants listen to music, collect weekly stickers, and create art.

Activities include DIY Comics and Bookmarks, Terracotta Pot Painting, Clay Art, Teen Lego Challenge, and Mini Art. Teen participants are welcome to attend as many or as few sessions as they want.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information about specific dates and activities for the club, and about the Summer Reading Program, visit josephinelibrary.org

Posted on 6/17/26 1:19PM by Alex Bauer

Board Approved Proposed Administrative Policy Changes at WBS

Legal Counsel presented orders of Administrative Policies and Procedures, and their proposed changes, to the Board of Commissioners. For Approval Authority Thresholds and Criteria, the policy will be repealed and replaced, with the main change being the lack of a liaison system. Changes to Advisory Bodies included removal of a line saying the board, when practicable, would be expected to communicate with the person no longer involved with the Advisory Committee. A line saying all appointments and removals to said committee prior to the end of the term shall be effectuated by board resolution was added. For Position Requisitions, if the position is budgeted, it will be considered approved. Personnel Actions will be delegated to department heads, Travel will be delegated to the finance director, and Animals in

Posted on 6/17/26 1:03PM by Alex Bauer