KLDR - Local News

GP Police Jailed Felon for Parole Violation after He was Found with Gun & Drugs

Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for violating terms of his post-prison supervision after they found him passed out in a vehicle with a gun, ammunition and drugs. The Police Department reports officers arrested 29-year-old Vinnie Dale Shuler near the corner of SW Spruce and Bridge streets on Monday around 4:30 a.m.. Police said they responded to perform a welfare check on a male subject who was sleeping in a parked vehicle with drug paraphernalia in plain view. They woke up the man and directed him out of the vehicle after he locked the glovebox. During a consent search of the vehicle, multiple drug items were located and Shuler admitted to fentanyl use. He was found to be in possession of fentanyl and refused to open the glovebox, so his corrections officer was contacted. The box was searched and a 9-millimeter firearm and ammunition were found and seized. Shuler was confirmed to be a convicted felon prohibited from possessing guns or narcotics. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Fentanyl Possession plus the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 4/1/25 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man on State Felony Warrant after Incident at WinCo Foods

Grants Pass Police incarcerated a man on a statewide felony warrant following an incident at a local supermarket early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were performing a patrol check at WinCo Foods on Monday at 4 a.m. when they contacted 36-year-old Adam Joseph Jansen in the parking lot off NE Terry Lane. Police said Jansen was identified near Starbucks after a female in the parking lot of WinCo reported that he followed her to her vehicle. They said he denied following the woman and then proceeded to disclose that he had missed a check-in with his corrections officer. Further investigation revealed that Jansen was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Indecent Exposure. Jansen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show he was also arrested for Parole Violation in February and November of last year.

Posted on 4/1/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Motel Manager for Harassing Woman after Parking Mishap

Grants Pass Police arrested a motel manager for allegedly becoming violent with a woman who accidentally parked there to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. The Police Department reports officers responded to the disturbance at the Grants Pass Travelodge on NW Vine Street on Sunday afternoon. Police said a woman told them she parked at the Travelodge by accident when she went to the Black Bear Diner to have lunch with a friend. The woman stated she got out of her vehicle and was yelled at by the motel manager to move her vehicle. The woman advised she was yelled at by multiple people at the motel and coffee was thrown at her vehicle. She called the motel to complain not realizing that the motel manager -- 56-year-old Christine Jeanne Bruner -- was also the one who answered the phone. Bruner got her number from caller ID and started calling her and threatening her. While investigating the incident, officers learned that Bruner gave her patrons the woman's phone number and asked them to call her. She also posted the woman's number on Facebook. In one of the calls, the woman was threatened with death. Bruner was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment. She was initially held without bail, but was released later in the day.

Posted on 4/1/25 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared Man for Allegedly Trespassing & Threatening Others in Selma

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for allegedly trespassing on a remote property in the Selma area last weekend. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 500-block of Squaw Mountain Road on Sunday at about 5:45 p.m.. Deputies said they received a call regarding a male subject who broke a front door and entered a home without permission. Once inside, the caller advised the man threatened them with his dog and told them he would kill them. Both the caller and her husband were armed, so the intruder left the house and returned to his property. Upon arrival, deputies contacted 71-year-old Jose Antonio Curtis in his driveway. Curtis was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 4/1/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD Responded to Sunday Morning Flue Fire Incidents in Kerby and near CJ

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to two flue fire incidents in one day last weekend -- one in Kerby and another near Cave Junction. On Sunday at 6:34 a.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 100-block of Kerby Mainline Road. Also responding to the incident were Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response. Upon arrival, crews found no visible fire and conducted a thorough investigation. The incident was determined to be a contained flue fire that was successfully put out by firefighters. The fire was limited to the woodstove chimney flue. On Sunday at 9:53 a.m., IVFD responded to a reported flue fire in the 9400-block of Takilma Road. IVFD officials said the fire was contained to the chimney and subsequently extinguished. They said the occupant had started putting out the fire prior to their arrival.

Posted on 4/1/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Crews Trained for Rope Rescues at North Valley High School

Rural Metro Fire Department had a rope-training session last weekend at North Valley High School. Rural areas around Grants Pass often play into the challenge of rescuing people who may have crashed their vehicle off a roadway or fell off a trail. After sustaining a traumatic injury, getting someone back up the hill requires crews with the necessary rope equipment and training. These techniques are even used to save pets as well. Rural Metro is geared up for a quick response anywhere in Josephine County. The private fire company routinely works with Josephine County Search and Rescue. Rural Metro officials would like to thank North Valley High School for use of the hill near the track for their training exercises.

