Local News

The Bureau of Land Management generated more than $10.7 million in revenue from timber sales during the second quarter of 2026, supporting American jobs and increasing domestic timber supply.

During the quarter, the BLM sold about 41 million board feet of timber across 1,500 acres in Oregon and California. The quarterly results come as recently confirmed BLM Director Steve Pearce visited western Oregon to meet with BLM employees, industry partners, and local mills about the BLM’s timber program and the work happening to support domestic timber production.

The BLM plans to hold six timber sales this month to offer 31 million board feet of timber across almost 835 acres. More information about BLM’s timber plans and results can be found at www.blm.gov.

The BLM manages 58 million acres of forests, including 2.4 million acres in western Oregon. The BLM ensures the health and resilience of these public forest lands as well as the availability of traditional forest products, such as timber.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District and partner agencies tackled the Crooks Creek Fire yesterday.

ODF's Facebook page reported firefighters engaged in an aggressive initial attack to quickly contain the fire. Forward spread of the grass fire was stopped around 5:10 p.m., and was, at that time, reported to be 100% wet lined. Agency partners and firefighters kept the wildfire at just a quarter acre despite hot conditions.

By 5:30 p.m., the agency's final update reported the fire remained at a quarter acre, was 50% hand lined and 25% mopped up. Four Type 6 engines continued to work the scene to secure the blaze and extinguish remaining hot spots. Firefighters continued suppression efforts on the structure fire.

According to the Illinois Valley Fire District, one civilian sustained injuries during the incident and was transported by American Medical Response. ODF, IVFD, and Rural Metro crews responded, and the fire has been extinguished and contained. Units have completed mop up operations. The incident is under investigation

 

The Josephine County Commissioners will meet Wednesday for both an Executive Session and evening Weekly Business Session.

Starting at 3:30 p.m., the board will meet in Executive Session to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent who does not request an open hearing.

Also on the agenda are deliberations with the County's designated representative regarding labor negotiations.

Then at 5:30 p.m., the board will meet in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium and hold two public hearings during the Weekly Business Session. One hearing is for an ordinance amending the County Code relating to the meetings of the board, while the second will consider annexations to the Josephine Community Library District by petition of landowner.

The board will consider approval of the consent calendar, and the meeting will adjourn pending any other matters. The public is welcome to attend these meetings in person or online at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

The Board of Commissioners moved in favor of the separation of Information Technology and Emergency Management functions, and will hold a meeting for radio communications.

During their 1:30 p.m. workshop, the board approved the separation as well as the establishing of separate department director classifications. A motion in favor of a three month suspension of Mineral Exploration and Mining Lease Application acceptance also passed 3-0.

A meeting regarding Emergency Radio Communications has been tentatively scheduled for July 27th, and will include the Sheriff's Office, Public Works, Forestry, Community Corrections, and the Parks Department. The board tabled a 4H/OSU Extension Service District Intergovernmental Agreement and Funds discussion.

The meeting began with signing approval of an Axon Justice Contract from the District Attorney's office. This will update the software provider costing $36,000 for the first year of a 10 year contract, with software training provided.

Parks requested approval of utilizing Aegis Asphalt in the amount of $117,699 for paving needed for the Whitehorse Park project, expected to be done July 24th. Funding is provided by a capital fund.

The board approved invoice payment requests for Community Development and Public Works. The former was for a Granicus LLC Subscription renewal of software used for permits, planning, and building utilized by county departments. The latter for chip seal rock from ROBCO.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man possessing drug paraphernalia during a check of Resting Site 7 Monday.

While giving a man a courtesy ride to Parker's Place Village, officers observed William Jensen in the 712 NE 7th Street Site. He was located in the site holding a glass pipe containing a crystal like substance around 2:14 p.m.

Officers contacted Jensen and found he was also wanted on two valid warrants out of the police department, both charging him with Possession of Methamphetamine. He was issued a 30 day exclusion from the site, and taken into custody for his warrants plus an additional charge of Meth Possession.

Police lodged Jensen in jail, and proceeded with their initial courtesy ride to Parker's Place where a room was open for their passenger.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a man yelling and screaming in the 5200 block of Donaldson Road.

That morning, according to a 9:45 a.m. call to dispatch, the caller reported the neighbor living at that location is alone and frequently yells and screams, but this time it sounded like he was yelling at someone.

Based on the address, deputies determined the suspect could be Lewis Rossiter. He was contacted upon arrival of law enforcement and found to be wanted on two warrants out of the Sheriff's Department.

Charges included Interference with Making a Police Report, Fourth Degree Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. Rossiter was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his two warrants.

Deputies again lodged a man wanted on two warrants that afternoon. The suspect was identified as Steven Robison in the 500 block of NW 6th Street around 2:23 p.m.

Both Grants Pass Police Department warrants charged Robison with Possession of Methamphetamine, and he was promptly taken into custody. He was transported to the Adult Jail Facility and lodged.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is seeking 15 volunteers to serve on the Siskiyou (Oregon) Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).

This 15 member committee represents a wide range of community interests and provides recommendations for how federal Title II funds are allocated for projects related to recreation, maintenance, and ecosystem restoration on or near the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Josephine, Curry, and Coos counties.

Committee members represent a wide variety of backgrounds and interests including Native American tribes, government agencies, industry representatives, environmental advocates, recreation groups, and local residents.

Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience working within the interest area they represent. Members serve four-year terms and are expected to participate in biennial RAC meetings.

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will be accepting applications through October. Early applications are encouraged, and background check will be required. Applications can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov.

 

A woman called 911 to report her son had stolen her vehicle, reportedly, to buy drugs.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to the incident that occurred in the 300 block of Bandy Way. The woman stated her son took the keys to her Mazda from her purse, and had left the scene in the last five minutes to head to the 6th Street Safeway.

She told dispatch she wished to press charges, and deputies were dispatched to the grocer. Upon arrival, the suspect was taken into custody outside the store. He was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

A man and woman wanted on separate warrants were apprehended by GP Police.

Monday afternoon around 4:46 p.m., officers contacted Leo Wilson at the corner of NW E Street and NW 5th Street. He was reportedly worked up and had a history of carrying a knife, but officers took him into custody.

Wilson was wanted on a warrant out of the agency for Larceny, so he was transported to and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

Later that night, officers located Elizabeth Miller in Baker Park after hours at 11:37 p.m. She was confirmed, upon contact, to be wanted on an out-of-county felony warrant from the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office in Washington.

Her warrant charged her with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and she was promptly taken into custody. Officers lodged Miller in jail at 12:07 a.m.