Hellgate Jetboat Excursions Captain and Crew Help Save Life on the Rogue River

A routine excursion turned into a life-saving mission last week when a Hellgate Jetboat captain and crew sprang into action to rescue a person found floating in the Rogue River. Last Thursday at about 9:30 a.m., just minutes after departing from the Hellgate Jetboat dock on a scheduled brunch excursion, the captain of the vessel spotted an unusual object in the water while navigating toward Hellgate Canyon. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the object was a human body, floating face-up and motionless. The captain initially feared the worst, but was alerted to possible signs of life. With no hesitation, the captain alerted passengers and maneuvered the boat alongside the individual. With the help from several guests, they secured the person and navigated to the nearest shore for a safe rescue. Determining the woman required immediate medical attention, the captain brought her onboard and stabilized her. The crews requested emergency medical services to be on standby at the dock in Grants Pass. The boat returned to the dock where American Medical Response met the vessel, assisted the woman off the boat and transferred her to a gurney for further medical evaluation. Following the incident, the excursion resumed with all passengers safely reboarded and the boat continuing its journey. Travis Hamlyn, president of Hellgate Jetboat Excursions, said they are incredibly proud of their captain, crew and guests whose swift thinking and teamwork made a critical difference. ...Read more

Local BLM Officials Restrict Certain Activities on Public Lands to Reduce Fire Risk

To reduce the risk of human-caused fires, Bureau of Land Management officials have restricted certain activities on public lands in southwest Oregon. As summer approaches and the weather warms up, fuels are rapidly drying out and firefighters are responding to more fires. Al Mason, Fire Management Officer for the BLM's Medford District, said people should be prepared when they visit public lands this summer. He said to pack a shovel and fire extinguisher and follow the agency's fire restriction orders to help prevent fires. The public use restrictions that went into effect on June 1st include a few small steps you can take to help prevent fires. Smoking is prohibited while traveling except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other designated locations. Power saw users must have a shovel and an 8-ounce or larger fire extinguisher and must maintain a fire watch for at least one hour after saw use. While traveling in a motor vehicle, visitors must have one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2-1/2-pound or larger fire extinguisher. This includes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Fireworks are prohibited on BLM public lands along with exploding targets, metal targets and firing tracer or incendiary devices. ...Read more

Josephine County Budget Committee to Focus on Departmental Funding on Wednesday

The Josephine County Budget Committee will focus on departmental funding during its next meeting tomorrow morning. The Budget Committee will hear department presentations from the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Public Health, Public Works, Court Facilities and Airports at the 9 a.m. session in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. In addition to the departments, the budget panel will hear a presentation from the Elected Official Compensation Committee. The public comment period allows each participant three minutes to address the Budget Committee. According to the agenda, the committee will deliberate on the budget if it’s the final meeting. That would include motions to approve the Compensation Committee recommendation, approve the budget and set the tax rate. If it's not the final meeting, the panel will schedule its next meeting and adjourn. ...Read more