Local News

We're one month into the 2024 fire season and some people still have not gotten the message that all outdoor debris burning is prohibited. On Saturday at 6:09 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to an illegal open burn on Hummingbird Lane in Cave Junction. IVFD officials said the small fire that contained illegal materials was extinguished in short order and a written warning was issued. Remember, there is no outdoor burning allowed anywhere in southwest Oregon including the Illinois Valley.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash after a pedestrian was struck and killed over the weekend outside Ashland. The Sheriff's Office reports ECSO Dispatch received a call on Saturday at 9:35 p.m. regarding a pedestrian injured and the suspect vehicle still at the scene in the 500-block of South Valley View Road. Deputies, Ashland police officers and an Ashland Fire-Rescue ambulance rushed to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified. The victim was identified as 50-year-old Mark David Langille of New Mexico. The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team and Medical Examiner detectives responded to assist with the investigation. The driver of the suspect minivan was placed into custody and a search warrant for a blood draw was granted. Potential charges for the suspect are pending further investigation, toxicology reports and a mechanical inspection of the vehicle. The suspect's name will be released if and when charges are filed.

 

All evacuation levels are canceled for the Upper Applegate Fire due to successful firefighting efforts over the last few days. The Oregon Department of Forestry did not include statistics in its daily report on Sunday, but the wildfire was 1,124 acres with 85% containment, according to the Watch Duty App. ODF did report the wildfire located south of Ruch is continuing to be held strong by firefighters working the incident. Officials said all lines remained intact since Friday, which is a testament to the work that has been put in on this fire. This work continued during Sunday's day shift as well as identifying where suppression repair is needed and what hazards still exist near those areas. On Sunday, 380 personnel were assigned to the fire including 13 20-person hand crews backed by five engines, three bulldozers and eight water tenders. Two Type 2 helicopters remain assigned to the incident as well as one Type 3 helicopter. It is not expected that ordering additional aircraft will be necessary. Due to the progress on this wildfire, a smaller Type 4 incident management team led by the BLM will be taking command on Tuesday morning. Today, the team will shadow the current organization for a full day to ensure a smooth transition.

 

The Oregon State Marine Board wanted to remind boaters that it's state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. Marine Board officials say it's also about being a "good neighbor" on the water. By Oregon statute, failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury or death, the boater may be charged with a Class C felony. Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Coordinator for the Marine Board, said boaters need to pay close attention to other people recreating on the water around them. In many cases, he said everyday boaters become heroes when others go overboard, helping avert further tragedy. Oregon's waterways are increasingly congested, but everyone has the same right to recreate. Please be mindful and remember to share the waterway while recreating responsibly.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will focus on the new Water Treatment Plant and Caveman Pool during its bi-weekly workshop session today. The City Council will open the workshop with an update on the Water Treatment Plant project from Public Works Director Jason Canady. The project has reached the next step in the design process while estimated costs have skyrocketed. Next up is a staff presentation on Caveman Pool funding options followed by Council discussion. The panel is interested in continuing with a renovation of the municipal swimming pool while also showing interest in a partnership with the Grants Pass Family YMCA on a new swimming facility south of the river. The Council will review motions made by the Parks Advisory Committee before reviewing agendas for upcoming workshops and regular meetings. Following the workshop, Mayor Sara Bristol will convene the City Council for a Special Meeting in Executive Session. The closed-door meeting is with the City Attorney regarding rights and duties along with current or likely litigation. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Applications are now being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Tourism Advisory Committee. The goal of the committee is to encourage visitors and residents to engage in community activities while enhancing the positive image of Grants Pass through marketing, promotions and destination management. The purpose of the committee is to review and advise the work of the city's tourism contractor. Special qualification for this position is a member representing lodging properties within the City of Grants Pass. Applications can be obtained at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application."

 

The Interim Director of the Oregon State University Extension Service said they are very disappointed in Friday's decision by the Josephine County Commissioners to stop county funding that has supported delivery of local extension programs and services in 4-H, agriculture, forestry and health for more than 100 years. Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West voted to set a service district budget of $0 for Fiscal Year 2025 and did not appropriate any funds for use. In addition, taxes will not be collected for the district in the coming year. Veteran Commissioner Dan DeYoung voted against defunding the service district. Kris Elliott, Interim Vice Provost of Extension and Engagement at OSU, said the service district remains intact and has an available fund balance. But unlike last year, the Board did not approve use of those reserve funds for OSU Extension to serve Josephine County. As a result, he said the Extension will not be able to maintain an office in the county and programming will be limited. Elliott said it is unfortunate that this decision comes after a year of good faith engagement with the Board to share progress, provide information and address any questions and concerns raised. Elliott stated that they are not giving up on the people of Josephine County. He said they will continue to do all they can to serve the county with the resources that are available to them.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged a busy week of activity to close out the month of June. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 724 calls for service last week along with 215 officer-initiated calls that resulted in 47 arrests, 33 citations, 35 warnings and one highly-intoxicated person being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 47 traffic stops in the city and they made 15 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 238 potential troublemakers while arresting six people, citing 33 more and warning 47 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 17 individuals, posted 100 transient camps and removed trash from one campsite. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 106 calls last week including 39 for emergency medical service, nine reports of smoke or fire, 10 lift assists, six rescue situations, 12 assists to other agencies and four false alarms. The Grants Pass Communications Center fielded a total of 1,263 emergency calls in addition to 831 calls for non-emergency service.

 

The Grants Pass School District and Rogue Community College Foundation are partnering to expand educational opportunities for local students. District 7 is transferring approximately 350 acres of land on Stringer Gap Road that is valued at more than $1 million to the RCC Foundation. In return, the RCC Foundation will provide scholarships that will cover the cost of RCC college classes for Grants Pass students for years to come. The agreement was approved by both governing boards last week. Under the partnership, the RCC Foundation plans to sell the donated land and establish an endowment to fund tuition scholarships for District 7 students. This endowment will grow over time, ensuring that tuition scholarships for Grants Pass students are available in perpetuity. Starting this fall, the RCC Foundation will award $20,000 in annual tuition scholarships for D7 students, with the annual scholarship amount increasing in the 2029-30 academic year as the endowment matures. In the 2023-24 academic year alone, D7 students earned 1,810 college credits through RCC.