Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the transfer of certain roads to the City of Grants Pass at the beginning of its weekly business session this morning, with the main event set for the end of the meeting. The Board will hold a hearing transferring jurisdiction of certain county roads located within the city limits to the City of Grants Pass. They include parts of Highland Avenue, 10th Street, Willow Lane and Denton Trail. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider an order selling a small piece of property on Garden Valley Way as well as the Josephine County Transit Coordination Plan and Transit Service Reductions. At the end of the session, the Board will hold a long-anticipated public hearing on a lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch library. The hearing was moved to the end of the meeting in anticipation of numerous public comments and potentially lengthy deliberation. Today's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

As summer begins to wind down, Oregon families have a limited window to secure essential food assistance through the Summer EBT program. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. With the application deadline approaching on September 3rd, it's crucial for families to act now. Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Department of Education are urging families to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. Once benefits are received, you have 122 days to use them. Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on May 22nd if their households participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or are Oregon Health Plan members in households with incomes under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. However, families who did not receive benefits automatically should still apply to determine their eligibility. Families are encouraged to visit "sebt.oregon.gov" or contact the Summer EBT Call Center at (833)-673-7328 to verify their eligibility and apply.

 

Hundreds of Oregon families have reported that their food or cash benefits were stolen from their EBT cards, likely through organized crime. The Oregon Department of Human Services recommends three things you can do today to protect yourself and your family. Freeze the card between uses, block out online purchases and regularly check your EBT account. Visit "EBTEdge.com" to take these actions now. If your benefits were stolen, be sure to report it right away. Cancel your card and order a new one. You can call 1-(855)-328-6715 weekdays or 1-(888)-997-4447 on weekends. There is much more information about how to protect your food and benefits online. Please visit "benefits.oregon.gov."

 

Britt Music and Arts Festival has announced that American conductor Norman Huynh (pronounced 'win') will become the fifth music director to lead the Britt Festival Orchestra in the ensemble's 62-year history. Described as a conductor of "impeccable music taste and irresistible personal charm" who "brings energetic flair to familiar classics," Huynh will assume his new role for a three-year term beginning this month. As music director of the Britt Festival Orchestra, Hyunh will serve as principal conductor and artistic leader of the orchestra's three-week summer season, leading seven to nine performances on the festival's outdoor amphitheater stage in Jacksonville.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the transfer of certain roads to the City of Grants Pass at the beginning of its weekly business session tomorrow, with the main event set for the end of the meeting. The Board will hold hearing transferring jurisdiction of certain county roads located within the city limits to the City of Grants Pass. They include parts of Highland Avenue, 10th Street, Willow Lane and Denton Trail. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider an order selling a small piece of property on Garden Valley Way as well as the Josephine County Transit Coordination Plan and Transit Service Reductions. At the end of the session, the Board will hold a long-anticipated public hearing on a lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch library. The hearing was moved to the end of the meeting in anticipation of numerous public comments and potentially lengthy deliberation. Thursday's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is battling a wildfire that broke out in the High Cascades Ranger District on Tuesday. The US Forest Service this morning reported the Scenic Fire burning east of Oregon Highway 230 near National Creek was 83 acres, with 5% containment. Firefighters worked through the night to establish line and hose lays along the west flank of the wildfire. With a Red Flag Warning in play, fire activity remained high overnight, with spot fires up to a half-mile east of the blaze -- most of which are now inside the perimeter of the main fire as it has progressed to the east. Crews first responded to the fire on Tuesday afternoon when it was reported to be three acres in size and burning in heavy timber. It had grown to 70 acres by 9 p.m.. Resources on scene included four hand crews backed by 17 engines, three dozers, two falling modules and multiple aircraft. Orders have been placed for five more hand crews, two Type 1 heavy helicopters for bucket work and two scooper planes. Motorists should expect travel delays and smoke impacts along the Diamond Lake Highway. They are urged to watch for fire crews working in the area. The National Weather Service has posted another Red Flag Warning from 2 to 8 p.m. today. Moderate to strong winds combined with critically low relative humidity can lead to rapid growth and spread of new and existing fires. Fire danger on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is currently "high." Risk will increase over the next few days with high temperatures, low humidity levels and winds. Please use caution when recreating in the woods. Law enforcement will be patrolling the forest as air and ground resource looking for any new fire starts.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass man for injuring his neighbor's wife by throwing lumber over the fence that separates the properties. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 50-year-old Michael Allen Smith for the incident in the 1500-block of Lonnon Road on Tuesday at 1:28 p.m.. Deputies said an investigation determined that Smith had become hostile with his neighbors and he intentionally threw some boards over the fence that struck his neighbor's wife. The woman was hurt, but she did not require medical transport. Upon arrival, deputies attempted to contact Smith -- but he drove toward them with a skid steer and yelled at law enforcement to leave his property. He told deputies he did not want to talk to them and drove away on the skid steer. Smith reportedly showed up at the Sheriff's Office a few hours later to talk to a deputy and he was placed into custody. Smith was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two felony counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two misdemeanor counts of Menacing. He was being held without bail. He was also served with an unrelated Stalking Order.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for damaging a local grocery store early yesterday by setting a fire in cardboard being stored behind the building. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Gabriel Feliciano for the incident at Grocery Outlet off NE Agness Avenue on Tuesday at 6:54 a.m.. Police said an investigation determined that Feliciano intentionally started a fire behind the store, causing damage to the business. He was contacted in the area and matched the description of the suspect in video provided by Grocery Outlet. He had been trespassed from the store in October 2024. During a consent search, Feliciano was found to be in possession of a white crystal substance that tested positive as methamphetamine. It was seized for destruction. Feliciano was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, Reckless Burning, 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass and Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing public alarm by acting violently at the Bottle Drop Center yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the recycling depot on Rogue River Highway on Tuesday around 11:45 a.m.. Police said the manager of the business called 9-1-1 to report a male subject was threatening customers by telling them he would kill them if they did not buy him a beer. The man -- later identified as 42-year-old David Brian Rich -- threatened a female customer as well as some employees, but no one was hurt. An investigation based on video surveillance determined Rich generated multiple calls for service with his violent and tumultuous behavior. He was contacted near the Fruitdale Grange and placed into custody. Rich was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.