KLDR - Local News

Shoplifter Intercepted by Loss Prevention, Arrested by GP Police after Chase

A Fred Meyer shoplifter was apprehended by officers after a chase Sunday evening.

At 6:23 p.m., loss prevention from the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store notified officers that the suspect, Kody Halverson, had attempted to steal less than $100 of merchandise by concealing the items in his backpack.

Loss prevention got into a tug of war with Halverson over the backpack. Halverson eventually let go and proceeded to flee towards the O'Reilly Auto Parts at 150 NE Terry Lane.

Officers were able to locate Halverson and take him into custody. After admitting to the theft and tug of war, Halverson was charged with Third Degree Robbery.

A charge of First Degree Trespass was referred to the District Attorney's Office due to Halverson's prior trespass and theft from the Fred Meyer.

Posted on 10/13/25 12:53PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man Using Multiple False Names after Traffic Stop

A Grants Pass Police Deputy contacted a man during an area check in the Shari's parking lot late Sunday night.

The man drove away afterwards and the officer noticed the vehicle had expired registration. After observing the suspect pull into the Verizon parking lot on Terry Lane, the officer conducted a traffic stop.

The suspect proceeded to provide two false names, until finally identifying himself as Richard Wallace Carlyle II. The deputy found Carlyle was wanted for a serviceable Oregon State Parole Board felony warrant and a Driving While Suspended Misdemeanor.

A wooden knife, meth, and a syringe that tested positive for the presence of meth were located inside Carlyle's vehicle. The deputy took Carlyle into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant, Driving While Suspended, Possession of Meth, and Providing False Information.

Posted on 10/13/25 12:24PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Commissioners Approve HR Requisitions and Actions during Brief Discussion

The Josephine County Commissioners finished unfinished workshop business during a brief discussion this morning.

After their department business items were stricken from the October 7 Workshop, the Human Resources Department brought Requisitions and Actions to the board for signatures.

The signed and approved requisitions included the Interim Human Resources Director, Public Works Managers, Recreation Operations Manager, a Corrections Deputy for the Sheriff's Office, and a Transit Operator.

The board also signed and approved Step Increases for the Assessor's Office, Community Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Recreation, and the Sheriff's Department.

Promotions and Pay Increases were approved for the Finance Director, Sheriff's Office Corporal Corrections, and the Community Corrections Division Manager for obtaining their master's degree.

The board then approved reinstatement of the Sheriff's Office Police Support Technician, a rehire of the Sheriff's Control Technician, the newly hired Group Life Counselor for Juvenile Justice, and a reclass for the Recreation Operations Manager.

Finally, during announcements, Commissioner Ron Smith voiced his support regarding a letter sent to the Forest Service encouraging the harvest of dead timber from the Moon Complex.

Posted on 10/13/25 11:31AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended 2 Suspects at Walmart for Trespassing and Theft

Two suspects were arrested at Walmart by Grants Pass Police officers on Sunday.

The first suspect, Gabriel Feliciano, was recognized by loss prevention as he entered the store. Having been previously trespassed within the last year, the serial thief was contacted by officers inside the store at 135 NE Terry Lane.

Feliciano admitted to possessing methamphetamine and meth paraphernalia in his backpack. Officers seized the items during a consent search, and contacted his parole officers, who requested a detainer.

Feliciano was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Meth Possession, and the detainer.

The second suspect officers contacted was Justin Stout, who admitted to stealing over $185 worth of merchandise from the same Walmart after walking past all points of sale.

Stout was trespassed from the store and taken into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a Second Degree Theft charge.

Posted on 10/13/25 11:28AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Board of Commissioners to Discuss Clear Bag Policy and County Property at Workshop

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners have a light agenda and multiple department business matters to cover during Tuesday's workshop.

The board will discuss county real property at 1798 SE "N" Street, and consider a board order regarding implementation of a clear bag policy for their weekly meetings.

Department business includes a resolution in the matter of property value appeals board appointments, the Forestry Department's Fall Tree Planting Contract, and invoices from the Airports and Public Works Departments.

After hearing from the Recreation and Public Health Departments, Community Justice will discuss payments and present amendments to personal service contracts and an Oregon Department of Education agreement.

The board will review the Hugo Heights Plat Map approval, potentially discuss other topics, and then adjourn.

Tuesday's County Administration Workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and stream live at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 10/13/25 9:58AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Man Harassing Wonder Bur Staff, Arrest Him on Warrant

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a harassment complaint regarding a suspect with a warrant out for his arrest Saturday morning.

