KLDR - Local News

National Weather Service Appears to Have Underestimated Local Winter Snow Advisory

It appears the National Weather Service underestimated the winter storm that has hit the Southern Oregon region. The Winter Weather Advisory below 2,500 feet in Josephine, Jackson and eastern Curry counties remains in effect until 10 o'clock this evening. By 1:30 this afternoon, Grants Pass had up to three inches of snow on the ground and virtually all local schools had announced their students would be released early for their safety. That included District 7 as well as the Rogue River, Eagle Point, Ashland, Butte Falls and Pinehurst School Districts. Wet snow below 2,500 feet is expected to continue, with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and up to 6 inches near 2,500 feet. Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute in the Illinois Valley especially US Highway 199 and Caves Highway. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Visit "tripcheck.com" for updated road information.

Posted on 2/3/25 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Southwest Now Recruiting for Multiple Positions for Upcoming Fire Season

The Southwest District of the Oregon Department of Forestry is recruiting for multiple positions for the upcoming fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties. ODF Southwest is seeking applicants for entry-level and experienced firefighters, dispatchers and detection specialists. There is a total of around 130 jobs available. These seasonal positions generally span from June through October. However, the duration may vary depending on conditions. Both Medford and Grants Pass offices are actively hiring, with benefits that include medical, dental and vision health coverage plus paid holidays as well as personal business, vacation and sick leave. The deadline to apply for all positions is February 28th -- but the first pull of applicants for review will begin February 6th, so applying early is encouraged. All jobs are listed on the ODF Southwest District website at "swofire.com."

Posted on 2/3/25 6:09AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Crashing into NW City Utility Poles and Fleeing Scene

Grants Pass Police jailed a man last night for crashing his vehicle into two power poles and fleeing the scene on foot, causing a widespread electrical disruption in the northwest part of the city. The Police Department reports officers eventually tracked down and arrested 30-year-old Aaron Michael Griffin for the incident that occurred near the corner of NW Dimmick and B streets on Thursday around 7:40 p.m.. Police said witnesses reported Griffin was driving a Chevrolet Silverado at a high rate of speed and swerving when the pickup crossed a sidewalk and collided with two utility poles, shearing them off at the base and causing significant damage to utilities in the area. The suspect immediately fled the scene northbound on foot. Since Griffin left his heavily-damaged truck behind, police identified him as the registered owner with a mailing address on Balsam Road. Officers went to that address and contacted his twin brother who confirmed his sibling had been at a birthday party on the north end of town. Griffin was eventually located and placed into custody at a residence on Rancho Visa Drive in the Jones Creek area. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Reckless Driving and Criminal Mischief. His pickup was impounded and Pacific Power crews responded to make repairs.

Posted on 1/31/25 11:20AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed GP Motorist for DUII and More after North Valley Area Collision

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass motorist for impaired driving and more yesterday after he crashed into another vehicle in the North Valley area and tried to flee the scene. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision on Monument Drive at California Avenue on Thursday shortly before 3 p.m.. Troopers said an investigation indicates 29-year-old Christian Matthew Monts was driving a Ford F-250 when he failed to maintain his travel lane, crashed into a Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 73-year-old Shady Cove woman and tried to flee the scene -- but he ran into a nearby property owner's fence, causing minor damage. Upon contact, Monts displayed signs of impairment, a search warrant was obtained and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. He was subsequently lodged in jail for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Criminal Mischief and Driving While Suspended. According to OSP, Monts' pickup was impounded by 3 Boys Classic Towing and the Volkswagen was hauled away by Caveman Towing.

Posted on 1/31/25 11:19AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Florida Man for Multiple Crimes after Highway 199 Stop in Kerby

The Oregon State Police arrested a Florida man for multiple crimes yesterday following a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in Kerby. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a U-Haul truck driven by 41-year-old Derek Albert Shaffer of Port Charlotte, Florida, in the 24,300-block of US Highway 199 on Thursday shortly after 2 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Shaffer for traffic violations at Kerby Mart and learned that the U-Haul had been reported stolen. During a search of the suspect and Ford truck, a restricted weapon and drug paraphernalia with methamphetamine residue were located and seized. Shaffer was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Meth Possession. A charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. OSP said the stolen U-Haul was towed to Cave Junction.

Posted on 1/31/25 11:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Frequent Flyer for Old & New Crimes during Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for old and new crimes late yesterday while performing a patrol check on railroad property. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 51-year-old Sean Michael MacDowell and two other men on railroad property near Home Depot on Thursday at 4:35 p.m.. Police said they spotted MacDowell and knew him from past criminal encounters. They said he was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession and 3rd-Degree Theft. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of a glass pipe and paper covered in meth residue. MacDowell -- who was trespassed from the railroad property on January 8th -- was lodged in jail on the warrants plus new charges of Meth Possession and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. The two other men -- identified as "Bull" and "Blanco" -- were also trespassed from the railroad property.

