Local News

The West Fork Evans Creek Fire is now estimated at 75 to 80 acres, according to updated acreage from air attack. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District reports firefighters are continuing their aggressive initial attack, with two Type 1 helicopters actively engaged in water drops. One helicopter is working along the head of the fire, while the other is focusing on the lower portion. The fire is pushing away from the East Evans Creek Fire burn scar, running nearly parallel to it, and is moving down into a clear-cut area on the south side, where a dozer is actively working. The fire has reached the ridgetop, where steep terrain and limited water access continue to present challenges. Despite these conditions, ground crews and aircraft are working hard in tandem to support ongoing suppression efforts.

 

The West Fork Evans Creek Fire is, according to the Watch Duty app, between 90 to 100 acres after being reported around 3:27 p.m. today. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District reports steep terrain, winds along the ridgetops, and areas of slash are contributing to fire growth. Crews are continuing an aggressive initial attack, working to slow the fire’s forward progress and establish containment lines. Firefighters are coordinating ground and aerial resources to target areas of active fire growth and strengthen suppression efforts. An additional Type 1 helicopter is en route, bringing the total to two Type 1 helicopters, and air attack has been ordered to assist with aerial coordination. Additional resources continue to respond as firefighters work to gain ground on the fire.

 

A traffic accident was reported at the intersection of Rockydale Road and Waldo Road in Cave Junction at 12:37 this afternoon.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle incident. Upon arrival, units identified a vehicle overturned off the roadway and positioned within the marsh.

IVFD successfully extricated the occupant, and AMR stabilized the patient for transport with non-life-threatening injuries. The scene was transitioned to the Sheriff’s Department, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

The County Commissioners convened today for approval of an Out-of-State travel request, and a discussion on agricultural education grant applications.

The board convened in the BCC Conference Room at 1:30 p.m. and were presented with a travel request by Community Development. The Commercial Plans Examiner would travel for leadership training in Nashville, Tennessee. The total travel expense would be $3,675.

The department was only asking for any per diems costing about $395 to be taken out of the building safety budget. A motion to give authorization to travel passed 3-0.

After the workshop, the board reconvened as the governing body of the 4H/Extension and Service District for a grant application discussion. The County has $30,000 for agricultural education as part of the service district, with a plan to open up application acceptance for a month.

A motion to approve the grant application with an amendment to have what was presented be sent back to Legal Counsel to add a clause related to insurance passed unanimously.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a missing 2-year-old call in the 100 block of Burch Drive located outside of Cave Junction Wednesday at 10:48 a.m. Prior to their arrival, family members located the child unconscious in the Illinois River that runs behind the family’s property. Deputies and family members performed CPR on the child until an ambulance from American Medical Response arrived on scene. The child was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently passed away. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. A Medicolegal Death Investigator from the District Attorney’s Office responded, and at the time of this press release, there is no evidence of foul play. Next of kin have been notified. Out of respect to the family, names will not be released.

 

Grants Pass Police contacted individuals trespassing and arrested a felon at Paradise Auto this morning.

Officers located the suspects at the 239 Redwood Highway business. One of them, upon contact, said she was waiting for Parker's Place Village to open. She was advised to leave. One suspect, George Williams, was also contacted and found to be wanted.

There was a warrant out for his arrest for Methamphetamine Possession, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. The warrant was confirmed, and Williams was taken into custody. He was then transported to the Adult Jail Facility for lodging according to the police report.

 

A Riverside Park check by Grants Pass Police resulted in one woman's arrest for Criminal Trespass.

Today at 1:29 a.m., law enforcement was conducting an area check in the 304 E Park Street location after hours. A woman was located walking near the lower gazebo, and identified as Brooke Mack. She had been previously trespassed from the park in September, so she was taken into custody.

Police transported her to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for Second Degree Criminal Trespass. She was also issued a 90-Day Exclusion from the park.

 

Grants Pass Police lodged a man in jail Wednesday after he was reported trespassing at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

The 1644 Williams Highway store's assistant manager called 911 at 7:48 p.m. stating the suspect, wearing a long sleeve shirt, pants, and no shoes was trespassing at the business. He had a bike with a cart, and proceeded towards the nearby Safeway around 7:50 p.m.

Arriving officers contacted the suspect, Kody Lewis, and determined he had been trespassed from the O'Reilly's back in September. Lewis admitted to entering the store, and he was taken into custody. Law enforcement transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

Individuals reportedly doing drugs at Gilbert Creek Park were reported to dispatch, leading to an arrest by Grants Pass Police Wednesday.

The two suspects were seen using a glass pipe while at the 1750 NW Hawthorne Avenue park at 5:22 p.m. An officer responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. Michael Pullin was identified as one of the suspects, and found to have an active warrant out for his arrest.

His Oregon Parole Board Warrant charged him with a weapons offense. He admitted to having Fentanyl on his person, and upon a consent search, the officer located the substance, which field tested positive for Fentanyl. Pullin was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail for his warrant and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

He was also given a 30-Day Exclusion, and trespassed from the park.