KLDR - Local News

US Senators Merkley & Wyden Push to Expand Smith River NRA into SW Oregon

US Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have introduced the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act, legislation to expand the recreation area by 58,000 acres into southwest Oregon. Merkley and Wyden said this legislation is critical to protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries that many Oregonians rely on. The bill is co-sponsored by two California Senators. In 1990, Congress enacted legislation to establish the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) to protect the watershed, but the boundary of the NRA stopped at the Oregon border, leaving the North Fork of the Smith River and its tributaries unprotected. The Smith River is home to a rich variety of plants and wildlife. The Smith River NRA's scenic beauty, world-class fisheries and exceptional water quality attract adventurers who partake in Oregon's many recreational opportunities. The NRA expansion would protect 74 miles of scenic rivers, creeks and streams and permanently withdraw the land from new mining claims. Additionally, the legislation would task the US Forest Service with the preparation of an updated recreation plan identifying specific plans for the entire NRA.

Posted on 3/19/25 5:18AM by Sam Marsh

DMV and ODOT Warns Impersonators Texting Cell Phones about Unpaid Toll Fees

Scammers posing as DMV and ODOT are texting cell phones about unpaid toll fees. The messages vary, but essentially claim you have a past due toll balance that must be paid immediately to avoid DMV fines or having your license suspended. DMV and ODOT officials said these are fake messages and phishing scams trying to get payment information from unsuspecting Oregonians. ODOT does not have a toll program. DMV does send text messages for actions initiated by the customer, but the messages never include links to verify personal information. When a customer establishes an DMV2U account, a security code may be sent by text to establish verification. Customers may also receive a DMV appointment reminder or cancellation notice by text. DMV recommends you immediately delete the text message and block the number. Clicking on a suspicious text message or payment link will take you to a website where you are at risk of getting your personal and financial information stolen. If you click a link or provide your personal information, secure your information, secure your financial accounts and dispute any unfamiliar charges.

Posted on 3/19/25 5:16AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland Announces Two Additional Weekends to Extend 2024-25 Season

Mount Ashland has announced an extension of its season with two bonus weekends in April, providing guests with additional opportunities to enjoy the mountain. Originally scheduled to close on April 13th, the local ski area will now remain open for four extra days -- April 19th & 20th and April 26th & 27th. This will allow visitors to take advantage of excellent spring conditions after an exceptional snow season. The announcement comes after an incredible season of snowfall totaling 296 inches with still 20 days left of operations as the ski area is on track to set an attendance record. The Mount Ashland Ski Area team is confident that the mountain will continue to have considerable snow coverage through the end of April. The ski area opened early on December 6th and has already been open for skiing and snowboarding for 71 days. The addition of two bonus weekends will mark the second-longest season for the ski area in 30 years.

Posted on 3/19/25 5:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Breaking Garage Door to Enter East Park Street Home

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for two felony crimes after he broke a garage door to gain entry to a residence near Baker Park. According to the Police Department, officers eventually arrested 22-year-old Tevon James McCornack at the corner of East Park Street and Clara Avenue on Monday shortly after 3 p.m.. Police said they responded to a burglar alarm at 1000 East Park at 12:43 p.m. and found obvious signs of forced entry. They said McCornack was caught on video walking around the gated property but he wasn't there when they arrived on scene. GPPD requested assistance from the Oregon State Police and a Josephine County Marine Deputy in order to locate the suspect. Officers shut down traffic on East Park Street and law enforcement units were posted on both sides of the river. A K-9 unit was deployed to search the home, but the suspect was not found. More than two hours later, police detained McCornack and he admitted to breaking the garage door to gain entry. He also admitted to opening the inside door to gain entry into the residence, but he fled the scene when the alarm was triggered. McCornack was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary and Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/18/25 10:15AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Jailed Selma Man on Old & New Charges after He Tried to Elude Troopers

The Oregon State Police jailed a Selma man on both old and new charges after he tried to elude them on Redwood Highway in southwest Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers arrested 44-year-old Matthew Albert Rosenberry near the intersection of US Highway 199 and Dowell Road on Saturday evening. Troopers said they initiated a traffic stop on a Toyota pickup driven by Rosenberry for a traffic violation, but he fled and no pursuit was initiated. They located the vehicle parked nearby a short time later and attempted to make contact. According to OSP, Rosenberry tried to flee again resulting in a use of force incident involving multiple Taser deployments before the suspect was subdued. He was found to be wanted on a local felony warrant for Felony Parole Violation. Rosenberry was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges including two counts of Felony Attempt to Elude Police and single counts of Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and Reckless Endangering.