Posted on 1/31/25 11:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Meth Possession after Bad Behavior on Parkway

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for drug possession after his behavior attracted attention on the Parkway early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a report of disorderly conduct involving 26-year-old Nick Dustin Farmer at the corner of the Parkway and NE F Street on Thursday at about 10 a.m.. Police said the 9-1-1 Communications Center received multiple calls regarding a male subject who was running into traffic and trying to kick cars that were driving by. The callers stated that the man had almost been hit by vehicles a few times. Upon arrival, officers contacted Farmer and observed an object in his pants pocket. He produced a glass pipe with white residue on it. The residue was field-tested and it came back positive as methamphetamine. Farmer was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Meth Possession.

Posted on 1/31/25 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

Camping Trip Cut Short after Fire Damages Truck at I-5 Manzanita Rest Area

A camping trip was cut short early yesterday when a pickup pulling a travel trailer caught on fire at an Interstate 5 rest stop north of Grants Pass. On Thursday at 9:49 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire at the southbound Manzanita Rest Area. Rural Metro officials said after experiencing a mechanical problem, smoke and flames engulfed the truck's engine compartment and spread into the cab. They said all occupants were able to exit safely and no one was hurt. Engine 7502 from the North Valley Station arrived to mop up what was left of the incident after a valiant effort by bystanders with fire extinguishers kept the blaze in check. Officials said the RV was not damaged.

Posted on 1/31/25 11:13AM by Sam Marsh

RR Man Jailed for Hitting Wimer Woman on Queens Branch Road and Fleeing

A suspect is in jail and a victim is in the hospital after a hit-and-run crash on a Wimer area roadway. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency personnel responded to the incident in the 700-block of Queens Branch Road on Sunday evening. Deputies said a vehicle struck a woman on the road as she was attempting to gain control of her horse. The vehicle never stopped and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The woman was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries, but she is in stable condition. The horse was not hurt. Multiple witnesses provided information to responding deputies and Rogue River police officers. Later Sunday night, deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle in the same area. Evidence at the scene led deputies to connect the reported stolen vehicle to the crash. Further investigation determined the vehicle was not stolen. On Tuesday evening, deputies arrested 40-year-old Jason Allan Baker of Rogue River and charged him with Felony 2nd-Degree Assault, Felony Hit-and-Run, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Tampering with Evidence, Aggravated Driving While Suspended and Initiating a False Police Report. Baker was transported to Medford and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Posted on 1/31/25 6:46AM by Sam Marsh

GPPD Detectives Arrested Teens for Serious Crimes after Intense Investigation

Following an extensive investigation involving numerous victims, the Grants Pass Police Department has arrested two teenage boys for a lengthy list of crimes. GPPD detectives -- assisted by patrol officers -- served a search warrant in the northwest part of the city on Thursday morning, which resulted in the arrests of two juvenile males -- ages 14 and 15. The suspects' identities are confidential at this time based on their juvenile status. The two boys were arrested for several felony and misdemeanor crimes including 1st-Degree Kidnapping, 2nd- and 3rd-Degree Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Strangulation, Menacing and Criminal Conspiracy. One of the juveniles was also charged with 1st-Degree Theft. Both suspects were lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center. No further details can be released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

Posted on 1/31/25 6:45AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Captured Northern California Fugitive in Downtown CJ Patrol Check

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office captured a fugitive out of northern California this week during a patrol check in downtown Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies contacted and arrested 59-year-old Scott Seaman in the 500-block of East River Street early Wednesday. Deputies said they spotted Seaman sitting in a vehicle at that location. During a routine records check, they discovered he was wanted on two Siskiyou County felony warrants for failing to appear in court for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and for failing to appear in court for narcotics possession. Seaman had also been listed as a missing person by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office. After the warrants were confirmed, Seaman was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. He was being held without bail pending extradition proceedings that will send him back to Siskiyou County.

Posted on 1/31/25 6:44AM by Sam Marsh

Law Enforcement Agencies Conducting Seat Belt & Child Restraint Campaign

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office -- along with other local law enforcement agencies -- are conducting a high-visibility seat belt and child restraint enforcement campaign from now until February 9th. The campaign aims to encourage drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and use proper child restraints. Federally-funded overtime will increase police presence on city and county roads throughout the Rogue Valley. This effort is made possible by grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The latest research from the NHTSA shows motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children and that 46% of child car seats are misused. Common issues include children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size, and car seats being installed improperly -- both of which leave children vulnerable to injury or death in a crash. Every day in 2022, three children ages 14 and younger were killed in traffic crashes while another 429 were injured. For more information, visit "nhtsa.gov/vehicle/car-seats-and-booster-seats."

Posted on 1/31/25 6:43AM by Sam Marsh