Local News

Mop-up operations are nearing completion on the Kelsey Peak Fire, bringing containment to 85%. The fire, located 15 miles west of Glendale along the Lower Rogue River Corridor, has been burning since September 3rd. The fire is at 1,039 acres. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office has reduced the evacuation order for Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial to Level 1 – BE READY. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management's Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice for Zone JCU-801 remains in place. Yesterday, a Type 1 helicopter was used to drop water and cool some hot spots in the interior of the fire on the southern end. Weather has transitioned to a warm dry trend with higher temperatures, lower humidities, and windy conditions. This weather may fan smoldering embers in the interior of the fire.

 

The Josephine County Fair Board will consider committee reports and other business during this evenings meeting.

Following approval of their agenda, minutes, and public input, the board will discuss reports from the Auction Committee, Facilities Committee, Friends of the Fairgrounds, and the Director.

Business will cover a review complaint of the Beef Class Breakdown process, proposed usage fee increases, along with the Arts and Crafts Building name change and adoption of a name for the Community Learning Center.

The board will cover what to do for a 150 year celebration, discuss other business, and then adjourn.

The Josephine County Fair Board will hold their meeting tonight at 6 p.m. in the Floral Building, 1451 Fairgrounds Road.

 

The Grants Pass City Council moved forward with all agenda items with some changes during yesterday’s workshop. Main Street Funding was the major agenda topic. The council was presented with potential funding sources to benefit downtown businesses. The request would bring in a 3-year total of $270,000 from potential providers: The General Lands and Buildings Projects at $40k, Industrial & Downtown Loan Fund at $40k, and the Economic Development General Fund at $20k. Chamber President and CEO Terry Hopkins urged the council to approve, and after much deliberation, the revised motion passed with all but one yes. The first year of funding would be granted, with the second and third to be considered later with other funding sources. The Infill Housing Development Incentive Program was presented next, with goals to incentivize naturally occurring affordable housing developments to buy or rent long term on lots not needing new city infrastructure.

 

The Ashland Parks and Recreation Department is working on a plan to guide the Department's direction over the next decade.

The PROS (Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Senior Services) plan will establish Levels of Service goals for these benchmarks, helping the department assess its performance and compare it with other communities.

Public input is critical to shaping the priorities and future development of Ashland Parks and Recreation. An initial public meeting was held this past spring, and a second meeting will take place Wednesday, September 17th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ashland Senior Center, 1699 Homes Avenue.

The meeting will include a review of draft key findings from survey data collected for the PROS Plan thus far, a presentation of the draft Level of Service framework for each key service area, and a Q&A session.

A draft PROS Plan will be released for public review in early 2026. For more information, visit ashlandoregon.gov/PROS.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a trespassing complaint late last night.

Officers received a call just before 10 p.m. saying a man was trespassing and threatening people on 5804 Williams Highway. The caller said the suspect was restrained on the ground and was yelling.

When officers arrived, the man was inside the property. He was contacted and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Stalking.

He attempted to run while officers detained him, and a charge of Third Degree Escape was added. Officers alerted the jail that the suspect was known to slip out of his handcuffs. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded to a disturbance over the weekend.

Saturday afternoon, two people were arguing outside 711 NW 5th Street. A man was kicking the woman's items into the street while the woman yelled.

Officers contacted them both, and didn't report any crimes regarding the disturbance. The woman, however, did have a warrant out for her arrest through the Sheriff's office.

She was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on a warrant for Unlawful Entry into a Vehicle, and Second Degree Theft.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man charging his phone outside a local business with a no trespass letter yesterday.

Sunday night, at 509 SE 7th Street, officers contacted two people using the businesses power to charge their phones. One suspect, after providing officers with his name and date of birth, was confirmed to have a warrant out for his arrest.

While being read his rights, he admitted to having a meth pipe in his pocket. Officers searched his person and found residue testing presumptive positive for methamphetamine in his necklace container.

He had a sling backpack containing more drug paraphernalia and a small baggy of a white crystalline substance. Officers took him into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and a Meth Possession charge.

 

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man found sleeping in an inoperable vehicle early this morning.

Officers contacted the suspect at 409 SE 7th Street with two others sleeping in a car. He was found to have two warrants out for his arrest: One for Failure to Appear in Court for Meth Possession and Felony in Possession of a Weapon, and one for DUII, Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver.

The consent search was conducted on the suspect, and he was found to be in possession of meth, for which he was cited. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the warrants.

 

All control lines remain strong on the Kelsey Peak Fire as firefighters continue to push into the perimeter, increasing containment to 68%. The fire, located approximately 15 miles west of Glendale, is still being held by resources at 1,039 acres. Rain was felt across the Kelsey Peak Fire early yesterday morning, continuing throughout the afternoon. Safety remains a top priority as work continues on tough terrain with numerous hazards. Today, firefighters will continue mopping up across the fire on the western and northern portions of line. Smoldering vegetation can remain dormant until warm, windy weather causes it to flare up. With those exact conditions in the forecast later this week, this work is critical to retain control of the fire and continue to move forward in extinguishing it. Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1, assigned to the Kelsey Peak Fire since last Monday, is coordinating with the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5 on the Moon Complex.