Local News

Firefighters from several agencies extinguished two fires on neighboring properties in the Provolt area late yesterday. Late Tuesday afternoon, the Applegate Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department, Williams Rural Fire Protection District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the incidents in the 10,000-block of Williams Highway. Applegate Valley fire officials said crews arrived to find a small barn destroyed by fire and being partially suppressed by neighbors who initially made the report. The first fire was contained at about 1/4-acre of vegetation. While putting out the first fire, a second fire on the neighboring mutual property was discovered and contained at 1/10th of an acre. ODF and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation after no responsible party or landowner was located. The cause of the fires is undetermined. The Applegate Valley Fire District thanks its mutual aid partners for their support.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposed development in the North Valley area during its weekly business session this morning. Following the hearing, the Board will consider the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the comprehensive plan from Forest to Residential and amend the zoning map from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential, 5-acre minimum. The property owner is KND Development, LLC. If approved by the Board, the second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for September 11th. There are no other action items on the agenda. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, participants are given three minutes to address the Commissioners on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team has announced that the City of Eagle Point will be joining the regional task force. Eagle Point is contributing a full-time investigator from its Police Department to enhance drug enforcement operations throughout Jackson County. Medford Police Lieutenant Kerry Curtis said they are very excited to add the Eagle Point Police Department to the MADGE task force. He said the addition of EPD will continue to expand their knowledge of illicit drug activity in the community. So far in 2024, MADGE has seized 138 pounds of methamphetamine, six pounds of cocaine, 12 pounds of fentanyl pills and four pounds of fentanyl powder along with 46 firearms and more than $90,000 in cash. Eagle Point Police Chief Jim Hamilton said his agency is excited to be accepted as a member of MADGE. He said they look forward to being part of the team and helping to address the drug abuse crisis plaguing communities in Southern Oregon. MADGE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts and dismantles local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, prosecutor-supported approach.

 

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley recently announced that the US Department of Agriculture is sending nearly $2.2 million in Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) grants and close to $3.2 million in REAP loans to support renewable energy projects in Oregon. The investments will help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses adopt renewable energy technologies, conduct critical energy audits, and cut costs and carbon pollution with energy efficiency improvements. Wyden and Merkley said these projects will strengthen the resiliency of their operations and generate new income while boosting the economy in rural Oregon. REAP investments coming to the state in this new wave of grants include $167,407 to help ASC LLC #1 purchase and install a 150 kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV on top of the Ashland Electric Services building that is owned by the City of Ashland. Rocky Knoll LLC will receive $37,058 to purchase and install a 25.28 kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV on top of their building in Medford. Fred Gebhart Writing & Photography will get $18,018 to purchase and install a 5.6 kilowatt roof-mounted solar PV system on top of their office building in Gold Hill.

 

Medford Fire Department Engineer Manny Sharp has won the 2024 Ben Franklin Award for Valor, which was recently presented at the International Fire-Rescue Conference in Dallas, Texas. The Ben Franklin Award recognizes exceptional acts of heroism by firefighters who must be nominated by their chief for life-saving actions taken during an incident. While off-duty on August 15, 2023, Sharp bravely responded to a house fire on his street in northwest Grants Pass and rescued three individuals. Dressed in just a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, he kicked in the front door and safely evacuated two teenagers and an adult victim. Medford Fire Chief Eric Thompson said Manny's courage and quick-thinking exemplify the highest standards of their profession. He said they are incredibly honored to have him as part of their team. Congratulations Medford Firefighter Manny Sharp!

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposed development in the North Valley area during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. Following the hearing, the Board will consider the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the comprehensive plan from Forest to Residential and amend the zoning map from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential, 5-acre minimum. The property owner is KND Development, LLC. If approved by the Board, the second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for September 11th. There are no other action items on the agenda. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, participants are given three minutes to address the Commissioners on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for two felony-level crimes after he was caught with a stolen U-Haul trailer late last night. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a blue Chevrolet pickup pulling the stolen trailer in the 1700-block of NW Hawthorne Avenue on Monday at 11:17 p.m.. Police said they stopped the 48-year-old male driver of the vehicle for traffic violations and discovered that he was in possession of a U-Haul trailer that he had just stolen off the lot at the corner of NW Vine Street and Hawthorne Avenue. Officers took the man they identified as "Ralph Francis Chiampi, III" into custody. Chiampi was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. He was being held without bail. The stolen trailer was hauled back to its owner by 3 Boys Towing.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for vandalizing flower pots outside a downtown florist shop late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the reported incident at Grants Pass Florist & Gifts on SW 6th Street on Monday at about 6:15 p.m.. Police said a 29-year-old male subject was observed destroying ceramic flower pots outside the business. They said he was actively vandalizing the pots and making a large mess in the area. Upon arrival, the subject tried to flee from officers -- but they were able to place him into custody. He was found to be a convicted felon, so officers contacted his corrections officer. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested for violating his parole a total of 12 times since August 2023.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for roughing up a woman at a home in Merlin yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 100-block of 3rd Street on Monday at about 3:30 p.m.. Deputies said a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report that it sounded like a male was beating up a female. The caller said the woman was screaming for the man to stop. According to the report, there was a history of domestic violence at the residence. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and placed the 31-year-old male subject into custody. There was evidence of domestic violence, but the woman was not seriously hurt. The subject was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Harassment and he was being held without bail.