Local News

The official grand reopening of the newly renovated upper section of Whitehorse Park is set for Wednesday, September 2nd.

According to a release, the community is invited to the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m. after which they can tour the newly renovated campground. The upper section has been redesigned with wider, more level campsites, full hook ups, partial or tent sites, all providing campers with improved access, easier set-up and more comfortable spaces to enjoy the outdoors, while maintaining the beautiful natural surroundings, history, and views.

The renovation represents a significant investment in improving the camping experience at Whitehorse Park. This project was supported in part with grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program and the County Opportunity Grant.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests will have an opportunity to see the improvements, hear what’s still to come, and talk with the park rangers. Campers with reservations may begin checking in at 2:00 p.m. the same day.

You can make your camping reservations either online at www.josephinecounty.gov/parks, or by calling 541-474-5285.

 

Rogue Community College is offering a Supervisory and Leadership Bootcamp in September designed to strengthen leadership and supervisory skills for current and emerging leaders across business, public and nonprofit sectors.

This three-part, in-person workshop will meet September 9th, 16th, and 23rd at the Redwood Campus in Grants Pass. The cost is $225 per person and includes all materials. Registration is open now through September 2nd.

Participants will engage in interactive learning focused on real-world leadership scenarios, building both confidence and competence in topics including developing a personal leadership plan, adapting communication and leadership styles, and strengthening decision-making.

To register, visit www.roguecc.edu/LeadershipBootcamp. For more information, contact RCC Community & Workforce Training at 541-956-7303.

 

Firefighters on the Fielder Mountain Fire continued making progress across the incident, pushing forward on mop-up and repair work for the 72% contained, 573 acre fire. Overnight, engines patrolled the fire area, looking for any signs of smoke or fire. Flare-ups were minimal across the incident; this limited fire activity has prompted a decrease in firefighting resources working overnight. Most of the contained line is along the southern and eastern perimeter near Rogue River, where mop-up has been completed 300-feet into the interior of the fire. Today, resources will continue these operations across the rest of the fire, focusing along the western and northern edges, and continuing repair work. Temperatures are expected to reach triple-digits today. Relative humidity is expected to span between 20-30% across the fire area, with light winds predicted. As containment increases, resources that are no longer needed on the fire are being demobilized to either return home and rest or respond to other fires across the state.

 

A gas leak was reported Wednesday at 6:42 p.m., leading to a response from emergency crews.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and ODF Southwest Oregon District responded to an external gas leak in the 5700 block of Westside Road in Cave Junction.

A propane tank connected to a gas grill experienced a malfunction, resulting in a fire that caused damage to the exterior of both a residence and a trailer. The owner successfully extinguished the fire using a garden hose. Upon arrival, the unit observed the tank continuing to off-gas and subsequently relocated it to a more secure area.

A garden hose was utilized to facilitate cooling. Both the house and trailer were inspected for any fire extensions, with none being found. No injuries were reported. The tank subsequently emptied, and the immediate threat was mitigated.

 

The Grants Pass City Council Wednesday night approved a resolution implementing the Moderate Income Revolving Loan Program that was established by Senate bill 1537 to expand housing for very low and moderate income households. There are no cost implications for the City. The state program funding includes new housing or the conversion of non-residential structures into housing with a zero percent loan for developers. The resolution allows the City to sign an agreement with the state. The City could receive up to 2% for administrative costs. All program funding must be directed to projects serving residents at or below 120% of the area median income. The Council also approved a resolution amending the city's classification plan to create the position of Community Development Block Grant program coordinator. The Coordinator would be responsible for the administration, oversight and reporting of the CDBG program in accordance with HUD regulations. This position historically has been staffed through a temp agency, part time, with a 35% markup. That worker is retiring and staff is looking to bring the position back in house. Anticipated funding from HUD for fiscal year 2027 is $350,000 with 20% of the funds available for administration of the program. If the anticipated funding is received, up to $70,000 could be used to fund this position. The program is spending approximately $60,000 this year. The position would be part-time, limited to 29 hours weekly, with a maximum salary at $64,000.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested the subject of a traffic complaint for on an out-of-county warrant.

A call to 911 at 4:43 p.m. reported the suspect drove a sky blue Honda sedan past the sand courts at Reinhart Volunteer Park at about 30 miles per hour. He was also honking the horn and appeared to be chugging a beverage.

It wasn't clear if the drink was alcohol, and dispatch learned the suspect proceeded to exit the vehicle and walk around the 1690 Webster Road property. He was described as wearing a red shirt, and possibly heading down towards the river.

Officers contacted the suspect and took him into constructive custody. He was identified as Jacob Merwin, and found to be wanted on a warrant out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for DUII Cannabis.

His vehicle was released to an arriving friend, and Merwin was taken to the Adult Jail Facility for lodging on his warrant. He was then released due to a lack of resources.

 

A trespass call to 911 resulted in the arrest of a man by Grants Pass Police Tuesday night.

Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of NW B Street regarding a man laying down outside between the home and a shed. The neighbor of the homeowner made the report, saying the suspect has been seen going into the shed in the past, and that the suspect was seen just before 9:30 p.m. after he used his phone in the dark.

Law enforcement had been dispatched to the same location previously to trespass the suspect, but all previous attempts had been unsuccessful. Upon arrival, officers were able to contact the suspect, Andrew Reich. He admitted to police that the homeowner had told him not to return to the property before.

Reich's parole officer was contacted, leading to a detainer request. Officers transported Reich to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Second Degree Criminal Trespass and his detainer. He was also trespassed from an additional property on the same block.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division detectives are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child in rural Central Point. Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit detectives responded to assist. Dispatch received a call at 4:30 a.m. for a missing child in the 9900 block of Blackwell Road in rural Central Point. Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers arrived on scene and immediately began searching for the child. The child was located deceased at 5:41 a.m. Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. This case is open and ongoing with detectives following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time.

 

A man sleeping in an alleyway was lodged for trespassing by Grants Pass Police, and given a 30 day exclusion order.

Early Tuesday morning, the officer contacted the suspect, Johnnathon Adams, sleeping near the Red Canary Mercantile in an alley. Police had previously trespassed him from the downtown zone for 30 days due to a citation he was issued.

The officer arrested Adams at 4:51 a.m. for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree. A new downtown exclusion order was issued to him for 90 days, and he was transported to jail for lodging.