Local News

All control lines remain strong on the Kelsey Peak Fire as firefighters continue to push into the perimeter, increasing containment to 68%. The fire, located approximately 15 miles west of Glendale, is still being held by resources at 1,039 acres. Rain was felt across the Kelsey Peak Fire early yesterday morning, continuing throughout the afternoon. Safety remains a top priority as work continues on tough terrain with numerous hazards. Today, firefighters will continue mopping up across the fire on the western and northern portions of line. Smoldering vegetation can remain dormant until warm, windy weather causes it to flare up. With those exact conditions in the forecast later this week, this work is critical to retain control of the fire and continue to move forward in extinguishing it. Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1, assigned to the Kelsey Peak Fire since last Monday, is coordinating with the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5 on the Moon Complex.

 

After almost a decade of planning and legislative advocacy, the Rogue River School District announced the opening of its new Early Learning and Wellness Center. This milestone represents years of effort to expand early learning opportunities and provide vital health services to children and families in the Rogue River and Wimer areas. Efforts to establish an early learning and wellness center in the district date back to the late 2010's. Over the years, numerous community members, regional medical providers, education advocates, members of the Rogue River School Board, and state legislators worked hard to secure funding and support for the project. Funding for the $3 million facility was secured in 2021 through SB 5534, utilizing lottery bond dollars with the intent to address critical gaps in health care and early learning. The center features a student-based health clinic operated by La Clinica, as well as expanded preschool programming provided by Head Start.

 

Grants Pass residents still have time to apply for the Community Development Block Grant Weatherization and Rehabilitation Program. The application window for lower- and middle-income homeowners will close at 5 pm on Tuesday, September 16. It is offered for city residents only and for owner-occupied stick-built homes. No mobile homes or manufactured homes are eligible. No rentals are eligible for the 2024 program year. The CDBG program allocates funds each year for these types of projects based on the annual award the city receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds are limited, applications must meet the income level, and not all repairs are eligible.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded to a reported fight yesterday.

Officers received a call stating a man was fighting with the caller's husband. Before arrival, officers were told the man was leaving in a gold Mazda.

The suspect was found inside his vehicle visibly intoxicated. Upon contact, he denied any physical altercation.

He was lodged at the Sobering Center and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to two separate traffic accidents yesterday.

Saturday morning, just before 6 a.m., I.V. Fire and AMR Josephine County responded to a reported vehicle accident at the intersection of Holland Loop Road and Caves Highway in Cave Junction.

Upon arrival, responding units found an abandoned vehicle that had collided with a tree. A thorough search was conducted and no occupants were found. The vehicle was flagged and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was notified.

Later that same morning, a rollover incident occurred at the intersection of Laurel Road and Caves Highway in Cave Junction. I.V. Fire and AMR Josephine County provided emergency response.

One individual was able to exit the vehicle without assistance and sustained no injuries. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office subsequently arrived and assumed control of the scene.

 

Containment on the Kelsey Peak Fire increased to 44% as crews continue mop-up work around the perimeter.

The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the lightning-sparked fire, located 15 miles west of Glendale in the Lower Rogue River Corridor, burned 1,039 acres in steep rugged terrain along the Kelsey Creek drainage.

Crews have constructed fireline around the perimeter of the fire and continue to strengthen the line, working into the interior of the fire nearly 200 feet in some areas. Unmanned Aircraft, equipped with infrared technology is being used to focus gridding on specific areas around the fire’s edge.

As containment increases for the fire and the perimeter is secured, hose and pumps that are no longer needed for containment efforts are being backhauled off the fireline to clean and prepare for use on the next incident.

Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1, assigned to the Kelsey Peak Fire since last Monday, is coordinating with the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5 on the Moon Complex, approximately eight miles to the west.

The Curry County Sheriff’s Office has a Level 2 – BE SET evacuation order in effect for the area of Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and the nearby area of Marial. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management has a Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice for Zone JCU-801 in place.

 

Dinosaurs will once again take over Grants Pass when the third annual Rex Races return on Sunday, September 14 at Grants Pass Downs.

The lighthearted event, which features runners in inflatable Tyrannosaurus Rex costumes, has quickly become a local favorite for families and community members of all ages.

In addition to the Dino races, the event will include food vendors, and of course the fall horse meet. Admission is $5 for spectators, kids are free on T-Rex day and parking is always FREE!

The Rex Races are made possible through the support of local sponsors and volunteers. Organizers encourage community members to come out, cheer on the racers, and help make this year’s event the most successful yet.

 

Investigators from the Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit have spent the week furthering the investigation into the murder of Matthew Vandersande. The investigative team is made up of members of the Ashland Police, Medford Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the Jackson County District Attorney’s office and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab. Throughout the last week, several Ashland neighborhoods have seen detectives canvassing the area, interviewing possible witnesses and seeking evidence. Several search warrants have been obtained and executed, and several items of evidentiary value collected. More search warrants will be sought as needed as the investigation progresses. The investigation continues to lead investigators to believe that there is not a general threat to the community. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Ashland Police Department.

 

Mop-up operations on the Kelsey Peak Fire have improved containment to 23%. Increased containment reflects the focused work crews have been accomplishing each day. Some portions of the fire have been mopped up 100 feet into the interior. Yesterday, helicopters were used to drop water on hot spots, moderating fire behavior and allowing firefighters to cool the area. They will be available again today for bucket work and to bring pumps and hose to the fire line in difficult terrain. Crews today are using infrared maps from an Unmanned Aircraft flight late yesterday to identify areas of heat. The Rogue River remains open for permitted boaters near the Kelsey Peak Fire, however boaters are encouraged to use caution on this part of the river.