KLDR - Local News

Long-Time Law Enforcement Administrator Retires after 31 Years with Local Agencies

A long-time law enforcement administrator in Southern Oregon has stepped down. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office celebrated the retirement of Finance Director Sue Watkins last week. Watkins worked for the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for the last 12 years. Sue spent the previous 19 years working for the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. She worked for six different Sheriff's during her 31-year career in public service. One of Watkins' many career accomplishments was playing a pivotal role in securing grant funding for the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET), which works to eradicate black-market cannabis in Jackson County. Thank you, Sue Watkins, for your many years of dedicated service to local law enforcement. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement. You will be missed.

Posted on 9/7/24 6:22AM by Sam Marsh

Lower Overnight Temps Limited Spread of 2 New Wildfires in Douglas County

Lower temperatures overnight limited activity and spread of two new wildfires burning in southern Douglas County. The Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) estimated this morning that the Devil's Knob Fire burning along the Tiller-Trail Highway was between 1,200 and 1,500 acres. It was first reported to DFPA on Thursday at 2:10 p.m.. Crews continued to engage in the initial attack, with additional resources expected to arrive today. Due to a smoke inversion, air attack was unable to survey the area during this morning's flyover. Due to proximity of homes in the area, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices on the east side of Tiller-Trail Highway between addresses 3400 and 36760 as well as Tison Road, Diamond Elk Road and the Joe Hall area. DFPA estimated this morning that the Milepost 98 Fire along the west side of Interstate 5 south of Canyonville was 120 acres including a 20-acre spot fire southwest of the primary blaze. It was first reported on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. after being sparked by a motor vehicle accident in the southbound lanes of I-5. Crews worked diligently overnight, creating indirect bulldozer and hand-lines around the fire's perimeters. Due to this morning's smoke inversion, air attack could not survey the area. Evacuations continue to be in place in coordination with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. A Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order was issued for all homes on Ritchie Road in Canyonville. A Level 2 "Be Set" notice was issued for all homes on Canyon Creek Road. Traffic continues to be controlled on Interstate 5 in both directions from milepost 97 to 98 for public and firefighter safety. Motorists are urged to watch for crews and equipment.

Posted on 9/6/24 1:53PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man for Domestic Violence and Warrant after Drury Lane Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for domestic violence as well as an outstanding warrant in the south part of the city last night. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1800-block of Drury Lane on Thursday around 8:20 p.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 and reported that his female tenant and her male friend were possibly assaulted by the woman's 64-year-old ex-boyfriend. The landlord wanted to know about assault and battery laws in the state of Oregon. Officers arrived on scene and determined the ex-boyfriend subjected the woman to offensive physical contact, which caused pain, swelling, bruising and scrapes. The subject also prevented the victim from calling 9-1-1 by taking her phone. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault, Domestic Harassment and Interfering with Making a Police Report along with a GPPD warrant for failing to appear in court for impaired driving. The victim was reluctant to speak with law enforcement. She was referred to the Women's Crisis Support Team.

Posted on 9/6/24 12:22PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Previous Pursuit and Added Drug Possession Charge

Grants Pass Police jailed a man wanted for a previous law enforcement pursuit while adding a charge of drug possession and referring a charge of bribery. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 33-year-old male subject they identified as "Terry Lee Grigsby" in the 1800-block of Nebraska Avenue on Thursday at 3:21 p.m.. Police said Grigsby had previously eluded them and they spotted his black BMW before placing him into custody. During a consent search, they found him to be in possession of a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. During the booking process at the Josephine County Jail, Grigsby reportedly offered the arresting officer gifts in return for a special recommendation for his release. Grigsby was lodged in jail for probable cause of Felony Attempt to Elude Police, Reckless Driving and Meth Possession. A charge of Bribery was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.

Posted on 9/6/24 12:21PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man on 3 Warrants after Brief Chase off Williams Highway

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on three out-of-county warrants last night after a brief pursuit in the south part of the city. Police officers said they received a report of suspicious activity on Union Avenue near Williams Highway on Thursday at 9:23 p.m.. Police said a citizen reported a male subject walking around and yelling, stating that he had been hit by a car and left for dead. The caller said the man screamed that he wanted "everyone to die in Grants Pass." When the 60-year-old man spotted arriving officers, he ran toward Williams Highway and caused at least one vehicle to slow down to avoid hitting him. After the man fell into some bushes near Planet Fitness, he got up and ran across the highway to Walgreens where he was eventually placed into custody. The subject -- identified as 60-year-old Michael David Jackson -- was wanted on two Jackson County warrants for Menacing and Criminal Trespass plus a warrant out of Ashland for Disorderly Conduct. According to the report, Jackson said he ran because he thought it was funny. Officers disagreed and lodged Jackson in the Josephine County Jail on the warrants along with new charges of Disorderly Conduct and Escape.

