Local News

Containment on the Anderson Butte Road Fire has increased to 50% following another day of hard work by firefighters. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire remains at 78 acres, with all control lines holding as crews continue to secure the perimeter and extinguish remaining heat. Firefighters have now completed mop-up approximately 200 feet inward from the perimeter, further securing the fire’s edge. Snagging operations have also been completed throughout the areas crews have been able to safely access. Some smoke remains visible in the interior of the fire, particularly in a steep drainage where heavy concentrations of hazardous trees make access difficult. Crews continue to assess these areas and address remaining heat where they can do so safely.

 

The County Commissioners moved to amend an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation for the Althhouse Creek Bridge replacement project.

During their 1:30 p.m. workshop, the board was unanimous in approval of the rehabilitation. Funding of about $2.7 million is currently in place. Also approved was an ODOT agreement amendment for public transit funds, adding 25 cents to the agreement amount to help cover preventive maintenance expenses. No county funds will be spent.

Transit's software renewal agreement with Spare was approved unanimously, with an annual fee of $50,400 paid for by federal and state funds. Motions to appoint five new members to the Economic Development Committee, re-appoint Karl Heackler to the Fair Board, and task Nate Sanders with being Project Coordinator for Josephine Regional Inter-Operational Systems carried 3-0.

Commissioner Colene Martin gave a County Communications update, saying she met with the Emergency Manager of Grants Pass to discuss a complete communication system overhaul. An independent power developer was identified that could build towers on county properties. It would own and work on said structures, potentially providing better coverage. A Homeland Security Grant will be applied for.

All Human Resources position requisitions were approved without objection, and a Finance board order motion to temporarily delegate signing authority during an upcoming absence of the director passed unanimously.

 

Oregon State Police issued a criminal citation to a man standing on the shoulder of Interstate 5 Monday.

The trooper responded around 7:16 p.m. to a suspicious suspect just off I-5 southbound at milepost 54. He was contacted by law enforcement, and discovered to have a misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest.

He was identified as Michael Todnem, 36, of Grants Pass, and provided a ride to Rogue River where he was subsequently issued a citation. He was released shortly thereafter.

 

A woman was cited by Grants Pass Police following a Fred Meyer shoplifting report Monday afternoon.

Dispatch was alerted by asset protection at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store that Theresa Anderson was in custody after a theft attempt. She had reportedly passed all points of sale after concealing about $240 worth of merchandise, with no attempt to pay.

Anderson was lying to staff but otherwise being cooperative according to loss prevention, who wished to pursue for theft and trespassing charges against her. Officers arrived and took Anderson into custody. She was trespassed from the business, cited to appear for Second Degree Theft, and released..

 

A Walmart shoplifting suspect was arrested by Grants Pass Police after she attempted to steal almost $400 worth of merchandise.

The suspect, Venessa McCafferty, was cooperative upon being detained Monday around 12:36 p.m. by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store. Dispatch was informed she had bypassed all points and attempted to leave with unpurchased merchandise.

Surveillance of the incident was captured, and upon contact with police, McCafferty was found to be in possession of a crystalline substance. She was trespassed from the Walmart, and taken into custody.

Officers lodged McCafferty in the Josephine County Jail. A charge of Methamphetamine Possession was referred to the District Attorney's Office.

 

Grants Pass Police detained a woman wanted on a trespass warrant following a welfare check.

Monday at 6:34, Jessica Knowlton was detained by officers at the corner of SE 8th Street and SE L Street. She was seen entering a vehicle in the area of the check, and a traffic stop was conducted. Officers found Knowlton was wanted on an active and serviceable warrant.

She was charged with Second Degree Trespass out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Following confirmation of her identity and warrant, she was transported to the Adult Jail Facility and lodged.

 

The Board of Commissioners and Grants Pass City Council met for their monthly update meeting to discuss public land parking, car camping, and a potential Youth Community Center.

The meeting began at 11 a.m. with a potential joint parking venture discussion. A rough estimate from Mayor Clint Scherf for the venture, with the potential opportunity to increase density, was a few million dollars. Council brought the topic to the board to see if there was interest in the community for such a venture, and will bring a parking study to the board for future discussion.

Car camping on the Urban Growth Boundary or on County property was discussed next, where a venture was proposed to potentially set aside land for parking and car camping, where Sheriff's deputies and Police Department units would have shared access.

Lastly, the mayor wanted further conversation to be considered by the board about a fairgrounds building being utilized as a fulltime community center, saying there was a lack of a community resource for the youth. Following a discussion about board and council planning departments, the meeting adjourned, with the three topics discussed today set to be continued during the next Monthly Update.

 

Rogue Community College has released its inaugural Annual Report to the Community, highlighting a year of record enrollment growth, improved student outcomes, expanded workforce programs and partnerships that are strengthening communities throughout Southern Oregon.

The 2025-26 report provides a look at RCC’s impact on students and the region while sharing the college’s priorities for the future. The report is available at roguecc.edu/about.

RCC served 10,247 students during 2025-26, including 7,851 credit students, as demand continued to grow for career and technical education, workforce training and transfer programs. The college has seen a 30% increase in combined graduation and transfer rates following investments in student success, and has expanded access to healthcare education in Josephine County with the renovation of the Redwood Campus E Building.

In April 2025, RCC became the only public college or university in Oregon to receive the Carnegie Foundation’s Opportunity College and University designation.

RCC’s partnerships with local school districts are creating opportunities for students to begin college before they graduate from high school through its Early College and dual enrollment partnerships with more than a dozen Southern Oregon high schools.

The RCC Foundation awarded $929,133 in scholarships to 320 students during 2025-26, with an average award of $3,000. The Foundation also made a $650,000 investment in RCC programs during the year. Along with plans for growth, the report highlights the launch of RCC’s redesigned website and refreshed brand identity.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 17-year-old driver Friday, September 18th, following a vehicle crash that killed his passenger and sparked the 15,000-acre East Evans Creek Fire. The 18-year-old male passenger in the involved 2002 Ford Ranger died July 18th at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. The suspect, a 17-year-old male, is charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide, Reckless Driving, and Second-Degree Criminal mischief. Deputies lodged the suspect in the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility. Friday, July 10th at 2:39 p.m., dispatch received a call for a rollover motor vehicle crash in the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Road in rural Rogue River. An Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District Type 6 engine with a two-person crew was on patrol in the area and was on scene within approximately 30 seconds. The crew rendered aid, while simultaneously engaging in suppression efforts on the fire. They immediately ordered additional air and ground resources from ODF dispatch, initiating a full response to the incident. Within minutes the fire had spread to dry vegetation in the area leading to evacuation of nearby residences and eventually growing to more than 15,000 acres.