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Oregon’s Nonfarm Payroll Employment Drops by 4,100 in July

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 4,100 jobs in July, following a revised gain of 1,300 jobs in June.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, losses were largest in professional and business services (-1,800 jobs), leisure and hospitality (-900), and government (-700). Gains were largest in retail trade (+500 jobs).

In the past 12 months, professional and business services was on a slightly downward trend, declining by 2,500 jobs, or 1.0%. Most of the decline was in management of companies and enterprises, which cut 2,200 jobs, or 4.6%. The other two component industries saw little change during that period.

Leisure and hospitality employed 203,800 in July, 3,500 jobs below its average of 207,300 from 2023 through 2025. It cut 3,800 jobs since January. Its component industry arts, entertainment, and recreation added 200 jobs in July to reach a record high of 31,300.

Oregon’s government sector lost 4,500 jobs, or -1.4%, since July 2025. All components cut since July 2025. Federal government dropped 1,600 jobs, or -5.7%; state government lost 200 jobs, or -0.4%; and local government job counts declined by 2,700, or -1.1%.

Retail trade added 500 jobs in July, but that follows a consistent long-term trend of job declines during the past four years. It employed 198,000 in July, which was a drop of 12,700 jobs, or 6.0%, since July 2022.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in July. It has been 5.2% each month since January. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in June and 4.1% in July.

July's county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data is set to be released Tuesday, August 25th.

Posted on 8/19/26 10:50AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Approves First Hearing for Monument Drive Property, Second Set for Sept. 2nd

The Board of Commissioners approved the first public hearing regarding a Monument Drive property and scheduled the second hearing for September 2nd, 2026.

The Weekly Business Session began at 9 a.m. with the hearing for an ordinance amending the comprehensive plan of Josephine County from farm to residential, and amend the zoning map of the County from farm resource to rural residential and goal exception.

The property owner of 8980 Monument Drive property is Rose Butte LLC. Approval was recommended to the board back in 2025. A motion to approve the first reading, and schedule the second passed 3-0. The consent calendar was approved, and the meeting adjourned.

The board will meet Friday at 9 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room for their rescheduled Executive Session. Consideration and decision will take place regarding the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent.

Posted on 8/19/26 9:37AM by Alex Bauer

Fielder Mountain Fire Holds Under Critical Weather Conditions

Despite critical fire weather on Tuesday, the 53% contained Fielder Mountain Fire remained inside firelines and had minimal fire behavior. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews continued mop-up activities along the fire edge, reaching 200 feet interior across most of the incident. Today, firefighters will continue this work, pushing deeper into the fire, as well as checking areas previously mopped up to ensure there is no threat of rekindling fire. Unneeded equipment and hose are being backhauled from the fireline to be cleaned and refurbished for use on the next incident. As firefighters progress further into the fire interior, they remain vigilant for overhead hazards and ash pits. Critical weather conditions are expected again today with temperatures in the low 90’s, slightly improved humidity in the mid-20’s, and winds with gusts to 15 MPH. Repair work is beginning in the fire area, as crews are constructing water bars along the fireline to divert water during rainy periods, mitigating soil erosion and impacts to water quality.

Posted on 8/19/26 8:36AM by Alex Bauer

Martin Appointed to Court Security Committee at Workshop

Josephine County Commissioner Colene Martin was appointed to the Court Security Committee at Tuesday's 1:30 p.m. workshop. Legal Counsel recommended the signing of a commissioner to the committee after consulting international firms regarding security issues. Other board business included a preliminary discussion for funding infrastructure projects or planning for potential upcoming projects. Commissioner Gary Richardson has reached out to Kerby and Cave Junction about potential projects, and the conversation will be moved forward to a Weekly Business Session. During a Rogue Workforce Partnership Consortium (RWPC) conversation, Legal Counsel reiterated the county is not part of the consortium. Commissioner Ron Smith requested budgetary numbers on county members helped, as well as a track record of people put to work through the organization. Martin wanted Legal Counsel to review governing documents provided by the RWPC before further decisions were made on provided documents.

Posted on 8/19/26 5:35AM by Alex Bauer

Trash Report Leads to One Arrest by GP Police, Two Trespassed

A report of discarded trash lead to the trespass of two and arrest of one Monday morning.

The complainant called 911 at 10:43 a.m. to report a large amount of trash and discarded items piling up at the empty lot across from Parker's Place Village. Arriving Grants Pass Police officers contacted three individuals at the 207 Redwood Highway property.

One of them, Sean O'Keefe, was found to have a valid trespass order for the location, and was taken into custody. Two women on site were both warned trespass.

O'Keefe was taken into custody and lodged in jail for Second Degree Trespass, but the charge wasn't filed by the District Attorney. All three individuals denied association with the reported garbage, which was soon disposed of.

Posted on 8/18/26 1:22PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Lodged Sex Offender for Failure to Register, Outstanding Warrant

A man registering as a sex offender was lodged by Oregon State Police troopers for an outstanding warrant.

