KLDR - Local News

GP City Council Selects Four Properties for Homeless Sites to End Restraining Order

The Grants Pass City Council has identified four properties that could be utilized as camping sites for the unhoused population. During its Monday workshop session, the City Council acknowledged that it has 10 days to come up with solutions to end a 14-day restraining order that prohibits the city from enforcing most restrictions on public camping. The City of Grants Pass is currently under the two-week injunction due to a lawsuit filed last month by Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregon Law Center. Grants Pass Mayor Clint Scherf opened the workshop by stating that discussions regarding homeless sites -- including locations and resting hours -- were part of an informational session only, with the information being shared with the interim City Attorney. It is hoped the information will limit the order to two weeks rather than it becoming a permanent injunction that could last until the lawsuit is settled, which could be as long as three years. Council members went through a long list of potential homeless camping sites before settling on the existing site at 712 NE 7th Street, the former hospital land at 124 NW Midland Avenue, 601 SE I Street next to the City Shops and industrial property at 2660 NW Vine Street. The first three sites are city-owned while the Vine Street site is currently for sale by a private owner.

Posted on 2/11/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon PUC Hosting Virtual Meeting for Public to Comment on Avista Rate Request

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting an event this evening that will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on a proposed increase to Avista's natural gas rates. Avista filed a request to increase overall revenues by $7.8 million. If approved, residential customers living in single-family homes using an average of 47 therms per month would see a bill increase of $4.39. Actual percentage increases will vary depending on customer type, usage and the rate paid. Avista's general rate case filing proposes a 9.2% rate increase for residential single-family, a 6.9% increase for residential multi-family, a 10.2% increase for commercial and a 9.2% increase for industrial. Avista asserts these proposed rate increases are necessary to account for investments in the system to improve capacity and safety. Avista's general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of natural gas customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens' Utility Board and others. These public comment events are part of that investigation, which will conclude in August when the Commissioners rule on the request.

Posted on 2/11/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Deadline Fast Approaching for GP Sustainable Tourism Grant Program Applicants

The City of Grants Pass is still seeking applicants for its Sustainable Tourism Grant Program, but the deadline is coming very soon. The Sustainable Tourism Grant Program provides between $2,500 and $5,000 in funding to promote events, activities or attractions that will increase visitation to and overnight stays in Grants Pass from more than 50 miles away from the city. Preferred projects include events that are community-focused, involve outdoor recreation and/or touring, travel and agri-tourism. Community festivals can involve music, athletics, the arts and more. Interested groups or organizations are encouraged to apply now as the deadline for this program is Wednesday, February 12th. For more information, contact Grants Pass Economic Development Specialist Dana Pearce at "dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov" or (541)-450-6014.

Posted on 2/11/25 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Jailed Medford Felon for Several Crimes after Weekend Traffic Stop in GP

The Oregon State Police jailed a Medford man for several crimes after a weekend traffic stop on the east side of Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Dodge Ram pickup driven by 42-year-old Matthew Roy Barbosa on the Grants Pass Parkway underneath the Interstate 5 milepost 55 overpass on Saturday at 11:47 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped Barbosa for traffic violations and quickly learned that the pickup had been reported stolen. The suspect was detained and a search of the vehicle located a hidden compartment filled with US currency, a digital scale and drug paraphernalia. The convicted felon was also found with unspecified weapons. According to OSP, Barbosa gave inconsistent statements about how he came to be in possession of the stolen truck and he was placed into custody. The cash, drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapons were seized as evidence. Barbosa was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Methamphetamine Possession and two counts of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon. He was being held without bail. The stolen pickup was returned to a 65-year-old Grants Pass woman.

Posted on 2/10/25 10:37AM by Sam Marsh

Troopers Collared 2 Fugitives on Outstanding Warrants in Josephine County

The Oregon State Police apprehended two local fugitives in Josephine County over the weekend. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Saturday at 4:24 p.m. when troopers received information from an off-duty law enforcement officers that a wanted subject was walking along Interstate 5 near Wolf Creek. Troopers said the wanted subject was identified as a 29-year-old Wolf Creek man, but they contacted 29-year-old Kyle Steven Williams of Glendale instead and found that he was wanted on a local felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. The second incident happened on Sunday at 7:56 a.m. when troopers pulled over a Honda Accord driven by 44-year-old Sandra Faye Coome of Sunny Valley in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 59. Troopers said they stopped Coome for a traffic violation and learned that she had a warrant for an unspecified crime out of Curry County. She was lodged in jail on the warrant, but has since been released after posting bail.

Posted on 2/10/25 10:35AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Three Motorists for Impaired Driving in Jo County Traffic Stops

The Oregon State Police arrested at least three motorists for impaired driving after weekend traffic stops in Josephine County. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Saturday at 12:27 a.m. when troopers pulled over a Ford F-350 pickup driven by a 37-year-old Grants Pass man at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Allen Creek Road. Troopers said they stopped the pickup for a traffic violation, the driver showed signs of impairment and he refused to participate in any testing. The second incident happened on Sunday at 7:40 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Tundra driven by a 72-year-old Williams man on Highway 238 near New Hope Road. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation, the driver showed signs of impairment and performed poorly in field sobriety tests. The third incident took place on Sunday at 9:54 p.m. when troopers pulled over an Infinity G37 driven by a 35-year-old O'Brien man at the corner of Suncrest Drive and Waldo Road. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for several traffic violations and the driver displayed several signs of impairment.

