Local News

Serving as the regional planning organization for Jackson and Josephine counties, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) has completed a draft update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for 2025-2030. Titled "One Rogue Valley -- Reimagined," the CEDS is a locally-developed, regionally-driven strategy that identifies priorities for economic development and resilience in Southern Oregon. In accordance with US Economic Development Administration requirements, SOREDI is providing this notice to invite public review and comment. The draft CEDS is available for public inspection and comment for a period of 30 days ending July 30th. The draft CEDS is available online at "soredi.org." Hard copies are available by request at the SOREDI Office, 100 East Main Street, Suite A, Medford, OR 97501 or by calling (541)-773-8946. All comments received during the public comment period will be reviewed and considered prior to submitting the final plan to the EDA. SOREDI officials thank you for contributing to the future of economic prosperity in this region.

 

The Rogue River School District has announced that it has received a $15,000 grant from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation to support the development of a Student Health Center at the district's Early Learning and Wellness Center. The generous award -- the Foundation's maximum grant amount -- reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to affordable, community-centered health care for the local school district's youngest and most vulnerable students. Rogue River Superintendent Patrick Lee said they are grateful to the Cow Creek Foundation for their investment in the well-being of their children and families. He said the partnership helps ensure that health care is not a barrier to learning, growth and success for students in Rogue River and Wimer. The Student Health Center will serve as vital resource for local children, providing accessible medical and behavioral health services in a convenient setting. It's slated to open and begin serving students in September.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry responded to 53 reports of smoke and fire following thunderstorms that moved through Jackson and Josephine counties last night. Of the 53 reports, ODF said 17 were found to be duplicates -- resulting in 22 confirmed fires across its Southwest District and an additional 14 reports that are pending. Resources were engaged on these 22 incidents last night and, as a result, seven are already 100% lined and mopped up, leaving 15 active and staffed. ODF firefighters remained engaged on three major fires this morning: the Heppsie Mountain Fire off Highway 140 north of Lake Creek, which was estimated to be 50 acres; the Poole Hill Fire south of the Heppsie Mountain Fire across South Fork Little Butte Creek, which was estimated to be 3-5 acres; and the Pompadour Fire located in the hills east of Ashland, which was halted at 38 acres. Other staffed fires were estimated to be between 1/10th of an acre and 6 acres. Two reconnaissance flights launched this morning to cover all strike areas across the district. These daytime flights will provide better information on current fires and allow the agency to get eyes on pending reports, confirm duplicate reports, and provide oversight to be strategic with ordering and dispatching resources. Last night, a strike team of five engines from the ODF Southern Oregon Area arrived and were dispatched to fires. This morning, another five-engine strike team is mobilizing from the ODF Northwest Area. The district had also ordered two more 20-person hand crews, seven engines, one water tender and one bulldozer to be available where needed. A total of 266 personnel were assigned to fires today. ODF resources are continuing to work with its federal partners at the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Medford BLM District in response to these fires as well as local and county structural fire departments.

 

An early morning structure fire in NE Grants Pass yesterday mobilized multiple agencies and forced the evacuation of nearby homes. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to the fire in the 1300-block of NE 9th Street on Monday at 1:38 a.m.. Arriving units found a detached carport, storage units and multiple vehicles fully-involved in flames. Crews engaged in aggressive fire suppression to stop spread of the blaze to neighboring homes and vegetation. A second alarm was sounded to summon additional resources. The Grants Pass Police Department assisted with evacuations, securing a water supply, providing information and traffic control. There was some damage to an adjacent home that was quickly mitigated. No injuries were reported and no other structures were damaged. The cause of the fire was under investigation by the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Grants Pass Fire Prevention Bureau.

 

Just as lightning was making its way into south Grants Pass last night, a structure fire in Merlin redirected multiple units to that incident. Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue were dispatched to the fire at the end of Enterprise Avenue off Pleasant Valley Road on Monday at 9:30 p.m.. Arriving units found a woodworking shop fully involved with flames. Rural Metro officials said crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby recreational vehicle, propane tank and vegetation. However, it took several hours to extinguish the blaze due to the size of the building and its contents. Water supplied on site included draining a residential swimming pool. Officials said warm weather took its toll on firefighters, but there were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for breaking into a house on the southwest side of Grants Pass last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 31-year-old Austin Lee Buell for the incident in the 3100-block of Redwood Avenue on Monday at 8:22 p.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report a male subject inside her house. She said she did not know the man and he fled on foot on Redwood Avenue before turning onto Hubbard Lane and heading toward Redwood Highway. The victim followed the suspect in her vehicle while maintaining contact with dispatchers. Buell reportedly stopped near Elmer Nelson Lane and that's where he was placed into custody. No stolen items were found in his backpack. Buell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary and Attempted 3rd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a Josephine County Community Corrections client who turned himself in on a statewide felony warrant yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were called to the Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Monday around 3 p.m.. Police said 39-year-old Patrick Henry Hermes was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a prior conviction for Felony Assault. They said he voluntarily surrendered to his corrections officer. Hermes was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a local felony warrant and for drug possession following a weekend traffic complaint on Redwood Highway. The Police Department reports officers eventually pulled over a Lexus sedan driven by 24-year-old Lauren Marie Espey at NW 2nd and C streets at 8:50 p.m. Sunday. Police said Espey was the subject of a traffic complaint as she was driving on US Highway 199 toward Grants Pass. A fellow motorist reported that she was unable to maintain a single travel lane while repeatedly speeding up and slowing down. The caller believed she was either having a medical issue or was impaired. Upon contact with Espey, officers discovered that she was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Identity Theft and 2nd-Degree Theft. She admitted that she was concealing drugs in her bra. She removed the substance which tested positive as 5.4 grams of methamphetamine. A glass pipe was also seized as evidence. Espey was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Meth Possession. She was being held without bail and her vehicle was towed.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on a felony warrant while investigating a weekend trespassing complaint on railroad property on the west side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers contacted and arrested 40-year-old Zachary Michael Gatten on railroad property near NW Sunview Place and Fall Run Drive on Sunday around 7:40 p.m.. Following the complaint, patrol officers spotted Gatten, contacted him and discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Theft. He was also found to have a prior trespass warning on railroad property inside the city limits. Gatten was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. His scheduled bail was set at $50,000.