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GP City Council Approves Multiple Steps to Facilitate Additional Housing in Community

The Grants Pass City Council adopted the 2024-25 Year 5 Annual Action Plan as specified in the Community Development Block Grant program. The adopted plan must be submitted to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development no later than August 15th. Funding allocation for this 5th program year is $381,398. The funding includes weather/rehab programs supporting seniors and others who are unable to afford repairs to their homes. Agencies receiving funds include St. Vincent DePaul mobile kitchen, the Maslow Project, the Boys & Girls Club and several others. Councilors also approved an appeal of the city's sign code allowing the movement of the sign for A-1 Mini Storage at 1867 Redwood Avenue. The sign is larger than the sign code allows, but it was installed prior to the code. The City Council approved an ordinance annexing property at 2020, 2222, and 2224 Allen Creek Road. A second ordinance amended the zoning for 1988, 2020, 2222 and 2224 Allen Creek Road, rearranging existing zones for moderate high-density and high-density development.

Posted on 7/18/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh

GP Library Hosts Ocean-Themed Program by Museum of Natural & Cultural History

Josephine Community Library is hosting the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the Grants Pass branch for an all-ages event to learn more about the wonders of Oregon's coast and underwater environments. The program is scheduled for this Saturday, July 20th, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the library located at 200 NW C Street in Grants Pass. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and learn from local marine educators, participate in various hands-on activities and gain a deeper appreciation for the underwater world. "Journey Under the Sea" is part of the 2024 Summer Reading Program sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank, Josephine Community Library Foundation and the State Library of Oregon. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. A library card is not needed to participate. For more information about the Summer Reading Program, library programs and other services, visit "josephinelibrary.org," e-mail "info@josephinelibrary.org" or call (541)-476-0571.

Posted on 7/18/24 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Council Approves Steps to Facilitate Additional Housing

The City Council adopted the 2024-25-year five Annual Action Plan as specified in the Community Development Block Grant citizen participation plan. The adopted plan must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development no later than August 15th. Funding allocations for this 5th program year is $381,398. The funding includes weather/rehab programs supporting seniors and other who are unable to afford repairs to their homes. Other agencies receiving funds include St.; Vincent DePaul mobile kitchen, the Maslow Project, the Boys and Girls Club and several others. Councilors approved an appeal of the city’s sign code allowing the movement of the sign for A-1 Mini Storage at 1867 Redwood Avenue. The sign is larger than the sign code but was installed prior to the code. The Council approved an ordinance annexing property at 2020, 2222, and 2224 Allen Creek road. Then a 2nd ordinance amended the zoning for 1988, 2020, 2222, and 2224 Allen Creek Road basically rearranging existing zones for moderate high density and high density. Then a motion was approved adjusting property lines of the afore mentioned properties All properties are owned by Harbeck Residential Properties, L.L.C. in anticipation of developing the properties as single family dwellings, townhouses and multifamily housing. An additional ordinance was approved vacating a portion of Shannon Lane public right-of-way, reducing the right-of-way from 60 feet to 30 feet to accommodate a future expansion for future industrial uses. The Development code was amended deleting the sentence “No Individual shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive years.” The amended affects only the Historical Building and Sites Commission.

Posted on 7/17/24 7:39PM by Chuck Benson

Former Commissioner Dan DeYoung Reads Resignation Letter at BCC Meeting

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning proclaimed July 21st-27th as "Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week" as the only action item on the agenda -- but the real action occurred during public comments. The official proclamation was read by Commissioner Herman Baertschiger and it was presented to Josephine County Community Corrections Director Scott Hyde. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, former Commissioner Dan DeYoung read his official resignation letter and made no mention of allegations of sexual harassment as a reason for stepping down after 7-1/2 years on the Board. Instead, DeYoung stated that he has been isolated on the Board of Commissioners for the past 18 months as a series of 2-1 votes left him on the losing side of many important decisions. He said he could not "in good conscience" continue to collect a paycheck to finish his tenure when he is unable to provide effective leadership to the community he loves. He added that many of the decisions made since January 2023 have hurt citizens and led to an all-time low in the morale of county workers. In other public comments, several Williams residents pleaded with the remaining Board members to sign off on the Pipe Fork property sale before the August 15th deadline. Most of them said the sale is important to water quality in Williams. Colleen Padilla, CEO of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), provided an update on the organization's work in Josephine County.

