Local News

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has increased the fire danger level to "moderate" on all five ranger districts across the forest starting today. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at "1" and public use restrictions are currently in place along the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River. Forest officials urge recreationists to use caution while participating in all outdoor activities during fire season. The finer fuels at the lower elevations continue to dry out rapidly as experienced by recent wildfires in southwest Oregon. Please make sure your campfires are "dead out" prior to departing. Always carry water and a shovel to extinguish and stir your campfire numerous times, feeling it with the back of your hand to ensure all heat has abated. Remember, under the right conditions just one small spark from an unattended campfire, operating equipment, dragging tow chains or the catalytic converter from a vehicle is all that is needed for igniting fine fuels like grasses and dry plants. As the weather heats up and fuels continue to dry out, more fire restrictions will be put into place.

 

The US Forest Service has appointed Molly Juillerat to serve as the new Supervisor for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Her appointment becomes effective on July 1st. As Forest Supervisor, Juillerat will oversee land management and administration for the local forest which spans nearly 1.8 million acres in seven counties across southwest Oregon and northwest California. Juillerat will be returning to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest as Forest Supervisor following a temporary assignment on the forest as Acting Supervisor in late-2023 through early-2024. She said Southern Oregon has been home to her in different ways at various times in her life and career. She has been backpacking on local forests and climbing Mt. McLoughlin since she was six years old. Juillerat's permanent appointment to the position begins in July. She succeeds Merv George, Jr., who has been serving as a Deputy Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region since July 2023 and was permanently appointed last September.

 

High overnight humidity moderated behavior on the Upper Applegate Fire, allowing the night shift to make significant progress plumbing the wildfire. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews have now lined 100% of the fire with direct and indirect lines. Approximately 80% of the fire is plumbed. Steep slopes and falling trees and rocks are continuing to challenge resources. According to ODF, the wildfire remains GPS-mapped at 756 acres, with an infrared flight scheduled for today. Firefighters were not able to complete firing operations last night due to the high relative humidity. Four portable water tanks were installed in strategic locations to help address spot fires on the top of a ridge. Resources also worked to mop-up portions of the fire. More than 430 personnel are assigned to the incident today including 18 20-person hand crews backed by six engines, four bulldozers and five tree fallers. Helicopters of various sizes are assigned to the fire again today, with additional helicopters and air tankers available when needed. Resources remain focused on bolstering the line especially on the eastern side of the fire which has been difficult to work. Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notices remain in effect for Zones JAC-434 and JAC-436. These residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. The Upper Applegate Fire was first reported last Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

A weekend argument over organizing a family birthday party landed a Grants Pass man behind bars for felony domestic violence. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested a 29-year-old male subject for the incident in the 400-block of SW J Street on Saturday around 2 p.m.. Police said the man and his wife got into an argument during the organization of a birthday celebration. They said the argument turned physical in the doorway to their bedroom when the wife slapped the husband in the face and the husband responded by punching his wife, causing physical injury. Upon arrival, officers interviewed both parties and documented injuries to the victim which included a red, swollen lip and bruising. She refused medical transport to the hospital. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. The charge was upgraded to a felony due to the incident being witnessed by children. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man on a local felony warrant following a weekend incident in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 36-year-old male subject in the 100-block of West Hanby Lane on Saturday at 2:59 p.m.. Few details were disclosed about the incident, but the male victim was contacted near a downtown bakery and he told deputies where they could find the suspect. The suspect was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Methamphetamine Possession. He was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for felony impaired driving following a weekend driving complaint in the north part of the city. The Police Department reports officers eventually pulled over a white 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by a 48-year-old woman near the intersection of NW Lawnridge and Midland avenues on Saturday at about 4:15 p.m.. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a possible intoxicated driver who was failing to maintain her travel lane, driving into oncoming traffic while nearly striking several vehicles, driving up on sidewalks and stopping for long periods of time at stop signs. The citizen followed the suspect until officers arrived on scene. Upon contact with the female driver, officers said she was parked on the side of the road and slumped down in the driver seat. She was identified, showed numerous signs of impairment and eventually admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana. She also performed poorly in field sobriety testing. The woman was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Further investigation revealed that her driving privileges had been suspended and she had not installed an ignition interlock device on her vehicle as required after past impaired driving arrests. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Driving While Suspended and Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock Device. She was being held without bail and her Jeep was towed.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two young motorists for impaired driving after two weekend crashes on Redwood Highway in Josephine County. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Saturday at 1:22 a.m. when troopers responded to a call of a possible impaired driver who had gotten his vehicle stuck in a ditch near milepost 25 of Redwood Highway. Troopers said the 20-year-old Cave Junction man was able to get his Ford Mustang unstuck prior to law enforcement arrival. They located the car and a traffic stop was conducted. The young male driver displayed signs of impairment, performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was lodged for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. The second incident occurred on Sunday at 8:18 p.m. when troopers and first responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle wreck near milepost 15 of US Highway 199. Troopers said the 19-year-old Grants Pass man was not hurt when he wrecked his BMW sedan, but he exhibited signs of impairment at the scene. They said he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw and then taken to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for DUII, Reckless Driving and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass woman on an outstanding warrant after she crashed an electric car on Rogue River Highway just east of the city. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck near milepost 4 of Highway 99 on Saturday at 9:15 a.m.. Troopers said no occupants were located in or around the crashed Tesla, which had run off the highway. They said the 65-year-old female driver was located at the registered owner's address. Turns out she was wanted on a local warrant for alleged crimes of Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Criminal Mischief. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. She was also cited for Careless Driving. The wrecked Tesla was towed to Grants Pass.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two male transients for trespassing and trashing land owned by the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad. According to the Police Department, officers contacted the 47-year-old and 21-year-old men on railroad property in the downtown area at 9:20 a.m. Saturday. Police said both men had been previously trespassed from the railroad land on which they had several shopping carts, trash and other miscellaneous waste spread throughout the area and near a local waterway. They said the younger man also admitted to spilling a bottle of bleach in the creek. The 47-year-old suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and Offensive Littering. The 21-year-old suspect was lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass, Offensive Littering and Depositing Trash within 100 Yards of a Waterway. The arrestees' personal property was logged into evidence for safekeeping.