KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Board Approves Library Annexations, Responds to Public Comment at WBS

The County Commissioners moved in favor of Library annexations, and responded to public questions and requests at today's 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session.

The public hearing for the annexations to the Josephine Community Library District by petition of the landowners without objection resulted in two approved motions, despite expressed opposition from community members.

The public then brought topics to the board including transparency, compliance, and a recommendation that department heads be present at the Weekly Business Sessions. There was a question regarding sanctuary county proclamations, and a complaint about allocated funds for the Sheriff and District Attorney.

In response to the public, Commissioner Gary Richardson stated individual properties can opt in to the Library District by asking, but to opt out, the process would be to gather petitions, and put it on a ballot. He and Commissioner Colene Martin said the board doesn't have the power to remove elected officials.

She continued, saying the board has to comply with Oregon Law regarding the annexations, and that a proclamation was recently made by the board asking the State to be accountable. Martin said the board is only in control of department heads, and that they don't need to be present at the Session.

Commissioner Ron Smith stated the board is beholden to State laws, made a motion to approve the consent calendar, which passed unanimously, then adjourned the meeting.

Posted on 10/21/26 9:55AM by Alex Bauer

RCC Honors Morris Family Foundation as 2026 Citizen of the Year

Rogue Community College and the RCC Foundation have named the Morris Family Foundation the 2026 Citizen of the Year.

The award honors the foundation's nearly three decades of support for career and technical education (CTE) scholarships, programs and facilities serving students in the Butte Falls, Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix-Talent, Prospect, and Rogue River school districts who pursue CTE pathways at Rogue Community College.

The Morris Family Foundation and its board of directors were recognized during the RCC Foundation’s annual President’s Circle celebration, held Sept. 25, 2026, at the Rogue Valley Country Club. The award celebrates a regional legacy rooted in the lives of brothers Earl and LaRue Morris.

Established in 1997, the Morris Family Foundation has contributed more than $4.1 million to CTE scholarships, equipment and programs at RCC, helping students prepare for careers in nursing, emergency medical services, automotive and diesel technology, welding, dental health and other essential professions.

The Morris Family Foundation has also invested more than $3.1 million in projects directly within its partnering school districts.

Posted on 10/21/26 5:53AM by Alex Bauer

Continued Mop-Up Brings West Fork Evans Creek Fire To 55% Containment

Containment on the West Fork Evans Creek Fire increased to 55% Tuesday evening as firefighters continue extensive mop-up operations across the 283-acre fire. In the final update on the blaze, the Oregon Department of Forestry says that, with established firelines continuing to hold, crews are now targeting mop-up depths of 200 to 250 feet into the burned area. With fire activity significantly reduced and established firelines continuing to hold well, overnight staffing was further scaled back. Resources included four Type 6 engines and one task force leader, while a strong day shift presence will continue to support extensive mop-up operations today. Some interior smoke may still be visible from time to time as heavy fuels, including downed trees and stumps, continue burning within the fire's perimeter. No structures have been lost as a result of the fire, and none are threatened at this time. The cause of the fire is not immediately apparent, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to determine how the fire started. Additional details will be shared as they become available.

Posted on 10/21/26 5:48AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Discussed Administrative Policy Revisions, Replacements, Hear OSU Extension Update

During Tuesday's workshop, the Board of Commissioners discussed administrative policies and heard a Fall 2026 report from the 4-H/Extension Service District.

Commissioner Gary Richardson brought an agenda item proposing revisions to an administrative policy and the repeal and replacement of a Leadership Committee Administrative Policy, with a department head review of proposed policies process. No decisions were made, but there was discussion about potentially changing the Leadership Committee policy to a Leadership Report. Further discussion will take place at a later date.

During the OSU Extension update, the district's move to Rogue Community College's Redwood Campus was highlighted. Operations begin today from 8 a.m. to Noon, then 1 to 5 p.m. Also highlighted were two new hired positions, food safety, security, nutrition, and preservation programs and classes, farm classes, and landscape management.

The potential repeal of a Josephine County Mining Ordinance was tabled for November 3rd. Before the meeting adjourned, Richardson said department reviews had been discussed, and felt it was fair the board do the first review, to which the board agreed.

Posted on 10/21/26 5:44AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Approves Treasury Temporary Policy Adoption Order, Hears Communications Update

The Board of Commissioners moved in favor of a Treasury Board Order and heard a Communications Update from Information Technology during their 1:30 p.m. workshop today.

The treasurer presented an order in the matter of temporarily adopting Oregon State Treasury policies regarding the protection of public funds and third party vendors. This adoption would take place before the development of a permanent policy.

With help from Legal Counsel, that policy could reportedly take between six months to a year to develop. A motion to approve the order passed 3-0, making way for the development process.

Web and Publications Coordinator Thomas Gray next gave a Communications update, highlighting the social media policy, public records request policies, and communications plan are all being implemented. A department content calendar is in pre-production, and Juvenile Justice and AI project data reports are in their final drafts before being brought back to the board.