Posted on 9/6/24 12:00PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Motorist for Meth Possession and Possibly Vehicle Theft

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for drug possession and possibly vehicle theft after a traffic stop in the northwest part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a 2013 Honda Civic driven by a 46-year-old male subject near the corner of NW Conklin Avenue and Savage Street on Thursday around 11:35 a.m.. Police said the Honda had been reported stolen by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and the subject matched the description of the thief. However, officers were unable to make contact with the registered owner. The man GPPD identified as "Russell Gene Thompson" consented to a search of the car and officers located two glass pipes with methamphetamine residue. The drug paraphernalia was seized for destruction and the suspect was arrested. Thompson was lodged in jail for Meth Possession, he was cited for Driving While Suspended and he was warned for No Seatbelt. The stolen car was recovered and a report was sent to the Sheriff's Office for further investigation. Custody of the suspect's dog was given to a friend.

Posted on 9/6/24 11:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Stealing from Fred Meyer and Hiding at Restaurant

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing merchandise from Fred Meyer and unsuccessfully trying to disguise himself late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a shoplifting call at the store on the Grants Pass Parkway on Thursday shortly after 5 p.m.. Police said a Fred Meyer loss prevention officer reported a male shoplifting suspect fled on foot after stealing more than $100 worth of items. The caller gave a detailed description of the suspect and said he was heading toward Abby's Pizza. Officers entered Abby's and customers told them the suspect was hiding in the restroom. That's where he was located with his T-shirt turned inside out. Stolen property including duffel bags, socks and food items were recovered. The 35-year-old suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. He was also trespassed from Fred Meyer.

Posted on 9/6/24 11:57AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Investigating Cause of Two-Vehicle Collision in Downtown Cave Junction

The Oregon State Police was investigating the cause of a motor vehicle accident that occurred in downtown Cave Junction early yesterday. OSP reports state troopers, the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle crash on Redwood Highway at Lister Street on Thursday at about 6:45 a.m.. Arriving units found one vehicle blocking the highway and the other vehicle out of the roadway. It appeared that one of the vehicles ran into the back of the other. AMR evaluated all occupants at the scene and no one was seriously injured. Both vehicles were towed from the crash scene. OSP was conducting the investigation.

Posted on 9/6/24 11:56AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Highway 238 Stop in South Grants Pass

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving early yesterday after a traffic stop on Williams Highway in south Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by a 28-year-old male subject near the intersection of Highway 238 and Union Avenue on Thursday at 1:30 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. After performing poorly in field sobriety tests, he was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was well over the legal driving limit. The suspect was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His pickup was impounded and towed away.

Posted on 9/6/24 11:54AM by Sam Marsh

DFPA and Partner Agencies Battling Two New Fires in Southern Douglas County

The Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) has its hands full after two fires broke out in southern Douglas County yesterday. On Thursday at 2:10 p.m., crews from DFPA, Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Rural Fire Department, Milo Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Riddle Fire Protection District responded to a fast-moving wildfire off Devils Knob Road near the Tiller-Trail Highway. Aerial and ground resources actively engaged in an aggressive initial attack on the Devils Knob Fire, which was estimated to be 800 to 1,000 acres last night. A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice has been issued for the 3400-block to 36760-block of Tiller-Trail Highway as well as Tison and Diamond Elk roads and Joe Hall area. On Thursday around 5:15 p.m., DFPA, Canyonville Fire Department, Tri-City Fire Department, Riddle Fire Department and Myrtle Creek Fire Department responded to a fire that resulted from a vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 98. As of last night, the Milepost 98 Fire was estimated to be well over 100 acres and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order for residents on Ritchie Road in Canyonville. Officials also issued a Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notice on Canyon Creek Road. DFPA officials said the wildfire is located on the west side of I-5 near Canyon Creek Road and it's affecting southbound traffic. One southbound lane of the freeway remained closed this morning and motorists were urged to watch for crews and equipment.

Posted on 9/6/24 9:03AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Sheriff's Office Seeks Public Help in Finding Missing Woman

UPDATE: MISSING PERSON HAS BEEN FOUND.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was seeking public assistance in finding a missing woman. Sheriff's officials said 41-year-old Cambryn Dawn Courson was last seen on Wednesday at about 1 p.m. in the 1500-block of Harbeck Road in Grants Pass. Courson is believed to have left the area on foot and she doesn't have a cell phone. Courson is described as a white female adult, 5-feet-8-inches tall and 225 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cambryn Courson is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.

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

Deputies Jailed Man for Making Repeat Threats against Neighbor's House-Sitter

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for repeated threats against his neighbor's house-sitter in the Jerome Prairie area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 52-year-old male subject in the 800-block of Sleepy Hollow Loop late Wednesday afternoon. Deputies said they were alerted to an ongoing issue between a male and female at that location. The woman had called 9-1-1 to report the man was threatening her via phone and text. She said she was afraid because the man has a gun and he had discharged it in the past. She added that the situation was escalating. Following an investigation, deputies determined the man had called and texted the house-sitter after a Labor Day incident involving dogs and that he had threatened serious physical injury to the victim. Messages were left advising he would beat the brains out of the victim and he had fired warning shots with his firearm. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment. He was being held without bail.

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