Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for punching a vehicle while demonstrating aggressive behavior in the downtown area this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the corner of SE 6th and I streets on Wednesday afternoon. Police said a 39-year-old male subject caused public alarm, annoyance and inconvenience when he engaged in tumultuous and violent behavior. They said he walked into traffic and punched a vehicle, intentionally ran into a person with his shoulder and then challenged a Dutch Bros employee to fight with him. Officers arrived on scene and placed the man into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and was being held without bail.

 

A burglar alarm at a downtown Grants Pass pawn shop led to the arrest of a well-known criminal offender early yesterday. Grants Pass Police responded to an audible alarm at the Cash Connection store on SW 6th Street just before midnight on Wednesday. Police said multiple units established a perimeter around the pawn shop gated area where the alarm company stated they observed a female subject within the outdoor fenced yard. Multiple subjects were detained on the sidewalk near the business. A review of video surveillance showed only one of the subjects had entered the fenced area -- a 34-year-old female subject who is well-known to law enforcement from previous arrests. The suspect told police she was looking for cigarettes. She was placed into custody and lodged in jail without bail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. The other subjects were warned for trespassing.

 

Several lightning-caused fires remained active on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest on Thursday. The Donomore Fire in the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District is burning along the Oregon-California border four miles south of Dutchman Peak. It was mapped at about 35 acres including numerous spot fires identified during the initial attack. There was minimal growth on the wildfire as crews established containment lines while extinguishing heat near the lines. Resources included four crews, multiple engines, the Galice Wildland Fire Module, one bulldozer, two water tenders and various aircraft. An unmanned aerial system drone will be used today to identify heat signatures or spot fires in the area. The Springs Fire in the High Cascades Ranger District was mapped at less than one-quarter of an acre when smokejumpers and an engine responded yesterday. The Spruce Fire is fully-contained at 1/100th of an acre. The Bear Fire in the Wild Rivers Ranger District was contained at one-quarter of an acre. The Comm Fire was also contained at one-quarter of an acre. A new start near Silver Creek was reported yesterday, with a helicopter and rappellers ordered. On the Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts, the Snow Fire was burning in very rugged and remote terrain that is inaccessible by ground. Rappellers were inserted by helicopter. The Buck Fire is estimated at one acre, with containment and mop-up efforts underway.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry extinguished two small vehicle fires in the Cave Junction area on the same night this week. On Wednesday at 6:45 p.m., IVFD and ODF responded to a single-vehicle fire on Golf Club Drive at Redwood Highway near the Illinois Valley Golf Course. IVFD officials said the occupant was able to get himself and his dog out of the vehicle before the flames started. They said the blaze was put out and the cause was under investigation. On Wednesday at 7:09 p.m., IVFD and ODF responded to a second small vehicle fire in the 500-block of Martin Road. Officials said the fully-engulfed vehicle spread flames to nearby brush and ODF crews were able to stop further spread of the fire into the surrounding wildland while IVFD crews doused the burning vehicle. According to IVFD, they were able to utilize more personnel on these two fires due to a recent Oregon State Fire Marshal Wildland Staffing Grant.

 

Applications are being accepted for an open position on the Grants Pass Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC). The position expires in December 2026. The HBSC's purpose is to review proposed alterations to any historic district or designated structure in the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation, to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and to identify areas of archaeological significance and buildings of historic or archaeological significance. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and a City of Grants Pass resident. This position is for a representative who owns a business in the city's Central Business District. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, August 23rd.

 

Following the US Supreme Court's recent decision to criminalize public camping in Grants Pass vs. Johnson, US Senator Ron Wyden and US Representative Suzanne Bonamici -- both of Oregon -- said they are leading colleagues in urging the Biden administration to advance evidence-based solutions to help people experiencing homelessness. The lawmakers wrote President Biden: "Punishing unhoused individuals for sleeping outside when there are no adequate shelter or housing options does not solve homelessness or address its causes. It is cruel and cynical to impose penalties on people who may be facing real, human challenges like unaffordable rent, financial emergencies, or health and mental health challenges." According to Wyden, homelessness increased by 23% in 2023 nationwide -- and it increased even more in Oregon -- due to the lack of affordable housing, the lack of health care resources, and an end to effective pandemic relief measures like rent assistance, among other challenges. Wyden said punishing people for existing while unhoused -- while no shelter or housing options exist -- is demonstrated to worsen homelessness and can cost more than providing housing. He held a press conference at AllCare Health in Grants Pass on Thursday.

 

The Rogue Community College Board of Education has voted to put a $60.3 million bond measure on the November ballot in Josephine and Jackson counties. RCC officials said the bond measure aims to fund various projects across the three campuses in both counties while enhancing resources and programs to better serve the community. The proposed bond measure would support the expansion and improvement of manufacturing, welding and nursing programs. It would introduce an automotive program at the Table Rock Campus in White City, and bring EMT and diesel technology programs to the Redwood Campus in Grants Pass. In addition, funds would be allocated to improve the Student Success Center and classrooms at Medford's Riverside Campus plus enhance safety, accessibility and infrastructure lifespan at all campuses. To pass, the RCC bond measure requires a 50% plus-one majority from the combined district spanning both counties. In addition to the $60.3 million from the bond, RCC will receive $15 million in matching funds from the state, provided the bond is approved by local voters.

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce has added another Concerts in the Park date with a new performer. Due to the cancellation of the July 9th concert due to an Excessive Heat Warning, the Chamber has added an extra concert set for July 30th. With the rescheduled date, the Chamber learned that Danielle Kelly Soul Project will not be able to perform this season. They look forward to including this band in the future. For the final concert of the season, the Chamber announced they will be featuring another Pacific Northwest favorite -- Gunstock RED. Their mixture of Southern rock, country and blues music is guaranteed to close out the series with a terrific show. Bring the family for outstanding music, delicious food, dancing and fun for all ages. This free family event features local food trucks, kid activities, vendor booths as well as Wild River Brewing's Tap Trailer. Concerts in the Park is held at Midway Park at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

 

Firefighters worked overnight on numerous small lightning-sparked fires along the lower Rogue River in Josephine County, making good progress on most incidents and completely extinguishing others. Following thunderstorms this week, the Oregon Department of Forestry said 10 fires were reported on the steep terrain northwest of Rand and Galice. Resources from ODF, the Medford District BLM and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest immediately responded. As a result, all fires have been caught or being held at one acre or less and only three remain active with crews engaged. Resources today include numerous hand crews, engines and helicopters of various sizes. As of this morning, the active fires included the Horseshoe Bend Fire north of Horseshoe Bend Campground, the Big Windy Fire near Windy Creek and the Trout Creek Fire north of Trout Creek. All were a half-acre or less in size. Fully-extinguished incidents included the Crooks Creek Fire, Hewett Creek Fire, Howard Creek Fire, East Fork Big Windy Fire, Montgomery Creek Fire, Missouri Creek Fire and Long Gulch Fire. ODF Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said this will be the final update for these fires unless conditions significantly change. She said chances for thunder and lightning are once again predicted for the coming weekend. Please be aware of and follow all current restrictions to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.