Local News

The Oregon State Police arrested a Medford man on an outstanding warrant this week during a traffic stop on Williams Highway in southern Josephine County. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Honda Pilot driven by 43-year-old Shane Nathan Elder near milepost 9 of Highway 238 on Wednesday night. Troopers said they stopped Elder for a traffic violation and quickly discovered that he was wanted on a local bench warrant for failing to appear in court. He was taken into custody without incident. Shane Elder was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. The vehicle was handed over to his passenger, who was identified as a 21-year-old Grants Pass man.

 

Grants Pass High School has announced its highest graduation rate on record for the Class of 2023. With a graduation rate of 88.3%, GPHS surpassed the Oregon state average by an impressive seven percentage points. Principal Michele Napier said this is an exciting milestone for GPHS, adding that the district is incredibly proud of their students' hard work and the dedication of school staff and supportive Grants Pass community. English Learners and Students with Disabilities at GPHS graduated at even higher rates of 93.1% and 90.9%, respectively. GPFlex achieved a graduation rate of 90.3% -- its second-highest on record. The flexible learning school continues to grow, prompting the construction of a new campus that is opening on Dean Drive. Gladiola High School -- District 7's alternative education campus -- celebrated its largest-ever graduating class in 2023, with a graduation rate of 47.5% and a 65.6% completer rate. Overall, the Grants Pass School District's graduation rate for 2022-23 was 76.9%, a dip from the previous year. However, the district saw significant improvements in four-year graduation rates for homeless students, with increased graduation rates for English Learners and Students with Disabilities as well.

 

The Three Rivers School District has announced remarkable graduation rates achieved by the Class of 2023. This was the first class of graduates that made it completely through the pandemic, marking a significant accomplishment. While the ultimate goal remains a 100% graduation rate, Three Rivers takes pride in surpassing the statewide average of 81.3%. The four-year graduation rates for 2023 were 95.2% at Illinois Valley High School, 90.3% at North Valley High School and 84.3% at Hidden Valley High School. The district's alternative school -- Southern Oregon Success Academy -- increased its completer rate that includes GEDs to 47.27% from just 2% two years ago. Three Rivers Superintendent Dave Valenzuela said this accomplishment reflects the dedication and hard work of the students, educators and administrators in the school district. He added that the district made substantial progress despite the challenges of the pandemic. In a school district spanning over 1,200 square miles, Valenzuela said Three Rivers has shown resilience in providing education to students with diverse needs. He said the district serves students facing limited internet connectivity, economic stability and housing security.

 

Nominations are now open for Oregon Teacher of the Year. Honor a special educator in your life on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website through February 21st. Nominees for Oregon Teacher of the Year should be an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public school educator in grades pre-K-12. The program is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Lottery. The Oregon Teacher of the Year serves as the face and voice of educators across the state. As a representative of the profession, this teacher leader is asked to engage and inspire other teachers and community leaders. After the nominations close on February 21st, all eligible teachers who have been nominated will be invited to apply. Candidates who submit an application will then be in the running to be selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year from one of the 19 Education Service Districts statewide. Every Regional Teacher of the Year will be awarded $1,000 and be celebrated across the state in September. The Oregon Teacher of the Year receives a gift of $10,000 as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.

 

UPDATE: Billy James Best has been arrested and is lodged in the Douglas County Jail.

Authorities were on the lookout for a man who eluded law enforcement following a police pursuit in Douglas County late yesterday. His passenger -- a Josephine County woman -- is in custody. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports deputies tried to stop a 2008 Ford Focus in Oakland on Wednesday shortly after 5 p.m., but the driver failed to yield and eluded law enforcement at a high rate of speed heading south on Interstate 5. A Sutherlin police officer successfully deployed spike strips on the eluding car, causing the driver -- identified as Billy James Best of Seaside -- to crash into a ditch and flee on foot near Interstate 5 in Sutherlin. Best is considered to be armed and dangerous, so a "reverse 9-1-1 call" notification system was used to warn local residents. The community was asked to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. The Sheriff's Office, Sutherlin Police Department and Oregon State Police searched the area for hours with the assistance of canines without success. There remains a heavy law enforcement presence in the area searching for Best, who has multiple warrants for his arrest including new crimes committed during the elude. A female passenger identified as Christina Marie Dominguez of Cave Junction was taken into custody for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. She was lodged at the Douglas County Jail in Roseburg.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a city park camper twice last night, with the second incident landing the man in jail for violating his post-prison supervision. The Police Department reports the first encounter with 36-year-old Michael Wayne Cheek occurred at Fruitdale Park on Hamilton Lane around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police said they responded to reports that Cheek had destroyed his campsite and was acting disorderly, causing public alarm. He was cited for Violating Park Rules and Scattering Rubbish before being trespassed from the park for 30 days. The second incident involving Cheek happened in the 500-block of Rogue River Highway at about 10:15 p.m.. Police said Cheek acted violently near Herb's La Casita by yelling and hitting objects including buildings with intent to cause public alarm. They said he entered the highway without regard for traffic and obstructed several vehicles. He was then placed into custody before intentionally causing damage to a patrol vehicle with his head and feet. Michael Cheek was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct plus the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for causing a violent disturbance in a west-side neighborhood and then fighting with responding officers early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the incident involving 45-year-old Sarah Lavonne Henderson in the 1100-block of SW Bridge Street on Wednesday around 10:20 a.m.. A man identified as Henderson's boyfriend had called 9-1-1 to report that she had been smoking "crack" and was on a "binder." The woman was in possession of her boyfriend's dog as the incident unfolded. Police said Henderson was causing a commotion in front of a residence. They said she had destroyed the interior of the home, walked outside and began shouting at passing vehicles. Her actions caused public alarm and she threatened to fight officers who tried to place her into custody. Henderson reportedly twisted and pulled her arms away to prevent arrest and she kicked at officers multiple times. Due to her violent behavior, she was placed in handcuffs and ankle restraints. Her boyfriend who made the call had to assist by unhooking his dog from the leash she had tightly wound around her wrist. Sarah Henderson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman after she broke into a Cave Junction area residence last night and tried to make it her own. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a break-in at a home in the 200-block of Honeybee Lane on Wednesday at about 7:25 p.m.. Deputies said 50-year-old Shannon Leann Petersen illegally entered the home and was discovered taking a bath by the homeowner who reported the suspect had gone through the entire house, opening doors and drawers, eating food and preparing to do her laundry. The suspect reportedly lived at the home several years ago. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that the homeowner had kicked Peterson out of the house completely naked and threw her clothing on the porch. They contacted her at the corner of Laurel and Old Stage roads before placing her into custody. Shannon Peterson was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Burglary and 3rd-Degree Theft.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman wanted on a statewide felony warrant and added some new felony-level charges to her criminal bill early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 38-year-old Crystil Marie Ann York near Rogue Barbers on NW 6th Street at 10:14 a.m. Wednesday. Police said they were on patrol when they spotted York and knew that she was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. While placing her into custody, they found her to be in possession of unspecified fraudulent items which were seized as evidence. Crystil York was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrant as well as new charges of 2nd-Degree Forgery and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument.