BCC to Vote on Shelter Tax at WBS, Approved Plat Map, Appointed Chair, Vice Chair
The new Josephine County Board of Commissioners held their first official workshop in the BCC Conference Room. The board commenced by appointing Commissioner Ron Smith as Chair of the Board, and Colene Martin as the Vice Chair. Next on the agenda was a presentation of Animal Control and the Animal Shelter regarding a measure potentially moving to the May 19th ballot. Services have been reduced due to lack of funding, and the Levy Proposal would provide 16 cents per $1000 assessed property value; about $3.20 a month. The board will vote on if the measure goes to the May Election at their Weekly Business Session. The board approved the upcoming Finance and Budget Calendar, then moved to support Community Justice's travel request for training and NatCon 2026 in Colorado. A previous amendment to a Treatment Court Foundation Agreement was corrected and approved, and the board moved in favor of two intergovernmental agreements for the Oregon Health Authority Agreement and Tort Liability Coverage, both covered via pass through dollars.
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District Attorney Determines Deadly Force Justified in Officer-Involved Shooting
Josh Eastman, Josephine County District Attorney, concluded the review of the Debbs Potts Bridge officer-involved shooting, determining the use of deadly force was justified. According to a release from the DA's office, the shooting that occurred on February 7th after 12:30 p.m. garnered numerous calls to 911 saying there was a woman on the bridge with two handguns. Grants Pass Police units arrived to set up a perimeter, blocking traffic in both directions. Despite the suspect, Alicia Shelton, pointing her weapon at officers initially, as well as refusing their commands and at one point charging them, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by giving her verbal warnings, both commanding and asking Shelton to drop the firearm multiple times. Around 12:36 p.m., after having been asked more than ten times to drop her weapon, she pointed it directly at officers parked in the middle of the bridge. An officer, who the firearm was pointed at directly, fired one round from his duty rifle, followed by another officer from his.
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Congressman Bentz Introduces 2026 O&C Renewal Act
Congressman Cliff Bentz introduced the O&C Renewal Act of 2026. The legislation will reaffirm timber production as the primary purpose of Oregon & California (O&C) lands and restore responsible, sustained-yield forest management across more than two million acres of federal timberlands in western Oregon. The bill amends the 1937 Oregon and California Lands Act to clarify that permanent timber production under the principle of sustained yield is the primary purpose of O&C lands. Revenues generated from responsible timber harvests are intended to directly support county governments and fund schools, roads, public safety, and other essential services, while sustaining rural jobs, improving forest health, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The legislation restores O&C lands to healthier, more resilient forest conditions while providing long-term economic stability for Oregon's timber industry.
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