Local News

The Wild and Scenic section of the lower Rogue River will be closed due to increased fire activity from the Moon Complex. There is now active fire behavior on both sides of the river and predicted significant weather events. This emergency closure is being enacted for firefighter and public safety, according to the U.S. Forest Service. All recreational use of the Wild Section of the river from Grave Creek to Foster Bar will be prohibited until conditions improve. The BLM Oregon & Washington Medford District will not issue permits until it is safe to do so. If you have a permit during the closure period, please contact the BLM permit office at (541) 618-2408. The permitting agencies will re-open the river as soon as possible.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies apprehended a man trying to meet with a minor for sex Thursday night.

Officers contacted Inuyasha McFail at the 500 block Schumacher Street. He arrived at the location on a bicycle, intending to meet with a female juvenile for sex.

McFail was detained and charged with First Degree Online Sexual Corruption of a Child. Officers lodged him in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce will be on hand for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony officially welcoming "Speedy" the horse to Grants Pass Downs.

The ceremony will be held after the 3rd Race on Sunday the 28th at about 2:00 p.m.

"Speedy," a bronze 10 foot sculpture was designed and forged by Arizona artist Trevor O'Tool. Originally set to greet visitors at the Flying Lark complex, he has now taken permanent residence at the Redwood Avenue entrance to Grants Pass Downs.

Backed by a mural from local artist Crystal Pyren, the sculpture depicts a sitting “Speedy” peering through his eyeglasses, studying the Daily Racing Form.

Acquired from River Valley Church, the sculpture was purchased with donations from the Oregon Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association, and the Horseman’s Racing Association.

Rod Lowe, Grants Pass Downs CEO and Director of Racing is thrilled by the new welcome awaiting patrons. “I’m very excited how so many organizations and individuals came together to make Grants Pass Downs “Speedy’s” new home.”

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a fire in O'Brien Thursday.

At 3:09 p.m. yesterday, a structure fire was reported on the 33000 block of Redwood Highway.

Units from IVFD, ODF Southwest Oregon District, and AMR-Josephine County responded to the incident.

Upon arrival, crews observed smoke emanating from the eaves of the structure. The fire was subsequently contained to a couch, and an investigation is being conducted.

 

Firefighters with Rural Metro responded to two separate truck fires Thursday.

At 11:14 a.m., a fire crew from Rural Metro's Merlin Station was alerted to a fully involved Ford F250 in the 400 block of Ewe Creek Road.

Along with an Oregon Department of Forestry crew, firefighters converged on the scene and quickly knocked down the fire. There was no spread to surrounding vegetation.

At 3:55 the same day, firefighters from Rural Metro's North Valley Station responded to a Ford F350 burning in the 3600 block of Merlin Road.

Again, ODF crews joined North Valley firemen and quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing any wildland spread.

Mechanical issues were blamed for both truck fires.

 

Max's Mission is holding its 9th annual Overdose Awareness Day event in Medford this weekend.

On Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Hawthorne Park, all are welcome to join this family-friendly event to connect with community organizations offering vital resources and support.

Hear from speakers, enjoy live music, as well as face-painting, food trucks and prizes.

This collaboration brings together over 30 local organizations with a wide range of expertise and resources, offering attendees direct access to harm reduction tools, recovery support, housing assistance, and healthcare services.

Overdose Awareness Day is a space for remembrance, connection, and healing made possible through the collective efforts of Max’s Mission and their generous sponsors. It's a way to ensure that every person who attends can find the information, support, or sense of community they need.

 

Starting next week, Rogue Community College second-year dental hygiene students will begin accepting appointments for free dental screenings. Appointments take place at the RCC Dental Hygiene Clinic at the Table Rock Campus Health Professions Center, located at 7731 Pacific Ave., White City. Screenings include a limited radiographic series and periodontal evaluation to determine the type of hygiene services most beneficial for each patient. Screenings are performed by students under the supervision of licensed dental professionals. The appointments provide valuable hands-on training for RCC dental hygiene students while offering the community access to high-quality, affordable, and preventive dental care. To schedule an appointment, call (541) 955-7577 or email dentalinfo@roguecc.edu.

 

A local community music school is expanding its offerings for the community and has rebranded itself in the process.

With five newly added rooms, Music4Kids, now Southern Oregon School of Music, will be able to offer more lessons and classes for students ages eight to adult, while still featuring the Kindermusik program for young families.

To celebrate, the school is hosting a grand Re-Opening, Saturday the 27th, at 141 NW C Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include a ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce, free Kindermusik mini-classes and lesson trials, food vendors, a scavenger hunt, raffles, prizes, and other activities.

Students at Southern Oregon School of Music will experience top-quality musical training in a supportive and family friendly environment, whether exploring music for fun, personal growth, or performance.

 

Nearly a year after a decades old wood bridge outside of Butte Falls was burned, the structure has been replaced and the road is reopened to the public.

The Fredenburg Bridge has been rebuilt into a 45’ long by 23’ wide concrete deck bridge with steel support beams anticipated to hold strong well into the future.

The unanticipated expense to replace the bridge was nearly $1 million. The Roads and Parks Department ensured adequate reserves in the County Road fund, which was able to cover the cost.

Steve Lambert, the Jackson County Roads and Parks Director says, “With over 900 miles of county roads and 331 bridges in our county road system, anything can happen. This is why we budget conservatively to enable us to deal with the unexpected.”