Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a complaint between a tenant and their landlord last night.

On Monday just after 7 p.m., officers received a call from someone claiming their landlord had been harassing them.

The landlord was reportedly waiving a knife at the caller from a distance after a disagreement over the electric box on the property.

When officers arrived, they contacted the landlord, charged them with Menacing and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and lodged them in the Josephine County Jail.

 

An air quality advisory has been issued today for western Josephine County due to smoke from multiple fires in Oregon and northern California.

According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the air quality advisory is expected to last until at least Tuesday evening, Sept. 9. DEQ will continue to monitor smoke in the area.

DEQ also expects intermittent smoke in Deschutes and Jackson counties until at least this evening due to multiple wildfires in the region.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women.

 

An air quality advisory has been issued today for western Josephine County due to smoke from multiple fires in Oregon and northern California.

According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the air quality advisory is expected to last until at least Tuesday evening, Sept. 9. DEQ will continue to monitor smoke in the area.

DEQ also expects intermittent smoke in Deschutes and Jackson counties until at least this evening due to multiple wildfires in the region.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and pregnant women.

 

The Oregon State Police responded to a hit and run crash early Saturday morning.

The crash occurred in Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 68. Evidence on scene and Oregon Department of Transportation personnel indicated a white Volvo semi-truck left the roadway, striking the guard rail, and causing significant damage.

The guard rail blocked the right lane of the Interstate after the crash. The semi fled the scene before ODOT and law enforcement arrived. The investigation is ongoing.

 

Five years after the Labor Day fires devastated parts of Oregon, 11 nonprofits are receiving new funding to help recovery and preparedness efforts. According to the Oregon Community Foundation, today, they have announced $120,000 in new grants from its Disaster Readiness and Response Fund will support the seven Oregon counties affected by the fires: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Linn and Marion. The fund was created in response to the 2020 wildfires, providing rapid-response grants for immediate recovery and supporting preparedness programs. An earlier fund to support wildfire recovery after the 2020 fires distributed $10.8 million over several years.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman causing multiple disturbances yesterday.

Officers contacted the woman, who was the source of seven calls for disorderly conduct throughout the day.

She was reportedly being highly disruptive and behaving tumultuously, and was warned that her continued behavior would result in an arrest.

Later that night, officers were called out to a parking lot where the suspect was again causing a disturbance, engaging in an argument with herself.

She was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office booked a man for reckless driving and other charges Sunday afternoon.

Officers apprehended the man after he had crashed his vehicle. He required medical attention, then was promptly detained.

The "STOP" and other street signs were knocked down at Lonnon Road and Elk Lane. Officers called Public Works to assist with propping the signs back up.

The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving, Attempt to Elude Police, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

 

The Grants Pass Parks Advisory Committee will discuss multiple topics during their regular meeting.

After public comment, action items for the committee include the Dollar Mountain Grand Opening, a survey update, committee collaboration, and the election of the Vice Chair.

As needed, project updates will be discussed during matters from Committee members and staff.

The meeting will take place Thursday, September 11th, at 3:30 pm in the Ridge Room, 101 NW A Street.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1, with Incident Commander Dan Quinones, took command of the Kelsey Peak Fire this morning. Resources from the Bureau of Land Management's Medford District Office and the ODF Southwestern Oregon District have made progress in building containment lines in the fire since lightning caused it last week. The change of Fire Command to Squad 1 results in additional capacity and resources to the incident and allows local firefighters to rest and be available to respond to new fires. Cooler temperatures are forecast for this week, precipitation along with the threat of more lightning. Fire crews will take advantage of the cooler and wetter weather to strengthen new and existing control lines.