Local News

Applications are being accepted for a short-term position on the Grants Pass Parks Advisory Committee. This term expires on September 6, 2026. The purpose of the board is to review and make recommendations related to the needs and locations for new parkland and trail locations, park planning, allocation of recreation resources between users, preservation of park resources and funding. The Grants Pass City Council desires to have a balance of viewpoints and demographic representation including individuals with interest or experience with athletic leagues, individuals knowledgeable in natural resource preservation, people involved with recurring park events, frequent park users and individuals who use family-friendly park facilities. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 3rd.

 

Leaders of the Josephine Community Library District announced a counterproposal to the Board of Commissioners during a Tuesday morning press conference at the Grants Pass branch. Last Thursday, the Commissioners approved a new version of a library lease after reinstating a "termination for convenience" clause, which would allow either party to cancel the agreement with 30 days' notice. In a letter delivered by the library district's legal counsel, library officials made it clear that such a provision is unacceptable for a public institution tasked with delivering public services. The library district is asking that the lease allow termination only for cause -- such as a failure to meet lease obligations -- rather than for convenience, which would allow the county to end the lease at any time with 30 days' notice. Moving a large facility such as a public library requires more planning than a 30-day termination notice would allow. The district proposed modeling any new termination terms after the existing lease between Josephine County and the Grants Pass Family YMCA, another nonprofit providing essential community services under a $1 per year lease agreement. The Grants Pass branch at 200 NW C Street has served as the county's main library since 1959.

 

Food insecurity rates in the Rogue Valley are higher than the state average, according to the recently released "2025 Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment." Produced by the Rogue Valley Food System Network in collaboration with more than 20 local and statewide organizations, the Community Food Assessment is the result of three years of research and highlights the challenges and strengths of the food system in Jackson and Josephine counties. Included in the findings are the high levels of food insecurity in both counties, despite a vibrant agricultural economy. More than 19% of children in Josephine County face food insecurity, with just over 17% in Jackson County facing similar challenges. This compares to 13% throughout the state. According to the report, food insecurity rates declined significantly during the pandemic, due to a range of successful food assistance programs. Recent cuts to federal programs from Meals on Wheels to school lunch programs as well as funding for food banks has raised deep concerns for the agencies and organizations focused on feeding people in need. A five-year Community Food Action Plan arose out of the Rogue Valley Community Assessment

 

The American Red Cross asks donors to give blood now to help maintain a healthy blood supply. Donors of all blood types -- especially those with Types O positive and B negative blood -- are urged to make an appointment to keep lifesaving blood products ready the moment patients need them. People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by the Red Cross community and fans of Peanuts. This month, the Red Cross and Peanuts are once again joining forces to remind people that a little good goes a long way. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, those who come to give blood from August 29th through September 21st will get an exclusive "Red Cross and Peanuts" mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs -- while they last. Be a friend to patients in need. Book a time to give by calling 1-(800)-RED CROSS, visiting "RedCrossBlood.org," or by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

 

In order to ensure that an adequate supply of water is available for public health and safety, the Medford Water Commission is requiring customers to immediately restrict certain non-essential water uses to preserve water for domestic use and fire emergencies. In addition to Medford water customers, this message also applies to properties in Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix, Talent, Jacksonville and White City. The restrictions include prohibitions on lawn/turf irrigation, garden and ornamental plant irrigation; fountains; car washing except at facilities that recycle; non-emergency hydrant use and water main flushing; dust control using water at construction sites; washing of sidewalks, streets, decks and driveways except as necessary for public health and safety; washing of buildings; filling or adding to landscape ponds or public or private swimming pools. Non-essential use is banned. A power outage at the Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant occurred this morning. Staff has been working with Pacific Power on repairs and bringing equipment back online. However, it may be some time before the system is fully functional and during this time the plant cannot supply treated water to meet current demands. These restrictions are mandatory. Failure to comply may result in substantial rate surcharges and/or fines.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry has extinguished three lightning-sparked fires on lands it protects in Jackson County. ODF Southwest reports the Tyler Creek Fire located on the side of Mount Baldy east of Ashland was caught at a quarter-acre. The Eve Springs Fire and Buck Prairie Road Fire were also completely lined and mopped up by this morning. While there aren't any active fires on ODF-protected lands at this time, the agency is gearing up for another day of monitoring lightning strike areas with aircraft, the ODF Detection Center and on the ground in firefighter patrol areas. On Monday night, there were 20 new cloud-to-ground lightning strikes on ODF-protected lands, adding to the more than 130 strikes received Sunday night. Fires started by lightning can smolder for days until the right weather conditions fuel growth. ODF firefighters will remain ready to respond to these incidents as they are found and reported.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a nationwide fugitive warrant at a Cave Junction area recreational vehicle park early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 30-year-old Brandon Michael O'Brien at Country Hills RV Resort in the 7900-block of Caves Highway on Monday at 9:17 a.m.. Deputies said the park manager requested a welfare check on a male subject who arrived in a Jeep Compass and was sleeping inside the rental vehicle. The caller said he would check on the man himself, but he was recently injured in a wreck. Upon arrival, deputies contacted O'Brien and discovered that he was wanted on Warren County, Missouri, Sheriff's Office warrant for Probation Violation related to a previous arrest for Receiving Stolen Property. O'Brien was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the nationwide warrant. He was being held without bail pending extradition to Missouri.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a Josephine County Community Corrections client on two local warrants yesterday. The Police Department reports officers placed 25-year-old Calvin Mathew Bertik into custody at the Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Monday at 1:19 p.m.. Police said Bertik was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Burglary, 3rd-Degree Theft and two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine. He was aware that he was wanted and was arrested peacefully. Bertik was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and he was being held without bail.

 

A motor vehicle accident on Redwood Highway near Selma sent three people to the hospital yesterday. The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Oregon State Police were dispatched to what was reported to be a four-vehicle collision near milepost 18 of US Highway 199 on Monday at 2:37 p.m.. Upon arrival, it was determined that only two vehicles were involved in the rear-end crash. OSP reported the wreck occurred between a Nissan Maxima driven by 77-year-old Darryl Eugene Shoemaker of Cave Junction and a Chevrolet Impala driven by 49-year-old Albert Bruce Jones of Medford. Troopers cited the at-fault driver for Following Too Closely, but did not indicate who that was in the report. IVFD officials said a total of six occupants were assessed at the scene, with three requiring ambulance transport to a local medical facility. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicles and hauled them to Cave Junction. During the incident, both travel lanes of the highway were temporarily blocked.