Local News

Grants Pass Police lodged a woman following a theft complaint from Walmart Thursday afternoon.

The suspect, Heather Lage, was apprehended by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store around 1:08 p.m. She had reportedly stolen almost $770 worth of merchandise including clothes, camping gear, and toys.

She had passed all points of sale before being stopped. She was cooperative while loss prevention detained her, and upon arrival of law enforcement, she was arrested for Second Degree Theft.

Upon a search at the Josephine County Jail, Lage was found to have an extra $10.95 on her person. She told the officer the money was stolen from Walmart. She was subsequently lodged on her theft charge.

 

A propane tank, for undetermined reasons, exploded near an RV, spreading fire across a property located on Fruitdale Drive near Mt. Baldy Road in SE Grants Pass Thursday.

The fire mobilized a 2-alarm response around 5:21 p.m. from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, American Medical Response, Jackson County Fire District #1 and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Rural Metro reports crews arrived to find the RV fully involved with fire that had spread to another RV, a small shed, and other accumulation located on the property. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from extending to other structures and the wildland.

The 2100 block of Fruitdale Drive was temporarily closed to accommodate fire suppression operations. One occupant on the property was transported to the hospital with undisclosed burn injuries.

A deputy with the Oregon State Fire Marshal assisted on scene with the investigation. Anyone with credible eye-witness information regarding the initial ignition is asked to call Rural Metro Fire at (541) 474-1218.

As part of the 2-county mutual aid system, additional units were called in from Applegate Fire District and Illinois Valley Fire District in a standby mode to handle any new emergencies.

 

West Nile virus (WNv) has been detected in a mosquito pool collected July 15th in Eagle Point, marking the first time in 2026 that the virus has been detected.

July, August, and September are considered peak months for WNv activity in Jackson County. The mosquitoes were collected by the Jackson County Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program and DNA testing.

County vector control districts around the state use these pools to collect mosquitoes so they can be tested for mosquito-borne diseases that affect humans and animals, such as birds and horses.

Residents are urged to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since WNv is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People are encouraged to consult their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms, especially in people older than 50 with underlying health conditions. The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals.

OHA and the Jackson County Vector Control District suggest these steps to protect against mosquitoes: Eliminate or treat sources of standing water around your home, avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and use repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon/eucalyptus, or Picardin. You can also wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, and ensure that screen doors and windows are in good condition.

 

A member of the Josephine County Search and Rescue (SAR) team located human remains believed to be connected to a homicide case. The team member was checking along Reuben Mountain beyond the Grave Creek Bridge Thursday around 12:15pm. Based on observations along the roadside, they suspected human remains were in the area. Due to a lack of cell phone service in the area, the SAR member began driving back towards Merlin to make phone contact with investigators. They came upon Oregon State Police troopers and a Sheriff’s Office deputy at the Galice Resort and relayed their observations. Law enforcement responded to the reported area and traversed down the steep, rugged terrain where the deceased person was located. Detectives from the Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office then responded to the scene with a rope team from Search and Rescue. The rope team was able to successfully recover the deceased person, whom investigators believe to be Randall “Randy” Hecker. However, confirmation will still need to be completed during a pending autopsy with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. Next of kin have been notified.

 

Firefighters lined the Canyon Creek spot fire overnight and will continue strengthening fireline throughout the day to hold the East Evans Creek Fire in its current footprint. The Oregon Department of Forestry's latest update reports crews working on the Board Mountain spot fire will continue progress on its fireline. Additional resources are bolstering efforts in the Boswell Mountain area. Structural resources maintained a presence throughout Long Branch Road, Shady Cove, Trail, East Evans Creek Road, West Fork Evans Creek Road, and the Hull Mountain area. Mop- up on the southern edge of the main fire continues along with work to connect portions of the fireline. Structural engines supported wildland suppression efforts by operating high-pressure pump systems, water tenders, and portable water delivery equipment to firefighters working in steep terrain. The fire remains 5% contained and is currently 13,090 acres total. A warming, drying trend will return to the area, along with gusty northwest winds. Fourteen helicopters are assigned to the fire to support ground operations by cooling and slowing fire progression with water drops and providing information on fire movement and spotting.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in a rural Central Point residence. The suspect is in custody. Wednesday morning, dispatch received a call around 4:05 a.m. of gunshots heard near the 6000 block of Kershaw Road. Deputies responded and found a man deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the residence. Next-of-kin has been notified. The victim is Juan Carlos Ramirez-Arango, 62, of Central Point. Evidence collected during the investigation led to the arrest of Pamela Sue Maya, 67, of Central Point. She was in a relationship with the victim. Maya has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held in the Jackson County Jail. Ashland Oregon Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office responded to assist. The Oregon State Police Forensics Lab processed the crime scene. There is no further information available for release at this time.

 

East Evans Creek Firefighters faced another afternoon of windy conditions, but cooler temperatures helped resources hold the fire within its current footprint, with an estimated size of 13,089.8 acres per the Watch Duty app. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the blaze remains 5% contained. Priority areas on the fire remain where homes and structures are located; today on the Canyon Creek spot fire closest to Shady Cove and Trail, firefighters made progress on both the wildland and structural side, and completely lined the perimeter. Firefighters also focused on the western edge of the main fire and the newest spot fire to the southwest, where homes are nearby. Crews successfully lined the spot fire and continue building line around the main fire, with resources holding the northern flank's completed line. The Board Mountain spot fire is currently lined on the northern section and along both sides. The Tiller-Trail Highway is closed at the county border in Jackson County to Highway 62. Traffic is closed to the public on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road. The BLM has issued a road closure for West Fork Evans Creek Road and Rock Creek Road. Please avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.

 

Emergency crews responded to a small vehicle fire was reported this morning on the Redwood Highway and Waldo Road in O'Brien.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District were dispatched around 10:15 a.m. to the reported vehicle fire.

Upon investigation, it was determined that the involved camper experienced a fire on the stove, likely caused by an object falling onto it while the vehicle was in motion.

The driver successfully pulled over and extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher.

 

Hunters and recreationists who plan to use the Jackson Cooperative Travel Management Area are reminded that the private and even some public lands will be limited this summer and fall depending on the declared fire risk.

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, this will affect early season scouting activities and the first part of the fall bear season beginning August 1st, but will be re-evaluated as archery season nears.

With the current fire risk, all private lands within the travel management area are currently closed. Over half of the landlocked public lands within the area are accessed via privately owned and maintained roads and will be affected until conditions improve.

The largest component of closure within the area is the Olson Mountain Tract which is accessed between Cobleigh Road and the Butte Falls-Prospect Highway, including the Medco A & B roads, and Vine Maple Mainline from the east.

Southwest and south of the town of Butte Falls, the Gephert Butte Road, Hukill Creek Road, Lower Beekman and the connector road between Hukill Creek Road and Medco Sec 15 Spur are currently closed until conditions improve.

There are a few mainline public easement roads that will still remain open, however, hunters are asked not to leave the public roadways, and access to the private lands within the area remains closed until conditions improve. Visit www.ofic.com/land-closures to find specific landowners.