Local News

Resources assigned to the Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch had nearly reached their goal of lining the entire perimeter of the incident by the end of Thursday's dayshift, completing 95% of the fire line. The Oregon Department of Forestry reported last night that the remaining portion has a high amount of conifer mortality. Tree fallers have been removing dead trees, fire-weakened trees and snags throughout the area to allow crews to complete the line safely. Last night, resources were focused on bolstering the lines created around the fire and beginning mop-up operations to add depth to the perimeter. Firefighters were also working to complete hose construction around the wildfire. A total of 224 personnel were assigned to the Upper Applegate Fire last night including eight 20-person hand crews backed by 10 engines, six bulldozers and seven water tenders. Due to windy conditions on Thursday evening, a small spot fire crossed a line on the north side and crews quickly extinguished it. Resources will continue to monitor lines for any potential breaches or spot fires. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management have decreased all evacuation levels. With this change, the Red Cross shelter at Jacksonville Elementary School has closed. Upper Applegate and Little Applegate roads are now open to all traffic, but there are still firefighters working in the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry and Rural Metro Fire Department battled a 10-acre fire on North Applegate Road north of Provolt last night. On Thursday at 6:57 p.m., ODF and Rural Metro crews were dispatched to the fire in the 13,000-block of North Applegate Road. First responders found a 2-to-3-acre fire burning in grass and nearby vegetation. Ground crews started an aggressive initial attack, backed by two ODF-contracted helicopters and a bulldozer. By 8:10 p.m., the blaze had grown to an estimated 5 acres, driven by the wind. ODF helicopters engaged in conducting water bucket drops while firefighters and engines continued building a line around the perimeter. By 8:35 p.m., forward progress of the fire had been stopped and a bulldozer had lined roughly 80% of the incident. Additional resources remained engaged on the fire into the night until it was completely lined and mopped up. No homes were damaged, but a pump shed and several pieces of farm equipment were burned. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office chased down and then jailed a man wanted on a local felony warrant in Cave Junction this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 38-year-old Jordan Ellis Haas in the 200-block of South Redwood Highway on Wednesday afternoon. Deputies said they spotted Haas and knew that he was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for 1st-Degree Forgery. They said the suspect took off running toward Watkins Street. Haas was chased down and placed into custody, but he provided deputies with a false name and insisted it was true. Law enforcement knew otherwise. Haas was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Attempted Escape and Furnishing False Information to Police. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving and more after he crashed into a utility pole in Cave Junction this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were requested to perform a welfare check on a man who was slumped over the steering wheel of a Honda sedan in the 200-block of North Redwood Highway on Wednesday morning. Before deputies contacted 40-year-old Patrick Arthur Murphy, II, they noticed damage to his vehicle that was consistent with a downed utility pole along the highway. They said Murphy displayed signs of impairment and performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so he was placed into custody. Murphy was transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. His damaged car was impounded. The Sheriff's Office advised the Oregon Department of Transportation about the damaged pole in the median of the highway between River and Palmer streets.

 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is urging people to "get to work" restoring a beloved landmark that for years has been sitting in a state of disrepair. The Oregonian reports the Oregon Caves Chateau, a six-story chateau completed in 1934 beside the ancient marble cave system, closed in 2018 for much-needed repairs that have not yet materialized -- in part due to rising costs and the discovery of new, more serious issues with the building. The National Trust for Historic Preservation included the chateau on its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2025, a move that proponents hope will finally spur some action at the dilapidated landmark. The Oregon Caves Chateau is the first place in Oregon to be included on the annual list of "endangered places" since the program’s inception in 1988, according to the organization. In a statement, Governor Kotek voiced her support for the effort, which has been ramping up over the last few months, led by the Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau, Travel Southern Oregon, the National Parks Conservation Association, Restore Oregon, Visit Grants Pass, and the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, which serves the towns of Cave Junction, Wilderville and Kerby.

 

The Oregon State University Extension Service is pleased to be returning to Josephine County after the Board of Commissioners reinstated the program during a public hearing this week. In June 2024, former Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West voted to stop funding for local OSU Extension Services including 4-H, agriculture, forestry, family and community health, and other programs provided to all residents for more than a century. As a result, OSU Extension was not able to maintain a public office in Josephine County and programming was limited. On Wednesday, the Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve the proposed budget for the Josephine County 4-H/Extension Service District for Fiscal Year 2026. Funds will be allocated from the existing service district balance and no new taxes will be collected for the coming year. The OSU Extension said it appreciates the Commissioners' support for restoring a partnership to benefit Josephine County residents. In the coming year, Extension officials said they will focus on managing local 4-H and Master Gardener programs while preparing for a full return to service in the future.

 

Josephine Community Library has kicked off the 2025 Summer Reading Program that runs through August 9th with activities, in-person weekly crafts, a reading challenge and prizes for all ages. The theme this summer is "Level Up at Your Library," sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank, Oregon Pacific Financial Advisors and the Oregon State Library. Participants can track their reading using the online tracker and earn raffle tickets for prizes at the end of the program. Community members can visit the library website at "josephinelibrary.org," the Daily Courier, Country Weekly or visit in-person at the branches in Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Williams and Wolf Creek for weekly themed activities, recommended reading and interactive resources. The Summer Reading Program and related events are offered at no cost to participants. A library card is not needed to take part. For more information about the 2025 Summer Reading Program, please visit "josephinelibrary.org/summer-reading-program, email "info@josephinelibrary.org" or call (541)-476-0571.

 

Crews working on the Upper Applegate Fire were able to hold the wildfire overnight, securing a fire line around 70% of its perimeter. The Upper Applegate Fire -- located on private and BLM land along the 2,000-block of Upper Applegate Road -- was estimated this morning to be 470 acres. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the fire has not grown beyond its footprint from late Wednesday afternoon. Resources were able to connect hose throughout 50% of the fire, bringing water to the incident and allowing crews to hold line and extinguish hot spots easier. A total of 204 personnel are assigned to the fire today including eight hand crews, seven engines, six bulldozers and three water tenders. Aircraft on the fire includes two Type 2 and three Type 1 helicopters as well as an air attack plane. Air tankers will be ordered for retardant drops as needed. The Oregon State Fire Marshal sent two structural task forces from Lane and Marion counties to help local resources protect homes in the wildfire area. ODF officials said resources will focus on holding and improving existing lines today. The only area that remains unlined is on the north flank of the fire where numerous hazard trees are located. Tree fallers are working to mitigate the snags. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management have issued evacuation notices and orders that can be found on "RVEM.org." An evacuation shelter is currently open at Jacksonville Elementary School. Small pets can be taken there while large livestock can be taken to the Jackson County Expo Park. Upper Applegate Road remains closed to the public at this time, but local residents will be allowed through. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

Swift action by the Oregon Department of Forestry halted a wildfire near Prospect at just two acres yesterday. On Wednesday afternoon, ODF responded to a reported fire on Red Blanket Road. At the time, the fire was estimated to be five acres in size. Crews gained access and engaged in an aggressive initial attack. Numerous resources including engines and aircraft backed hand crews in the successful firefight. By 4:15 p.m., the fire was lined and resources transitioned to mop-up operations. Aircraft assigned to the fire were rerouted to the Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch. ODF officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.