Local News

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) launched a new round of funding through its Small Forestland Grant Program to help landowners reduce wildfire risk before and after the 2026 fire season. This year, ODF awarded funds to 11 projects to mitigate wildfire risk on 1,023 acres by reducing hazardous fuels, improving community preparedness, and supporting long-term landscape resilience. Most of the funded work is in Southern and Central Oregon, where wildfire risk is especially high. One example of success comes from the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council, based in Jacksonville, Oregon, which received Small Forestland Grant funds to complete significant fuels reduction and community engagement work. ODF also coordinates with state and federal partners to maximize the impact of investments for landscape resiliency. The project used about $269,000 to significantly improve

 

Even though the weekend forecast won't inspire anyone to take a cold plunge, the Spray Park at Riverside Park and the splash pad at Morrison Centennial Park will operate daily from noon to 7 PM, starting tomorrow (today.) Each Splash Pad has a control button that is pushed by the participants to make the sequencer run the features for three-minute intervals. Water-conserving versions were selected for many of the features. Smaller Kid’s Splash Pad-Highlights are: the Flower Shower, the Ride & Spray Horse, Ride & Spray Zebra, Water Weave and the Pop Dropps. The larger pad features: a 3 Bucket Fill N Spill, Mission Hill Showers, a Water Fence. A Water Arch, and Several varieties of ground sprayers. The highlight of the larger pad is the Tidal Barrel, which has a "big splash" effect. The barrel fills and then spills its contents around the base of the tank, creating a circular sheet of water with a 16-ft radius.

 

Grants Pass City Police Officers were summoned to Family Court Wednesday afternoon at the report of a woman discarding all of her clothing, then walking around the building leaving the juvenile department to clean up her clothes. The woman, now identified as 38-year-old Danielle Renee Osborne, was described as having a tattoo on her back with her hair in a bun. It was fairly easy to determine she was not armed as she was headed north yelling and screaming to "call the police now." Multiple callers documented Osborne's trip from Family Court to Women's Crisis where she was detained after challenging the staff there to combat. She was arrested and transported to the Adult jail where she was lodged on a charge of disorderly conduct II. She has since been released.

 

An alleged shoe theft from Famous Footwear were not fast enough for the alleged perpetrator to avoid jail time. Shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday the Grant Pass Police were dispatched to the shoe outlet in the shopping center to the report of disorderly conduct and a theft of shoes valued at $64.99. The suspect, identified as Gregory Anthony Lacki, 35, led investigators away from the shoe store, headed to the high school area, changing his appearance as best he could, dropping his ball cap and headlight, and was detained at "A" and Olive Streets at 2:35 p.m. Lacki was lodged in the adult jail facility on a charge of theft III and trespassed from Famous Footwear.

 

The attempted theft of expensive shampoos, razors and charging equipment from Albertsons landed a 48-year-old female in the Josephine County Jail. City Police received a call from loss prevention reporting the alleged theft at 2:13 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Investigating officers located Amanda Lynn Gilmore in the Albertsons parking lot at 2:26 p.m. Ms. Gilmore was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County jail facing a charge of Theft II plus an out of county hold warrant that no other information was available on the police log or the booking sheet. She remained in custody Thursday morning.

 

Two juveniles were cited for marijuana charges yesterday in the 1700 block of Highland Avenue. According to the Grants Pass City Police, the first citation was issued at 11:24 a.m. when the young male was found in possession of a vape pen and admitted to being under the influence. He is suspected of being in possession of marijuana.The second citation was issued at 12:03 p.m. when the young male was found in possession of a marijuana vape pen when it fell out of his sweat pocket during physical education. He was cited for being a minor in possession of marijuana. Both juveniles were released to the care of their mothers.

 

The Oregon Department of Employment reported total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 190 jobs in April. Job gains were estimated in leisure and hospitality, up 90 jobs; private education and health services was up by 40; there were 30 more construction jobs; and retail trade incre3ased by 20 jobs. Employment was essentially flat in other published industries. Government employment also showed little movement in April. Over the past year payroll employment in the Grants Pass-Josephine County decreased by 130 jobs, a loss of one half of a percent. Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries, excluding private education and health services, which gained 310 jobs. Job declines occurred in retail trade; manufacturing; construction; information; professional and business services; and wholesale trade. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities employment decreased by 30 jobs since April 2025. Government employment fell by 110 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education while federal government lost 20 jobs over the year.
Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 6.7% in April, little changed over the month and up slightly from the April 2025 rate of 6.2%

 

Thunderstorms have been making their way through southern Oregon, and a few lightning strikes have been recorded on Oregon Department of Forestry protected land in both Jackson and Josephine counties. While these storms have brought rain, it is possible to see fires spark from lightning strikes, especially as temperatures heat up. Following these storms, ODF firefighters are ready to respond to any new reports of fire. Our detection specialists are monitoring these strike areas thru the next couple of days to watch for any signs or smoke or fire. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast for today as well.

 

Multiple law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant Wednesday morning in Central Point looking for evidence of child sex abuse material known as CSAM. Investigators served the search warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the address to the social messaging app Discord. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. The search warrant was served at a residence in the 5000 block of Table Rock Road in rural Central Point. The investigation began after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.