Local News

In its final update on the Upper Applegate Fire, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported the 453-acre wildfire was 55% contained and crews were pushing forward with mop-up operations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. After a short duration of heavy rain over the incident on Friday night, temperatures remained much lower than normal on Saturday with a light drizzle that helped crews mop up 100 feet into the fire's perimeter. The goal on Sunday was 150 feet. On Saturday morning, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management cancelled all remaining evacuation notices in the area. Upper and Little Applegate roads remained open. However, firefighters were still working in the area so motorists were encouraged to be aware and cautious. The Upper Applegate Fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on June 18th as a grass fire nearly a year to the day of last year's 1,142-acre Upper Applegate incident. Both fires were located in the same general area, with similar weather and vegetation moisture levels -- but this year's fire started roughly three hours earlier in the day. ODF fire managers attribute bringing initial attack firefighters on earlier as well as hazard tree mitigation work in the area completed by the BLM this year to the success of firefighters on the ground.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Upper Applegate Road Fire burning in Jackson County. The state of Oregon's request for a declaration under FEMA's Fire Management Assistance Grant program was approved by FEMA Acting Administrator Vincent Maykovich. He determined that the Upper Applegate Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. At the time of the state's request, the local wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Upper Applegate, Ruch and Buncom. The fire was threatening communication infrastructure, electric utilities, campground and trail recreation sites, watershed, fishing and spawning sites, environmental resources and cultural resources. FEMA grants make funding available to pay up to 75% of a state's eligible costs for fighting fires that threaten to become major disasters. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies, and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

 

AllCare Health has awarded a grant of more than $14,500 to Rogue Community Health to support expanded rural transportation services for vulnerable residents in Jackson and Josephine counties. Officials said the initiative addresses critical gaps in access to essential services outside traditional healthcare coverage. Funding will help provide those living in rural parts of the two counties with services developed to meet their transportation needs. Rogue Community Health is helping ensure that people can access the resources that support their health and dignity. By emphasizing transportation for non-covered services, this project strengthens community resilience and reduces isolation -- especially for those who experience geographic limitations, economic hardship or disability. The grant reflects AllCare Health's ongoing commitment to investing in strategies that address social determinants of health and promoting equitable access to care and community participation.

 

Firefighters working overnight on the Upper Applegate Fire had a successful shift strengthening containment lines and making progress on mop-up operations -- reaching the 10% mark. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports resources were also able to connect hose throughout the rest of the incident, allowing for water access across the entire fire and greatly aiding crews as they continue to push forward on mopping up the blaze. An infrared flight was not able to be conducted overnight, so the fire remains an estimated 470 acres. A chance of rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast today, with increasing winds expected to persist across the incident. Firefighters are prepared for the added weather challenges and ready to respond to any new fire starts, whether lightning- or human-caused. More than 250 personnel are on the fire today. Level 2 "Be Set" and Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices remain in place for homes near the fire, which was first reported at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday as a grass fire in the 2,000-block of Upper Applegate Road. All current evacuations and maps can be found at "RVEM.org." Upper Applegate and Little Applegate roads are now open to all traffic, but crews continue to work in the area so please use caution when traveling near the fire. ODF Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said the exact cause of the Upper Applegate Fire remains under investigation. She said future updates on the fire will be limited to once per day in the evening following shift change.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for violating a court order by trying to break into his ex-wife's residence in the North Valley area last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 45-year-old Douglas Andrew Osbourne for the incident at a home in the 6100-block of Monument Drive on Thursday at 10:20 p.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her ex-husband -- Osbourne -- was outside screaming and yelling before he pushed the door in and broke the frame while trying to gain entry. She said he hit her daughter in the arm with the door, but the 14-year-old girl did not need medical attention. According to the report, Osbourne fled the scene on a motorcycle that deputies located a short time later at the Li'l Pantry Market & Deli on Monument Drive. Osbourne was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary and Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.

 

The manager of a north Grants Pass restaurant was jailed yesterday for stealing from his employer. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 49-year-old Michael David Hoover at the Black Bear Diner on NW 6th Street at 2:59 p.m. Thursday. Police said the restaurant owner called 9-1-1 from Medford to report that Hoover had been stealing money from the business by manipulating bank records. The caller said the suspect was the only employee who has access to financial reports and makes deposits. The last theft allegedly occurred on June 12th. According to the report, the restaurant owner stated there was a theft of $2,500 last Thanksgiving and he believes it is related. Records from the restaurant showed the amount stolen to be over $1,500. Officers contacted Hoover and he admitted to stealing money from the Black Bear over the last two months. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft and was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for drug and probation violations yesterday after a traffic stop in the south part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a Buick driven by 49-year-old Gerald Ray Dollarhide in the 300-block of Union Avenue on Thursday around 4 p.m.. Police said they spotted Dollarhide driving the vehicle and knew that his license was suspended. He was cited to appear in court for Driving While Suspended and No Insurance. His vehicle was impounded and hauled away by 3 Boys Towing. Officers contacted Dollarhide's corrections officer after a glass pipe was located inside his backpack that had methamphetamine residue. The pipe was seized for destruction. Dollarhide was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession and the resulting Probation Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. His dog was taken to the Animal Shelter.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for trespassing on a property in the O'Brien area last night. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were alerted to the complaint in the 100-block of Udee Road on Thursday at 7:54 p.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report a male subject later identified as 63-year-old Michael Robin Cooper was cutting down trees on her property. The caller said she did not know the identity of the intruder, believing that he gained access from the back of her property. The man had trespassed off and on for the last five days. The property owner and her son had confronted Cooper who agreed to leave but never did. She wanted to press charges, so the suspect was placed into custody. Cooper was transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. The property owner did not want to press charges for Criminal Mischief related to the suspect cutting down her trees.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender on two outstanding warrants while performing a welfare check in a downtown neighborhood this morning. The Police Department reports officers contacted 41-year-old Amber Marie Al-Sarf in the 700-block of SW J Street at about 12:17 a.m. today. Police said a resident called 9-1-1 to report a female subject wandering onto his property and the properties of his neighbors. The caller said the woman who was sitting at the corner of SW Oak and J streets used to live in the neighborhood. The caller also said he would knock her out if she returned to his property. Officers contacted Al-Sarf and warned her for trespassing. That's when they learned that she was wanted on two Jackson County warrants for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Methamphetamine Possession and Criminal Trespass. Al-Sarf was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.