ODF Prescribed Fire Project Planned to Further Mitigation Efforts near Butte Falls
The Oregon Department of Forestry is planning a two-day prescribed fire project with the town of Butte Falls to further hazard fuel mitigation efforts in the area. The project is scheduled to take place today and Thursday, with the burns starting in the morning and lasting into the afternoon both days, pending smoke potential and weather condition approvals. ODF plans to conduct the burns off West Hukill Creek -- located west of Butte Falls -- completing approximately 70 acres of fuel mitigation with the assistance of Grayback Forestry. This project is part of Butte Falls' Community Forest Project. Following the devastating 2020 wildfires, the town purchased 430 acres of adjacent forestland with numerous goals in mind including wildfire mitigation. Since then, ODF has provided assistance including fuel reduction efforts and pile burning last spring. If conditions are favorable for the burns to take place, light smoke may be visible in the air in and around the Rogue Valley. Additional rain the forecast on Friday will naturally help to clear out any remaining smoke. ...Read more

Library Petitioner Asks District Attorney to File Charges against Board of Commissioners

A library volunteer and Grants Pass Friends of the Library member has asked the Josephine County District Attorney to file misdemeanor charges against the three members of the Board of Commissioners. Matthew Hoff filed a petition for redress of grievances to Commissioners Andreas Blech, Chris Barnett and Ron Smith on April 22nd, stating that "the actions and inactions of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners regarding the lease of the Grants Pass Library facility constitute a significant breach of public trust and governance obligations, and violate the County Charter's mandate for library support and public accountability." According to the Josephine County Charter, "Josephine County government officials that are petitioned for redress of grievances shall be required to respond within five days, and to resolve the problem in question within 60 days. To date, Hoff said he has received no response. In addition to providing a mechanism for the redress of grievances, the Charter also provides a means of enforcement which includes citing persons charged with violating the Charter Amendment by issuing a Class B Misdemeanor Citation. It states "no person shall be immune from such citation regardless of any personal or official capacity whatsoever. Judicial proceedings regarding such citations shall follow the same as in the issuance of any other misdemeanor citation." In addition, Hoff has now filed a second petition that delineates means of resolving the conflict. ...Read more

Jackson County Payroll Employment Buoyed by Health Care/Social Assistance

Total payroll employment in Jackson County rose by 200 jobs in March, with health care & social assistance leading the way. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 99,548 people working in Jackson County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 5.9%, which was the same as in February. The return of workers who were on strike at a major health care provider contributed to the jobs added in health care & social assistance during March. Other industries adding jobs over the month were leisure & hospitality, construction, and professional & business services. Small employment declines were estimated in retail trade, transportation, warehousing & utilities, financial activities and manufacturing. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County slipped by 80 jobs or 0.1% Since March 2024, industries adding jobs were private education & health services (+560), retail trade (+230), and other services (+110). Industries with over-the-year losses included leisure & hospitality (-340), financial activities (-110), professional & business services (-30). Government lost 300 jobs since March 2024, ...Read more