Oregon Department of Forestry Increasing Local Fire Danger Level to "Moderate"
Less than one week after the Oregon Department of Forestry declared the start of fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties, the state agency will be raising the fire danger level. On Saturday at 12:01 a.m., local fire danger will rise from "low" to "moderate" on 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and BLM forestlands in the two-county region. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at "1." Hot temperatures and windy conditions for the past couple of weeks have caused vegetation to dry at a slightly faster rate than expected. This has contributed to new fire starts and growth. High temperatures this weekend are predicted to reach 100 degrees with thunderstorms also possible. Starting Saturday, all open fires will be prohibited including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires except at designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves or fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in areas clear of vegetation. Chainsaws may not be used between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is not allowed during the same times during moderate fire danger. Neither is the mowing of dead and dried grass during those hours. This restriction does not include the mowing of green lawns or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops. For more information, please visit "swofire.com." ...Read more

GP School District will Provide Free Summer Meals at Three Different Locations
School is out for summer, but the Grants Pass School District will be providing summer meals at three different locations. Free breakfasts and lunches are available weekdays for kids and teens. All summer meals include fruit, vegetables and 1% or chocolate milk. Menus are subject to change based on availability. School District 7 will serve weekday summer meals from June 9th-August 8th, excluding June 19th and July 4th. Meals are available to children 18 and under and they must be eaten on site. At Allen Dale Elementary School, 2320 Williams Highway, breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. At Parkside Elementary School, 735 SW Wagner Meadows Drive, breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. At the Grants Pass High School Commons/Cafeteria, 830 NE 9th Street, breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and lunch will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. ...Read more

SOREDI Foundation Awards 2025 Career Pathways Scholarship to RRHS Senior
The Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), Foundation has announced that a senior at Rogue River High School has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Student Career Pathways Scholarship. Sophia Dame will receive a $1,500 scholarship. The award was officially granted by the SOREDI Foundation Board of Directors on June 3rd in recognition of Sophia Dame's outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential and commitment to career development in Southern Oregon. The Student Career Pathways Scholarship is designed to support a promising student who demonstrates a clear vision for their future career and a dedication to contributing to the economic vitality of the region. The SOREDI Foundation remains committed to fostering talent and innovation in Southern Oregon by investing in the next generation of leaders and professionals. ...Read more