Local News

Just before midnight Tuesday, crews from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and AMR-Josephine County responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of East Jones Creek Road.

Firefighters found the home filled with smoke and fire racing through the attic. Ceiling material was pulled down in several rooms to quickly reach the flames and stop the spread. Most of the contents were spared.

All occupants and pets escaped without injury, despite smoke alarms not working correctly. Investigators are looking into the cause in an attempt to rule out electrical issues or heat coming from the woodstove pipe.

As such, this is the season when firefighters see an increase in home fires caused by heating devices. The operation of any heating device that uses flame or hot elements should be carefully evaluated each year to confirm they are in proper working order and have adequate space away from flammable materials.

Rural Metro reminds the public to ensure they have properly working smoke alarms in their homes, especially near sleeping areas.

 

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning the public to stay alert for scammers impersonating government officials, law enforcement, or financial experts. According to the 2025 Enforcement Report from the North American Securities Administrators Association, scams involving digital assets, social media, and impersonation are among the top threats this year with artificial intelligence making it easier for criminals to create convincing fakes. Fraudsters can now clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted individuals or organizations. This all results in tricking victims into sharing personal information, transferring money, or granting remote access to devices. These scams are increasingly polished, personalized, and difficult to detect until after significant losses occur. Even more concerning are reports of in-person scams. Reported cases describe so-called “gold traders” or “bankers” who contact victims online, build rapport, and later arrive in person to collect cash, gold, or gift cards under false pretenses.

 

Construction has begun on the Hillcrest Drive Road Improvement Project.

From now until April 30, 2026, Hillcrest Drive between 9th Street and Beacon Drive will be closed to through traffic daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Detours will be in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes, and emergency vehicles will be allowed through.

For more information, contact Knife River Materials at (541) 732-2757.

 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission recently approved an overall increase in rates for Avista customers that will go into effect October 31.

The change is the result of several annual adjustments, including a decrease in natural gas prices combined with other filings focused on energy efficiency and customer programs.

The combined result of these annual filings means the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 46 therms per month will increase by $1.75 or 2.56%, bringing the average monthly bill to about $70.18.

Each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment. The PGA allows utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to customers without a markup on the price.

This year, natural gas prices were moderate, and Avista collected more than needed from customers last year. As a result, the PGA led to a decrease in natural gas costs in customers’ bills.

Despite the lower gas prices, other approved updates, such as funding for energy efficiency programs and customer support services, resulted in a net increase in rates. Altogether, these changes will raise Avista’s total revenue, or the amount collected from customers, by $4.1 million.

Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon. You can contact Avista at (800) 227-9187 or visit their website, www.myavista.com.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of a reported assault Tuesday night.

The victim notified dispatch that his brother was attacking him and that he didn't have time to discuss before disconnecting the call.

He was still able to provide an address in the 1000 block of NE Savage Street, and officers responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, law enforcement contacted the victim outside the residence, who said he had just come back from work when his brother struck him. Officers identified numerous injuries on the victim.

The suspect said the dispute was verbal before becoming physical, but he refused to provide further details. Officers took him into custody, then transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Fourth Degree Assault.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department reported to Resting Site 5 Tuesday afternoon.

While checking the area, they contacted a woman, Jaquelyn Hayes, who was in possession of a tent that exceeded the site footprint. She was cited, and then issued a 30 day exclusion from the 711 NW 5th Street property.

Officers next contacted Sabrina Willett inside of a tent that was outside the resting site. She claimed she and her tent had been pulled outside, but couldn't identify who did it.

Willett was found to be wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, and Third Degree Theft. She was subsequently taken to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on the warrant.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners have a very light agenda for this week's Business Session.

With no business or actions to consider, the board will listen to the public during the requests and comments period, followed by an approval of the consent calendar.

Pending any other matters from the commissioners, the meeting will adjourn.

Thursday's Weekly Business session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW 6th Street. It will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

All meeting attendees are required to comply with the clear bag policy.

 

The Josephine County Food Bank is informing the public of food assistance opportunities before SNAP benefits are delayed. They will host a pop-up food pantry at the YMCA, 1000 Redwood Ave, on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Starting on November 4, this operation will continue until SNAP benefits are restored. No appointment is needed, and the Food Bank thanks the YMCA for their support and partnership. The Bridgeview Community Food Pantry in Cave Junction will also begin offering extended hours starting next week to better serve the community. From 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the public can receive food assistance at 5181 Holland Loop Road, Cave Junction. You can call (541) 592-3923 for more information. The Food Banks says with all the uncertainty surrounding the federal government shutdown, many families are wondering what this means for SNAP benefits. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, if you need to apply for or renew SNAP in October or November, they are still open during the federal government shutdown, and will continue processing applications and renewals.

 

Upon further review, we have adjusted this story for accuracy. A citizen interested in leasing the 1798 SE N Street property presented their idea to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners during Tuesday's Workshop. No decision has been made on the property as the presentation was strictly informational. Staff were directed to investigate how a lease would be handled, then report back to the board. The commissioners approved the Quitclaim Deed with Dean Davis for property from the September Auction, as well as confidential properties in relation to the Flying Lark, an invoice from Watkinson, Laird & Rubensten regarding former Commissioner John West, and a calendar with timelines to be compiled for the May Election. Board business included approval of a Community Justice Travel request, Forestry contract, the Recreation Department signing off on the Land and Water Conservation Fund Amendment, and the contract for Pressure Point Roofing LLC services for the jail.