KLDR - Local News

Board Approves 1st Reading of Wildfire Ordinance and Refers Levy to Voters

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning approved the first reading of an ordinance that changes wildfire and emergency safety standards as they pertain to new dwellings. The Board voted unanimously to approve the first reading following a public hearing, and set the second reading and possible adoption for February 28th. The ordinance would amend the Rural Land Development Code to the minimum requirements under Oregon law. Assistant Legal Counsel Stephanie Nuttall said the amendment removes the fire coverage requirement for new building permits in Josephine County. She added that it does not prevent property owners from contracting with a private fire protection service or annexing into an existing fire protection district. The Oregon Department of Forestry charges a fee to protect properties in designated forest zones. Under Administrative Actions, the Board approved a resolution referring a five-year local option tax for the Animal Shelter and Animal Control to the May 21st ballot. Voters will decide whether to increase the current levy amount of 11 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value to 47 cents per thousand, with 27 cents going toward operations and 19 cents going toward physical improvements at the aging shelter. The physical improvement portion of the levy would end after a loan from Oregon Business Services is fully repaid.

Posted on 2/14/24 12:21PM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed GP Area Man for Roughing Up Girlfriend at Home West of City

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass area man for roughing up his girlfriend at a residence west of the city last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 64-year-old Richard Ray McDonald for the incident in the 200-block of Jasmine Drive off Lower River Road at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report she went to the home to visit her friend when she witnessed McDonald hitting the victim and placing his hand on her throat. The caller advised there was an ongoing issue with the suspect being abusive to the victim, and he was destroying things in the house while impaired by alcohol. He reportedly also made a comment about shooting the complainant. The caller and victim made it out of the home to call for help, arranging to meet with deputies at Lathrop Boat Landing. Deputies interviewed the women and went to the house where they placed the suspect into custody. Richard McDonald was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of Domestic Strangulation and Physical Harassment. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/14/24 12:20PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Corrections Client for Falsifying Results of Drug Test

Grants Pass Police arrested a corrections client for violating his post-prison supervision by falsifying the results of a mandatory drug test early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 29-year-old Jackson Frank Potter at the Josephine County Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m.. Police said Potter used someone else's urine in a hidden Visine bottle to provide a sample for his corrections officer. The officer caught him in the act, which is a direct violation of his supervision. Jackson Potter was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Falsifying Drug Test Results and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show Potter has been arrested four times for Parole Violation since June 15th of last year.

Posted on 2/14/24 12:00PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Causing Disturbance at SE Neighborhood Store

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing a disturbance at a southeast city convenience store yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to reports of a male subject causing public alarm at King's Market on SE N Street on Tuesday shortly after 3 p.m.. Police said an employee called 9-1-1 to report 46-year-old David Israel McDonald was yelling and swinging a baseball bat around, frightening customers. The caller said the suspect appeared to be under the influence of narcotics when he turned his attention to a sign at the store and starting smashing it with the bat. Officers arrived on scene, disarmed McDonald and placed him into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and Possession of Methamphetamine. A shopping cart was returned to Grocery Outlet.

Posted on 2/14/24 11:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Young Man Twice on Tuesday for Separate Criminal Capers

Grants Pass Police arrested a young man twice yesterday for separate offenses at the hospital and a local supermarket. According to the Police Department, the first incident involving 20-year-old Jackson David Sutton occurred at Three Rivers Medical Center on Tuesday at about 9:30 a.m.. Police said Sutton got into an argument with hospital security after they found him in the second-story chapel next to the TRMC Family Birth Center. They said he had been previously trespassed from the hospital and refused to leave the premises. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Criminal Trespass. The second incident involving Sutton occurred on Tuesday at 8:35 p.m. after he was released from jail and walked over to WinCo Foods. He allegedly stole a small amount of food from the grocery and was detained by loss prevention. Sutton admitted to the theft and said he knew it was wrong to steal, but he did not have a way to pay for the items. He was charged with 3rd-Degree Theft and lodged back in jail -- this time, without bail.

