KRRM - Local News

Talent Nonprofit teaming with GP to Plant Trees in Low-Canopy Neighborhoods

OUR Community Forestry (OURCF), a nonprofit based in Talent, is partnering with Grants Pass to plant 150 large, climate-resilient, locally grown shade trees in low-canopy neighborhoods.

According to the City website, the project is funded by a Community Green Infrastructure grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development.

Grants Pass has held the Tree City USA designation for 38 consecutive years and was named Oregon Tree City of the Year in 2020. But, according to American Forests, low-income communities have on average 26% less canopy than wealthier neighborhoods and are nearly 6 degrees hotter as a result.

The project covers the full arc of tree establishment from site identification and community engagement through planting, irrigation, and multi-year care. Six local interns will gain hands-on urban forestry experience through Project Youth Plus's Career Build program, working alongside OURCF's certified arborists.

Public plantings are scheduled for this fall. Trees will be sourced from Plant Oregon, a Rogue Valley nursery growing native and climate-resilient stock locally since the 1970s, keeping investment in the local economy.

Posted on 3/31/26 4:45AM by Alex Bauer

Beacon Hill Park Land Partition to be Completed, Delegation Headed to D.C.

City Council further discussed Beacon Hill Park during Monday's workshop, deciding to complete the land partition of the west parcel.

The cost of the partition came to about $9,800 with an additional $3 to $4,000 in fees for real estate agent commission, deed preparation, transaction fees, and expected closing fees. Cost implications for park development were expected to be $2 to $3 million.

A motion to proceed with neighborhood and community outreach, pursue park site plan phasing, and include grant funding passed unanimously.

City staff then needed a go or stop process in sending a delegation to Washington D.C. to represent the city and discuss the brick. Council moved for lobbyist Greg Lemhouse, Public Works Director Jason Canady, and Mayor Clint Scherf to represent Grants Pass in D.C. 6-1, with Councilor Indra Nicholas dissenting.

City Council appointed Nicholas as the Small Business Task Force Liaison. During a special meeting following the workshop, the council approved both readings of an ordinance terminating a city utility easement on private property at 1700 Kellenbeck Avenue, and a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.

Posted on 3/31/26 4:36AM by Alex Bauer

Council hears Retention and Expansion Report, City Manager Evaluation Process to be Refined

The Grants Pass City Council heard a Business Retention and Expansion report and considered an update to the City Manager evaluation process during today's workshop.

Following one-on-one confidential surveys, top concerns in the community included decreasing consumer confidence and spending, global or United States recession, the availability of qualified workers, and inflation.

Market Geography was prominently local in Grants Pass and Josephine County, with little engagement shown in Internet sales. Workforce issues included problems recruiting employees and a lack of childcare availability at 56% and 42% respectively.

The Impact of Housing Ability has improved since last year, and public trust in government is near historic lows in America. Josephine County was shown to be in the bottom 5% of Labor Participation Rate in the country.

Regarding the City Manager evaluation, it was recommended the process begin with independent facilitation. A motion was seconded to form a study group to recommend and refine the evaluation process with amendments to have three council members and the city manager make a recommendation on the process, and include staff in getting other city manager evaluation forms.

The motion passed, with Council members Joel King and Indra Nicholas abstaining. The Council was then unanimous in approving a motion for the Urban Renewal Agency grant program. Standalone funds at $125,000 will go to reimburse building owners and businesses up to $5,000 for repairing vandalism except for graffiti for the entire URA.

Posted on 3/30/26 7:43PM by Alex Bauer

BCC to Hold Solid Waste Discussion, Workshop covering Department Business

The Board of County Commissioners will meet for a Solid Waste discussion and their workshop Tuesday.

The discussion will be held at 10 a.m. in the BCC conference room, after which the board will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. for their County Administration Workshop.

Department business to be considered includes Information Technology's Back Up Services Quote, and Community Development's Travel Request and Rose Butte LLC Findings of Fact and Decision.

The Airport Department will bring the board an order regarding the delegation of signing authority to the Interim Airports Manager, an Illinois Valley Airport Fuel Farm Contract, and a Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Agreement.

Public Works will present estimates, quotes, and invoices to the board, and Human Resources will bring Personnel Requisitions and Actions to be signed off on. Following board business including Advisory Committee Applications and Board Meeting Schedules, the workshop will adjourn.

Posted on 3/30/26 11:47AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Two on Substance, Vehicle, and Weapon Charges

Two men were arrested by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies Sunday, one for substance possession, and one for motor vehicle and weapon charges.

Following a foot chase around 1:56 a.m., deputies contacted Paul Cooper at a property in the 100 block of Jerry Drive. Cooper was positively identified, and deputies charged him with Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Evidence from the scene was logged, and Cooper was lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Due to a lack of resources, he was released.

Deputies later contacted Patrick Murphy in the 7000 block of Old Redwood Highway. He was detained around 4:41 p.m., and taken into custody on charges including Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon.

He was subsequently lodged in the Adult Jail Facility on his charges.

Posted on 3/30/26 11:33AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Man for Oregon Parole Board Felony Warrant

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man following a traffic stop for a felony warrant Sunday morning.

Deputies pulled over a slow to yield blue Ford pickup at the corner of Redwood Highway and Ken Rose Lane. After detaining Michele Anderson, it was determined he was wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board Felony warrant.

Anderson was wanted for a parole violation with an underlying charge of Fourth Degree Assault. After confirming his identity, deputies transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrant. The vehicle was released to a female passenger.

