Oregon Department of Forestry Declares Local Start for 2024 Fire Season is Saturday

The Oregon Department of Forestry has officially declared that the beginning of the 2024 fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties is Saturday. ODF officials said the fire danger level in Southwest Oregon will be "low" and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will be "1." Lands affected by this declaration include 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and BLM forestlands in the two-county region. The beginning of fire season brings regulations on activities that are known to cause fires. Starting Saturday at 12:01 a.m., all outdoor debris burning -- including piles and burn barrels -- will be prohibited. No fireworks are allowed on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected lands. Exploding targets and tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge are prohibited. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds and on private land with the landowner's permission. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in areas free of flammable vegetation. Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations. For more information about ODF Southwest fire season regulations, contact the Grants Pass Unit at (541)-474-3152, the Medford Unit at (541)-664-3328 or visit "swofire.com." ...Read more

Slight Changes in Numbers, But No Changes in Outcomes in May 21st Election Results

The latest of run of ballots by the Josephine County Clerk's Office shows some slight changes in the numbers, but no changes in the outcomes of the May Primary Election. In the latest unofficial returns released this week, the race for two seats on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners is down to four candidates, with Chris Barnett facing off against Colene Martin for Position #2 and Pat Fahey taking on Ron Smith for Position #3 in November. Barnett had received 45.4% of the votes compared to 23.6% for Martin, and Fahey garnered 38.6% of the ballots compared to 26.2% for Smith. All three ballot measures in the May 21st election have gone down to defeat. The latest numbers show Replacement of the Josephine County Charter losing by a 67.4% to 32.6% margin. The Animal Shelter and Animal Control Local Option Tax was being defeated by a 60% to 40% tally. The Three Rivers School District Bond Request was being downed 68% to 32%. As of the latest count of ballots, voter turnout in Josephine County was 39.92%. ...Read more

City of GP Opening Riverside Park & Morrison Centennial Park Splash Pads Today

Just in time for a weather forecast of sunny skies and warm temperatures, the Spray Park at Riverside Park is set to open today. According to the City of Grants Pass, the Spray Park will operate from noon to 7 p.m. daily. The Splash Pad at Morrison Centennial Park will also open today. The splash pads at both parks have a control button that is pushed by participants to make the sequencer run the features for three-minute intervals. At Riverside Park, the smaller Kids' Splash Pad has a Flower Shower, Ride & Spray Horse, Ride & Spray Zebra, Water Weave and Pop Dropps. The larger Splash Pad features a 3-Bucket Fill-and-Spill, Mission Hill Showers, Water Fence, Water Arch and several varieties of ground sprayers. The highlight of the larger pad is the Tidal Barrel, which has a "big splash" effect. The barrel fills up and then spills its contents around the base of the trunk, creating a circular sheet of water with a 16-foot radius. ...Read more