Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025
|
theworldlink.com |
$2
Intoxicated driver arrested after striking Umpqua Community College Softball Team bus, killing two BY NATE SCHWARTZ Editor
On their way back to Roseburg after playing in North Bend, the Umpqua Community College (UCC) softball team was struck by an intoxicated driver at 9:56 PM on April 18. The driver, Johnathan Dowdy, 32, now faces a long list of felony charges including manslaughter, assault, and reckless endangerment. Dowdy’s Chevy Silverado swerved into the path of the team bus as it carried 10 people east on Oregon Route 42, near milepost 23, according to OSP press releases. Two of the bus passengers were killed on the scene. Jami Strinz, 46, was the team’s coach and was driving at the time. Kiley Jones, 19, was a freshman who played first base. “Kiley Jones was a standout athlete with a heart for her teammates and a contagious smile. She was a leader who brought energy to both the softball and soccer fields. Kiley was the light that shined anywhere she went,” stated official UCC communications. “Coach Jami Strinz was a mentor and a champion of creating opportunities for students beyond the softball field. Jami empowered each player to lead in their own way, grounded in her
belief in personal growth, team unity, and the strength of women as professionals. Her legacy continues through the community she inspired, as she touched many throughout the world.” The rest of the team was transported for emergency medical services, along with Dowdy, who was arrested on release the evening of April 21 and taken to the Coos County Jail. The full list of his charges, via OSP communications, is below:
• ORS 163.118 Manslaughter in the First Degree (X2) • ORS 163.175 Assault in the Second Degree (X3) • ORS 163.165 Assault in the Third Degree (X5) • ORS 163.195 Reckless Endangering of a Person (X14) • ORS 163.196 Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked • ORS 813.010 Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants • ORS 811.140 Reckless Driving • ORS 811.182 Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor See INTOXICATED Continued on Page 5
Wild Rivers Land Trust: protecting Southern Oregon’s natural treasures, hires new executive director
for the natural spaces that both people and wildlife depend on for clean air, fresh water and healthy Along the rugged and breathhabitats across Coos, Curry and taking southern Oregon coast, a southwestern Douglas counties. dedicated organization is working The service area encompasses a tirelessly to ensure the region’s vast 2.3 million acres. irreplaceable lands and waters By forging partnerships with remain forever wild and abundant. willing landowners, WRLT helps The Wild Rivers Land Trust working farms, forests and ranch(WRLT), spanning from Reedes safeguard their legacies for sport to Brookings, operates on future generations through various the fundamental belief that a conservation tools. thriving environment, a prosperAt its core, a land trust like ous economy and the unique rural WRLT acquires land or concoastal culture are inextricably servation easements, which are linked. legal agreements that restrict This non-profit, charitable development and protect specific organization acts as a guardian conservation values. These values BY LINDA LEE
Country Media, Inc.
can range from preserving vital natural habitats and ensuring water quality to maintaining scenic vistas and guaranteeing land remains available for farming, forestry, or outdoor recreation. WRLT collaborates closely with landowners, engaging in real estate transactions that sometimes involve purchasing property interests or accepting their donation. Crucially, the Land Trust also diligently stewards and monitors land already under its protection, striving to bring lasting conser-
See LAND TRUST Continued on Page 3
More details emerge in North Bend runway excursion BY NATE SCHWARTZ Editor
Following the HondaJet that skipped off the runway of Southwest Oregon Regional Airport on April 7, more information has come to light about runway excursions in that particular model of plane. According to a report by Aviation International News (AIN), this is the 20th time a HondaJet has run off of the runway, with 8 of those incidents coming after 2023. In fact, the incident in North Bend was one of two excursions to take place that same week. On April 9, a similar HondaJet overran the runway at Naples Regional Airport in Florida. There were no passengers on the flight and the See RUNWAY Continued on Page 5
FIND US ONLINE: TheWorldLink.com
Opinion
2
Sports
4
Classifieds
7
Calendar
11
Comics
14
Obituaries
15
EMAIL US: WorldCirculation@CountryMedia.net CALL US: (541) 266-6047
Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 • A Country Media Newspaper • Copyright 2022 Follow us:
facebook.com/theworldnewspaper
twitter.com/TheWorldLink
instagram.com/theworldlink