Posted on 3/30/26 11:14AM by Alex Bauer

Car Thief Blocking I-5 Slow Lane with Vehicle Arrested by OSP

A man blocking the slow lane of Interstate 5 near milepost 65 southbound with a stolen vehicle was apprehended by Oregon State Police.

Troopers responded Sunday around 12:11 p.m. to the hazard silver Dodge Caravan after reports of the vehicle being stopped on the roadway. The driver of the Dodge had walked away and left the vehicle unattended.

The license plate was obtained and returned as having been stolen out of Douglas County. Troopers were soon able to contact the driver, identifying him as Timothy Vernon. His driving privileges were revoked at the misdemeanor level.

Vernon admitted to taking the Dodge from his mother early that morning. Troopers were then advised that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was investigating a theft of $800 from Vernon's mother, and that he was the alleged suspect.

The Sheriff's Office requested any cash found on Vernon's person or in the vehicle be seized as evidence. Troopers took Vernon into custody, and he complained of pain before being checked by medical personnel at the hospital.

He was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving While Suspended.

Posted on 3/30/26 10:45AM by Alex Bauer

Vendor Application Portal Open for Art Along the Rogue

Art Along the Rogue is on its way, and the opportunity for vendors to apply and be a part of the event is now.

This year’s theme is “Reflections,” and the application portal for pop-up vendors has opened at www.grantspassoregon.gov. There will be a separate application period for food truck vendors in the coming weeks, according to the city website.

Art Along the Rogue happens on 5th Street between G and I streets, and H Street between 4th and 6th streets in historic downtown Grants Pass.

The Owl parking lot is undergoing renovation and is turning the venue into a curbless plaza with sunshades and seating areas. Art Along the Rogue will be the first city-sponsored event to utilize the updated space.

Posted on 3/30/26 9:19AM by Alex Bauer

California Transient Sets House Ablaze, Arrested by Ashland Police

Ashland Police officers arrested a heavily-armed California transient trespassing inside a vacant home he later set ablaze in the 100 block of Church Street Saturday. Law enforcement contacted the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Fedish Llewellyn Ford. He was armed with an axe and refused to come outside. He stated he was additionally armed with firearms and explosives, and that the only way he would vacate the property was if fatal force was used. He also told officers he would use the explosives to set the residence on fire if removed. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team members and negotiators were requested at the scene, and a search warrant was granted. Because of the ongoing threats to use explosives to set the house on fire, members of the SWAT team initiated contact with Ford at approximately 5 p.m. Ford then used accelerants to set the house on fire, and exited onto the roof of the house. SWAT team members used a ladder to contact him and take him into custody. Ford sustained significant burn injuries, and is being treated at an area hospital.

Posted on 3/30/26 5:43AM by Alex Bauer

Gunman Shoots Teen in Neck, Arrested by Medford Police

Medford Police officers arrested a gunman responsible for shooting a teenager at the intersection of Crater Lake Avenue and Stevens Street Sunday around 2:21 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Officers immediately began providing aid until personnel from Mercy Flights and Medford Fire Department arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries is expected to recover. During a search of the area, officers located the suspect, Phoenix Wood, 21, in the Providence parking garage. He was taken into custody without incident. The firearm was also recovered. The MPD Criminal Investigations Division (CID) was notified, and a detective responded to lead the investigation. The investigation determined Wood and the victim did not know each other and became involved in an argument. During the confrontation, Wood produced a handgun and struck the victim with it. While doing so, the firearm discharged, striking the victim in the neck.

Posted on 3/30/26 5:19AM by Alex Bauer

Motorcyclist Crashed, Discharged Firearm to Alert Others, Transported to Hospital

A motorcyclist was airlifted by Mercy Flights to a Medford-area trauma hospital Sunday at 6:08 p.m. after a crash in the area of Peavine Road near Rich Gulch.

Due to the rider's poor cell phone connection with Grants Pass 911, an initial response was delayed. This reportedly prompted the rider to discharge a firearm to summon the attention of others in the party.

Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire and AMR arrived and extracted and transported the injured rider from a ravine to a landing zone at Morrison's Rogue River Lodge.

Posted on 3/30/26 4:59AM by Alex Bauer

Rural Metro, GP Fire Contain Two Weekend Fires, Give Fire Safety Reminder

Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire contained two fires Saturday afternoon on different ends of the Mid Rogue Fire District.

An unattended open burn spread to half an acre of brush and trees in the 200 block of Becky Springs Drive at 5:15 p.m. Dispatch was alerted to the fire by a passersby on Fish Hatchery Road at Southside Road.

The caller observed the flames on the steep hillside. Rural Metro crews from the Williams Highway and Wilderville stations arrived and were able to knock down the blaze.

Shortly thereafter, a heat lamp ignited a chicken coop in the 4000 block of Foothill Boulevard. A Grants Pass Fire crew from the Parkway Station reported to the scene around 5:39 p.m.

The coop was found to be fully involved, with the fire having spread into one tree. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters confirmed eight chicks did not survive the blaze.

Fire crews remind the public that, even on approved burn days, be sure to only burn approved materials, clear a barrier down to bare dirt around the pile to prevent flames from spreading, and remain in attendance. When using heat lamps for livestock, be sure they are well secured and far enough away from flammable bedding materials.

Posted on 3/30/26 4:53AM by Alex Bauer