Local News

Multiple agencies extinguished a vegetation fire near Cave Junction late yesterday. On Wednesday at 5:10 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry and US Forest Service were dispatched to a grass fire in the 5,000-block of Westside Road. Arriving units located a half-acre fire and mounted an aggressive initial attack that included an ODF helicopter that assisted in suppression. Additional firefighters had to hike in to the blaze, which was located a good distance from any roadways. By 6:15 p.m., ODF reported crews were gaining control of the fire and estimated its size to be around one acre. Resources remained engaged with the fire through the evening hours. According to ODF, the cause of the fire was under investigation. Rural Metro Fire Department assisted in coverage of the local fire district while the incident was active.

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC) due to a vacancy. This position expires on December 7, 2026. The HBSC's purpose is to review proposed alterations to any historic district or designated structure in the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation, to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and to identify areas of archaeological significance and buildings of historic or archaeological significance. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the City of Grants Pass. This position is for a representative who is the owner of a business located within the Central Business District of the City of Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4th.

 

The Grants Pass City Council convened an emergency meeting Wednesday night to deal with the details of service to be provided to the unhoused population that have been moved from city parks to the two designated camping areas. They were also met with a chamber filled to capacity with citizens who provided over an hour of public comments. The Council passed a motion to provide the approved city campsites with standard sanitation facilities, cigarette collection cans and doggie bags with a receptacle for that waste. Non-profit organizations will be allowed to provide potable water, park benches and approved shade structures. The motion was approved on a 7-1 vote. The cost to the city for the temporary services is estimated to be $280,000. The Council then approved expanding the time allowed to stay at the designated sites to one week before citations may be issued, with a three-day time limit to move. The vote was 4-4 with Mayor Sara Bristol breaking the tie with a 'yes' vote. Multiple Councilors expressed belief that the city should consult with businesses neighboring the J Street campground that have experienced theft and vandalism with fencing as a likely solution. The panel was informed temporary fencing for the facility would cost $1,200 monthly.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to a proposed development project in the North Valley area. Following a brief public hearing, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the first reading and schedule the second reading and adoption for September 11th. Board Chair John West recused himself from the hearing due to a potential conflict of interest. James Black of the Community Development Department testified that it has been a lengthy process to approve the project proposed by KND Development, LLC. He said the Rural Planning Commission first recommended approval of the project to the Board in June 2021, but there were two subsequent appeals to the Land Use Board of Appeals that were remanded back to the Board prior to yesterday's approval. With final approval next month, the comprehensive plan will be amended from Forest to Residential and the zoning map will be amended from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential with a five-acre minimum lot size.

 

The newest play equipment in Grants Pass city parks is a 'Movmnt by Burke' game at Eckstein Park next to Riverside Elementary School. Parks officials said the game appeals to kids and adults and it's accessible to people who use mobility devices. The inclusive game is powered by a hand-crank that generates a charge to power a series of flashing lights that briefly illuminate various pads. The game can be played by one or two people. Eckstein Park, formerly known as Portola Park, was chosen because there is no room for a traditional play structure. The game is situated along the walking path near the outfield of the baseball field. Officials said the cost of this game was approximately $18,000, with an additional $4,000 for the concrete pad and curbing installation.

 

The Grants Pass City Council convened an emergency meeting Wednesday night to deal with the details of service to be provided to the unhoused population that have been moved from city parks to the two designated camping areas. They were also met with a chamber filled to capacity with citizens providing over an hour of public comments. The council passed a motion to provide the approved city campsites with standard sanitation facilities, cigarette collection cans, and doggie bags with a receptacle for that waste plus non-profit organizations would be allowed to provide potable water, park benches and approved shade structures. The motion was approved on a 7 to 1 vote. Council then approved allowed time to remain in the park expanding the time allowed to one week before citations may be issued with a three-day time limit to move. The vote was 4 to 4 with Mayor Bristol breaking the tie with a yes vote. The cost for the temporary services is estimated to be $280,000. Multiple councilors expressed belief that the city should consult with businesses neighboring the “J” Street campground that have experienced theft and vandalism as to a solution that would likely include some fencing. The council was informed temporary fencing for the facility would cost $1200 monthly.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning approved the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to a proposed development project in the North Valley area. Following a brief public hearing, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the first reading and schedule the second reading and adoption for September 11th. Board Chair John West recused himself from the hearing due to a potential conflict of interest. James Black of the Community Development Department testified that it has been a lengthy process to approve the project proposed by KND Development, LLC. He said the Rural Planning Commission first recommended approval of the project to the Board in June 2021, but there were two subsequent appeals to the Land Use Board of Appeals that were remanded back to the Board prior to today's approval. With final approval next month, the comprehensive plan will be amended from Forest to Residential and the zoning map will be amended from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential with a five-acre minimum lot size. In the public comment period, the Board of Commissioners heard complaints about "Democratic Party manipulation," defunding the 4-H Extension District, the new Youth & Ag Club and the demise of the Firewise program. The Board heard praise for their leadership in opposition to the statewide wildfire hazard map.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department assisted the United States Marshals Service with the apprehension of a nationwide fugitive late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers and detectives arrested 24-year-old Hunter Lee Schoen at the Gospel Rescue Mission on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.. Police said Schoen was wanted on a fugitive warrant issued by the Utah Attorney General's Office in Salt Lake City for Felony Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. No other details were available about the alleged crime. According to the report, officers initially checked a residence in the 700-block of SW Greenwood Avenue for the fugitive, but he was not there. Investigators then tracked him down and placed him into custody at the Gospel Rescue Mission. Schoen was lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail pending extradition proceedings that will likely send him back to Utah.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known criminal offender for felony robbery after he stole some items from a convenience store and then fought with a worker in an effort to retain the pilfered goods. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a reported theft at the Rogue River Market & Deli on Rogue River Highway on Tuesday at 5:20 p.m.. Police said a man they identified as 37-year-old Bradley Andrew Peckham tried to conceal various items he took at the store and was confronted before exiting the business. They said he used physical force to overcome the resistance of the employee who attempted to stop him. There were no injuries reported. A photo of the suspect was sent out to patrol officers who eventually placed him into custody near Morrison Centennial Park at 7:37 p.m. with assistance of a police K-9. Peckham was subsequently booked into the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery and misdemeanor 3rd-Degree Theft.