Local News

Evacuations remain in place for the Devil's Knob and Milepost 98 fires in southern Douglas County, but a number of evacuation downgrades have occurred. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported Friday that Level 3 "Go Now" and Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation orders no longer exist on the wildfires near Tiller and Canyonville after the previous levels were downgraded. A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice is still in effect for residences on Joe Hall Road, Tison Road and Elk Diamond Road near Tiller and for residences on Ritchie Road in Canyonville. All residential addresses on the east side of Tiller-Trail Highway between the 34,000 and 36,760 blocks as well as Canyon Creek Road near Canyonville are no longer under any evacuation notices. The Douglas Forest Protective Association reported yesterday that the Devil's Knob Fire was 4,130 acres with 15% containment and the Milepost 98 Fire was 250 acres with 27% containment. Minimal fire growth is expected due to increased relative humidity in the fire areas.

 

The Oregon Department of Education -- in partnership with the Oregon Lottery -- has announced a Grants Pass educator is one of the state's 18 Regional Teachers of the Year. Kellen Akiyama teaches English Language Arts and African-American Studies at Gladiola High School. Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12. Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. "Kellen has been an exceptional advocate for his community," stated by a peer in his nomination. "He incorporates art and music, such as hip hop and poem, to his social studies curriculum so students can relate to their learning better and explore different ways to show their understanding through various mediums." Akiyama and the other 17 Regional Teachers of the Year win a $1,000 cash prize and are in the running for the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

 

Rogue Community College is continuing its upward trajectory from the previous year, reporting a nearly 19% increase in full-time equivalent enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year. RCC's growth also stands out at the state level. The college's 18.9% enrollment increase from fall 2023 to fall 2024 far surpasses the average 5.7% increase reported by other Oregon community colleges. This positions RCC as one of the top-performing institutions in the state. During the past two fall terms, RCC has achieved a 24.7% growth in enrollment as compared to the statewide average of 6.3%. Enrollment for Fall 2024 is underway. RCC's total student population grew from 8,366 in 2022-23 to 9,280 in 2023-24. College officials report the increase is due to the school's recruitment initiatives, strong community support and commitment to high-quality education. RCC President Randy Weber said this achievement highlights the college's collective efforts and the unwavering support of the community. He said they are grateful to their dedicated faculty, staff and Board of Education, adding that their commitment is fundamental to RCC's success as an educational and economic cornerstone in Josephine and Jackson counties. RCC's commitment to serving high school students and partners has also contributed to its success. During the 2023-24 academic year, RCC provided 16 training cohorts for high school students in credit and non-credit programs, further strengthening the pipeline from secondary to post-secondary education to skills that translate into employment.

 

The Oregon Department of Education -- in partnership with the Oregon Lottery -- has announced a Grants Pass educator is one of the state's 18 Regional Teachers of the Year. Kellen Akiyama teaches English Language Arts and African-American Studies at Gladiola High School. Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12. Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. "Kellen has been an exceptional advocate for his community," stated by a peer in his nomination. "He incorporates art and music, such as hip hop and poem, to his social studies curriculum so students can relate to their learning better and explore different ways to show their understanding through various mediums." Akiyama and the other 17 Regional Teachers of the Year win a $1,000 cash prize and are in the running for the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for violating a court order after he allegedly beat up a legally-protected woman at a city park yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 42-year-old male subject for the domestic violence incident at Riverside Park on Thursday at 11:46 a.m.. Police said they responded to the park after citizens reported a man assaulting a woman inside a vehicle parked near the playground. Upon arrival, the female victim advised officers the male suspect fled on foot toward the Rogue River. Officers confirmed the woman did not need medical attention and then observed the man walking back to the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that there was a no-contact order in place prohibiting him from contacting the victim following a previous assault. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and Contempt of Court -- Violation of a No-Contact Order. He was being held without bail and he was trespassed from the park for 30 days.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon on an outstanding warrant and more after he caused a disturbance at a north-city motel early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at Motel 6 on NE 7th Street around 7 a.m. Thursday. Police said 29-year-old Jake Robert Thompson was the subject of a call requesting he be trespassed from the motel for yelling at employees while holding a knife. He did not threaten workers with the knife, but he is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing any weapons. Responding officers located Thompson walking south on 6th Street. Upon contact, they discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. During a consent search, he was found to be in possession of a 4-inch double-edged knife that was seized as evidence. Thompson was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show Thompson has been arrested for violating his post-prison supervision 11 times since last November.

 

A Grants Pass felon was arrested for violating his post-prison supervision last night after he was caught riding a motorcycle recklessly in the northwest part of the city. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a motorcycle ridden by a 36-year-old male subject identified as "Robert Mikeal Shaw" near the corner of NW Manzanita Avenue and Washington Boulevard on Thursday around 9:30 p.m.. Police said Shaw was observed operating a street bike at a high rate of speed through the parking lot of the north Dollar Tree and failing to stop when exiting the parking lot onto Manzanita. After he was stopped, he was found to be riding the unregistered bike with a suspended license and no insurance. Shaw's corrections officer was contacted and requested that he be placed on a detainer. Shaw was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. He was also cited for the traffic violations and his motorcycle was impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for attempting to steal merchandise from Walmart yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a shoplifting complaint at the store on NE Terry Lane on Thursday at 12:39 p.m.. Police said a 46-year-old female subject was detained by Walmart security after she skip-scanned and tried to conceal more than $111 worth of items. She passed all points of sale and was stopped prior to exiting the store. The stolen items were recovered and she was placed into custody. According to the report, the entire incident was filmed by video surveillance. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. The keys to her vehicle were taken to GPPD headquarters to be picked up by her husband.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a former employee of Rogue Valley Door after he trespassed on the business property early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the disturbance at the door manufacturing company on NE Beacon Drive on Thursday at 10:25 a.m.. Police said a 33-year-old male subject is an ex-employee of Rogue Valley Door and he is no longer welcome on the property. They said he was there to profess his affection for a female employee and he refused to leave when asked to do so by a manager. Officers arrived on scene and ordered the subject to exit the business. He initially said he would, but then changed his mind and refused to go. That's when he was placed into custody for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and lodged in jail.