Local News

There's still time to help support children in both Josephine and Jackson County during the holiday season. Each year the CASA Giving Tree campaign is a special way for the community to participate by donating new toys, clothing, and gift cards to underprivileged children who are living in foster or relative care this time of year. According to CASA's website, these children have been removed from their homes and families due to abuse and/or neglect. This is an opportunity for CASA, the community, and the trained volunteers who advocate for these children to ensure they have a holiday season filled with love, hope and joy. Giving Trees can be found throughout Josephine and Jackson County, as well as right here at 888 Rogue River Highway. For a complete list of locations and where to drop off the gifts, visit www.jococasa.org/giving-trees, or www.jacksoncountycasa.org/giving-trees.

 

The Bureau of Land Management Ashland Field Office is asking the public to help with planning a proposed forest health and timber harvest project in the Applegate and Lake Creek areas.

The Douglas fir Mortality Complex Environmental Assessment is designed to make nearby communities safer by reducing fire risk near where people live by using salvage harvests to remove dead and dying trees. It also aims to increase forest resistance to fire by thinning nearby areas, making the trees more resilient to fire, drought, and insects.

The BLM opened a 37-day public scoping period yesterday for those interested to provide assistance to the planning effort.

To stay up to date on the project and to leave a comment, visit the BLM NEPA Register at www.eplanning.blm.gov.

 

The Grants Pass Broadcasting family would like to thank everyone for their generosity and participation during this year's Kids Day Radio-thon Saturday morning.

For the last 68 years, we have hosted this radio-thon as a way to raise money for less fortunate kids here in Josephine County. Thanks to you, this year, we were able to raise over $13,000 so local kids can have a Christmas worth remembering.

All monies raised during our Kids Day Radio-thon and on the biddable items will go towards purchasing gifts for the kids. In addition, the children and their families will receive food, a handmade blanket, and a Christmas tree.

Again, the Grants Pass Broadcasting Corporation says thank you to the community for helping make this Kids Day a success!

 

Applications are being accepted for a four-year position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy.

The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation, advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and to identify areas of archeological significance and buildings of historic or archeological significance.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 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, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. February 6.

Applications will be reviewed by the commission February 9. Applicants will be interviewed by the Council during their workshop March 2, and appointments will be made at the City Council meeting March 4.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were attempting to locate a suspect wanted on two Medford Police Department warrants Sunday afternoon.

Officers had last seen the man around 12:32 in the 7th and F Street area, but learned he was walking east towards the Safeway at 115 SE 7th Street.

The suspect, identified as Donald Strunk, was located inside the grocery store. Officers contacted him, knowing he was wanted for two active and serviceable warrants out of the MPD.

Both warrants charged Strunk with a count each of Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Meth. Officers transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for the warrants.

 

The Salvation Army is issuing an urgent call for volunteers as both Grants Pass and Jackson County face a critical shortage of bell-ringing coverage with only 15 days remaining in the 2025 Red Kettle season.

Open volunteer opportunities across both counties threaten to limit the resources available to local families at a time when requests for food, rental assistance, and Christmas support continue to rise sharply.

The need in Grants Pass is especially pressing. Thanks to an anonymous donor, every dollar placed in a Grants Pass kettle will be matched up to $100,000, doubling the impact for neighbors facing hardship.

The Salvation Army emphasizes that this opportunity is maximized when kettles are filled with volunteers who help encourage community giving. Many volunteer opportunities remain available, and the Salvation Army invites individuals, families, businesses, civic groups, and churches to “Adopt a Day” or sign up for a shift.

Volunteers can sign up today at RegisterToRing.com. For more information, or to adopt a full day, please contact The Salvation Army in Grants Pass or Jackson County.

 

Multiple calls came in to dispatch regarding a woman standing in the road and yelling Sunday afternoon.

Grants Pass Police officers had contacted the suspect, Jessica Knowlton, at the corner of NW 6th Street and NE Savage Street and warned her for Disorderly Conduct on a prior call for service.

Two callers reported around 2:40 p.m. that Knowlton was now obstructing traffic. Officers contacted one of the callers, who stated Knowlton was standing in the middle of the intersection yelling and blocking traffic while the light was green.

More callers reported to dispatch about Knowlton in the roadway. She was rambling and wouldn't hold a conversation with officers. She was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Officers lodged Knowlton on a Disorderly Conduct charge.

 

The Oregon State Police responded to assist the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with a reported fatal motor vehicle crash Friday. Troopers arrived at the scene near the 1600 block of Fish Hatchery Road in Murphy. Members of the Collision Reconstruction Unit responded as well to document the scene. All information and data was later put into evidence for safe keeping. Nothing further has been reported at this time.

 

Update: This meeting has been canceled.

The Board of County Commissioners will discuss supplemental outside Legal Counsel Representation as well as a board order regarding Weekly Business Session rescheduling for 2026 during Tuesday's workshop.

Other board business includes an update on the Oregon State University Extension, and discussion of board orders.

The board will hear from the Treasurer, Community Justice, Public Works, and Human Resources, then, pending other business matters, the workshop will adjourn.

Tuesday's County Administration Workshop will be held in the BCC Conference Room at 1:30 p.m., and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wishing to attend in person must abide by the clear bag policy.