Posted on 10/20/26 2:34PM by Alex Bauer

Josephine County Shows Slight Job Loss Over the Year

Total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 380 jobs in September.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, the largest increase was estimated in local government education, which added 500 jobs. Manufacturing also gained 60 jobs over the month. Industries posting job losses in September were leisure and hospitality (-120); retail trade (-30); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-20).

Over the past year payroll employment in Grants Pass rose by 190 jobs, a gain of 0.7%. Private education and health services had the largest gain, increasing by 300 jobs. Job growth was also estimated in professional and business services (+90), and other services (+30). Job declines were estimated in leisure and hospitality (-70); retail trade (-50); financial activities (-40); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-40).

Government employment fell by 70 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education (-40), state government (-20), and federal government (-20) over the year.

Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 6.9% in September, little changed over the month and a slight dip from the September 2025 rate of 7.3%.

Posted on 10/20/26 11:34AM by Alex Bauer

Fall Prescribed Burning Planned Across Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

All five Ranger Districts on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest are planning prescribed fire projects for this fall. According to the U.S. Forest Service, officials estimate this work may continue into winter, as conditions allow. Highly qualified prescribed fire specialists use prescribed fires to help reduce excess vegetation, improve wildlife habitat, enhance watershed health, and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. Prescribed understory and pile burning is planned in the following areas, and additional locations may be added later. Areas include the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, Applegate Valley, Ashland Watershed, Wild Rivers Ranger District, Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts, as well as the High Cascades Ranger District. No closures are expected with this planned prescribed fire activity. However, visitors should remain alert and watch for firefighters working in these areas. Smoke may impact visibility along roadways. While smoke may be visible, the Forest Service works closely with air quality specialists and closely monitors smoke during prescribed fires.

Posted on 10/20/26 11:19AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrest, Cite Woman Wanted for Larceny Warrant

Officers observed and arrested a woman wanted on a warrant out of the Grants Pass Police Department late Monday.

Units located Brittany Demars near the 305 SE G Street Jiffy Lube around 8:46 p.m. She was known to have an active and serviceable warrant charging her with Larceny, and was stopped.

Officers advised her she was not free to leave, and quickly took her into constructive custody. Her identity and warrant were confirmed, and police released her with a citation to appear in court.

Posted on 10/20/26 10:57AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Trespassing Downtown Issued 180-Day Exclusion, Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police arrested a man found trespassing in the downtown exclusion zone.

The suspect, Ronald Spears, was again contacted downtown in the Grasshopper parking lot at 201 NW F Street. He had no lawful reason to be there, and was in violation of two previous exclusion orders.

Officers took Spears into custody at the scene, transported him to the Josephine County Jail for lodging on a Second Degree Trespass charge, and issued him a 180-Day Downtown Exclusion Order. His property was logged for safekeeping.

Posted on 10/20/26 10:38AM by Alex Bauer

Firefighters Expand Mop-Up Operations Deeper Into West Fork Evans Creek Fire

Firefighters are continuing to build on suppression efforts at the West Fork Evans Creek Fire, increasing containment to 48% this morning. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, with established firelines holding well around the 283-acre fire, crews are working toward extending mop-up operations 150 feet into the burned area. Following Monday's progress, firefighters are concentrating on locating and extinguishing remaining areas of heat while continuing to address hazardous trees and difficult terrain. Today's resources include 15 20-person hand crews, one eight-person hand crew, seven Type 6 engines, 10 water tenders and one dozer, supported by task force leaders, heavy equipment bosses, falling resources and additional overhead personnel. Drier conditions are expected today, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s and relative humidity dropping into the mid-20% range. No structures have been lost as a result of the fire, and none are threatened at this time.

Posted on 10/20/26 9:27AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Dispatched to Cave Junction Rear-End Collision

A traffic accident dispatched emergency crews Monday afternoon to the 200 block of S Redwood Highway in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the rear-end collision earlier around 1:51 p.m.

Upon arrival, both vehicles involved in the accident were located in the parking lot. One individual from the impacted vehicle was transported by AMR as a precautionary measure.

The Sheriff’s Office assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Posted on 10/20/26 7:42AM by Alex Bauer

West Fork Evans Creek Fire Containment at 45%, Crews Deepen Mop-Up Efforts

As containment increases on the West Fork Evans Creek Fire to 45%, suppression operations are being adjusted to reflect the changing needs of the 283-acre incident. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District reports crews completed mop-up approximately 100 feet into the burned area around the entire perimeter. Monday's suppression efforts focused on addressing remaining heat and removing hazards that could interfere with operations. Last night's resources included six 20-person hand crews, six Type 6 engines and five water tenders, supported by three task force leaders, two heavy equipment bosses and two heavy equipment boss trainees. No structures have been lost as a result of the fire, and none are threatened at this time. The cause of the fire is not immediately apparent, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to determine how the fire started.

Posted on 10/20/26 6:00AM by Alex Bauer

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