District Attorney Determines Deadly Force Justified in Officer-Involved Shooting
Josh Eastman, Josephine County District Attorney, concluded the review of the Debbs Potts Bridge officer-involved shooting, determining the use of deadly force was justified. According to a release from the DA's office, the shooting that occurred on February 7th after 12:30 p.m. garnered numerous calls to 911 saying there was a woman on the bridge with two handguns. Grants Pass Police units arrived to set up a perimeter, blocking traffic in both directions. Despite the suspect, Alicia Shelton, pointing her weapon at officers initially, as well as refusing their commands and at one point charging them, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by giving her verbal warnings, both commanding and asking Shelton to drop the firearm multiple times. Around 12:36 p.m., after having been asked more than ten times to drop her weapon, she pointed it directly at officers parked in the middle of the bridge. An officer, who the firearm was pointed at directly, fired one round from his duty rifle, followed by another officer from his.
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Congressman Bentz Introduces 2026 O&C Renewal Act
Congressman Cliff Bentz introduced the O&C Renewal Act of 2026. The legislation will reaffirm timber production as the primary purpose of Oregon & California (O&C) lands and restore responsible, sustained-yield forest management across more than two million acres of federal timberlands in western Oregon. The bill amends the 1937 Oregon and California Lands Act to clarify that permanent timber production under the principle of sustained yield is the primary purpose of O&C lands. Revenues generated from responsible timber harvests are intended to directly support county governments and fund schools, roads, public safety, and other essential services, while sustaining rural jobs, improving forest health, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The legislation restores O&C lands to healthier, more resilient forest conditions while providing long-term economic stability for Oregon's timber industry.
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Richardson and Martin Sworn In, Upcoming Meeting's Scheduled
Gary Richardson and Colleen Martin have been officially sworn in to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners positions one and two respectively. A call to the Commissioner's Office revealed the two were sworn in by Judge Robert S. Bain today at 8:15 a.m., and that the next official meeting of the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday the 26th at 1:30 p.m. There will be a quorum of the board Wednesday when the Commissioners tour the Josephine County Animal Shelter at 2 p.m. According to the county website, the next Weekly Business Session will take place at 10 a.m. this Friday. Commissioner Ron Smith is scheduled to appear on KAJO's Tuesday Talk Show tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
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