KLDR - Local News

Heavy Rainfall and Rising Water Caused Widespread Flooding Throughout Region

Heavy rainfall and rising water levels caused widespread flooding in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties on Sunday. In the Grants Pass area, Rural Metro crews were initially dispatched to Upper River Road at Hunt Lane for a disabled vehicle stranded in high water. While crews escorted the occupants to dry ground, the adjacent levy failed on the swollen irrigation ditch next to Fort Vannoy Elementary School. As water levels quickly rose and entered the unoccupied school, firefighters scrambled to place sandbags at entry points of the buildings. Additional 9-1-1 calls started coming in reporting people stranded in vehicles and homes in the Merlin area. Welfare checks were conducted on Abegg Road, Ward Road and Barker Drive. Some occupants were escorted to safety while others sheltered in place. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reported weather-related closures in the 5200-block of Upper River Road, Ward Road and Pleasant Valley Road. There were landslides and washouts on Galice Road in the Rand Recreation Area and near Chair Riffle, Winona Road, Lower Grave Creek Road and Livingston Road. There were culvert problems on Hoffman Way, Sunny Valley Loop, Placer Road, Lower Grave Creek Road and Hamilton Lane. High water reports were widespread including Williams Highway at New Hope Road. Due to concerns about unsafe road conditions this morning, all Grants Pass District 7 and Three Rivers District schools are operating on a two-hour delayed schedule.

Posted on 3/17/25 5:20AM by Sam Marsh

OHA Encourages People to Get Vaccinated Due to Significant Influenza Activity

The state's 2024-2025 influenza season is the worst since the Oregon Health Authority began tracking the virus nearly 15 years ago. OHA officials report people are continuing to be hospitalized at a time of year when statewide influenza activity traditionally begins winding down. That means it's still not too late for people to get the influenza vaccine, particularly as Oregon could see a late-season uptick in flu incidence of the virus as it has in recent years. Influenza is a contagious, respiratory tract infection cause by influenza viruses. Symptoms of influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness including hospitalization and even death. OHA data shows that fewer people are getting flu shots. Vaccinations are down 4% from last year and they have been steadily dropping since 2022. Certain groups -- including older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions -- are at higher risk for serious complications from influenza. The hospitalization rate is highest for people 65 and older.

Posted on 3/17/25 5:18AM by Sam Marsh

Wynonna Judd and Natasha Bedingfield to Headline at 2025 Britt Music Festival

Britt Music & Arts Festival has announced the second slate of 10 shows for the 2025 summer season. While there are still more announcements to come, this batch of diverse artists are an exciting addition to Britt's existing lineup of entertainers. Britt is honored to host legendary country artist Wynonna Judd, pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield, world-renowned blues and rock duo Taj Mahal & Steve Earle, and other notable Britt first-timers like Dirtwire with special guests Free Creatures and a much anticipated performance from Tash Sultana. Other artists included in the second Britt announcement include Watchhouse, Gin Blossoms with special guests Spin Doctors, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. With this announcement, there will be a member pre-sale before tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 28th. Tickets for Britt shows from the first announcement are already on sale. All tickets are available at "brittfest.org."

Posted on 3/17/25 5:17AM by Sam Marsh

Detectives Investigating Assault that Resulted in Stabbing in Rural Eagle Point

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is investigating an assault that led to a stabbing in rural Eagle Point early yesterday. It was an apparent case of self-defense. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies, Jackson County Fire District #3 and Mercy Flights were dispatched to a reported stabbing in the 2100-block of Rogue River Drive on Thursday at 8:31 a.m.. Deputies secured the scene and an ambulance transported the wounded suspect to a local hospital. During the investigation, detectives learned a commercial electrician was in the area working when a man approached and assaulted him. The electrician used his pocket knife to stop the unprovoked attack, wounding the suspect in the process. The suspect underwent surgery for superficial wounds and was in stable condition. Charges for the suspect are pending review by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. The suspect's name will be released pending charges. Detectives are continuing their investigation.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:07AM by Sam Marsh

