Local News

A White City bicyclist was struck and killed by a vehicle in rural Central Point early yesterday. Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon Dispatch received a call from the involved driver about the accident on Foothill Road near Corey Road on Tuesday at 4:44 a.m.. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports deputies, Jackson County Fire District #3 and Mercy Flights responded. The bicyclist -- 45-year-old Matthew Edward Davenport -- was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and pronounced deceased at 5:42 a.m.. Next-of-kin has been notified. The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the incident. The preliminary investigation indicates a southbound 2021 Toyota 4-Runner struck the bicyclist on the shoulder of Foothill Road. The driver is cooperating with the investigation and no criminal charges have been filed at this time. The STAR Team consists of investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant this week following a foot pursuit through the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 33-year-old Derek Miguel Withrow at the A-1 Market & Deli on SW G Street on Monday night. Police said the incident began when a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Withrow punched her in the face, he had a gun and was threatening to shoot another man. The woman refused to identify herself and she did not have any observed injuries. Withrow was found to be wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for a weapons offense. He was spotted at SE 7th and K streets, but fled on foot when officers attempted to contact him. Withrow ran through downtown, was located inside the market and surrendered peacefully after being challenged with an arrest team and K-9 officer. Withrow was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two motorists on outstanding warrants in one night this week following separate incidents in Selma and Grants Pass. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Monday evening when state troopers assisted the Josephine County Sheriff's Office in locating a suspect from a domestic violence call for service in the 900-block of Lakeshore Drive near Selma. Troopers located, detained and arrested 44-year-old Justin Lee Brighman due to local warrants for Felony Parole and Probation violations. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus a new charge of Domestic Harassment. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. The second incident happened late Monday night when troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 36-year-old Jay William Oncher-Fontaine of Glendale on NE 7th Street near Hillcrest Drive in Grants Pass. Troopers said they stopped Oncher-Fontaine for a traffic violation and discovered that he was wanted on a Douglas County warrant for Probation Violation plus his driver's license had been suspended. He was lodged in jail on the warrant and a new charge of Driving While Suspended. His vehicle was impounded.

 

A Grants Pass Police Department investigation into an animal complaint led to the arrest of a woman on a local felony warrant this week. According to GPPD, officers responded to multiple reports of dogs at large and scattering rubbish complaints at a home in the 500-block of SE L Street late Monday afternoon. Police said they contacted a woman identified as 51-year-old Michele Nicole Hoover who advised that she was in the process of separating from her husband. She admitted that they have four dogs on the property and at least one of them has escaped several times. She said she was trying to move out as soon as possible. A routine records check showed that Hoover was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for 4th-Degree Assault. She was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. Officers noted a large amount trash and disabled vehicles on the property. They advised the husband that a notice of violation will be coming with expectations of compliance for the animal violations, disabled vehicles and scattered rubbish.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on two local warrants this week after responding to a repeat shoplifting complaint at Walmart. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a Monday afternoon theft complaint involving 52-year-old David Patrick Banks at the store on NE Terry Lane. Police said Banks had been detained by Walmart loss prevention for stealing vanilla, lemon and coconut extracts. A store manager advised this was the fourth time that the suspect had wiped the shelves clean, but GPPD was too busy to respond and a case was never started. The manager wanted to pursue charges. Banks admitted to the thefts and said he is an alcoholic. He told officers the extracts are more than 90% alcohol and "it's better than any moonshine you can find." A records check showed that he was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 3rd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Banks was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus four counts of 3rd-Degree Theft. He was released a short time later for medical reasons.

 

The deadline to remove studded tires is fast approaching. The Oregon Department of Transportation encourages drivers to not wait until the last minute, especially if they aren't driving over mountain passes. Oregon law allows studded tires to be used in the state from November 1st through March 31st. Beginning next Tuesday, April 1st, law enforcement officers can issue citations with a $165 fine to drivers with studded tires on their vehicles. ODOT maintenance crews continue to monitor weather forecasts and work to remove late-season snow and ice from highways as soon as possible. After March 31st, be sure to use other types of traction tires or chains when extra traction is required or postpone travel until conditions improve. Whenever you travel, plan for the weather and visit "tripcheck.com" for updated road conditions. Looking ahead to next winter, drivers can help prevent added wear and tear to Oregon's roads by considering alternatives to studded tires.

 

One day after both Grants Pass and Medford set new high temperature records, an early spring storm is expected to make a dramatic change in the weather. Grants Pass broke a 100-year-old high temperature record for March 25th by reaching 83 degrees on Tuesday. The old record was 81 degrees in 1925. Medford set a new record with a high temperature of 81 degrees, breaking the old mark of 80 in 1997. Pacific Power is monitoring an approaching storm that could impact customers in parts of Oregon, Northern California and Washington for the rest of the week. The weather forecast indicates the potential for high winds, lightning, rain and hail from today into Thursday, which could lead to power outages. Pacific Power's meteorology team is closely monitoring the storm, with crews on standby and ready to respond to weather-related outages. The utility encourages customers to always be prepared for outages and it supports state and local emergency management organizations, who recommend customers have an emergency plan for up to 72 hours without essential services. To report electrical outages, call Pacific Power at 1-(877)-508-5088.

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the City Council has unanimously approved its application to bring back the Concerts in the Park series to Riverside Park this year. The Chamber extends its heartfelt gratitude to the City of Grants Pass, City Council and Parks Department for their unwavering support. Officials said this collaboration is invaluable as they work together to restore this family-friendly event back to its rightful location. Until the completion of the permanent bandshell in the lower festival area of Riverside Park, concerts will temporarily take place near the Pavilion at the front of the park. With this move and the rise in operating costs, sponsorship for the 2025 concert series is essential. The Chamber relies on the generosity of its partners, supporters and volunteers to continue offering this free gift to the Grants Pass community. For more information on sponsorship, performing or vending opportunities, please contact Christie Swafford at (541)-226-3101 or you can email her at "cswafford@grantspasschamber.org."

 

The 3rd Annual Health, Wellness & Education Fair is set for this weekend at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass. Fruitdale Grange along with this year's sponsors -- Grants Pass Family YMCA, AllCare Health and Team Senior -- bring you the 2025 event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fairgrounds Commercial Building. This community event is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and providing resources for a better future. The Fair will offer speakers, vendors and a variety of activities focused on physical, mental and emotional well-being. Educational and healthy products will be on hand as well as food trucks. Fruitdale Grange President Jill Hamm encourages residents to take an active role in their health and wellness journey by attending Saturday's event.