Local News

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were discovered again in Jackson County -- one year after the Oregon Health Authority and the county announced the species had been found for the first time in the state. OHA, Jackson County Vector Control and Jackson County Public Health have confirmed the presence of the rare mosquitoes as part of a routine surveillance program. OHA officials said the repeat appearance of the Aedes aegyptic mosquitoes is a concern because the species has been more common in the warmer climates of the United States, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. They have been known to carry and transmit diseases that are more typical to warmer climates such as Zika virus, dengue and yellow fever. The mosquitoes become infected when they bite and feed on someone who is infected with the virus. They primarily feed in the daytime and prefer to feed on humans. However, health officials emphasize that the risk of these infections to local residents is low. Aedes aegypti cannot fly far -- only about 500 feet. These mosquitoes prefer warm and wet weather, and to live in or near homes or in neighboring woods. Officials said changes in climate are allowing them to expand their range to the western US.

 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration's Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care. The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology. The extra money will be spent on a variety of improvement projects at various VA health care facilities across the nation including the White City VA Medical Center where several projects will be funded. The White City projects include renovating space in two buildings for Mental Health, preparing a new MRI site, replacing a Chiller, relocating equipment to the Mezzanine and abating ceilings in certain rooms. The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total program spending for Fiscal Year 2025 to $2.8 billion -- a nearly $500 million increase from Fiscal Year 2024.

 

Josephine Community Library is launching "Declaration 250," an eight-part public history series marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The free program begins Thursday, September 4th and runs monthly through May 2026 at the Grants Pass library branch from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.. Led by award-winning educator Lois MacMillan, the series explores how the ideas of 1776 sparked global movements for liberty, equality and independence. Each session connects founding-era events with their last influence in the US and around the world. To accompany the program, the library will feature a traveling Declaration of Independence exhibit, curated by Dr. James Basker and Sandy Trenholm of the Gilder Lehman Institute. The exhibit will be on display in Grants Pass through September and at the Illinois Valley branch in October. It will then be available for three-week loans to local schools and agencies. To request the exhibit, email "info@josephinelibrary.org."

 

Wednesday was the first day this week that Jackson and Josephine counties did not see any thunderstorm activity, but the Oregon Department of Forestry is continuing to find smoldering lightning-caused fires. Last night, an ODF reconnaissance flight with infrared capabilities detected one new fire in Jackson County with minimal heat and firefighters responded. Dubbed the Freezeout Cabin Fire, it is located southwest of Ashland near Dutchman Peak. The Dog Fork Fire near Dutchman Peak was found yesterday and the remote blaze challenged firefighters. Resources were able to line and mop up 50% of the fire despite a two-hour hike in to the incident. ODF responded to another lightning-caused fire yesterday in Josephine County near Murphy. The Southside Road Fire was stopped at just 1/100th of an acre. ODF also responded to two fires that are under investigation. The Rogue River Drive Fire between Eagle Point and Shady Cove was reported last night. When crews arrived on scene, they found the landowner had extinguished it. As crews were building line around it, they spotted a column of smoke not far away and responded to the Greenleaf Fire, catching it at 1/10th of an acre. While there are no more thunderstorms in the forecast and temperatures are expected to decrease, ODF reminds residents that fire danger remains extreme. As they continue to monitor and respond to lightning-caused fires, residents can help the agency by following all current fire season regulations.

 

Two people were injured yesterday in separate motor vehicle accidents that occurred on Redwood Highway in the Kerby area. On Wednesday at 11:28 a.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision on US Highway 199 in Kerby. Details about the crash were unavailable, but IVFD officials said a 9-year-old girl was transported to a local hospital for treatment of leg injuries. No one else was hurt. The Sheriff's Office was investigating the cause of the crash. On Wednesday at 1:13 p.m., IVFD, AMR and the Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 199 at Reeves Creek Road. OSP reported a 38-year-old Gold Beach man was driving a Toyota Prius when he fell asleep at the wheel and woke up just as his car was leaving the highway. The man was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with unknown injuries. His damaged car was hauled to Cave Junction by Jerry's Towing.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man on an out-of-state fugitive warrant late yesterday while investigating an ordinance violation at a city park. The Police Department reports officers arrested 34-year-old Ari Abel Kamin at Riverside Park on Wednesday at 5:27 p.m.. Police said a citizen reported that a male subject had piled up trash and lit it on fire on the grass near the park boat ramp. They found the man with a small fire going about 20 feet away from the Rogue River. Officers contacted Kamin, discovered that he was wanted on a Tracy, California, felony warrant for an unspecified weapon offense and placed him into custody. Kamin was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Reckless Burning. He was being held without bail pending extradition to Tracy. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man for violating his probation yesterday while investigating a disturbance near Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 38-year-old Mitchell Wayne Thornton in the 2,000-block of Holland Loop Road on Wednesday at 2:32 p.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she and Thornton were engaged in an argument regarding an ongoing landlord-tenant issue when Thornton threatened to burn down her property. She was advised to stay inside her house until law enforcement arrived on scene. Upon arrival, deputies found Thornton standing next to his car while smoking a cigarette. They contacted the suspect's corrections officer who requested that his client be arrested. He was placed into custody without incident. Thornton was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Probation Violation related to an arrest for Methamphetamine Possession. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for violating his post-prison supervision after investigating a suspicious activity report in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 47-year-old Jason Earl Oachs for the incident in the 300-block of SW Burgess Street on Wednesday at 4:57 a.m.. Police said a resident in that area reported that they believed Oachs had returned after he had been previously trespassed. The caller stated they did not see him, but they could hear boards being kicked around in the back of the property. Officers arrived on scene and contacted Oachs at the home. After detaining him, they contacted his corrections officer who requested their client be arrested. Oachs was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his probation yesterday after he was caught stealing skin care products from a local beauty salon. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint at SkinCare by Dawn on NW 6th Street around 3:25 p.m. Wednesday. Police said a salon worker reported a male subject -- identified as 34-year-old Zane Raynier Hatcher -- stole three boxes of skin care products valued at $187 from the front of the business. The incident was captured on video surveillance and officers were able to identify the suspect as Hatcher from prior law enforcement contacts. Hatcher was located a short time later with the skin products at NW 4th and B streets. He was placed into custody and the stolen merchandise was returned. Hatcher was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft plus the resulting Probation Violation related to an arrest for Methamphetamine Possession. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.