Local News

US Forest Service to Hold Public Meetings for Northwest Forest Plan Amendment
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The US Forest Service will host a series of public meetings across northern California, Oregon and Washington to discuss the proposed amendments to the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP). These meetings will allow the public to learn about and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released in November. The public meetings will provide information on the proposed amendment, which aims to address wildfire resilience, economic opportunities, improved forest stewardship, adapting to a changing climate, and tribal inclusion. Topics of discussion will include an introduction to the Northwest Forest Plan, an overview of the proposed amendment to land management plans, key details about the proposed action and alternatives outlined in the DEIS, and information on how to engage during the 120-day public comment period. In this region, a public meeting will be held January 21st at 5 p.m. at the Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office in Yreka, California, January 28th at 6 p.m. at the Roseburg Public Library, January 29th at 6 p.m. at the Medford Interagency Office on Biddle Road and January 30th at 6 p.m. at Klamath Community College in Klamath Falls. The public comment period for the Northwest Forest Plan DEIS will remain open until March 17th
Posted on 1/17/25 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
 

RCC Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. with Two Weekend Events in Grants Pass
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Rogue Community College plans to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with two events over the next three days. RCC's Diversity Programming Board invites the public to reflect on their theme: "In Community." A key component of Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence was the creation of the Beloved Community, a vision for a society where everyone is care for and where poverty, hunger and hate are absent. The sense of community and interconnectedness propelled the civil rights movement in the fight against injustice with a simple idea: We are Stronger Together. RCC is sponsoring and participating in two events this MLK holiday weekend. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at GPHS, there will be a Community Gathering Creative Presentation and Community Fair hosted by Grants Pass Remembrance. On Monday at 6 p.m. at Newman United Methodist Church, there will be an MLK Celebration called "Inspiring Evening of Story and Song," with a reception to follow hosted by the RCC Diversity Programming Board.
Posted on 1/17/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Felon on Warrant and Drug Charge after Domestic Disturbance
Grants Pass Police jailed a felon on a local felony warrant and a felony drug charge after investigating a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 33-year-old Erik Alan Jenkins, II, at apartments on NE Fairview Avenue on Wednesday at 5:38 p.m.. Police said they responded to a report of a male subject assaulting a woman outside the complex. They said the caller stated that a man with face tattoos, short hair and white jogging pants was slamming the woman's head into the door of a vehicle. The vehicle was parked in a carport and the woman may have been a resident of the complex. According to the report, an ambulance responded to transport the woman to the hospital -- but she refused medical attention. She also refused to press charges against the suspect. Jenkins was detained for the investigation when it was discovered that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Flight to Avoid Prosecution. He was also found to be in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine. Jenkins was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Felony Possession of Meth. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:30AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Jailed Woman on State Felony Warrant after She Tried to Hide near CJ
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman on a statewide felony warrant yesterday after she tried to hide from deputies near Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 29-year-old Cierra Shay Powers near the intersection of Redwood Highway and Glendon Road on Wednesday around 11:45 a.m.. Deputies said they passed by a female subject they thought might be Powers at that location when she ducked down and laid in the grass. They turned around and found the woman trying to hide from them. Powers was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for felony crimes of Assault on a Police Officer, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle plus misdemeanor crimes of Attempted Assault on a Police Officer and Methamphetamine Possession. Powers was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:29AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Snared Man on Local Warrant after Visiting South CJ Transient Camp
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on an outstanding warrant yesterday while visiting a transient camp in Cave Junction. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies contacted 30-year-old Joshua Michael Delkittie at an illegal campsite in the 400-block of South Redwood Highway on Wednesday at 2:55 p.m.. Deputies said Delkittie was found to be wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Probation Violation related to a 2023 arrest for Felony Mail Theft. He was placed into custody without incident. Delkittie was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. He was being held in lieu of posting $25,000 bail. Deputies were also investigating whether a silver 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe parked at the camp had been reported stolen.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:28AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Investigating Alleged Theft of Pickup from Freeway in North Grants Pass
