Local News

A fast-moving grass fire near Ruch has turned into the largest wildfire incident in southwest Oregon so far this year. The Oregon Department of Forestry reported last night that the Upper Applegate Fire was being held at an estimated 350 acres following an aggressive initial attack by multiple agencies. The fire is located on private and BLM land along the 2,000-block of Upper Applegate Road. It was first reported on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. as a grass fire. The Applegate Valley Fire District and ODF crews responded first and discovered a 10-to-15-acre vegetation fire that was quickly growing uphill in the hot, windy conditions. It had grown to 120 acres by 2:30 p.m. and 200 acres by 3:30 p.m. Numerous resources were ordered for the firefight including additional engines, crews and multiple helicopters, large air tankers, a very large air tanker and an air attack plane. Structural task forces from fire agencies across Jackson and Josephine counties were ordered during the second and third alarm calls to protect homes in the area. Additional resources from the BLM and US Forest Service also arrived. Last night, an additional eight 20-person hand crews, eight engines, six bulldozers and six water tenders arrived to work the overnight shift. More resources have been ordered for today's dayshift. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management have been working with firefighters to identify homes that are threatened. They have issued evacuation notices and warnings that can be found at "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, but local residents will be let in. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man this week for pointing a gun at another man in a clothing store. The Police Department reports officers arrested 60-year-old Paul Leon Rumer on Tuesday for the alleged incident at Ross Dress 4 Less in the Grants Pass Shopping Center. Police said Rumer brandished a gun and pointed it at another man inside Ross after a disagreement about moving out of the way in a store aisle. They said the other man left the area and Rumer followed him, pulled out the loaded pistol and pointed it at him while acting in a violent and tumultuous manner. According to the report, the victim called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers that Rumer's actions placed him in fear of serious injury or death. Responding officers located Rumer, placed him into custody and seized the firearm as evidence. Rumer was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman for attempting to break in to a Cave Junction residence and then fighting with deputies when they tried to arrest her. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 40-year-old Leah Marie Wise on Tuesday for the alleged incident at a home in the 28,000-block of Redwood Highway. Deputies said a resident called 9-1-1 to report that Wise was trying to force entry into their house and was banging on their front door. When the resident opened the door, the woman tried to push her way inside. The suspect then fled the scene, but told the resident she would be back. Responding deputies found Wise about a block away from the incident location and tried to place her into custody. However, Wise actively fought with deputies and had to be placed in a body wrap after she was subdued. Wise was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant near a downtown resting site this week. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 43-year-old Daniel Jack Freitas near the 6th and A Street homeless encampment on Tuesday evening. Police said they spotted Freitas riding a bicycle on 6th Street and they knew that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past burglary conviction. The suspect initially tried to elude them by cutting through the parking lot of the Hong Kong Restaurant, but he quickly stopped and was detained. Freitas was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. His bicycle was logged into evidence for safekeeping.

 

An unoccupied recreational vehicle was destroyed by fire in the Merlin area early yesterday. On Wednesday at 6 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to the RV fire on Pickett Creek Road.Initial reports were of a dark column of smoke followed by multiple residents in the area seeing what appeared to be a large structure on fire. Firefighters quickly converged on the scene and contained the blaze. No injuries were reported, but the RV was a total loss. Due to the remote location, Rural Metro officials said a water source was established by drafting out of the Rogue River at Robertson Bridge Boat Landing, which temporarily shut the facility down. Following an investigation, officials said the cause of the fire was undetermined.

 

Just months after taking on the role of executive director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Gabriella Calicchio is leaving the post. Ashland News reported that an email sent out to festival donors last week said Calicchio is currently on leave and will officially conclude her term on July 1st. Calicchio was named executive director in September of 2024, taking the place of Tyler Hokama. Hokama had been interim executive director since June 2023 during a time marked by multiple staff departures and layoffs, including executive director David Schmitz and artistic director Nataki Garrett. Garrett was temporarily replaced by Evren Odcikin and then Tim Bond, who remains in the role. Also that year, the company fundraised more than $2.7 million, allowing the season to continue as planned, as it worked to find equilibrium after several turbulent years that included fires, a pandemic and the staff turnover. Oregon Shakespeare Festival is currently in the middle of its 90th season. In May, the festival announced the 10 plays that will comprise its 91st season. The festival said it was in the process of finalizing the details of the next interim executive director and would likely have more details later this week.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved two library annexation requests and four budgets following five public hearings on Wednesday. The Board opened the public meeting by approving annexations to the Josephine Community Library for properties on Riverbanks Road and Cienega Lane. The annexations increased the size of the library district by more than 13 acres. After public testimony and Board deliberations, the Commissioners unanimously adopted an approximately $182 million budget for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year. Next year's spending plan includes 435.87 full-time equivalent employees with a tax rate of about $1.63 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Commissioner Ron Smith first made a motion to approve the budget and tax rate with amendments to eliminate 12% cuts to most departments and to give Sheriff Dave Daniel all the money he requested. It died for lack of a second. Vice-Chair Chris Barnett then made a motion to approve the budget and tax rate with changes that included reducing the 12% cuts to 5%, excluding the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Community Justice, Veterans Services and Property Reserve from the cuts. Smith seconded that motion, which was approved unanimously. The Board also unanimously approved a $1.6 million budget for the Rural Fire Protection District and a $5.79 million budget for the Law Enforcement Service District. The 4-H Extension Service District was approved by a 2-1 vote, with Board Chair Andreas Blech dissenting.

 

A Homeless Grant Program and the 2025-26 fiscal budget were both passed by the Grants Pass City Council during its Wednesday night business meeting. The City Council adopted a resolution creating a Homeless Grant Program that will award funds -- up to $1.2 million -- to support capital expenses for one or more programs that would provide a managed, low-barrier shelter for up to 150 unhoused people. The successful applicant will be required to provide regular reports to demonstrate effectiveness of the program during the grant period. The City of Grants Pass currently spends a little over $371,000 annually to maintain designated resting sites. Spending at that level for three years was the basis for the $1.2 million grant amount. The City Council also approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget at a level of almost $240 million. The permanent rate per $1,000 is just over $4.13 plus the local option levy for public safety at $1.79 per thousand for a total of about $5.92. The vote to approve was 6-2, with Indra Nicholas and Joel King dissenting. The Council also voted to receive state shared revenues in the amount of $513,000.

 

Josephine Community Library Director Kate Lasky was named Community Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club of Grants Pass during the organization's recent annual awards dinner held at Black Bear Diner. The award recognizes Lasky's long-standing leadership and contributions to public service, literacy and community development. Lasky has served as Library Director since 2009, helping transition the library system from a volunteer-run nonprofit to a publicly funded special district. Under her leadership, the library district has maintained its four branch structure while expanding hours, services and professional staffing to meet the growing needs of the community. In addition to leading the library, Lasky serves on the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce board and was chair in 2024. She co-chairs the Oregon Library Association's legislative committee, previously served as OLA president, and held board roles with Oregon Humanities and Asante Health. She was recently named Oregon Librarian of the Year for 2025.