Local News

The Rogue Community College Foundation has named Steve Roe as its 2025 Citizen of the Year. The general manager of Roe Motors in Grants Pass, Roe is honored for his unwavering commitment to the community and steadfast support of RCC’s mission to transform lives through education. A longtime Grants Pass resident, Roe has provided poverty simulation workshops to RCC students, faculty and staff, offering invaluable insight into the barriers faced by individuals living in poverty. During finals week, Roe can be found on Redwood Campus with his trained therapy dog, Hope, offering comfort and encouragement to students. Roe is recognized as a champion for mental health and suicide prevention. He is an advocate with the "Tomorrow Needs You" program, which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

 

Continued hard work by firefighters on the Kelsey Peak Fire has increased containment to 12%. Control lines have been completed along the west, north, and northeast areas of the fire. The fire line has been constructed directly on the fire’s edge, and crews are mopping up into the interior and gridding for heat. Steep, rugged terrain and thick vegetation make both line construction and mop-up challenging for fire crews. There have been no accidents or injuries on the incident since the fire was reported on September 3, 2025. Overnight improved access to the southeast corner of the fire was completed; today crews will continue direct fire line construction as conditions allow and build hose lays, increasing water availability. Nine helicopters are assigned to the fire to support ground resources in the suppression efforts.

 

Rogue Community College and the RCC Foundation have named Zackary Salem-Bango, a 2015 RCC graduate, the 2025 Alum of the Year. Salem-Bango, a former Peace Corps volunteer now working as a medical intern in Seattle, was selected for his professional accomplishments and dedication to service, mentorship and the community where his journey began. He will be formally recognized at the President’s Circle dinner on Sept. 25, an annual celebration hosted by the RCC Foundation to honor donors and highlight the life-changing impact of education. A native of Applegate, Salem-Bango began his higher education journey at RCC, where he earned an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree in pre-medicine, first enrolling at age 13. After RCC, he pursued a degree in biochemistry at Oregon State University, then went on to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

 

The Bear Creek Stewards are looking for volunteers to participate in Bear Creek Stewardship Day.

On September 20th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., community members can join the Stewards as they remove litter, debris, and invasive plants along Bear Creek and the Bear Creek Greenway from Central Point to Ashland.

Coffee, juice, water, and snacks will be provided. For more information and to sign up, visit www.stream-smart.com/bear-creek-clean-ups. Sign up's are open now until September 20th.

 

Rural Metro invites first responders and community members to their annual 9/11 memorial walk.

From 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 11th, at Reinhart Volunteer Park, everyone is encouraged to join the 1-hour walk around the track near the parking lot adjacent to Lincoln Road.

The walk is a way to "never forget" and honor those who died at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. Also for the 343 New York firefighters and other First Responders who died trying to save others.

First Responders of any discipline and the public are welcome to join. Uniforms are encouraged but not required. There is no obligation to walk for those who just want to turn-out in support and remembrance.

 

Rogue Community College and the RCC Foundation have named Zackary Salem-Bango, a 2015 RCC graduate, the 2025 Alum of the Year.

Salem-Bango, a former Peace Corps volunteer now working as a medical intern in Seattle, was selected for his professional accomplishments and dedication to service, mentorship and the community where his journey began.

He will be formally recognized at the President’s Circle dinner on Sept. 25, an annual celebration hosted by the RCC Foundation to honor donors and highlight the life-changing impact of education.

A native of Applegate, Salem-Bango began his higher education journey at RCC, where he earned an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree in pre-medicine, first enrolling at age 13. After RCC, he pursued a degree in biochemistry at Oregon State University, then went on to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

His experiences span the globe, from service in the Peace Corps in Botswana to malaria research in The Gambia, where his development of a multiplex qPCR system for rapid fungal diagnosis is still in use today. Currently, he is a postgraduate intern in emergency medicine at the University of Washington, training at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Despite his busy career, Salem-Bango remains connected to RCC. He has mentored transfer students through the college’s TRIO Student Support Services program, offering encouragement and guidance to those interested in medicine.

 

Applications are now being accepted for a position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy. This is a four-year position.

The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary; to promote historic preservation, advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and identify areas and buildings of historic and archeological significance.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. This position is for a representative who is the owner of a business located within the Central Business District of the City of Grants Pass.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Friday, November 7.

Applications will be reviewed by the commission November 13. Applicants will be interviewed at the Council Workshop December 1. Appointments will be made at the City Council meeting December 3.

 

Resources assigned to the Kelsey Peak Fire continued to push forward on lining the perimeter Tuesday. Cooler temperatures and intermittent rain helped to decrease fire behavior, providing opportunities for firefighters to make fast progress in areas that once proved difficult in hotter weather and more active fire. It’s also allowing firefighters to put in direct line up against the fire’s edge, keeping the fire as small as possible and minimizing further growth. Due to the current conditions, the Curry County Sheriff's Office has decreased the Level 3 – Go Now evacuation for the Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and the nearby area of Marial to a Level 2 – Be Set notice. The Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation for Zone JCU-801 in Josephine County to the southeast of the fire remains in place.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners were all in agreement during their workshop session yesterday. During the workshop, Commissioner Barnett made a motion to move forward with the OSU Extension agreement which passed 3-0. Commissioner Blech said he hadn't heard back from Legal Council on how to proceed with the Library, so Commissioner Barnett's second attempt at a motion to approve the August 21st Library Lease was postponed. The Board unanimously approved the Forestry department's contract for planting seedlings for the next two years, hoping for a 75% survival rate. There were no objections for Josephine Community Transit to continue with their signed contract with Concierge Security to provide extra surveillance of their building after hours.