The Oregon State Police was investigating the alleged theft of a vehicle that was left on Interstate 5 in north Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers received a Wednesday morning report of a gray Toyota pickup that was stolen from the northbound side of I-5 near milepost 58. Troopers said the stolen pickup belongs to a Josephine County Jail inmate who reported the crime. The 48-year-old man was in jail following his arrest as an out-of-state fugitive on Monday morning. According to OSP, the license plate on the pickup is 1JL3036 ZMIN. Troopers said it's possible the vehicle may have been impounded. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the truck is urged to dial *OSP.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:26AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Received Assist from Arrestee Wanted on Jackson County Warrant
Grants Pass Police received an assist from the arrestee when they placed him into custody on an outstanding warrant late yesterday. According to the Police Department, a 32-year-old male subject called officers from a residence in the 1700-block Fruitdale Drive late Wednesday afternoon and told them he believed he had a warrant out of Medford. Police said the man advised he was unable to reach anyone in the Medford courts and wanted to know whether he needed to turn himself in. The man called back a short time later and said he discovered that he was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Resisting Arrest. The suspect told officers he would lock up his house and be waiting for them at the corner of Fruitdale and Carnahan drives. That's where he was picked up and placed into custody before being lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:24AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Nabbed Man for Stealing from Local Supermarket for 4th Time in 2025
Grants Pass Police arrested a man who apparently made a New Year's resolution to attempt to steal from a local supermarket in 2025. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint involving 51-year-old Sean William MacDowell at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane at about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday. Police said MacDowell tried to deprive WinCo of more than $42 worth of items, but was stopped outside the store by loss prevention. They placed him into custody after reviewing video surveillance footage that showed him selecting items and passing all points of sale without paying for them. MacDowell reportedly admitted to stealing from WinCo. It was the fourth time he had been contacted for stealing from the store this year. MacDowell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from WInCo.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:23AM by Sam Marsh
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Icy Roads and Dense Fog Contributed to Several Crashes in Josephine County
Icy roads and dense fog contributed to several motor vehicle accidents in Josephine County early today -- including one near Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash near milepost 2 of Holland Loop Road this morning at 6:50 a.m.. IVFD officials said the vehicle was found in a ditch, but no one was injured and arrangements were made for towing. Officials attributed the crash to icy road conditions. Motorist are encouraged to drive carefully in the overnight and early morning hours because of cold temperatures and poor visibility that are expected to last until at least the middle of next week.
Posted on 1/16/25 11:22AM by Sam Marsh
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Crews Battled Wednesday Afternoon Structure Fire that Destroyed Selma Home
Firefighters battled a structure fire that destroyed a home near Lake Selmac late yesterday. On Wednesday at 4:06 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to a structure fire in the 3600-block of Lakeshore Drive. IVFD initially responded to what was reported as a vehicle fire -- but dispatchers upgraded the incident to a structure fire, prompting the dispatch of additional units. Upon arrival, IVFD found a single-family dwelling fully-involved with flames. Crews successfully contained the fire and released Rural Metro to cover the district. Rural Metro and AMR responded to an unrelated medical incident. No injuries were reported among civilians or fire personnel. Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Posted on 1/16/25 6:42AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Felon for Suspicion of Committing Many Local Fraud Crimes
Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for suspicion of numerous fraud crimes this week following a patrol check at a church thrift store in the north part of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 37-year-old Russell Ellis Davis at the Seventh Day Adventist Thrift Store on NE 9th Street on Tuesday. Police said they contacted Davis at that location and placed him into custody for a Felony Parole Violation related to a 2024 arrest for 1st-Degree Forgery. He was also wanted for probable cause for a total of 15 other crimes involving fraud. Davis was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for seven counts each of Felony Identity Theft and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card or ATM, plus a single count of 2nd-Degree Theft. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 1/16/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh
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Sheriff's Deputies Collared Local Fugitive in Cave Junction after Brief Chase
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a local fugitive in Cave Junction this week following a brief pursuit in the downtown area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 32-year-old Nickolas Eugene Stephens in the 300-block of West Lister Street on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said they spotted Stephens riding a black BMX bicycle on Redwood Highway and knew that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to a 2023 arrest for Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Stephens reportedly ditched the bike on South Kerby Avenue, hopped a fence to Lister Street and then hopped another toward Sawyer Avenue. Deputies knew that his girlfriend lives on Lister Street and that's where they placed him into custody at Taser point. Stephens was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. A charge of Escape was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. He was also trespassed from properties on Pinewood Way and Logan Cut Drive.
Posted on 1/16/25 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
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