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OHA Issues Recreational Use Advisory at Lost Creek Lake Due to Cyanobacteria Blooms

The Oregon Health Authority has issued a recreational use advisory for Lost Creek Lake in Jackson County due to the presence of cyanobacteria blooms. The harmful algae blooms are naturally occurring, with some of the bacteria producing toxins that can cause serious illness in humans as well as illness or death in animals, which are more sensitive. OHA officials said warm weather and nutrients in the water can cause bacteria to multiply rapidly, forming a "bloom." Officials said people should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities -- such as water skiing or power boating -- in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present because the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure due to their size and level of activity. People should alert health care providers if they or a family member are ill due to possible exposure to cyanotoxins. Pet owners should alert their veterinarians to suspected exposure if they seek care. OHA encourages people to visit Lost Creek Lake and enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking.

Posted on 6/26/25 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Employment Rose by 460 Jobs in May Led by Gains in Hospitality

Total payroll employment in Jackson County rose by 460 jobs in May due to seasonal gains in the leisure & hospitality industry. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 100,724 people working in Jackson County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 5.2%, which was up slightly from the 5.1% mark posted in April. Leisure & hospitality posted the largest increase with 410 new jobs in May. Small employment gains were estimated in private education & health services, professional & business services and transportation, warehousing & utilities. Government employment climbed by 20 jobs, with state and local government each adding 10. Job totals fell over the month in retail trade and manufacturing. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County climbed by 420 jobs, or 0.5%. By comparison, Josephine County lost 630 jobs over the last 12 months. Since May 2024, Jackson County industries adding jobs were private education & health services, leisure & hospitality and professional & business services.

Posted on 6/26/25 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Governor Tina Kotek Surprised Graduates by Delivering SOU Commencement Address

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek surprised graduates and audience members by visiting Ashland to deliver the commencement address for Southern Oregon University's Class of 2025 last Saturday. The event -- SOU's 99th Commencement -- marked the first time the governor has spoken at a graduation ceremony since taking office. SOU President Rick Bailey expressed his thanks to the governor and to the day's honorees -- the graduates. The 880 graduates in SOU's Class of 2025 -- and the capacity crowd at Raider Stadium -- cheered and applauded throughout speeches from Governor Kotek, President Bailey, student Parker Boom and others in the 2-1/2-hour ceremony. A total of 1,056 degrees were conferred including 659 undergraduate degrees, 221 graduate degrees and 176 certificates. Governor Kotek and President Bailey presented diploma covers, shook hands and posed for photos with each new graduate as their names were called and they walked individually across the stage.

Posted on 6/26/25 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed IV Woman for Beating Up Man and Threatening Him with an Axe

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley woman for beating up a man and threatening him with an axe at a Selma area residence yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Jenny Rebecca Rose for the incident at a home in the 700-block of Thompson Creek Road on Tuesday at 3:02 p.m.. Deputies said the victim's 17-year-old daughter called 9-1-1 to report that Rose hit her father with a double-headed axe during an altercation in which Rose was the aggressor. The caller said her father had a black eye and then stated the suspect did not hit him with the axe, but she swung it at him. He declined medical attention. Responding deputies contacted the victim at the Lakeshore Drive Grange Hall, interviewed him and photographed his injuries before placing Rose into custody. Rose was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 2nd-Degree Assault, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Domestic Menacing. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Woman for Attacking Another Woman and Stealing Cans at Park

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for attacking another woman at a city park early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Kelsie Coledean Bare for the incident at Kesterson Park on NE Evelyn Avenue on Tuesday at 6:46 a.m.. Police said the victim they identified as "Shannon Dendy" was confronted by Bare at her tent in the park because she owed $40 to Bare. An investigation determined that Bare punched the victim multiple times and caused physical injury while the suspect's dog also bit the victim on the leg. According to the report, Bare proceeded to steal three bags of cans worth about $25 from the victim without permission or the right to do so. The victim refused medical treatment and the suspect was placed into custody. Bare was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery, 4th-Degree Assault and 3rd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail. Her daughter drove to Grants Pass from Medford to take possession of the dog along with her mother's personal belongings.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:11AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Frequent Flyer for Vandalizing Fence and Possessing Drugs

