KLDR - Local News

Commissioners Approve Supplemental Budget and Dissolve Three Committees

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning unanimously approved a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. During a public hearing before the 3-0 vote, County Finance Director Sandy Novak testified no new expenses or revenue are reflected in the revised budget. She said insurance payment covering the Sheriff's Office that has been made from the General Fund is being shifted to the local law enforcement agency's budget. In other business, the Board dissolved a task force and two committees that have served their intended functions and are no longer necessary. They included the COVID-19 Relief Funds Task Force, the Fire Protection Committee and the Advisory Committee on Forestry Affairs. The Commissioners voted 2-0 to appoint Robert Stumbo the Mining Advisory Committee. Board Chair John West did not vote to avoid a possible conflict of interest. During the Public Comment period, the Board heard continued complaints about defunding the 4-H Extension Service District. One woman stated representatives from the Master Gardeners program did not attend a recent forum because they are no longer supported by the OSU Extension. The same woman said Josephine County missed an opportunity to host a state youth sport-shooting event in 2025. Other citizen comments centered around the proposed fire district, support for small businesses, the US Constitution as it relates to public education, veiled threats against members of the local Democratic party and a general lack of integrity on the current Board of Commissioners.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared IV Man on State Warrant after Assault Complaint at CJ Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended an Illinois Valley man on a statewide felony warrant after responding to an assault complaint in Cave Junction last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 60-year-old Dominic Gilbert Rivera in the 100-block of North Junction Avenue on Tuesday at 9:11 p.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 after Rivera threatened him at his business and then followed him home, shoved him and told him that if he didn't move, he would be killed. The caller said it has been an ongoing issue between the two men since a prior unspecified incident. Rivera was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for 4th-Degree Assault. He was placed into custody after deputies were advised that an officer safety alert had been entered on him. Rivera was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Stealing Washer & Dryer Set from Business Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing a washer and dryer set from a business in the southeast part of the city yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint in the 900-block of SE M Street on Tuesday around 12:40 p.m.. Police said 43-year-old Shylo Ann Kinchela was observed on video surveillance loading an Electrolux washer and dryer set valued at $1,528 into the back of her truck with assistance from a man and woman. The truck and stolen items were located by the victim a short time later at a residence on SE Clarey Avenue. According to the report, Kinchela admitted to stealing the items and altering the license plate on her truck to make it harder for law enforcement to find. She was placed into custody while the stolen washer and dryer were returned to the victim. Kinchela was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft. She was also cited for Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:16AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Woman for Unlawfully Entering Home and Man Still At Large

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for unlawfully entering another person's residence and she might also be on the hook for stealing a prized comic book collection. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a break-in at a house in the 5500-block of Rogue River Highway on Monday afternoon. Deputies said the resident called 9-1-1 to report a man and woman were inside his house. The caller said the woman drove through his yard in a white Kia Optima while the man fled on foot. The caller also reported his comic book collection valued at $30,000 and ring cameras were missing. Deputies located the Kia a short time later and pulled it over on Elrod Lane. A 29-year-old female driver was placed into custody, but the stolen items were not found in her car. The woman produced a lease agreement as a defense for lawfully being at the property, but further investigation determined it was not legitimate. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. The male suspect was not located. It is believed he escaped in a 1996 gold Lexus sedan that may have contained the stolen items. The investigation was continuing.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Cited Man for Driving Violation after Report of Drug Dealing at Camp

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for a driving violation after responding to reports of suspicious activity near a designated city campground late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to suspected drug sales from a vehicle parked in the 700-block of SE J Street on Tuesday at 4:33 p.m.. Police said a 47-year-old male subject was believed to be selling drugs from his vehicle. Upon contact, they learned his driving privileges had been suspended. A consent search of the vehicle revealed no evidence of drug trafficking. The subject was cited to appear in court for Driving While Suspended and his vehicle was left parked on private property. Two male passengers were detained and then released.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:13AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed RR Woman for Impaired Driving after Grants Pass Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Rogue River woman for impaired driving last night following a traffic stop in southeast Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Nissan XTerra driven by a 55-year-old female subject near milepost 1 of Rogue River Highway on Tuesday at 10:41 p.m.. Troopers said they had stopped the vehicle for a traffic violations when the driver displayed signs of impairment by alcohol. They said she performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where she provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and lodged at the Sobering Center. Her Nissan was impounded and towed away.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:11AM by Sam Marsh

