Local News

Cooler overnight temperatures have allowed crews working on the Board Shanty Fire to hold control lines and finish installing hose lays around the full perimeter. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 reported this morning that the wildfire burning south of Grants Pass was holding at 474 acres with 14% containment. The perimeter of the wildfire is now completely lined. Firefighters continued mop-up on all flanks of the fire yesterday. ODF officials said extreme slopes continue to pose a hazard for burning debris that may roll across fire lines. Firefighters remain vigilant in assessing hazards and patrolling for spot fires in the area. Due to progress on the fire, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office has downgraded existing Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notices to Level 1 "Be Ready" for Zones JCU-436, JCU-437 and JCU-448-A. The Level 1 notice for Zone JCU-448-B in Josephine County remains in place, but it has been dropped for Zone JAC-068 in Jackson County. Incident resources devoted to the Board Shanty Fire today totaled 809 personnel including 31 hand crews, 35 engines, 14 water tenders, 12 bulldozers and 12 helicopters. Commanders praised crews for keeping the fire away from the emergency response radio tower near the top of the mountain ridge to allow communications to remain uninterrupted for local communities.

 

The president of the Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District said the Board Shanty Fire underscores the critical importance of coordinated fire protection and emergency response in the wildland-urban interface. Mark Jones said the Grants Pass area incident illustrates why the District's board of directors voted unanimously to enter into a formal agreement with Rural Metro Fire Department on July 7th -- just 10 days before the Board Shanty Fire started. Thanks to a fast and aggressive initial attack led by Rural Metro -- working in seamless coordination with the Oregon Department of Forestry -- Jones said the fire was rapidly engaged, helping to prevent greater spread and potential damage. The successful response last Thursday afternoon was bolstered by longstanding mutual and automatic aid partnerships with agencies including Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Williams Rural Fire Protection District, Applegate Valley Fire District, Illinois Valley Fire District and many others. Jones said the District's board thanks all the agencies involved for their dedication and courage, and they pray for their continued safety as they work to protect lives and property.

 

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Grants Pass Tourism Promotion Grant Program. Grants range from a minimum of $2,000 to $5,000. Applications must be received by August 12th. Because tourism is an important part of Grants Pass' economic success, the City designates 12% of eligible tourism funds to the Sustainable Tourism Grant Program. This program supports promotional activities that will lead to sustainable tourism by attracting tourists and increasing overnight stays at lodging facilities. The purpose of this grant is tied directly to marketing and promoting a specific event or activity. The program supports promotional activities that will lead to recurring tourism by attracting tourists from more than 50 miles away and/or increasing overnight stays. For more information or how to apply for the Tourism Promotion Grant Program, please visit "grantspassoregon.gov."

 

Respondents to this Request for Expressions of Interest will submit a proposal detailing how the building would be used and any anticipated changes to the site within and immediately around the building.This request represents the initial step in soliciting proposals from qualified Individuals or businesses. Responses must demonstrate the proposer’s specific intended use for the building. Any response should anticipate a lease arrangement; the City has no intention to sell the building or property. Further, respondents shall demonstrate proven success for the proposed use. The deadline for sealed submission in response is Friday, August 29, 2025, by 3:00 pm local time. The sealed submittals should be labeled and directed to City of Grants Pass, Reed Building/Caretaker’s Cottage (Riverside Park), Request for Expressions of Interest, Attn: Karen Frerk, City Recorder, Administration Department, Room 205, 101 NW “A” Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 9752.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s office is attempting to locate 42-year-old Sarah Caron. The attempt to locate is a welfare check to determine if she is, in fact, missing. Sharon was last seen Thursday between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. in the area of a structure fire in Josephine County. Sarah is described as a white female adult, six feet tall, weighing about 160 pounds with red hair.Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s office at 541-474-5123 with any information.

 

Following an aggressive overnight attack by the Oregon Department of Forestry, ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 took command of the estimated 377-acre Board Shanty Fire, located south of Grants Pass, this morning at 6:00 a.m.Taking advantage of cooler temperatures overnight, crews established 5,000 feet of handline along Board Shanty Road on the northeast perimeter of the fire and slowed growth at the head. Firefighters are facing very active fire behavior, including frequent spotting over the line, as well as overhead hazards, such as standing dead timber that could fall. Today, crews continue aggressive, direct firefighting tactics as they look to connect line from the head to the heal of the fire with the assistance of aviation.
Yesterday evening, ODF Southwest Oregon District responded to the rapidly growing Board Shanty Fire around 5:00 p.m., as well as numerous engines from Grants Pass Fire, Rural Metro Fire, a contingent of engines from Rogue Valley fire agencies and resources reassigned from the Grizzly Complex.Hot temperatures, low humidity and gusty wind conditions persist in the area, naturally increasing fire risk and contributing to potential fire growth. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management placed Zones JCU-436, JCU-437and JCU-448 under a Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate notice. Additionally, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have placed Zone JAC-068 under a Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notice.
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Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that Roland Renfro, known as Rolly, has been found safe.
Rolly was located stuck in his vehicle on a rural road off of East Evens Creek. He is safe and was taken to a local hospital buy a Mercy Flights Ambulance for medical treatment. He had been reported missing out of Gold Hill since the evening of July 14. The 73-year-old “Rolly” left his house in the 1500 block of Rogue River Highway in Gold Hill and was last seen driving east.

 

Thursday morning the Board of County Commissioners approved the loaning of general fund dollars for the Grants Pass Airport runway extension. The airport manager reported the project will be funded from a federal grant yet to be approved to the tune of $3 million dollars. The grant monies will be distributed next year. The Board was scheduled to execute an agreement with Oregon State University to return the Extension Service District and the 4-H to Josephine County. Commission Chair Adreas Blech stated the agreement was not yet ready to be voted on and tabled the agreement for a future meeting.

 

After more than four decades after the disappearance of a Josephine County woman, a man has been returned to Oregon to face a murder charge connected to this long-unsolved case. Mark Sanfratello, 72, was arraigned yesterday in Josephine County Circuit Court following his arrest in Chico, California, and extradition to Oregon. On June 27, 2025, a Josephine County Grand Jury indicted him for Murder in the Second Degree, in connection with Teresa Peroni’s disappearance and death.The investigation began in the summer of 1983, when Peroni, then 27, was reported missing shortly after attending a party in the Selma area. She was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, who was her boyfriend at the time. Her disappearance was deemed suspicious, but despite an initial investigation by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges.In 1997, a human skull was discovered on nearby private property, but no other remains were found. In 2024, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case, with support from the Oregon Department of Justice, the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, and Chico Police. Investigators re-interviewed witnesses, collected new DNA evidence, and used modern forensic testing to obtain new evidence. Sanfratello was arrested on June 28 by Chico Police. Investigators continue to seek information from anyone who may have attended the party near Illinois River Road in July of 1983. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in court.