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known offender for vandalizing a fence and possessing narcotics in a northeast city neighborhood late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a vandalism complaint at a residence in the 700-block of NE Savage Street on Tuesday around 5:15 p.m.. Police said 31-year-old Jacob Levi Reeder intentionally caused damage to the complainant's fence when she told him to stop sitting on it. They said he smashed it with his hands and broke the horizontal support beam before leaving on foot. Officers located Reeder near the corner of NE Mead and 9th streets where they found him to be in possession of a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue. It was seized for destruction. Reeder was booked into the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Meth Possession. Jail records show he was no longer in custody this morning.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:10AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on Statewide Felony Warrant at Community Corrections

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant at Josephine County Community Corrections yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers placed 30-year-old Ryan James Smith into custody at the Corrections Office on NW 4th Street at 1:41 p.m. on Tuesday. Police said Smith's corrections officer alerted them to their client being wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a prior assault conviction. Smith was placed into custody without incident as he was unaware that he was about to be arrested. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Trespassing at Closed Downtown Resting Site

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trespassing on a designated resting site that has not yet been opened early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers observed 38-year-old Vanessa Raye Schutt at the former OnTrack and Yankee Pot Roast building in the 700-block of NW 6th Street on Tuesday at 6:22 a.m.. Police said they spotted Schutt smoking an unknown substance from a pipe on the property that is adjacent to the resting site at the corner of 6th and A streets. They contacted her at the NW 5th Street resting site a short time later and she admitted to being on the closed property. They did not locate any drugs or paraphernalia. Schutt was lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and she was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:07AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Motorist for Impaired Driving after Jones Creek Area Call

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving in the Jones Creek area of east Grants Pass early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a traffic complaint near the corner of West Jones Creek Road and Mina Lane on Tuesday at about 1 a.m.. Deputies said a caller reported a white truck in the middle of the road with its engine running and lights on. The male driver appeared to be passed out in the pickup with the door open and his legs outside the vehicle. The caller said she called out to the man, but he did not respond. Deputies and medics arrived on scene, contacted 40-year-old Nathan Davidson and determined that he was highly impaired. After being checked out by medics, he was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Davidson was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and lodged at the Sobering Center. His pickup was impounded and his dog was taken to the Animal Shelter.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:05AM by Sam Marsh

Firefighters Extinguished Small Fire on Highway 62 in NE Jackson County

Firefighters knocked down a small fire in northeast Jackson County yesterday. On Tuesday afternoon, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Jackson County Fire District #4 responded to a reported blaze in the 17,000-block of Highway 62. ODF officials said arriving units found a quarter-acre fire burning alongside the highway. They mounted an aggressive attack and stopped forward progression of the fire at an estimated one acre. Crews lined the fire and began mopping up. According to ODF, the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Posted on 6/25/25 11:02AM by Sam Marsh

JMET and Federal Agencies Raided Illegal Cannabis Grow near Cave Junction

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) raided an illegal cannabis growing site near Cave Junction this week. On Monday, JMET -- with assistance from federal agencies including the FBI, US Homeland Security, US Marshal Service, BLM and IRS -- served a search warrant in the 200-block of Dick George Road. During execution of the warrant, six pounds of processed marijuana and more than 1,500 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. A firearm was also seized in the search. The property had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations that could result in civil forfeiture of the property. The primary suspects were not on scene during the time of the search. If located, they will be charged with Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. According to JMET, the investigation is ongoing and no further details about the incident are being released at this time.

Posted on 6/25/25 6:45AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Grand Jury Indicts Transient for Setting June 18th Prospect Fire

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested a Prospect man for intentionally starting a June 18th fire in the Red Blanket Road area. Last Wednesday at 1:57 p.m., the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a fire in the area east of Prospect. Firefighters were able to stop the blaze at an estimated two acres. During the firefight, an ODF firefighter reported observing a suspect -- later identified as 51-year-old Allen Lee Bicknell, a Prospect area transient -- acting in a suspicious manner before he fled on foot. Deputies located Bicknell in the 44,000-block of Highway 62. The suspect briefly barricaded himself in a house before he was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for 1st-Degree Arson and Reckless Burning. A Jackson County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Bicknell on both charges.

Posted on 6/25/25 6:44AM by Sam Marsh

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