Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested two people for working together to steal hundreds of dollars' worth of merchandise from Grange Co-op this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Timothy David Plumlee, Jr., and 21-year-old Heather Elaine Dixon at the store off West Schutzwohl Lane near Dowell Road late Wednesday afternoon. Police said Plumlee and Dixon worked together to steal more than $395 in boots, shoes and wallets by concealing the items and taking them past all points of sale at Grange Co-op. They were confronted by loss prevention and escorted back into the store to wait for law enforcement. According to the report, the incident was reported by an employee in Central Point who observed the crime on video surveillance. Plumlee was wanted on a statewide felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous burglary conviction. He was also found to be in possession of 25 grams of methamphetamine as well as two knives -- one of them spring-activated. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing any weapons. Plumlee was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrant and for 2nd-Degree Theft, Felony Possession and Delivery of Meth, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. Dixon was cited to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft and then released.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a fugitive wanted on a statewide felony warrant at a Sunny Valley residence this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 54-year-old Scott Wayne Chitwood at a home on Old Stage Road on Wednesday. Deputies said Chitwood was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation related to a previous robbery conviction. They said he was also found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. Chitwood was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Meth Possession. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. In addition to capturing the fugitive, the Sheriff's Office seized three vehicles -- a 1984 Ford Club Wagon 3500, a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt and a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. All three were located on Copper Queen Road and they were towed to Grants Pass. It was unclear in the report if they had been reported stolen.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman on an outstanding warrant this week during a patrol check at a county park on the Rogue River. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies contacted 41-year-old Margaret Samantha Ledlow and a male companion at Chinook Park late Wednesday night. Deputies said Ledlow and her friend were sitting in a vehicle at the park well after it was closed for the night. They said she initially gave them a false name, but once her identity was confirmed they discovered she was wanted on a Springfield Police Department warrant for failing to appear in court for Criminal Trespass. Ledlow was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Furnishing False Information to Police. She and her male companion were trespassed from Chinook Park for one year.

 

Authorities are warning the public about homemade spike strips and booby-trap devices being placed along US Forest Service roads in Josephine County. According to the Oregonian, people have reported encountering spiked boards on roads in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, with some hidden beneath leaves, making them nearly impossible to spot. "We are saddened to report that someone has been 'spiking' Forest Service roads in the Taylor Creek and Shan Creek areas," the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement on Facebook. The agency said that, along with finding spikes, people have come across wires strung across roads and trails in the area. Anyone with information about the spiked boards or other such items is urged to contact the Grants Pass Interagency Office at (541)-471-6500 or the Wild Rivers Ranger District at (541)-592-4000.

 

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue is inviting the public to attend its annual Open House on Saturday. The Open House runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Parkway Fire Station, which is located at 800 East Park Street. Hot dogs and refreshments will be served. There will be goody bags and fire helmets for the little kids along with fire prevention information for the big kids. Firefighters will offer engine tours and Sparky will be there to greet attendees. Grants Pass firefighters and support staff hope to see you there!

 

With less than two weeks before the November 5th General Election, completed ballots were trickling in to the Josephine County Clerk's Office. As of Thursday evening, Josephine County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels reported a 21.4% turnout. Out of 71,006 registered voters, she said 15,196 ballots had been returned. In addition to state and federal issues, there are a number of important local races and measures on the ballot. Two of the three seats on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners are up for grabs, with races between Colleen Martin and Chris Barnett for Position #2, and Pat Fahey and Ron Smith for Position #3. There is also a race for Treasurer between Eve Arce and Mark DeYoung. A two-person race for Grants Pass Mayor pits Sara Bristol against Clint Scherf. There are also races for City Council positions in Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4. In Cave Junction, there is a race for Mayor between Jean Ann Miles and Jesse Dugas as well as races for City Council positions 2 and 4. Ballot measures that will be decided on November 5th include 17-119 Rogue Community College Bonds, 17-121 Veterans Service Office 5-Year Local Option Tax, 17-122 City of Cave Junction Transient Lodging Tax and 17-123 Three Rivers School Bonds. The due date for completed ballots to be returned is November 5th at 8 p.m..

 

The City of Grants Pass is soliciting applications to identify providers to host and operate one or more severe weather shelters for 2024-26. Respondents to this open call and grant should determine the most realistic and feasible use for funding while recognizing the objective to maximize the sustainability of funds to address the city's ongoing need for a temporary shelter. Responses to this call should demonstrate the provider's plans for operating a shelter within the scope that the City has established. Respondents shall provide a detailed explanation of the funding amount requested and how it is to be spent. The respondents shall also demonstrate any history in operating similar shelters or programs. The purpose of the grant is to support a severe weather shelter. The grant will act as a reimbursement or pass-through funding. Any item purchased with these grant funds that in the future is no longer used for unhoused services is required to be returned to City ownership. The total available funding for this grant is $52,580 and the cost-free loan of one air-scrubber machine for the duration of the grant period. Grants may be awarded to multiple applicants and the City reserves the right to not release all available funding and resources during this grant period.

 

Total payroll employment in Jackson County rose by 410 jobs in September. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 103,303 people working in Jackson County last month for seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.6%, which was the same as in August. Private education & health services had the largest private-sector gains over the month with 170. A small increase was noted in transportation, warehousing & utilities. Industries with estimated job losses in September were construction, professional & business services, manufacturing, and leisure & hospitality. Government had a gain of 550 jobs over the month with an increase of 580 in local government education and a slight uptick of 20 jobs in federal government. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County slipped by 70 jobs, a decrease of 0.1%. Since September 2023, industries adding jobs were private education & health services, and leisure & hospitality. Industries with over-the-year losses included retail trade, manufacturing, construction, financial activities and professional & business services.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two people for working together to steal hundreds of dollars' worth of merchandise from Grange Co-op late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Timothy David Plumlee, Jr., and 21-year-old Heather Elaine Dixon at the store off West Schutzwohl Lane near Dowell Road on Wednesday at 4:25 p.m.. Police said Plumlee and Dixon worked together to steal more than $395 in boots, shoes and wallets by concealing the items and taking them past all points of sale at Grange Co-op. They were confronted by loss prevention and escorted back into the store to wait for law enforcement. According to the report, the incident was reported by an employee in Central Point who observed the crime on video surveillance. Plumlee was wanted on a statewide felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous burglary conviction. He was also found to be in possession of 25 grams of methamphetamine as well as two knives -- one of them spring-activated. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing any weapons. Plumlee was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrant and for 2nd-Degree Theft, Felony Possession and Delivery of Meth, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. Dixon was cited to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft and then released.