Local News

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in June, unchanged from 5.2% in May, and also matched the 5.2% rate one year ago.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, on a seasonally adjusted basis, Oregon employers cut 600 jobs from nonfarm payrolls in June. That follows a revised gain of 2,500 jobs in May. June’s gains were largest in private health care and social assistance (+2,000 jobs). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,700 jobs).

Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 8,500 jobs between June 2025 and June 2026, a loss of 0.4%. Both the private and public sectors lost jobs over the past year. Private-sector employment fell by 5,400 jobs (-0.3%), and government employment declined by 3,100 jobs (-1.0%).

Private health care and social assistance continues to lead job growth in Oregon. The sector added 14,000 jobs over the past year, a gain of 4.5%. Over the past year, growth within the sector was strongest in social assistance (8.6%) and nursing and residential care facilities (5.3 %). Ambulatory health care services (2.6 %) and hospitals (0.5%) also added jobs, but at slower rates.

Manufacturing employment continues to decline in Oregon. Manufacturers lost 10,000 jobs over the past year, a decline of 5.6%. Within manufacturing, employment in durable goods fell by 5,800 jobs (-4.6%). Nondurable goods manufacturing lost 4,200 jobs (-7.7%).

 

Firefighters took advantage of cooler conditions yesterday morning to make steady progress on the East Evans Creek Fire, but spot fires led to additional evacuations. According to the latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry, afternoon conditions became more unstable, but predicted thunderstorms remained south and east of the fire, reported to be at about 7,843.2 acres. Two of the identified spot fires have been mostly lined, with one remaining a challenge due to rugged terrain. Crews are using aircraft and heavy equipment to support suppression efforts, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal structural resources remain in place. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-149A, and JAC-158, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, and JAC-149-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect. The fire started on Friday afternoon at 2:41 p.m. after a car crashed into a power pole, sparking dry vegetation in the area. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the crash. There is a community meeting planned for today at 6:30 p.m. to provide an update for the fire. It will take place at the Shady Cove School Gym, 100 Cleveland Street in Shady Cove. The meeting will also be streamed at Facebook.com/ODFSouthwest.

 

The Board of Commissioners met to hear Legal Counsel Business at Tuesday's workshop. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, an Intergovernmental Agreement for the 4H Extension and OSU Service District was discussed, including the potential Rogue Community College facility intentions. The presented budget reportedly covers all of the District's anticipated business needs for Fiscal Year 2027. A meeting will be scheduled for final approval, then the board moved 2-0 in favor of a Community Development Block Grant Conflict of Interest Letter. Commissioner Colene Martin abstained. There was no vote on the Jail and Juvenile Justice Levy renewal, and the public will have a chance to comment on the topic. The board unanimously approved a motion to elect in favor of the SRS funding mechanism, with 85% of Title 1 funds, 8% Title 2 funds, and 7% Title 3 funds. A Personnel Policy regarding At-Will Employment will be brought back to the board. There was interest in making County Administrative Policies and Procedures as clear as possible, potentially reviewing them with a committee. This will be a continued discussion.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports two Jackson County Zones affected by the East Evans Creek Fire are now at a Level 2: Be Set warning. Zones JAC-126 and JAC-149-B have both been upgraded. Level 2 means there is significant danger in the area, and those living in the zones should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. As of the latest report, the fire is at an estimated 5,370 acres. The fire is being driven by irregular winds and steep terrain, and is exhibiting extreme fire behavior. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-149A, and JAC-158, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-147, and JAC-148, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect.

 

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to Extreme (Red) at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 17th. These regulations impact approximately 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF's Southwest Oregon District. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 2. Current fuel conditions across southwest Oregon are critically dry and supporting extreme fire behavior. The East Evans Creek Fire has demonstrated how quickly fires can grow under these conditions. With continued hot weather, critically dry fuels, and the potential for thunderstorms this week, any new wildfire has the potential to spread quickly, making it critical for everyone to do their part to prevent new fire starts. Beginning Friday the following Extreme (Red) public use restrictions will take effect:
• The use of power saws, including battery and electric-powered chainsaws, is prohibited.
• The cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited.
• The mowing of dried or cured grass is prohibited. This includes lawnmowers and string trimmers. The mowing of green, irrigated lawns and the culture and harvest of agricultural crops are exempt from restrictions.
• The operation of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned above is prohibited.
ODF urges everyone to follow current fire restrictions, and report fires immediately by calling 9-1-1. For additional information about current fire season regulations and designated campground locations, visit www.swofire.com.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded July 7th around 9:43 a.m. to a residence in the 900 block of Summer Lane in Grants Pass for a report of a missing person with suspicious circumstances. An official release from the department said that, upon the initial investigation, it was determined that Randall “Randy” Hecker was missing from his residence and perhaps in danger. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and Grants Pass Police Department responded to the scene and began their investigation. The suspect identified in this case was Israel Wytcherley, who resides near the victim’s residence. Wytcherley was located and contacted by investigators at a separate location within the city of Grants Pass. He was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, First Degree Assault, Kidnapping in the First Degree, and Unlawful use of a Weapon. While this case is still under investigation, several details are not available for public release. Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Randy Hecker who has not been seen since the incident occurred. Hecker is a 67-year-old white male who is 5’8" and approximately 185 pounds. Hecker was last seen wearing bluish grey shorts, a light blue t-shirt and a backpack style sprayer. The backpack sprayer has not been located and is of interest.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman wanted on misdemeanor warrants out of the agency.

Monday afternoon around 2:08, deputies arrested Kandi Lewis after contacting her in the 500 block of NW 6th Street. She was taken into custody by deputies for her five warrants and transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

According to jail logs, she was lodged for a total of seven counts of Criminal Trespass in the First Degree.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested two men found with drug paraphernalia after they were reported to be parked outside a residence for about a half hour.

A call to 911 Monday reported a white car parked across the street from a home in the 900 block of NW Morgan Lane at 7:55 p.m. The caller said the vehicle was running and revving, and a man was seen passed out in the front seat.

Officers responded to the scene and detained two individuals inside the vehicle, Stephen Cillo, and Zachary Prauss. Both were observed by law enforcement laying over in the front seat of the vehicle. Also observed inside was a smoking apparatus.

A search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers located several rubber storage containers, over $600 in cash, scales for weighing items, a BB gun resembling a Glock, and a thin walled glass pipe and other drug paraphernalia, which later field tested positive for Methamphetamine.

Cillo initially provided a false name to responding officers, and wouldn't give his date of birth. Both suspects were positively identified, and found to be wanted on active warrants.

Cillo was taken into custody on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Harboring, as well as charges of Possession and Delivery of Meth, and Furnishing False Information to Police. Officers took Prauss into custody on two Medford Police Department warrants for a Traffic Offense and Elude, plus an Oregon Parole Board warrant.

Both were lodged in the Josephine County Jail, and all evidence was logged.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing complaint at The Haul Monday afternoon, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Officers were notified the suspect, later identified as Thomas Ehens, was in the alley just south of the 121 SW H Street restaurant at noon. He had been warned for trespassing 15 minutes prior, and was contacted sitting against the building.

He was taken into custody by law enforcement and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on a charge of Second Degree Trespass.