Posted on 7/17/24 11:28AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Incident Management Team Transitioning Salt Creek Fire to Local Districts

Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team #1 remains engaged on the Salt Creek Fire in Jackson County, but a transition back to the local districts is in the works. ODF reported this morning that the wildfire burning between Eagle Point and Butte Falls was 4,102 acres with 84% containment. Today is the final day for the current team, which will disengage from the fire on Thursday morning and return command of the incident to a local Type 3 team. During this transition, work continues on the fire and mop-up remains the focus for resources on the line. The increasing containment illustrates the amount of work firefighters have been able to complete in the last few days. Repair work also continues across the fire as crews put in water bars and rehabilitate other areas affected by the firefighting efforts. A total of 695 personnel were assigned to the wildfire for today's day and night shifts. This includes 25 20-person hand crews backed by 20 engines, 12 water tenders, five bulldozers and seven helicopters of various types. Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices remain in effect for Zones JAC-316, JAC-317 and JAC-325-A. Any changes to evacuations will be made by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management. The Medford District BLM has temporarily closed its lands in the area for safety. The Salt Creek Fire was first reported July 7th and has cost an estimated $13.5 million to fight. ODF officials said the cause remains under investigation.

Posted on 7/17/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Firefighters Battling Several Lightning-Sparked Fires on Rogue near Galice

The Oregon Department of Forestry was continuing to make access to at least eight lightning-sparked fires on both sides of the Rogue River northwest of Galice. ODF officials reported firefighters were able to reach two fires overnight and begin an aggressive initial attack. They said the remaining six fires range from "difficult" to "impossible" to access by road or on foot and aircraft will be their best tool to battle these blazes. None of the fires saw substantial growth since last night. An ODF Southwest District Type 3 helicopter that hosts a helitack crew was on the way to the area, and additional helicopters from the Salt Creek Fire and air tankers will be used throughout the day. Four additional 20-person crews from the Jackson County wildfire have been reassigned to the lower Rogue incidents. Officials said the area where these fires are burning is in and around numerous fire scars including the 2022 Rum Creek Fire and the Big Windy Fire from more than a decade ago. In some areas, this may help firefighters get an upper hand while in others it may provide additional challenges, with steep terrain, falling trees and rocks, and little or no access points. A Rapid Extrication Module (REM) and additional medical staff have been relocated from the Salt Creek Fire to this general area as firefighter safety is a primary concern. At this time, there are no road or campground closures associated with these fires. Please be aware of firefighters working in the area. Fire engines and equipment are expected to have a heavy presence over the next several days.

Posted on 7/17/24 11:25AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD and ODF Firefighters Engaged First Lightning-Caused Fire in Selma Area

Illinois Valley and Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters engaged the first detected lightning-caused fire in the Selma area yesterday afternoon. On Tuesday at 3:37 p.m., crews from IVFD and ODF were dispatched to the fire reported in the area of Mooney Mountain Road and two Forest Service roads. At 6:02 p.m., the grass fire was estimated to be around 1.5 acres with dozens of people battling the blaze and a Type 2 helicopter on the way. No structures were threatened as crews built a line around the incident. At 7:43 p.m., the scene was turned over to ODF and crews remained working there overnight assisted by two IVFD water tenders.

Posted on 7/17/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh

Firefighters Put Out Lightning-Caused Blaze in Crooks Creek Area near Selma

Firefighters extinguished a lightning-sparked fire in the mountains above Selma last night. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews responded to a report of smoke on a hilltop near Crooks Creek Road late Tuesday afternoon. The Crooks Creek Fire was estimated to be 3/4 of an acre as resources mounted an initial attack, working to get a line around it. A Type 2 helicopter was ordered to assist in the firefight. By 8 p.m., firefighters had halted the wildfire at an estimated one acre and it was fully lined. Resources continued to mop up until the fire was fully extinguished. After thunderstorms moved through the southwest Oregon region again last night, resources are watching areas where lightning strikes occurred and will respond to any other lightning-caused fires.

