Local News

The City of Rogue River announced a Water Shut Off and Boil Advisory Tuesday afternoon. An accidental water main shut off occurred affecting all properties west of Evans Creek. Due to loss of water pressure in the distribution system, potentially harmful bacteria could be present in the water supply. A long term interruption of service isn't expected, but Rogue River staff encourage those in the affected area to boil their water before using it as a precautionary measure. Staff anticipates resolving the problem within the day, but said it may be up to 72 hours before results of the water quality samples taken return. This boil water advisory is a precaution. For more information, go to www.cityofrogueriver.org, or call (541) 499-8041.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners passed a motion implementing a clear bag policy for their future meetings as a safety precaution during Tuesday's Workshop.

Following this decision, the board approved the Clerk's request to appoint 5 people to the property value appeals board, and they passed a motion 3-0 permitting the Forestry Department's Fall Tree Planting Contract. The planting of seedlings at about 42 cents per tree will begin before snowfall and cover over 100 acres.

The Recreation Department request for Limited Power of Attorney regarding work at Whitehorse Park was approved 3-0, as was the Notice of the Lake Selmac Grant received back in 2020.

Motions passed unanimously for Public Works and Public Health Invoices, with an Airport Invoice moved to the next Weekly Business Session.

Community Justice Amendments and Payments were approved, and the board gave authorization for a Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Agreement and the signing of a contract for Personal Services with the Grants Pass Sobering Center and Josephine County Community Corrections.

A motion to approve the Merlin Heights Plat Map passed 3-0, and the board will consider a decision for an appointment to the Mining Advisory Committee and Josephine County Rural Planning Commission at their next meeting.

Commissioner Andreas Blech announced he is putting together an evaluation form for departments to be discussed, and Commissioner Chris Barnett reminded the public to be cognizant of Burn Days. The board thanked both residents and fire crews for two low fire impact seasons, and the meeting was adjourned.

 

Emergency services responded Tuesday at 11:35 p.m. to a traffic accident in the 28000 block of Redwood Hwy in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and the Oregon State Police attended to a single-vehicle incident.

One individual was extracted from the vehicle and subsequently transported to the local hospital. They sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The Oregon State Police lead the investigation, and Jerry's Towing managed the vehicle's removal from the site.

 

At the beginning of the County Administration Workshop, U-Turn for Christ presented the Commissioners with a 24-Hour Supervised Facility plan. In an effort to help the homeless community, the County Real Property at 1798 SE N Street has been considered as a potential site where U-Turn for Christ would provide rehabilitation services to the homeless. Participants would be screened before being able to enter, and rules would be enforced. U-Turn for Christ said potential economic benefits would include restoration of property values, improvements to neighborhood aesthetics, and responsible investments could be drawn to the area, all while alleviating the homeless situation. There was concern about the sites proximity to a school, and questions about the price and potential probationary period for the site pending approval. $3 million in funding would come from federal and private investments and partners at the start should the grant be secured, and U-Turn for Christ highlighted a desire for transparency and for the community to help lead this effort.

 

A woman with an outstanding warrant turned herself in to police at the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Kayla Sanchez contacted Grants Pass Police officers at the 1901 NE F Street facility. She wanted to turn herself in for a Second Degree Theft Warrant she had out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

After confirming Sanchez's identity and the warrant, officers placed her into custody and lodged her in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Officers were called out to a trespassing complaint involving campers Monday morning.

The caller stated a blue tent was pitched next to Bob Drake Reproductions at 1819 NW Washington Boulevard. The two suspect campers, Shane McComb and Fawn Cromwell, were contacted by officers.

Both were warned for trespassing, and Cromwell was found to have a warrant out of Marion County for Shoplifting. She was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the warrant.

 

An officer with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was waved down by a citizen regarding a driving complaint Monday afternoon.

At 1:51 p.m. near Highway 199 and Forks Park, the citizen reported a black Nissan Pickup as the suspect vehicle, confirmed by a second witness that told the officer the individual driving the same truck was causing a disturbance at the park.

The officer contacted the suspect who stated he had been drinking and smoking marijuana. He was arrested, transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a Legal Blood Draw, and subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a DUII charge.

 

Josephine County Commissioners voted to keep an appeal to a land use decision open for further information and evidence to be submitted plus Commissioners will make a personal visit to the property. The appeal was to overturn the Planning Director’s decision to approve a type II home occupation allowing a boat manufacturing business in a residential neighborhood, basically a cul-de-sac at the end of Devon Drive where the zoning allows home occupations. Most of the proponents’ arguments dealt with noise coming from the business generator because none of the neighbors would grant right of way for electrical lines to be installed. The next date for the appeal will be announced later.

 

After 135 days, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District officially declared the end of the 2025 fire season in Jackson and Josephine Counties this morning at 12:01 a.m. Multiple days of widespread rain across the district and a shift to consistent fall weather allowed for all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted. The termination of fire season removes fire prevention regulations on equipment use and the use of fire for debris burning. This applies to the public and industrial operations on forestland, however, industrial slash burning is still prohibited. Many structural fire agencies require permits for residential debris burning. Check with your local fire department to obtain any necessary permits before burning and ensure it’s a burn day designated by county. For more information, call the Jackson County Burn Line at (541) 776-7007, or the Josephine County Burn Line at (541) 476-9663.