The suspect, Nickalas Zook, 43, of Grants Pass, arrived at the police station, 1463 NE 7th Street to for his registration around 3:46 p.m. He was found to have a valid misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest, and taken into custody after completing his registry.

Zook was subsequently lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for a probation violation, and Misdemeanor Failure to Register as a Sex Offender according to jail logs.

Posted on 8/18/26 1:01PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Man on Three Charges following Trespass Report

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man caught on security footage trespassing on the reporting party's property.

A call to 911 Monday around 12:05 p.m. reported the suspect was in the driveway of a residence in the 200 block of W Watkins Street the night before. The caller stated the suspect had been trespassed from the location, and wasn't on site at the time of the call.

Deputies attempted to locate Luey Magic Ocean Glenn, and contacted him around 12:28 p.m. He was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on charges including Public Indecency, Trespass in the Second Degree, and Resisting Arrest.

Posted on 8/18/26 12:38PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Intoxicated Suspect Causing Scene for Parole Violation Detainer

Grants Pass Police arrested a man found waving around a large branch and throwing carts outside an Abby's Pizza.

Dispatch was notified of the incident Monday at 11:47 p.m. The caller stated the suspect was talking to himself outside the 1560 Williams Highway restaurant. He also reportedly had a knife in his hands while moving the carts around.

The suspect hadn't threatened anyone with the knife, and proceeded to take off his shirt before officers arrived around 11:54 p.m. Police identified the suspect as Michael Carrero, and found him to be under the influence of intoxicants.

His parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was requested, so law enforcement took Carrero into custody for lodging. He was transported to jail and incarcerated for his detainer.

Posted on 8/18/26 11:55AM by Alex Bauer

Fred Meyer Trespass Suspect Believed Order Expired, Lodged by GP Police

A Fred Meyer employee alerted dispatch to a man trespassing that had been warned for the same offense twice in the last year.

Monday at 7:11 p.m. the employee reported the suspect was asked to leave but remained in the shoe department of the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store. She requested officers respond, and identified the suspect as wearing a black USA t-shirt, jeans, and sunglasses on his head.

He was contacted by arriving officers in the garden section and identified as David Chaffee. Police took him into custody, and he admitted to remembering being trespassed before, but was under the belief the order had expired.

He was trespassed from the Fred Meyer, and law enforcement lodged Chaffee in jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass. The charge hasn't been filed by the District Attorney's Office according to jail records.

Posted on 8/18/26 11:32AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Wanted Man for Restraining Order Violation, Meth Charge

Grants Pass Police lodged a wanted man who was out of compliance with a restraining order and in possession of drugs Monday afternoon.

An area check of O'aces was being conducted around 1:11 p.m. when officers observed Thomas Hayes exit a vehicle and enter the building. The vehicle belonged to the protected party of a restraining order against Hayes, and after running him through dispatch, officers found he was wanted on two warrants.

Both were out of the Grants Pass Police Department, and charged Hayes with Contempt of Court and Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was contacted inside the 2482 Williams Highway location and promptly taken into custody.

Officers conducted a consent search of Hayes and located methamphetamine. He was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility and lodged for Meth Possession, Contempt of Court, a Parole Violation Detainer, and his two warrants.

Posted on 8/18/26 11:15AM by Alex Bauer

Fielder Mountain Fire at 38% Containment, Critical Weather Expected

Firefighters tackling the Fielder Mountain Fire continue to push mop-up activities deeper into the interior of the blaze, securing the perimeter and increasing containment to 38%. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports evacuations were canceled Monday, and mop-up has reached a depth of more than 100 feet into the fire perimeter across the area. That increases to 300 feet surrounding residences and other structures. Firefighters are using infra-red technology to identify areas of heat which may not be visible on the surface, such as burning roots. Critical weather conditions are expected today with temperatures in the low 90’s, humidity in the teens to mid-20’s, and increased winds with gusts to 15 MPH. Structure assessment determined that, during the initial attack, two outbuildings sustained minor damage and one outbuilding was destroyed.

Posted on 8/18/26 7:55AM by Alex Bauer

Two Suspects Arrested following Physical Fight, GP Police, Detectives Responded

Grants Pass Police received a report of a physical fight involving several people Saturday shortly after 3:30 a.m.

The incident occurred in the 800 block of NE A Street. Officers responded to the area, where it was learned two victims had sustained injuries after being struck with a crowbar and were requesting medical assistance. Detectives were called to the scene to assist with the investigation.

Officers developed probable cause to arrest two Grants Pass residents, Samantha Fillmore, 30, and Jeremy Whelchel, 45. Fillmore was taken into custody without incident, while Whelchel was believed to be hiding in a nearby apartment. Police maintained containment of the apartment until a search warrant was obtained and executed several hours later.

Upon serving the warrant, officers located Whelchel inside the residence and took him into custody. Both suspects were lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Second and Third Degree Assault, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Posted on 8/18/26 6:30AM by Alex Bauer

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