KLDR - Local News

Grants Pass Road and Lane Closures Announced

A lane and road closure was announced affecting downtown Grants Pass.

Now through Friday, September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, NE D Street from Mill Street to NE Foothill Blvd, will have intermittent lane closures with active flagging for utility adjustments.

The following week, from Monday, September 8th, through Friday, September 12th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., drivers should expect active paving.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Call CPI at 541-862-2390 for more information on the lane closure.

Beginning today through September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., NW 5th Street from A Street to Evelyn Avenue will be closed for deep sewer lateral repairs.

There will be local access from A Street to Evelyn, but the road will be closed around the 800 block.

Motorists are again advised to find another way around. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through. For more information on the road closure, call Timber Mountain Construction at 541-956-8700.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:40AM by Alex Bauer

Commissioners Face Light Agenda for Thursday Business Session

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners face a very light agenda
Thursday morning. There are no administrative actions listed in the published agenda. There will be requests and comments from citizens where each person will be given three minutes to speak on any topic related to Josephine County. The consent calendar contains minutes to approve from the Commissioner’s administrative work shop August 19th, their weekly business session on the 21st, the continued land use meeting on the 25th and the KAJO radio interview on the 26th. Incidentally, that interview is still posted on this stations website at kajo.com. Thursday’s Business Session begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium at 600 Northwest Sixth Street and will be streamed on the County’s website.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:16AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District Responded to Rollover Crash

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a rollover crash yesterday.

On Tuesday afternoon, emergency services responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Wild Park Lane, near milepost 199. They found the vehicle rolled up on its side.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, Oregon State Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation all responded to the scene.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and Jerry's Towing subsequently cleared the vehicle from the roadway.

Posted on 9/3/25 5:06AM by Alex Bauer

ODF Warns of Thunderstorms and Potential Fires in Josephine and Jackson Counties

The Oregon Department of Forestry is reminding Josephine and Jackson County members to be alert for potential fires today. September is bringing a chance for thunderstorms across the majority of both counties today, along with hot temperatures and gusty winds. Lightning strikes can cause new fires, and all of these conditions can fuel their growth. As a result, the US National Weather Service Medford office issued a Red Flag Warning for the eastern and southern borders of Jackson County and the southern portion of Josephine County until 9 p.m. today. A smaller chance for thunderstorms is present across the rest of both counties. The storms moving in this afternoon and evening are already active in central California this morning.

Posted on 9/3/25 4:54AM by Alex Bauer

GP City Council's Evening Meeting to Tackle Resolutions and New Appointments

The Grants Pass City Council's evening meeting will tackle resolutions and new appointments to local organizations.

Council Action includes resolutions adopting the revised Addressing Homelessness Grant Program, the water user rates for 2026, establishing a procedure for employee salary adjustments, and authorizing the funding of additional Public Safety positions.

The Council will then acknowledge motions for appointing one member each to the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, and the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

After Public Comment, the consent agenda, and matters from the Mayor, Council, and Staff, the meeting will adjourn and the Urban Renewal Agency will convene.

Tonight's City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 9/3/25 4:19AM by Alex Bauer

Repeat Offender Report to County Jail to Surrender

A repeat offender reported to the Josephine County Jail to turn himself in on an action warrant alleging possession of two grams of methamphetamine.

At 2:59 Monday afternoon Josephine County Sheriff's deputies contacted Alejandro Torres and Tarah Munoz outside the jail facility to turn himself in for a warrant from the Sheriff's office.

Torres was cooperative and the warrant was confirmed. Torres does not have a social security number or a drivers license so the warrant was confirmed by a booking photo, name and date of birth. Torres was lodged in the jail.

This was the fourth incarceration for Torres since November of last year for charges mostly for methamphetamine possession, but included theft II and trespass charges.

Posted on 9/2/25 4:01PM by Alex Bauer

The Grants Pass Urban Renewal Agency Board Approved Two New Grants.

The Grants Pass Urban Renewal Agency just approved new grants.

The first grant was a building restoration and rehabilitation grant for $50,000 to support the installation of fire suppression in the former Dutch Bros. Headquarters, soon to become the Grants Pass location for the Ivy School and Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon.

This project will expand the availability of childcare and support workforce development in our community.

The second grant was a public infrastructure and underdeveloped land grant for $144,522 to support the expansion of Magazine Exchange and public infrastructure in the Spalding Industrial Park.

This project will support business expansion, add jobs to a local distribution company, make available additional industrial space, and extend water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure to vacant industrial lands.

Posted on 9/2/25 3:59PM by Alex Bauer

Grants Pass Prepares for New Nebraska Trail Development

Grants Pass is preparing to bring in a new housing development. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, the city received an update from Chrisman Development about the progress on the Nebraska Trail Development. This project will bring in a large amount of much-needed new housing to the area. As of July 31st, the project was about 16 percent complete, with an expected finishing date of November 2026. The management company will start sharing information about 6 months before completion. The application process will begin 3 months before the work is done.

Posted on 9/2/25 3:58PM by Alex Bauer

Grants Pass City Council Discussed Community Improvements and More During Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council discussed and made decisions on their workshop agenda yesterday, while also scheduling further deliberation. The Council interviewed Alexis Smithee, Owner of Rogue Florists & Gifts, for the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission. She stressed the importance of keeping the historical aesthetic in our community while also serving the modern needs of businesses, helping them thrive. Next, Jason Canady with Public Works brought 3 different 5-year rate scenarios for water usage affecting both residential areas and businesses. The timeline for the scenarios could be expanded, should the council choose, to assist lower-income households. The Dimmick Railroad Crossing was next on the agenda. Presenter Wade Elliott discussed moving the Booth Street crossing to Dimmick, a move supporting the goal of infrastructure; creating efficiency in the transportation system and enhancing public safety. All councilors but one voted to move forward with the plan.

Posted on 9/2/25 3:43PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Detain Unconscious Suspect for Drug Possession on NE D Street

Grants Pass Police contacted a male suspect for a drug investigation early this morning.

The man was found unconscious with a broken glass pipe and white crystalline substance next to him on NE D Street between Perfect Nails and Aaron's Rent to Own Furniture Store.

Officers detained him and, during a consent search, found a clamshell eyeglass case which contained two glass pipes with a burnt crystalline residue.

The substance tested positive for the presumptive presence of methamphetamine, resulting in the suspect being lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Posted on 9/2/25 8:40AM by Alex Bauer

GP City Council's Wednesday Meeting to Cover Funding and New Appointments

The Grants Pass City Council's Wednesday evening meeting will cover funding and new appointments to local organizations.

After discussing water rate changes, the Council will cover resolutions for employee salary adjustments and authorizing funding of additional Public Safety positions.

The Council will then acknowledge motions for appointing one member each to the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, and the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

After Public Comment, the consent agenda, and matters from the Mayor, Council, and Staff, the meeting will adjourn and the Urban Renewal Agency will convene.

Wednesday's City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

Posted on 9/2/25 6:04AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrest Two Women for Assaulting another Woman at Local Resting

Grants Pass Police responded to a local resting site after a woman reported she was assaulted last week.

Officers arrived at Resting Site 6 on NW 6th just before 10 a.m. August 26th, where the woman said she had not only been assaulted about an hour before, but the previous night as well in the NW corner of the site, where one suspect was staying.

Officers contacted the second suspect while conducting a check at Westholm Park. She admitted to punching the victim after the first suspect had done the same. Both were taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the 27th and 31st respectively.

Posted on 9/2/25 5:59AM by Alex Bauer