Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for attempting to start her room on fire at the Sobering Center early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 47-year-old woman at the facility on SW Foundry Street on Friday at 1:26 a.m.. Police said Sobering Center workers called 9-1-1 to report the female subject had a lighter and was using it to try to start her holding room on fire. They said she was also stripping down naked, thrashing around and trying to destroy the room. They were able to take the lighter away from the woman. The suspect identified as "Serenity Shayne Bailey" was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 1st-Degree Arson and Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was being held on Friday without bail. Bailey had been brought in to the Sobering Center by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office because she was highly intoxicated while allegedly trying to start fires on Spencer Creek Road in the Murphy area on Thursday night. She admitted to using methamphetamine, alcohol and marijuana.

 

The Oregon State Marine Board wanted to remind boaters that it's state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. Marine Board officials say it's also about being a "good neighbor" on the water. By Oregon statute, failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury or death, the boater may be charged with a Class C felony. Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Coordinator for the Marine Board, said boaters need to pay close attention to other people recreating on the water around them. In many cases, he said everyday boaters become heroes when others go overboard, helping avert further tragedy. Oregon's waterways are increasingly congested, but everyone has the same right to recreate. Please be mindful and remember to share the waterway while recreating responsibly.

 

Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker has been elected Secretary of the Board of Advisors for the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The EAC is an independent bipartisan commission whose mission is to help election officials improve the administration of elections and help Americans participate in the voting process. Its four commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the US Senate. The EAC's Board of Advisors is a 35-member panel composed of representatives appointed by members of Congress, federal agencies and national organizations including the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State. It serves as an advisory body to the EAC on implementation and best practices of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2022. Oregon Secretary of State Lavonne Griffin-Valade said Walker has years of experience in representing Oregon as a leader among elections officials.
Walker was appointed Jackson County Clerk in November 2008 and has been re-elected in every election since. She has more than 29 years of experience in both the elections and recording programs for Jackson County. In addition to her role on the Board of Advisors, she has previously served as President of the Oregon Association of County Clerks and President of the International Association of Government Officials.

 

Total payroll employment in Jackson County increased by 630 jobs in May. The Oregon Employment Department reports there were 102,522 people working in Jackson County in May for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.8%, which was unchanged from April. Job gains were estimated in many published industries. Retail trade and leisure & hospitality had the greatest job gains in May. Other industries adding employment were health care & social assistance, construction, financial activities, and professional and business services. Government employment grew by 140 jobs. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County fell by 680 jobs, a decline of 0.8%. Since May 2023, industries adding jobs included private education & health services (+690), and construction (+160). Industries with over-the-year losses were leisure & hospitality (-430), manufacturing (-360), professional & business services (-260), retail trade (-180), transportation, warehousing & utilities (-180), other services (-120), financial activities (-90), wholesale trade (-70) and information (-60).

 

Most of Oregon and southwest Washington are on track to break high temperature records over the next few days, which creates a health risk for vulnerable people and should be taken seriously. The American Red Cross reports extreme heat is deadly and kills more people than any other weather event. Officials said the climate crisis is making extreme heat events more frequent, more severe and last longer. The Red Cross recommends taking four steps to stay safe in extreme heat: Slow down by postpone or limiting outdoor activities. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or public cooling center.

 

Grants Pass firefighters and police officers were busy late Thursday night and early Friday morning responding to fireworks-related calls. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 10 calls for grass or trash fires that had started. Officials said eight of the fires were likely caused by fireworks and two of the calls in or near trash receptacles early yesterday were likely caused by the improper disposal of fireworks. The Grants Pass Police Department responded to five calls between midnight and 1 a.m. Friday as well as 43 calls on Thursday regarding people setting off fireworks.Today is the last day in Oregon to legally purchase fireworks.

 

Firefighters were able to stop the progress of a new wildfire that started late Thursday night in the foothills northeast of Ashland. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the Dead Indian Memorial Road Fire is now 100% lined and has been GPS-mapped at 43 acres. At midnight last night, it was estimated to be more than 100 acres. The cause is under investigation. According to ODF, the fire was first reported at 10:15 p.m. in the 5400-block of Dead Indian Memorial Road. However, when firefighters arrived and began working, it was determined to be closer to the 4500-block. Numerous engines from ODF Southwest, Jackson County Fire District #5 and Ashland Fire-Rescue responded initially. More resources were quickly ordered including three 20-person hand crews, one 10-person crews, three engines and a bulldozer. Rogue Valley Strike Team #1 composed of resources from Josephine County was dispatched as well. Additional resources were ordered for today. Six 20-person crews, six engines, four water tenders, two bulldozers and two tree-fallers are assigned to the fire today. Firefighters will work to strengthen and further secure lines as well as begin mopping up and extinguishing hot spots. Difficult weather conditions will be working against firefighters including high temperatures well over 100, low relative humidity and winds. Dead Indian Memorial Road is currently closed near the fire due to a large amount of firefighting personnel and equipment in the area. ODF was working to open one lane of the road with a pilot vehicle this morning and the agency was anticipating the road to be fully-opened by the end of the dayshift if progress continues. No homes have been threatened and no evacuations were ordered.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for attempting to start her room on fire at the Sobering Center early today. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 47-year-old woman at the facility on SW Foundry Street at 1:26 this morning. Police said Sobering Center workers called 9-1-1 to report the female subject had a lighter and was using it to try to start her holding room on fire. They said she was also stripping down naked, thrashing around and trying to destroy the room. They were able to take the lighter away from the woman. The suspect identified as "Serenity Shayne Bailey" was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 1st-Degree Arson and Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was being held this morning without bail. Bailey had been brought in to the Sobering Center by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office because she was highly intoxicated while allegedly trying to start fires on Spencer Creek Road in the Murphy area on Thursday night. She admitted to using methamphetamine, alcohol and marijuana. According to the Sheriff's Office, a witness reported the woman lit some small fires because she was "trying to find out what it would look like if she lit the forest on fire." There was evidence that a few fires were started, but all of them were out.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing merchandise from Fred Meyer and fleeing the scene on a bicycle late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the shoplifting call at the store on the Grants Pass Parkway on Thursday shortly after 5 p.m.. Police said a 37-year-old male subject stole about $109 worth of merchandise from Fred Meyer and fled on a BMX bike. They said he exited the store with the stolen items, but dropped them when he was confronted by loss prevention. Officers tracked down the suspect on NE Mill Street near the railroad tracks. He was transported back to Fred Meyer where he was identified by store security and then placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from Fred Meyer and the railroad property. His bicycle was logged into evidence for safekeeping.