Local News

The County Commissioners approved a Fair Housing Resolution and a grant program application at yesterday's Weekly Business Session.

The resolution will be publicized in the newspaper and on the county website. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program application will be for the full local allocation of $13,114 to help fund Sheriff's Deputy Overtime for community engagement activities. Motions favoring the resolution and application were unanimous.

Further discussion will take place at this morning's 10 a.m. Legal Counsel Update regarding a resolution affirming compliance with State and Federal Law, and requesting the State address Counties' Federal Funding and False Claims Act Exposure.

Community members addressed the Sheriff's request for funding, government accountability, voting, and an upcoming school board meeting during public comment. The board then approved the consent calendar.

Commissioner Colene Martin read a letter of commendation from the Jones Creek Neighborhood Watch, where gratitude was given to the Commissioners, Emergency Management Services, and all first responders regarding the Interstate-5 Mile Marker 57 Fire. Commissioner Gary Richardson read a statement ahead of the upcoming election.

 

Oregon Department of Forestry crews, alongside Jackson County Fire District 1 and Rural Metro Fire responded to and halted forward progress on the Foothill Boulevard Fire Wednesday. According to the Southwest Oregon District, the blaze was first reported to be an estimated quarter-acre grass fire in Rogue River. It spread at a moderate rate of speed, and firefighters conducted an aggressive initial attack. Suppression continued as additional resources arrived. Forward progress on the fire was halted around 4:20 p.m. despite spotting activity that carried flames across Interstate 5. It was estimated at 2 acres, and further progress was made. Crews shifted their focus to extinguishing hot spots within the fire's interior and strengthening containment lines. As of 6 p.m., crews were still actively engaged, gridding the fire and conducting mop-up operations. They will continue working to extinguish remaining heat to prevent further spread. Initial reports indicate equipment use as the cause of the fire. Further investigation is ongoing. This will be the final update unless conditions change significantly.

 

Dispatch was alerted to a grass fire Tuesday in the 700 block of Three Mill Road in Selma around 4:32 p.m.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to the 0.16-acre fire in heavy brush. The fire has been successfully extinguished, and ODF will conduct an investigation into the incident.

 

AllCare Health has awarded a $10,000 Community Health Improvement grant to the Fort Vannoy Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to support improvements to the school's playground.

According to a release, the Fort Vannoy PTO is leading a three-phase initiative to create an inclusive, ADA-accessible playground that's safe and developmentally appropriate for all children. The project will replace and modernize aging equipment and help ensure every student can fully participate.

The PTO has already completed the first phase of the project through its own fundraising efforts. AllCare's investment will help support the next stage as work continues toward completion of the full playground project.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police trespassed two and arrested one during an area check of River Valley Church.

The two suspects were located during a proactive area check of the 1040 Redwood Avenue church around 3:27 p.m. Both were trespassed from the premises, while one of them, Alexandria Millwood, was detained.

Officers found she was wanted out of the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office for Identity Theft, Obstruction of a Police Officer, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The warrant was confirmed, and Millwood was taken into custody.

She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the warrant today at 4:07 a.m.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow to unveil Oregon's first incinerator dedicated specifically to law enforcement use.

The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. at 620 Antelope Road in White City. The American-made equipment will provide JCSO and other law enforcement agencies with a safe, efficient way to destroy seized illegal drugs.

The new incinerator was made possible by a generous $275,000 donation from the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, at no cost to Jackson County taxpayers.

 

The Salvation Army is inviting the Rogue Valley community to become part of the Volunteer Christmas Carnival Thursday, October 15th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 304 Beatty Street in Medford.

According to a release, the free event will feature carnival games, treats, prizes, and opportunities to discover volunteer options. Each holiday season, The Salvation Army mobilizes hundreds of helping hands throughout Jackson County.

Holiday efforts include providing Christmas gifts to children through Angel Tree, distributing holiday food assistance, and raising critical funds through the Red Kettle Campaign.

 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was little changed at 5.0% in September and 5.1% in August.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, the rate has held to a tight range between 5.0% and 5.3% for the past 19 months, since March 2025 when it was 5.0%. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in September and 4.1% in August.

In September, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 5,800 jobs, following a revised gain of 2,600 jobs in August. September’s gains were largest in construction (+2,000 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,700); and leisure and hospitality (+1,300). Losses were largest in retail trade (-1,500 jobs).

In the past 12 months, payroll employment rose by 2,600 jobs, or 0.1%. Health care and social assistance continued its rapid growth during the past four years by adding 12,100 jobs, or 3.8%, in the past 12 months. Other services (+1,600 jobs, or 2.4%) and private education (+1,300, or 3.6%) were the other major industries that added the most jobs since September 2025. Manufacturing (-4,300 jobs, or -2.4%) cut the most jobs in that time, followed by government (-4,000 jobs, or -1.3%).

Construction employment drifted upward during April through August, then jumped higher by 2,000 jobs in September. In the past 12 months, each of the three component industries expanded: construction of buildings (+900 jobs); specialty trade contractors (+500); and heavy and civil engineering construction (+100).

Several industries rebounded over the most recent two months. Government added 1,300 jobs since July, following losses in prior months. Nonetheless, it has cut 4,000 jobs in the past 12 months. Manufacturing added 1,700 jobs since July, partially reversing steady declines during the past three years. Leisure and hospitality's September gain reversed losses in June and July.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man outside the Post Office, lodging him for methamphetamine possession and trespassing Tuesday.

James Hall was contacted by arriving officers at a concrete bench outside the 132 NW 6th Street building. He had been previously warned for trespassing at that location, and then attempted to leave behind a glass pipe with a white, crystalline residue inside.

Field tests determined there was the presumptive presence of meth in the pipe, and Hall was taken into custody. After contacting his parole officer, law enforcement transported Hall to the Josephine County Jail to be lodged for a detainer, and charges of Meth Possession and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

He was also issued a 30-Day Exclusion Order from the Downtown area.