Community Corrections Client Jailed for Possession of Weapons and Narcotics

A Josephine County Community Corrections client was jailed yesterday after a search of his residence uncovered three firearms, body armor and narcotics. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 30-year-old Killian Reese Mavity at a home in the 1100-block of NW D Street on Thursday around 12:40 p.m.. Police said Mavity's corrections officer contacted them after the officer found parts of a firearm in plain view. They said a subsequent search of the house uncovered three firearms, body armor, methamphetamine and cocaine. Mavity is a convicted felon and prohibited from having any firearms or drugs. Mavity was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for three counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Body Armor, Methamphetamine Possession and Cocaine Possession plus the resulting Probation Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:06AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Felon for Parole Violation after Northwest City Welfare Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a local felon for violating his post-prison supervision following a welfare check in the northwest part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 40-year-old Michael Cecil Mokres in the 500-block of NW Savage Street at 12:20 p.m. Thursday. Police said they received a call about a male subject who was slumped over in the passenger seat of a vehicle and hadn't moved for approximately four hours. The caller said they believed the man might be in need of medical attention. Officers arrived on scene, contacted Mokres and subjected him to a search at the request of his corrections officer. He was found to be in possession of a pouch containing drug paraphernalia that was seized for destruction. Mokres was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Methamphetamine Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:05AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Violent Behavior in South Part of the City

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for his violent and destructive behavior in the south part of the city late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to an incident involving 26-year-old Nick Dustin Farmer in the 1400-block of Williams Highway on Thursday at about 5:30 p.m.. Police said they received multiple reports of a male subject stopping traffic and walking between cars on the highway while flipping off the drivers. They said the man was also reported to be carrying a box cutter which he used to slash the tire of a vehicle parked in the Williams Highway Plaza. Responding officers located Farmer in front of the south Safeway supermarket. He had entered the store from which had been previously trespassed. He was placed into custody without further incident and the box cutter was seized as evidence. Farmer was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:04AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Two Men for Theft and Drug Violations during Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested two men for theft and drug violations during a patrol check in the downtown area yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 38-year-old Kelcey Edwin Cummings and 20-year-old Justis Ivan Cory at the corner of SW 5th and L streets on Thursday at 2:40 p.m.. Police said Cummings and Cory had drug paraphernalia near them, and Cummings was the primary suspect in a recent theft investigation. Both men were detained and then placed into custody. Cummings was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of 2nd-Degree Theft and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was being held without bail. Cory was cited to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession and released.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:02AM by Sam Marsh

Man Wanted on Josephine County Warrant Turned Himself In at GP Jail Facility

A man wanted on a Josephine County misdemeanor warrant for impaired driving turned himself in at the Grants Pass jail facility on Thursday. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports 31-year-old Hunter Steven Reid surrendered himself to deputies at the jail on NE F Street at 11:55 a.m. Thursday. Deputies said Reid was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. They said he showed up at 11 a.m. and waited patiently in the lobby before he was placed into custody. Reid was subsequently lodged in jail and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:01AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Frequent Flyer on Trespassing Warrants at Downtown Bar

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender on two local warrants for trespassing after he was caught trespassing at a downtown bar early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call at Shannon's Pub on SW 6th Street on Thursday around 9:50 a.m.. Police said 72-year-old Russell Dewitt Coe returned to Shannon's Pub where he had been previously warned for trespassing. The bar owner called 9-1-1 to report the man had poured a can of beer into a paper cup and had been sitting outside the business for a half-hour. Officers arrived on scene and contacted Coe. They placed him into custody after learning that he was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Coe was lodged in jail on the warrants plus a new charge of Criminal Trespass. He was being held in lieu of posting $70,000 bail.

Posted on 3/14/25 10:00AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Threatening to Kill Wife at Local Apartment Complex

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for allegedly threatening his wife at a downtown area apartment complex. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at apartments located on NW E Street on Wednesday morning. Police said a neighbor overheard 45-year-old Ely Benjamin Smith threatening to kill his wife while he was holding her in the confined space of their kitchen. The caller said Smith swung at her and pushed her, and no one answered when he knocked on the door to check on her. He immediately called 9-1-1. Responding officers interviewed both Smith and his wife before placing Smith into custody. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. Before Smith was placed into custody, he requested an ambulance for a medical issue. He was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation and was cleared. Smith was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Menacing and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 3/14/25 5:42AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Apprehended Man on Statewide Felony Warrant following Traffic Stop

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant and for drug possession after spotting him in the downtown area this week. According to the Police Department, officers observed 40-year-old Bobby Joe Swearingen in the 400-block of SE H Street on Wednesday afternoon. Police said they were familiar with Swearingen from past criminal contacts and they knew he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a previous conviction for an unspecified weapon offense. Swearingen drove away from the H Street storage business and officers pulled him over for expired tags on Dowell Road. He exited his vehicle on command and was cooperative. He also admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine. Swearingen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Meth Possession. His corrections officer was contacted and he was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/14/25 5:41AM by Sam Marsh