Posted on 4/1/25 5:52AM by Sam Marsh

Local Government Grant Program Accepting Applications for Recreation Projects

The Local Government Grant Program's 2025 grant cycle is now open and accepting applications to help government agencies to fund everything from playground equipment and restrooms to splash pads and bike paths. Approximately $15 million in funds are available in this competitive grant process this year. The purpose of the program is to help local government agencies fund projects to acquire, develop and rehabilitate parks and public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Eligible applicants are cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, park and recreation districts, and port districts. The maximum awards range from $50,000 for small community planning grants to $100,000 for small projects to $1 million for large projects. The Oregon Lottery-funded program is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Program grants are split into large, small and planning categories. Application deadlines vary by grant type. Local governments can apply online at "oprdgrants.org." A recording of an online workshop held in March is available to view at "oprdgrants.org."

Posted on 4/1/25 5:49AM by Sam Marsh

Ashland Electric Utility Received National Recognition for 2024 Exceptional Reliability

The City of Ashland Electric Utility received national recognition for achieving exceptional reliability in 2024. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association, a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit community-owned electric utilities. APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA's Reliability Team compares this information to national statistics tracked by the US Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities. The Service Availability Index for Ashland Electric Utility was an impressive 99.9956% in 2024. Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do. Thomas McBartlett, City of Ashland Electric Utility Director, said they are proud to receive this recognition. He said it's a testament to the hard work of all their staff to ensure that they keep Ashland powered.

Posted on 4/1/25 5:39AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland 2025-26 Season Pass Sale Runs from April 1st Through April 30th

With the winter season coming to end at Mount Ashland later this month, purchase your 2025-26 Season Pass now during the Spring Sale and ride that stoke all the way to next winter. Save up to $200 on next year's Mount Ashland Season Pass when you purchase it before April 30th. Unlock five months of financing and season pass benefits such as unlimited skiing and riding, day lift tickets to partnering ski areas and more. If it's your first time purchasing a pass, buy now and get 25% off daily lift tickets at Mount Ashland for the rest of this season. It's never too early to get ready for another epic season at Mount Ashland, your local mountain playground. For more information, visit "mtashland.com."

Posted on 4/1/25 5:36AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Violating Court Order after Lathrop Landing Incident

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for violating a court order after a late-night incident at a county park on the Rogue River. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at Lathrop Boat Landing off Lower River Road on Saturday at 10:35 p.m.. Deputies said they were two vehicles at the park -- one belonging to 51-year-old Amen Sky McDonald and the other belonging to a woman who had a valid court order protecting her from him. Few details about the incident were available, but McDonald's behavior caused deputies to flag him as "hostile." McDonald was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court. He was being held without bail. The female victim called for a ride and a deputy stayed with her until she was picked up by a friend and given transportation home. The other vehicles were secured at the park as both drivers had been drinking.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:28AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Stealing Food and Scuffling with Worker

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for becoming violent with a supermarket employee after stealing food from the store over the weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to the trespassing call at the downtown Safeway on SE 7th Street on Saturday at 8:12 p.m.. Police said 41-year-old Amber Al-Sarf matched the description from a worker who reported the disturbance. She is well-known to law enforcement for stealing food and beer from local convenience stores while scuffling with workers. According to the report, Al-Sarf exited Safeway with more than $20 in food and started eating it in the store parking lot. She then engaged in violent behavior with one employee while yelling and hitting another worker's vehicle with her fist. When she was told to leave the store, she pulled a female employee's hair. Officers arrived on scene and placed Al-Sarf into custody. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail. She was also trespassed from Safeway.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:26AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Motorist for DUII after Weekend Stop on RR Highway in GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving during a weekend traffic stop on Rogue River Highway in southeast Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle with Washington plates driven by a 33-year-old man in the 2400-block of Highway 99 late Friday night. Deputies said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so he was placed into custody and transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented his impairment. The suspect was lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. According to the report, the Washington plates did not belong to the vehicle. They were seized and the vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 3/31/25 10:24AM by Sam Marsh