At 8:18 a.m., dispatch was notified of the suspect, Andrew Taylor, harassing the Wonder Bur staff via text. The caller was notified to call law enforcement if Taylor arrived at the 116 SW H Street steakhouse.

Taylor called the staff again and drove by harassing them. A photo of his vehicle was sent to law enforcement, and officers located Taylor two hours later at the Sunset Inn at 1400 NW 6th Street.

A K-9 assisted with contacting Taylor, who was cooperative and found to be wanted on a Yamhill County Sheriff's Office warrant for Stalking and three counts of Contempt of Court.

Taylor was lodged on his warrant but was later released. Officers were unable to reach his parole officer.

Posted on 10/13/25 7:22AM by Alex Bauer

Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference Coming to Ashland

A three-day event in Ashland will feature a variety of workshops and presentations designed to help employers and workers improve on-the-job safety and health.

On Oct. 14th-16th at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, the Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference will offer a preconference workshop with first aid, CPR, automated external defibrillator certification, and a professional development workshop on leadership and resolving conflicts.

Topics include hazard identification, fall protection, safety committees, confined spaces, respiratory protection, cultural change, and human resources concerns.

Special guest Scott Shumway, principal of Emiment LLC, will lead the Oct. 14th workshop on leadership and conflict resolution. On Oct. 15th, Jeff Crapo of Ethos Consulting Team LLC and Ethos Academy, will engage participants in fostering a positive team culture.

To register or for more information about upcoming workplace safety and health conferences, visit Oregon OSHA online.

Posted on 10/13/25 5:39AM by Alex Bauer

JCSO Reports Scammers Threatening Arrest, Using Local US Marshals Phone Number

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has received multiple reports of scammers calling with arrest threats for missed jury duty.

JCSO said some of the scam calls looked to be from the local US Marshals office, as scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers.

If you receive a call from anyone pretending to be from a law enforcement agency, and they ask for a payment, hang up.

JCSO and other law enforcement agencies remind everyone they will never ask you to pay anything over the phone, and they will not call you if you have missed Grand Jury, Jury Duty, or if you have a Jury Summons or warrant.

Call your local law enforcement agency if you want to confirm the legitimacy of a potential spam call.

Posted on 10/12/25 5:17PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Board of Commissioners to Have Land Use Hearing and General Discussion Monday

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will meet for a Land Use Hearing and a General Discussion meeting today. At 10 a.m., the board will cover previously stricken items from their October 7 Workshop. The Human Resources Department will present the Commissioners with Personnel Requisitions for their department, plus the Public Works, Transit, Recreation, and Sheriff's Departments. HR Personnel Actions will be brought to the board regarding the Assessor, Community Corrections, Finance, Juvenile Justice, Recreation, and Sheriff's Departments, as well as the Human Resources Department. Following other matters from the board, the meeting will adjourn. The General Discussion will be in the BCC Conference Room and will stream live at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. At 2 p.m., the Commissioners will again meet for a Land Use Hearing in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 10/12/25 4:58PM by Alex Bauer

GP City Council to Hear Compensation Presentation and Meet for Executive Sessions at Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council will hear a non-bargaining compensation and classification report between executive sessions during Monday's workshop. After their first executive session, and following the report, the board will review their agenda and consider a motion for the Bikeways and Walkways Committee. The workshop will adjourn and lead into a final executive session. Monday's workshop will commence at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street and will be streamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 10/12/25 4:27PM by Alex Bauer

Year-Long Project to Begin on Interstate 5 between Grants Pass and Hugo

Work begins Monday on a year-long project to improve pavement and safety features on Interstate 5 between Grants Pass and Hugo.

In the first phase of the project, the Oregon Department of Transportation says crews will remove hazard trees and vegetation at four exits: Monument Drive Exit 66, the Manzanita Rest Area, Merlin Exit 61 and North Grants Pass Exit 58.

Contractor Knife River is scheduled to start work at 6 a.m., Oct. 13, along the northbound side of the Manzanita Rest Area. Traffic will be limited to one lane on I-5 through the work zone.

Drivers should proceed with caution and expect short delays. The rest area will remain open during daytime work hours, Monday through Friday.

The project will continue through fall 2026 and include pavement repairs on the interstate, as well as bridge joint replacements, guard rail repairs and other necessary upgrades.

Posted on 10/10/25 1:23PM by Alex Bauer