Local News

Options for Southern Oregon and the Josephine County Food Bank are preparing for the 19th Annual Empty Bowls event, this time at a new location.

On October 13th, the event will be held in the Pavilion Building at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, 1451 Fairgrounds Road.

Starting at 6 p.m., guests can choose from over 400 handcrafted bowls from Clayfolk and the Southern Oregon Potter's Association, and fill it with soup and bread provided by local restaurants.

A silent auction will be held online through www.optionsonline.org from October 6th through the 14th. Tickets can be purchased on Option's website, at the Administration Building, 1215 SW G Street, or at the Pavilion Building doors the night of the event.

Empty Bowls is an Options-led effort in partnership with the Josephine County Food Bank to help raise funds to fight hunger in our community.

The 2025 soup sponsors include Agora Artisan Eatery, Blaze-n-Monkey's, Casa Amiga, MaMosa's, Papa Tyrell's BBQ Catering, Partake Shop & Lounge, Powderhorn Café, Provolt Country Store, Sunshine Natural Foods, The Laughing Clam, The Haul, The Depot Eatery, The Twisted Cork, The Vine, and Wild River Pub.

 

October is Fire Safety Month, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Oregon Fire Marshals Association remind everyone to buy, use, and recycle rechargeable batteries.

Many everyday devices like smartphones, laptops, e-scooters, power tools, and electric vehicles are powered by rechargeable batteries. While they are convenient and powerful, they can create serious fire risks if not used correctly.

When it comes to rechargeable batteries, the Fire Marshal reminds everyone to charge and dispose of the batteries safely. Other fire safety tips are to never leave cooking unattended and keep flammable items away from stovetops, keep heating equipment at least three feet from anything that can burn, and electrical issues like overloaded outlets and faulty wiring are major contributors to home fires.

Fire Prevention Month is a good time to check your smoke alarms, review your home escape plan, and talk with your family about fire safety.

 

The latest library lease agreement has been approved by both Josephine County and the Library District. During their Tuesday workshop, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve a new five-year lease agreement for the Grants Pass library building at 200 NW C Street, with Commissioner Blech voting against. Commissioner Chris Barnett made a motion to adopt the latest version of the lease, with a modified “for cause” termination clause. Under the agreement, the library district will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the building and grounds. The Josephine Community Library District Board of Directors discussed the updated lease and agreed to its terms, clearing the way for the continuation of library services in Josephine County. Library Director Kate Lasky said “We are relieved this agreement moves us past months of uncertainty. This has been a difficult process, but what matters most is that we can keep our focus on serving the community.”

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing complaint at a local grocery store early this morning.

At 4:30 a.m., an employee of WinCo at 231 NE Terry Lane reported a previously trespassed man had returned and wasn't leaving the lobby of the store.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted Dennis Campbell and confirmed he had a warrant out for his arrest. Officers learned he had a knife and Taser in his possession.

Campbell was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the warrant, plus charges of Second Degree Trespass and Felon in Possession of Weapons.

 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is giving away free wildlife forage seed to landowners in Grants Pass, Central Point, and Gold Beach.

Today, landowners in these areas will be eligible for two 15-pound bags of seed to cover at least one acre of habitat for wildlife.

Seed bags are available first-come, first serve. Bags can be picked up at Rogue Valley Secure Storage, 3591 Highland Avenue in Grants Pass, Denman Wildlife Area ODFW Office, 1495 East Gregory Road in Central Point, and the ODFW Gold Beach Field Office, 29907 Airport Drive in Gold Beach.

The seed is free thanks to generous donations from the Rogue Valley, Curry, and Josephine chapters of the Oregon Hunters Association, matched with federal funds granted to ODFW through the Pittman-Robertson Act’s Wildlife Restoration Program.

Productive wildlife habitat on private lands is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to ODFW’s mission of protecting and enhancing Oregon’s native wildlife populations.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were responding to a call Tuesday when they spotted a suspect with a warrant.

Officers identified Ruby Yamoona walking in the area of SW 5th and J Streets. She was known to have a warrant out for her arrest, but officers lost sight of her when circling around to make contact.

Yamoona was found again walking down the alley between G and H Streets heading towards 6th Street. Officers cut her off and advised her of the warrant.

Yamoona was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for her Second Degree Theft Warrant.

 

The Josephine County Commissioners continued their Administration Workshop with unanimous approval of department business.

The Sheriff requested to auction off seized items from drug busts to help fund training equipment for the Sheriff's Office as well as state drug treatment programs. A motion to approve passed 3-0, as did their motion to enter into the Sheriff's Office's Consume Drug Take-Back Program, a disposal project to keep prescription drugs off the street.

The Community Justice Department received approval of 2 bylaw updates, changing meeting frequency to quarterly, and updating quorum requirements for special meetings to six members.

The board also approved appointments of the departments Mental Health Director and Victim Services Representative, and the lease agreement in conjunction with the application for real property tax exemption, allowing Community Justice to continue their society reintegration program.

A motion letting the Public Health Department attend AllCare Health's 2nd Annual Healthy Kids event passed unanimously, along with the Women, Infant, and Children Lease for Curry County office space motion for WIC to provide their services all in one place.

The board had no objection to 4-H/Extensions report in lieu of audit and the treasury audit update, and the proposed fee change public hearing date will need to be set by October 9th.

Lastly, Commissioner Ron Smith had the board sign an opposition to Senate bill 888 under Senator Ron Wyden backed by Senator Jeff Merkley, saying the bill would be detrimental to Josephine County. Commissioner Chris Barnett mentioned the Redwood school playground groundbreaking this Friday, congratulated the drug court grads, and the success of the drug recovery fair.

 

A traffic accident occurred around 8:45 p.m. last night at the intersection of Hogue Drive and Warren Road in Selma.

Emergency personnel from the Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the vehicle versus pedestrian incident Tuesday.

One fatality was confirmed, and the Sheriff's Office is leading the ongoing investigation.

 

The Board of County Commissioners moved to approve the Library Lease during today's workshop. During the Legal Counsel Update, the board discussed the lease containing a total rent obligation for the library costing $27,687 based on roof replacement estimates. The library would continue being responsible for the exterior and maintenance of the building, and any default of obligation would result in the county acting on the 30 day termination clause. Commissioner Chris Barnett motioned to approve the presented lease, while Commissioner Ron Smith seconded. The motion passed 2-1 with Commissioner Andreas Blech the lone dissenting vote. Commissioner Smith moved to approve the opioid settlement litigation before the October 8th deadline. The motion passed unanimously, as did the amendment approval of the Dimmick Street Lease.