Posted on 3/18/25 10:13AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Men Associated with Stealing Equipment from Selma Property

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested three men associated with stealing equipment from a residence in Selma last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a burglary incident in the 200-block of Warren Road on Sunday around 8 p.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that he was holding three men at gunpoint whom he caught stealing a chainsaw and generators from his property. A fourth suspect ran off into the woods and deputies were unable to find him. According to the report, 48-year-old Darren Allen Sanchez and 44-year-old Cody Burton Schatz were both charged with two felony counts of 1st-Degree Burglary and one felony count of 1st-Degree Theft. Both were transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail. Another man -- 44-year-old Michael Ray Allee -- was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. He was lodged in jail on $10,000 bail.

Posted on 3/18/25 10:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Man on Felony Warrant and More after Grange Co-op Theft

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant plus theft and drug charges after he was caught shoplifting at Grange Co-op late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the theft complaint at the store on West Schutzwohl Lane at Dowell Road on Monday at 4:54 p.m.. Police said they were contacted by a Grange Co-op employee watching the local store from a remote location via video surveillance. The worker reported that a man and woman arrived at the store in a black Volkswagen, and that the man entered the store, attempted to steal merchandise and was detained by loss prevention. The woman fled in the car when she saw the man in custody. Officers arrived on scene and contacted 36-year-old Kevin Mathew Paschal who was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault. He was also found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. Paschal was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of 2nd-Degree Theft and Meth Possession. The investigation was continuing to determine the identity of his female companion.

Posted on 3/18/25 9:43AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Colllared Man on State Felony Warrant in Cave Junction on Monday

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant in Cave Junction yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 57-year-old Lee Edward McGhee in an unspecified location and took him to the Cave Junction Substation on Monday at 2:40 p.m.. According to the report, McGhee was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for an unspecified traffic offense. McGhee was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/18/25 9:41AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman Who Showed Up at Home & Refused to Leave

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman who showed up at a residence and refused to leave early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a trespassing call at a home in the 1500-block of Molly Lane on Monday around 12:30 a.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 to report an unknown female subject arrived at his house and refused to leave so he wanted her trespassed. The caller said the woman told him she was looking for "a place to belong." Upon arrival, officers contacted 29-year-old Marissa Raven Cato whom they knew from previous encounters. She refused to leave even after officers told her to do so multiple times. She attempted to flee and resisted being placed into custody. Cato was lodged in jail for Resisting Arrest and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass.

Posted on 3/18/25 9:39AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Trespassing at Highway 238 Bar

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for trespassing at a south-city watering hole last night. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving 32-year-old Whitney Ann Word at The 238 Bar on Williams Highway on Monday around 8:30 p.m.. Police said Word entered the business and attempted to buy a drink. They said she refused to provide her identification, was refused service and asked to leave by the bartender. Responding officers also asked her to leave, but she refused to do so. Word was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Due to her many trespassing arrests, she was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/18/25 9:37AM by Sam Marsh

Heavy Rainstorm Led to Central Point Woman Drowning in Flooded Creek

Heavy rain and flooding led to the tragic death of a Central Point woman last weekend. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office sends out its condolences to the victim's family and friends during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family's privacy, the decedent's name will not be released. Sheriff's deputies responded to a call for a missing woman on Sunday at 4:21 p.m. in the 5,000-block of Kane Creek Road in rural Central Point. Investigators learned the woman was attempting to clear branches from a culvert under her driveway when her waders filled with water and the swift current pulled her through the culvert and into nearby Kane Creek. Jackson County Fire District #3 responded and deployed a swift water rescue team. The team located the woman approximately 100 yards down the creek and she was transported by Mercy Flights ambulance to a local hospital. Medics attempted lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced deceased. Sheriff's officials said this incident is a tragic reminder of rainstorms leading to flooding. During periods of heavy rains, stay away from flood-prone areas such as streambeds, drainage ditches and culverts. If you live or work in flood-prone areas, remain alert during heavy rainstorms.

Posted on 3/18/25 5:48AM by Sam Marsh

Late Monday Update Shows Still Many Road Hazards in Josephine County

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office released a road hazard update late yesterday that shows waters are subsiding, but there are still several hazards to watch out for. Public works crews were still out surveying roads for additional hazards. Leonard Road just west of Redwood Elementary School was closed to all traffic. There was a rockslide in the 6100-block of Riverbanks Road -- please use caution. Livingston Way in the 4400-block was reduced to one lane of local traffic only. Galice Road west of Indian Mary Park, Lower Wolf Creek Road and Lower Grave Creek Road -- the entire loop was local traffic only. Gene Brown Road in the O'Brien area near Highway 199 was local traffic only. Southside Road east of Fish Hatchery Road was partially blocked by a rockslide. North Applegate Road in the 12,000-block near Kubli Road -- excessive rocks and debris in the roadway. Use caution through this area. Significant debris on Winona Road -- please use extreme caution.

Posted on 3/18/25 5:46AM by Sam Marsh