No One Injured in Motor Vehicle Crash on Redwood Highway near Selma

No one was hurt in a motor vehicle accident that occurred late yesterday on Redwood Highway near Selma. On Tuesday at 4:43 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover crash on US Highway 199 near Gold Canyon Drive. IVFD officials said units arrived on scene to find the occupants were out of the vehicle. They were checked out by AMR medics and declined transport to the hospital. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicle and towed it to Cave Junction. OSP was conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:10AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD Responded to Electrical Fire at North Junction Avenue Home in CJ

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a reported structure fire in Cave Junction late yesterday. On Tuesday at 6:04 p.m., IVFD and American Medical Response were dispatched to the fire at a house in the 100-block of North Junction Avenue. IVFD officials said arriving units found an electrical fire that was contained to a light fixture in the home. They said power was de-energized to the unit and the occupants were advised to have an electrician fix the issue. Officials said there was no visible fire, but light smoke was showing inside the residence. There was no extension and no injuries were reported.

Posted on 9/25/24 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

JMET Raided Two Adjacent Illegal Marijuana Grows in Selma Area on Tuesday

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) raided two illegal cannabis growing operations in Selma yesterday. On Tuesday, JMET served two search warrants at adjoining properties in the 500-block of Davis Creek Road and the 200-block of Draper Valley Road. The agency was assisted by Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety. During execution of the warrants, over 900 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Four firearms and a large amount of cash were also seized. In addition, both sites had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations that could result in criminal forfeiture of the properties. According to JMET, the primary suspect was not at either location during the searches. If located, he or she will be charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana and Unlawful Appropriation of Water. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released at this time.

Posted on 9/25/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Convicted Sex Offender for State Warrant & Non-Compliance

Grants Pass Police jailed a convicted sex offender on a statewide felony warrant and for not complying with his registration requirements this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 26-year-old male subject at the Speedway Express gas station on NE E Street on Monday. Police said the subject's corrections officer contacted them to report his client was on the way to Speedway Express to sell his motorcycle. The information came from the subject's mother and father who both work there. The subject was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a sex offense conviction. While being placed into custody, he admitted to lying about his residence on his sex offender registry. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 9/25/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Old & New Drug Crimes in SE J Street Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for old and new drug crimes during a downtown area patrol check this week. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 32-year-old Kyle Flury Palomino in the 700-block of SE J Street on Monday afternoon. Police said they spotted Palomino and knew that he was wanted on a Jackson County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and a Medford warrant for Unlawful Possession of Meth. During a consent search, Palomino was found to be in possession of a drug "tooter" as well as a container with a white powdery substance that tested positive as meth. Palomino was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus a new charge of Meth Possession. The meth and drug paraphernalia were seized for destruction.

Posted on 9/25/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

North Valley Foot Pursuit Causes Temporary Lockdown of 3 School Campuses

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for bad behavior this week following a foot pursuit in the North Valley area that caused secure lockdowns on three school campuses. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies eventually arrested 49-year-old Ryan Paul Jantz in a gravel parking lot off North Valley Drive on Monday morning. Deputies said they spotted Jantz and he took off running, hopping a fence off San Francisco Street, passing California Street and staying between the property lines and Interstate 5. They said he removed his shirt at one point and hid in the brush. The law enforcement pursuit caused Manzanita Elementary, Fleming Middle and North Valley High schools to be temporarily placed on secure lockdown. The lockdowns were lifted after Jantz was placed into custody. Jantz was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 9/25/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh