Local News

Firefighters on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest are working toward full suppression on 33 active lightning-caused fires. Most of these fires are on the High Cascades Ranger District, with some on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District. The US Forest Service reports 22 of the fires have now been fully contained or controlled. As of this morning, there were still 13 unconfirmed reports of smoke. In addition to the more than 1,700 lightning strikes since Sunday evening, the local forest had received nearly 500 new strikes in the past 24 hours. Air and ground reconnaissance will continue today to locate and respond to any new fire starts. Hand crews, engines, heavy equipment, falling modules, water tenders and a variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are working toward full suppression on all active incidents on the forest. Rural Metro Fire Department reported the first smoke in its Josephine County response area last night. Tuesday's thunderstorm brought at least one lightning strike on the west side of Walker Mountain north of Grants Pass. Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry were hiking into the location to begin suppression. Due to the accompanying rainfall, growth of the fire was not expected.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a nationwide fugitive warrant at a Cave Junction area recreational vehicle park. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 30-year-old Brandon Michael O'Brien at Country Hills RV Resort in the 7900-block of Caves Highway on Monday morning. Deputies said the park manager requested a welfare check on a male subject who arrived in a Jeep Compass and was sleeping inside the rental vehicle. The caller said he would check on the man himself, but he was recently injured in a wreck. Upon arrival, deputies contacted O'Brien and discovered that he was wanted on Warren County, Missouri, Sheriff's Office warrant for Probation Violation related to a previous arrest for Receiving Stolen Property. O'Brien was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the nationwide warrant. He was being held without bail pending extradition to Missouri.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for urinating on two officers during a patrol check at Baker Park this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 48-year-old Rose McLaughlin at the city park on the Rogue River late Monday night. Police said they contacted McLaughlin and cited her for Utilization of Park Space and Scattering Rubbish after finding that she had erected a crude shelter. They said she initially refused to identify herself until they discovered her true identity and that she had been trespassed from the park on August 5th. McLaughlin was escorted to the parking lot and placed into custody. While being arrested, she kicked, pulled away and then urinated on the boots and pants of two officers. McLaughlin was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Felony Aggravated Harassment, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail. Meanwhile, Joshua Alexander, Brittany Brown and Morgan Botello were also cited for Utilization of Park Space. They were reminded that overnight camping in city parks is once again prohibited.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man who used a knife to vandalize a woman's tent at a downtown resting site this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at the 6th & A Street homeless encampment on Monday night. Police said 23-year-old James David McClung got into an argument with a woman over tent locations and space in the resting site. They said he used a knife to slash the woman's tent multiple times, causing damage. Witnesses reported he also threw the woman's wheelchair into a dumpster. The on-site video trailer provided evidence of unprovoked and intentional actions by the suspect. Officers searched the area and located McClung on NW C Street near 5th Street. McClung was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and he was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from the resting site for 30 days.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on three outstanding warrants after she and others were caught camping at a city park early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a report of the city ordinance violation at Morrison Centennial Park on Rogue River Highway early Tuesday morning. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report multiple people sleeping on the ground without tents at the park. One of individuals was identified as 45-year-old Melissa Marlene Francis Burger who was wanted on two warrants out of Grants Pass and one out of Eagle Point. Charges against Burger included two counts of Methamphetamine Possession plus single counts of Criminal Trespass and Furnishing False Information to Police. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. Burger and at least two other people were warned about park hours and directed to leave. Elizabeth Grimes and Joshua George were allowed to leave their vehicle in the park until daylight as its lights were not working.

 

Applications are being accepted for a short-term position on the Grants Pass Parks Advisory Committee. This term expires on September 6, 2026. The purpose of the board is to review and make recommendations related to the needs and locations for new parkland and trail locations, park planning, allocation of recreation resources between users, preservation of park resources and funding. The Grants Pass City Council desires to have a balance of viewpoints and demographic representation including individuals with interest or experience with athletic leagues, individuals knowledgeable in natural resource preservation, people involved with recurring park events, frequent park users and individuals who use family-friendly park facilities. 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 by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 3rd.

 

Leaders of the Josephine Community Library District announced a counterproposal to the Board of Commissioners during a Tuesday morning press conference at the Grants Pass branch. Last Thursday, the Commissioners approved a new version of a library lease after reinstating a "termination for convenience" clause, which would allow either party to cancel the agreement with 30 days' notice. In a letter delivered by the library district's legal counsel, library officials made it clear that such a provision is unacceptable for a public institution tasked with delivering public services. The library district is asking that the lease allow termination only for cause -- such as a failure to meet lease obligations -- rather than for convenience, which would allow the county to end the lease at any time with 30 days' notice. Moving a large facility such as a public library requires more planning than a 30-day termination notice would allow. The district proposed modeling any new termination terms after the existing lease between Josephine County and the Grants Pass Family YMCA, another nonprofit providing essential community services under a $1 per year lease agreement. The Grants Pass branch at 200 NW C Street has served as the county's main library since 1959.

 

Food insecurity rates in the Rogue Valley are higher than the state average, according to the recently released "2025 Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment." Produced by the Rogue Valley Food System Network in collaboration with more than 20 local and statewide organizations, the Community Food Assessment is the result of three years of research and highlights the challenges and strengths of the food system in Jackson and Josephine counties. Included in the findings are the high levels of food insecurity in both counties, despite a vibrant agricultural economy. More than 19% of children in Josephine County face food insecurity, with just over 17% in Jackson County facing similar challenges. This compares to 13% throughout the state. According to the report, food insecurity rates declined significantly during the pandemic, due to a range of successful food assistance programs. Recent cuts to federal programs from Meals on Wheels to school lunch programs as well as funding for food banks has raised deep concerns for the agencies and organizations focused on feeding people in need. A five-year Community Food Action Plan arose out of the Rogue Valley Community Assessment

 

The American Red Cross asks donors to give blood now to help maintain a healthy blood supply. Donors of all blood types -- especially those with Types O positive and B negative blood -- are urged to make an appointment to keep lifesaving blood products ready the moment patients need them. People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by the Red Cross community and fans of Peanuts. This month, the Red Cross and Peanuts are once again joining forces to remind people that a little good goes a long way. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, those who come to give blood from August 29th through September 21st will get an exclusive "Red Cross and Peanuts" mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs -- while they last. Be a friend to patients in need. Book a time to give by calling 1-(800)-RED CROSS, visiting "RedCrossBlood.org," or by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.