Posted on 7/17/24 11:20AM by Sam Marsh

Kitchen Fire Destroyed RV Being Used as Home on Haines Lane in Merlin

A kitchen fire destroyed a recreational vehicle being used as a residence in the Merlin area last night. On Tuesday at 10:11 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department was dispatched to a reported large vehicle fire on Haines Lane. Rural Metro officials said the occupant was able to knock down the blaze with a fire extinguisher prior to the arrival of firefighters. They said a smoke alarm was sounding, but it wasn't a factor in the discovery of the fire. No one was injured. Firefighters encourage anyone using an RV for camping or as a primary residence to be sure smoke alarms are working, and a fire extinguisher is charged and easily accessible.

Posted on 7/17/24 11:18AM by Sam Marsh

Central Point Structure Fire Spread to Adjacent Field and Threatened Houses

A Central Point structure fire spread to an adjacent field and threatened several homes late yesterday. On Tuesday at 4:05 p.m., Jackson County Fire District #3 reported crews were responding to a fully-involved structure in the 4,000-block of Grant Road near Scenic Drive. There was a large smoke plume and the blaze had spread to a field. Ten minutes later, the fire was upgraded to a second alarm which brought the Oregon Department of Forestry, Medford Fire Department and Ashland Fire- Rescue to the scene. Crews worked to provide structure protection for nearby homes and to stop forward progress of the rapidly spreading grass fire. With the fire estimated to be between 15 and 20 acres, forward progress was stopped on the east and north sides of the incident. All neighboring structures were protected from the flames. ODF crews continued to work on the south and west sides of the blaze with support from aircraft including helicopters. By 5:05 p.m., firefighters had knocked down the flames on all sides and began mopping up. Crews from mutual aid partners were released, but Fire District #3 remained on scene mopping up hot spots. Residents in the area received a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office that was upgraded to Level 2 "Be Set" at the height of the incident. All evacuation notices were lifted later in the evening.

Posted on 7/17/24 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Crews Busy with Dollar Mountain Fire plus Downed Trees & Power Lines

Grants Pass firefighters knocked down a small fire on Dollar Mountain last night. On Tuesday at 8:07 p.m., Grants Pass Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a fire burning in the mountainous area in the northwest part of the city. Arriving units found a 1/10th of an acre blaze burning slowly in grass and brush. Two Battalion Chiefs, Engine 7308 from the Parkway Station and a fully-staffed brush truck were able to stop the fire's progression within five minutes of arrival. Engine 7307 responded from the Hillcrest Station to the top of NW Starlite Place to assist with finding the smoke and for potential structure protection. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Between the hours of 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Grants Pass fire units responded to 14 calls related to the thunderstorm. Fortunately, there were no grass fires reported inside the city limits. All three Grants Pass engines and a brush truck assisted with downed trees, downed power lines and blocked traffic throughout the city. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to assist Rural Metro Fire Department with two vegetation fires outside the city limits, with one being less than 1/100th of an acre.

Posted on 7/17/24 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Responded to Numerous Lightning-Sparked Fires on Lower Rogue River

The Oregon Department of Forestry responded to at least eight lightning-sparked fires along the lower Rogue River northwest of Galice late yesterday and last night. ODF officials reported all the discovered fires were very small, ranging in size from 1/10th of an acre to a half-acre. The fires were located on steep, remote land that is difficult to access. Most required a long hike in and at least one required aircraft to drop firefighters off as the only means of access. Three 20-person hand crews were shifted from the Salt Creek Fire in Jackson County to the lower Rogue fire incidents. Additional resources were to be sent to the incidents this morning. Firefighters will engage in an aggressive initial attack on all of these fires today. An infrared flight has been ordered which will give better information about fire locations and sizes as well as identify additional potential starts that could be smoldering in the area. There are currently no closures or evacuations of surrounding roads or campgrounds.

Posted on 7/17/24 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

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