Posted on 2/14/24 11:57AM by Sam Marsh

One Motorist Hurt and Another Cited after Interstate 5 Collision in North GP

One motorist was injured and another was cited early yesterday after a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in north Grants Pass. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the collision in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 58 at 7:39 a.m. Tuesday. Troopers said an investigation indicates an Isuzu box truck driven by 34-year-old Clease Nathaniel Carlisle rear-ended a sedan driven by 69-year-old Deborah Kay Dodge at that location. Dodge stated that her vehicle was having mechanical issues and that she was attempting to safely +exit the freeway when she was rear-ended. According to OSP, Carlisle stated that he saw the car traveling slowly and did not have time to avoid the crash. He was not hurt, but Dodge was taken by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center after she complained of neck pain. Carlisle was cited for Driving While Suspended, Following Too Closely and Failure to Carry Proof of Financial Responsibility. The box truck was impounded.

Posted on 2/14/24 11:56AM by Sam Marsh

GP Area Woman Jailed for Attacking & Hurting Husband at North Valley Home

A Grants Pass area woman was jailed for attacking and injuring her husband in the North Valley area. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident at a home in the 7500-block of Monument Drive on Monday. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that 24-year-old Emily Nicole Karen Denney hit her husband in the head with a blow torch, leaving him with a small cut above his eyes. The caller -- who identified herself as the victim's sister-in-law -- said the suspect left and went to a nearby home. Upon further investigation, deputies concluded that Denney struck her husband in the head with a propane cylinder, causing a 2/3-inch laceration which appeared to need stitches. The victim complained of blurred vision, but refused attention from American Medical Response. He said he would go to the hospital for evaluation. According to the report, Denney was contacted and admitted to striking her spouse with the propane tank. Emily Denney was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Domestic Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/14/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Fugitive on Statewide Felony Warrant in North City Patrol

Grants Pass Police apprehended a fugitive who was wanted on a statewide felony warrant in the north part of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 28-year-old Chelsea Nicole Lenarz near the corner of NW Hawthorne Avenue and North Hill Drive late Monday. Police said they spotted Lenarz and recognized her from previous contacts. They ran a routine records check and discovered that she was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for drug possession. Chelsea Lenarz was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. She was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 2/14/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Sheriff's Office Investigation Led to Arrest of Grants Pass Man for Two Crimes

A Josephine County Sheriff's Office investigation has led to the arrest of a Grants Pass man on criminal charges. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested 58-year-old Donald Richard Peariso at a home in the 2500-block of Elk Lane on Monday afternoon. No details about the investigation have been released, but Peariso was charged with Menacing and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief related to a recent incident. Donald Peariso was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/14/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

BCC to Hold Public Hearing on New Wildfire and Emergency Safety Standards

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on new wildfire and emergency safety standards during its business session this morning. The Board will then consider the first reading of an ordinance that amends the Rural Land Development Code to update the chapter on new dwellings. A second reading is scheduled for February 28th. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider a resolution that would refer to voters a five-year local option tax for the Josephine County Animal Shelter and Animal Control. If approved, the measure will appear on the May 21st ballot. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board will consider an order transferring money from the Just Compensation Fund to the Law Enforcement Service District Fund. An appointment will be made to the Grants Pass Airport Advisory Board. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 2/14/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Being Accepted for Post on GP Historical Buildings & Sites Panel

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Historical Buildings & Sites Commission. The open position expires December 7, 2026. The purpose of the Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC) is to review alterations to any historic district or designated structure in the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation and to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation. The HBSC also identifies areas of archaeological significance and buildings of historic or archaeological significance. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the City of Grants Pass. This position is for a representative who is the owner of a business located within the Central Business District of Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8th.

Posted on 2/14/24 6:09AM by Sam Marsh

City of Grants Pass Offering Financial Help in Partnership with Residential Developers

The City of Grants Pass is soliciting sealed written proposals from residential developers to incentivize the development of affordable housing through a public-private partnership. Through the partnership, the city contributes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the design and/or extension of public infrastructure -- including water, sewer and transportation -- within the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary. The ideal qualified residential developer will either own land or demonstrate a clear ability to acquire land that has strong residential development potential for at least 20 dwelling units within the UGB. Priority will be given to neighborhoods where development potential is constrained and/or there is some barrier to extending public infrastructure to serve the area. Key objectives for the project include community compatibility, affordability targeted to households earning 120% of the Area Median Income or below, high-quality design and materials, and long-term affordability. The deadline for sealed submission in response to this request for proposals is 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19th. An agreement between the City and a developer committing to a specific development site and scope must be fully-executed no later than December 1, 2024.

Posted on 2/14/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh