Local News

Emergency crews are currently battling the West Jones Fire that broke out in the 800 block of Jones Creek Road. A Level 3 - Go Now Evacuation Order is in effect for Zone JCU-422-B, and a Level 2 - Be Set Evacuation Warning is in effect for Zone JCU-422-A. According to the latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, the fire is estimated at 8 to 10 acres. Crews are working hard and beginning to see strong progress with 70 percent of the fire knocked down and 50 percent of the perimeter wet lined despite hot, dry and windy conditions. One outbuilding, a shed was destroyed by the fire. Multiple aircraft are currently engaged, making bucket drops to support ground efforts.

 

The Grants Pass City Council moved 6-1 for a resolution to be drafted standing for the repeal or reformation of Senate Bill 48 during this morning's workshop. Councilman Rob Pell was the lone dissenting vote.

A presentation from Logic Compensation Group began the 11:45 a.m. meeting, covering the upcoming Salary and Compensation Study for Non-Bargaining Positions.

The group was chosen to helm the study which will run in four phases: Study Initiation from roughly June through October, Survey and Market Analysis from June through September, Report and Recommendations from September to October, then Ongoing support continuing from there.

Findings will be presented, per Council's request, as ranked market results, minimum and maximum rates, a competitiveness summary, and cost strategies. The study should not exceed the fixed fee of $27,500.

Council was then presented with a presentation for the potential implementation of a municipal court. Benefits like faster processing of city cases, greater responsiveness to community needs, and the ability to tailor court practices to local practices were mentioned.

The Court could be held in Council Chambers, the city would receive all fine revenue after $50 went to the State, and $16 would go to the County. Any remaining funding would need to come from the General Fund.

A motion to direct staff to come back with information regarding costs associated with a violation only municipal court and a misdemeanor municipal court passed unanimously

 

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District will increase to “high”, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will increase to Level 2 Wednesday, June 17th, at 12:01 a.m. This increase is due to persistent hot temperatures and vegetation that continues to dry across Southwest Oregon. The change affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Thursday affects the public use of power driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, and weed eaters. The use of power driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. This does not apply to mowing green lawns. For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season restrictions, contact the Grants Pass Unit at (541) 474-3152, or the Medford Unit at (541) 664-3328.

 

A man attempting to steal from Walmart was taken into custody by Grants Pass Police Sunday afternoon.

The suspect, later identified as Jacob Hamilton, passed all points of sale, making no attempt to pay for over $628 worth of merchandise from the 135 NE Terry Lane Store.

Loss prevention told dispatch that Hamilton got into a tan Toyota Avalon and left the scene without any of the items. Staff wished to pursue a charge of theft and trespass.

Responding officers were able to locate Hamilton's vehicle parked in an alley south of a property in the 400 block of NE D Street. Law enforcement contacted Hamilton, but he fled out the door of the property into his vehicle. He was again contacted and promptly taken into custody.

Officers transported Hamilton to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his charge of Second Degree Theft. He was later released on his own recognizance.

 

Several streets will be closed to through traffic to accommodate the annual Porchfest event coming up Saturday, June 20th, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Detours will be in place on Fourth Street between A Street and Evelyn Avenue, Washington Boulevard between Evelyn Avenue and Savage Street, Evelyn Avenue between Washington Boulevard and Lawnridge Avenue, Manzanita Avenue between Hawthorne Avenue and Washington Boulevard, and Lawnridge Avenue between Savage Street and Evelyn Avenue.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. For more information, call 541-660-2178.

 

Medford Police officers responded to reports of a gray Honda Civic driving recklessly on the north end of Medford this morning.

Officers immediately flooded the area and pursued the vehicle northbound on N Pacific Highway. It was seen striking both uninvolved vehicles and materials while fleeing.

Central Point Police Department successfully spiked the vehicle as it entered their city. The vehicle crashed near Laurel Street and Third Street. Medford Police and Central Point Police units had three suspects in custody as of the most recent report. This is a developing story.

 

Update: Peggy has been located safely.
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is alerting the public to a missing person. Officers received a report Sunday at 9:30 p.m. that Peggy Peery was missing. She was last seen sometime after 10:30 a.m. that same day, and it is believed that Peggy walked away from her residence in the Colonial Valley area. She's described as a 5'5" white woman with red hair, green eyes, and weighing 150 pounds. Her direction of travel and clothing description are unknown at this time, and she is believed to have a custom-made madrone walking stick with her that is blue in color. Search and Rescue has been activated and Sheriff's Office volunteers are assisting in the search. Please call the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123 if you have seen Peggy or have any information on her whereabouts.

 

Firefighters continue to make steady progress on the Spencer Gulch Fire despite another round of hot and dry conditions expected throughout the day. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews reported small spot fires and contained them. A hose line has been placed all the way around the fire. The fire has been held at 75 acres while firefighters worked throughout the night. Snag hazards remain a concern and will be addressed throughout the day. Two heavy helicopters, six engines, two water tenders, a dozer, and six 20-person hand crews are working the fire. The plan for today includes continuing the work completed yesterday, making progress on mop-up, and mitigating snags to strengthen containment lines. Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations remain in place for, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Zones JAC-427, JAC-428, and JAC-436 for a three to five acre fire.

 

Josephine County 911 received a report of a grass fire in the 5900 block of Williams Highway at 11:31 a.m. Sunday.

Units from Rural Metro Fire and the Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to the scene. While responding, the information given was enough that additional units were requested from Applegate Valley Fire District 9 and Grants Pass Fire.

Arriving units found about an acre of fire being pushed by the wind. Due to structures being threatened, a second alarm was requested, adding crucial additional resources to this fire.

All structures were saved thanks to crew's quick response and aggressive actions, and the fire was stopped at 3.14 acres in size.