Posted on 2/10/25 10:33AM by Sam Marsh

National Weather Service Posts Cold Weather Advisory for SW Oregon Region

Following a week that brought snow along with school and government closures to Southern Oregon, the National Weather Service has now posted a Cold Weather Advisory for the region. The Cold Weather Advisory runs from 10 o'clock tonight until 9 a.m. Wednesday in Josephine, Jackson, Douglas and eastern Curry counties. Very cold temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees are expected over the next two nights. The frigid weather can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Residents are encouraged to use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing including a hat and gloves especially in the overnight and early morning hours. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter with plenty of food and unfrozen water.

Posted on 2/10/25 10:32AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Selma Man for Attacking Family Members at Rural Residence

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Selma man for attacking family members at their rural home over the weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 49-year-old Rick Brady Courson for the incident in the 6500-block of Deer Creek Road on Saturday at 4:39 a.m.. Deputies said they received a call from a woman who reported that her son was "trying to kill us." They said the caller advised she was bleeding from a lump on her head and her son also bit her on the hand. Her husband was also injured. She requested law enforcement and medical assistance. According to the report, the victim and her husband had been having issues with Courson over the last few days and it escalated to violence as he attacked them. Upon arrival, deputies found Courson had barricaded himself in a second-story bathroom and he had made threats to hurt anyone who tried to enter. He eventually surrendered and was placed into custody. Courson was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Domestic Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, plus misdemeanor charges of 4th-Degree Assault and Attempted Strangulation. He was being held without bail pending arraignment in Circuit Court this afternoon.

Posted on 2/10/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Fraud Crimes in Redwood Highway Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for several crimes after contacting her during a patrol check late last week. The Police Department reports officers contacted 37-year-old Krystal Ann Wilder in the 200-block of Redwood Highway on Friday afternoon. Police said they observed Wilder and a male companion leaving a residence after being alerted to a suspicious property with drug activity. They said they knew she was wanted in connection with a recent fraud crime. Wilder was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for probable cause of Identity Theft, Attempted Identity Theft, 2nd-Degree Forgery and 2nd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail and her personal property was logged into evidence for safekeeping. Officers said the alleged victim reported having further information that would likely result in additional charges against Wilder.

Posted on 2/10/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Motorist for Colliding with Traffic Control Devices & Vehicle

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for colliding with traffic control devices and another vehicle before fleeing the scene late last week. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the incident on the Grants Pass Parkway at SE M Street on Friday at 7:15 p.m.. Police said 68-year-old Nicholas Louie Lazares was driving a Hyundai sedan when he made an improper left-hand turn onto the Parkway, crashing into a yield sign and pedestrian control pole before striking a Toyota driven by a male subject. They said Lazares continued driving away from the scene without stopping. According to the report, no one was hurt -- but the sign, pole and other vehicle sustained moderate to heavy damage. A witness to the crash followed the suspect vehicle and lost it, but not before taking photos and sharing them with officers. Following an investigation, police located Lazares a short time later in the area of SW Greenwood and Central avenues. They impounded his vehicle, which had a flat tire, a cracked windshield and front-end damage. Lazares was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. The Oregon Department of Transportation was notified about the damage to its traffic control devices.

Posted on 2/10/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Crews Extinguished IV Garage Fire before it Could Spread to Attached House

Firefighters extinguished a garage fire before it could spread to an attached house near Cave Junction early yesterday. The Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to a structure fire in the 1,000-block of White Schoolhouse Road on Sunday at 10:22 a.m.. Arriving units discovered a vehicle fire that had extended to an attached garage, but firefighters contained the blaze to the vehicle and garage before it could spread to the residence. There were no injuries reported. IVFD officials said a full investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

Posted on 2/10/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP City Council to Interview Ward 3 Candidates & Discuss Homeless Plight

The Grants Pass City Council is set to interview candidates for an empty seat on the panel and discuss the unhoused population situation at its workshop today. The City Council will open the workshop by interviewing candidates for the empty seat in Ward 3 after former Councilor Dwayne Yunker resigned in order to take care of his duties in the Oregon House of Representatives. The Council will then discuss the resting sites and hours of homeless properties. The City of Grants Pass is currently under a two-week injunction prohibiting it from enforcing homeless camping restrictions after Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregon Law Center filed a lawsuit late last month. Last Monday, the Council held a roundtable discussion with several organizations that provide services to the local unhoused population, which is estimated to be around 500 people. Today's workshop will conclude with a review of agendas for future workshops and regular meetings. It begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 2/10/25 5:37AM by Sam Marsh