Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man found to be under the influence while on probation Tuesday.

Officers located the suspect near the river's edge below Royal Trailer Park around 1:35 p.m. He was identified as Ethan Wilcox upon contact, and he appeared to be under the influence. After learning he was on probation, law enforcement conducted a consent search of Wilcox's person.

Numerous drug paraphernalia items were found in his possession. A glass pipe and plastic baggie were subsequently tested, with results showing the presumptive presence of methamphetamine.

Officers took Wilcox into custody. He was then transported to the Adult Jail Facility and lodged for Misdemeanor Possession of Meth and a Parole Violation Detainer. He was also issued a trespass from the 200 Lewis Avenue trailer park.

 

The East Evans Creek Fire has reached 95% containment thanks to firefighter efforts. In the final update on the fire from the Oregon Department of Forestry, unless conditions change, the fire remains at 15,580 acres. Crews completed backhauling operations Tuesday, removing hose, equipment, and other resources from the fireline. The focus now is completing suppression repair, restoring impacted areas, and continuing mop up in locations where isolated heat remains. Infrared reconnaissance and routine monitoring continue to identify occasional hotspots within the fire perimeter. Yesterday, a helicopter completed a bucket drop to cool a small area of residual heat along the north side of the fire. While firefighters continue extinguishing remaining hotspots, light interior smoke will remain visible at times as heavier fuels continue to smolder well within the established containment lines. On Saturday, the Florida Complex Incident Management Team 1 will complete its deployment and transition management of the East Evans Creek Fire to a local Oregon Department of Forestry Type 3 Incident Management Team.

 

A Community Development Block Grant was approved by the Board of Commissioners at today's Weekly Business Session. The $500,000 Housing Rehabilitation Grant Contract would go towards a home repair program to provide housing outside the city boundaries. Approval of Conflict of Interest and the contract passed 3-0. Next, a motion favoring a Subrecipient Agreement between Josephine County and Home Bridging for the 2025 Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Program passed unanimously. The board made no motion on the matter of referring a measure for the renewal of the Adult Jail and Juvenile Detention Five Year Local Option Tax to voters at the November 3rd election. Further discussion on the topic will take place. During requests and comments from citizens, topics brought to the board included the Jail and Detention Levy, complaints about law enforcement, alleged tyranny, and children's education. The board then approved the consent calendar. Commissioner Gary Richardson encouraged the public to be warry of heat exhaustion and heat stroke during triple digit conditions, with helpful information attached to the meeting minutes. The fairgrounds team was highlighted for this year's County Fair, and the meeting adjourned.

 

Crews took advantage of favorable overnight conditions to expand mop-up on the I-5 MM 57 NB Fire to 300 feet from the 100 acre fire's perimeter. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the blaze is still 23% contained. Today's operational priorities include holding the fire securely within established containment lines, continuing extensive mop-up operations, and removing hazardous snags throughout the steep, heavily timbered terrain. Resources assigned today include six 20-person hand crews, five Type 6 engines, one Type 3 engine, three water tenders, one dozer, two skid units, one falling module, a reconnaissance flight, and additional aircraft available if needed. A reconnaissance flight is planned to identify any remaining areas of heat or concern. Another Red Flag Warning remains in effect today, bringing hot temperatures, gusty winds, and very low relative humidity. Firefighters are taking advantage of every opportunity to strengthen containment ahead of the most challenging burning conditions expected this afternoon. A Level 1: BE READY Evacuation Warning is still in effect for Zones GRA-022, GRA-034, GRA-036, JCU-422-B, and JCU-422-C.

 

Firefighters continue to make strong progress on the I-5 MM 57 NB Fire, which is now 23% contained and remains at 100 acres. A Level 1: BE READY Evacuation Warning is in effect for Zones GRA-022, GRA-034, GRA-036, JCU-422-B, and JCU-422-C is still in effect. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews continued mop-up operations 200 feet in from the fire's perimeter, strengthened containment lines, and extinguished remaining hotspots despite challenging Red Flag conditions. Engines applied more than 1,500 gallons of water along the fire's edge to further secure the perimeter. Overnight resources included five 20-person hand crews, several engines, water tenders, a dozer, and an overnight UAS drone flight to identify residual heat and support today's operations. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through today, bringing gusty north winds, temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s, and very low relative humidity. A Heat Advisory also remains in effect through Thursday, and regional wildfire smoke may impact air quality and visibility.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District responded to a grass fire on Pearce Park Road Tuesday.

ODF along with Grants Pass Fire and Rural Metro crews conducted an aggressive initial attack, and a Type 2 helicopter was on the scene by 8:30 p.m. to assist with suppression efforts.

A total of 13 ground resources worked to contain the blaze, and forward progress was stopped by 8:45 p.m. Aircraft were released from the incident, and firefighters made quick work of the fire despite high evening temperatures.

Ground resources remained on scene to continue strengthening hand line, extinguishing hotspots, and securing the perimeter. A Level 1: BE READY is in effect for Zones JCU-422-D.

The Watch Duty app reports the fire has been 100% lined, and crews are continuing mop-up operations.

 

Commissioner Colene Martin said she has met with stake holders for communication systems grant funding during the board's 1:30 p.m. workshop. Commissioner Ron Smith was absent.

Earlier in the meeting, the Treasurer requested the re-adoption of a Yearly Investment Policy, which was approved 2-0 by the board. Also approved was Community Justice's request for full board signage for a Josephine County Provider Contract with Continuum Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.

A motion was unanimous for the Emergency Management Performance Grant to designate Nathan Sanders and Matthew Eide as authorized agents. The board approved Human Resources Personnel Requisition regarding the rehire of an Advance Deputy Patrol for the Sheriff's Office.

Information Technology gave a Strategic Communication Planning presentation, with a goal of creating an adaptable plan for the county, hoping to provide a foundation, vision, and guidance for communication on County websites, mobile apps, and social media.

Next steps would include an initial round of feedback to be implemented for the next round of review. A final draft will be put together for approval by the board. Individual department plans would be worked on after the central component of the communication plan.

After a review of County department fuel purchasing and P-Card Guidance for department employees, the meeting adjourned.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a semi-conscious suspect at Riverside Park on a charge of Fentanyl Possession.

Law enforcement observed Douglas Kelly in the upper parking lot of the 304 E Park Street location Monday at 1:10 p.m. He was near the upper gazebo leaning uncomfortably and, upon contact, appeared to be under the influence of narcotics.

His parole officer was contacted by police, and it was requested a detainer be placed on Kelly. Officers took him into custody, and found he was in possession of fentanyl.

Kelly was issued a 30 day exclusion from the park, and was lodged in jail on his Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance charge and detainer.

 

The Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce announced Nikki Rochholz as their new Regional Workforce Coordinator.

According to the Chamber, the new position, created in collaboration with Rogue Workforce Partnership, will help to strengthen connections between local employers, workforce programs, education partners, and job seekers throughout the region.

Rochholz will engage directly with employers to better understand their hiring and workforce needs. She will also help connect businesses with regional programs supporting employee training, on-the-job training, internships, paid youth work experiences, and other workforce solutions.

She brings 25 years of experience in the service industry, along with extensive experience operating and growing businesses, managing employees and developing effective workplace systems.