Local News

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 this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 33-year-old Erik Alan Jenkins, II, at apartments on NE Fairview Avenue on Wednesday evening. 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.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman on a statewide felony warrant this week 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. 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.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on an outstanding warrant while visiting a transient camp in Cave Junction this week. 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 afternoon. 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.

 

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 around midday 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.

 

Icy roads and dense fog contributed to several motor vehicle accidents in Josephine County early yesterday -- 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 on Thursday 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. Motorists 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.

 

US Representative Cliff Bentz has been selected to serve on three subcommittees of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. Bentz's assignments are the Subcommittee on Energy, Subcommittee on Health, and Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. These subcommittees will play a key role in shaping the upcoming Reconciliation Bill and deal with legislations addressing the nation's energy policies, healthcare systems and economic activity. Congressman Bentz said he enjoyed his four years on the Judiciary and Natural Resource committees, but being a new member of the Energy and Commerce Committee will give him opportunities to address energy policy, healthcare and economic development -- all of which impact his constituents. Bentz will continue to serve as a member of the Natural Resources Committee and he has been reappointed to the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries and Federal Lands subcommittees. For more information about Congressman's Bentz's work in Washington, DC, visit "bentz.house.gov."

 

US Congressman Cliff Bentz has nominated 14 Oregon students for consideration for appointment to one of the five prestigious United States Service Academies. Congressman Bentz's Service Academy Nomination Board recommended each student based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement and character. The 2024 nominees from Josephine County are Avarly Barnett of New Hope Christian School who was nominated to the US Air Force Academy, Addison Cox of Logos Public Charter School who was nominated to the US Naval Academy and US Air Force Academy, Owen Hull of Grants Pass High School who was nominated to the US Air Force Academy, and Phurin Veeraumpaipong of Grants Pass who is attending Southern Oregon University and was nominated to the US Naval Academy and US Air Force Academy. Nominees from Jackson County are Zackary Cook of Cascade Christian High School who was nominated to the US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy and US Military Academy; Ivar Hokanson of Crater High School who was nominated to the US Military Academy; Mia Marinucci of Eagle Point who is attending the University of Arizona and was nominated to the US Military Academy; Paige Schiffer of South Medford High School who was nominated to the US Military Academy; and Wren Rambo of Central Point who is attending the US Military Academy Prep School and was nominated to the US Military Academy.

 

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

 

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.