Local News

The Illinois Valley Fire District is now accepting applications to fill one vacancy on its Board of Directors. IVFD Chief John Holmes is inviting all interested persons to apply by mailing or emailing a letter of interest to the rural fire protection district. Letters may be mailed to 681 Caves Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 or emailed to "jamiepaul@ivfire.com." The application deadline is September 4th. For more information, call the IVFD Administration Office at (541)-592-2225 or (541)-592-3159.

 

Two San Antonio men were sentenced to federal prison last week for conspiring to travel from Texas to Southern Oregon to commit an armed robbery while disguised as agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon reports 24-year-old Jose Manuel Lopez was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and 23-year-old Juan Carlos Conchas was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison. Both men were also sentenced to four years of supervised release and must pay restitution to the victim. Court documents show that on March 12, 2022, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence on Pyle Drive after receiving reports of an armed robbery in progress. Deputies found a residence with a closed gate and two empty vehicles with Texas license plates in the driveway with their doors open. Deputies saw several people running toward the back of the property and found victims inside the house. The victims reported that armed individuals dressed in what appeared to be DEA attire and wearing body armor arrived at the property and used zip ties and duct tape to restrain them. Deputies searched the property and found large plastic totes containing packaged marijuana in the buildings and vehicles. They also found body armor, firearms, ammunition, shell casings and DEA badges along the path the defendants used to flee the property.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters endured extreme heat while protecting the community last week. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 633 calls for service along with 260 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 39 arrests, 14 citations, 38 warnings and nine highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 47 traffic stops in the city and they made 18 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made contact with a total of 62 potential troublemakers while arresting 18 people, citing 23 more and warning 29 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 24 individuals and made 66 park checks. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 118 calls last week including 38 for emergency medical service, nine reports of fire or smoke, 16 lift assists, 27 rescue situations, 18 assists to other agencies and seven false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,418 emergency calls last week.

 

Grants Pass has begun the process of removing homeless people from all city parks. Josephine County Circuit Judge Sarah McGlaughlin on Friday issued a General Judgement of Dismissal resulting in the Disability Rights Oregon versus City of Grants Pass case being dismissed with prejudice and the preliminary injunction being dissolved. Over the weekend, the Grants Pass Police Department started noticing parks occupants they will have 72 hours to remove their belongings. The existing ordinance prohibiting overnight camping in city parks can now be enforced. The downtown resting sites on NW 5th Street, NW 6th Street and NE 7th Street will remain open, but the 96-hour length-of-stay restrictions can now be enforced unless an ADA accommodation is necessary. As part of the settlement, Grants Pass must provide resting sites for a minimum of 150 people for at least one year.

 

UPDATE: ROSITA GOIS HAS BEEN FOUND SAFELY.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating an Illinois Valley woman who has been reported missing. Sheriff's officials reported Friday that 47-year-old Rosita "Rosie" Gois was last seen at her residence off Holland Loop Road near Cave Junction on Thursday. Gois was wearing a red tank top and jean shorts. She is described as an adult female who is 5-feet-tall and weighs 90 pounds, with short dark hair and a tattoo on her neck. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rosita Gois is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.

 

Grants Pass will begin the process of evicting homeless people from all city parks this weekend. On August 15th, Josephine County Circuit Judge Sarah McGlaughlin issued a General Judgement of Dismissal resulting in the Disability Rights Oregon versus City of Grants Pass case being dismissed with prejudice and the preliminary injunction being dissolved. Over the weekend, the Grants Pass Police Department will start noticing the parks that occupants will have 72 hours to remove their belongings. The existing ordinance prohibiting overnight camping in city parks can now be enforced. The downtown resting sites on NW 5th Street, NW 6th Street and NE 7th Street will remain open, but the 96-hour length-of-stay restrictions can now be enforced unless an ADA accommodation is necessary.

 

The Josephine Community Library District is urging the Board of Commissioners to end all delays and approve a lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch. The local library district issued a press release on Thursday afternoon, directly after the Commissioners -- led by Board Chair Andreas Blech -- inexplicably delayed consideration of the lease agreement until next Thursday. JCL leaders said the postponement prolongs over seven months of uncertainty for thousands of library users. It all began January 6th when the Board -- then led by recalled Commissioner John West -- unexpectedly voted to terminate the $1 per year lease for the Grants Pass library branch. It's the headquarters of the county library system which has operated at its current location since 1959. Library officials said the proposed lease is the product of many hours of meetings between Commissioner Chris Barnett -- as the Board's designee -- and the library district's leadership along with its legal counsel. They said the draft reflects a fair compromise, with the library agreeing to assume financial responsibility for landscaping, routine maintenance and repairs, and an amortized contribution toward the roof replacement. In return, the County maintains its $1 per year lease commitment for the next five years. JCL Board Vice President Rachele Selvig said they've reached a fair agreement through good-faith negotiations. She said the longer the decision is postponed, the longer the community remains without the stability it needs. The district is calling on the Board of Commissioners to bring the lease to a vote as soon as possible and end the instability for library patrons, staff and volunteers.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest was responding to a new wildfire on the Gold Beach Ranger District today. The US Forest Service reports the Peavine Fire is approximately one mile south of Winchuck. One hand crew backed by three engines, one helicopter, rappellers and a fixed-wing air attack plane were on the way to the new incident. Resources from Coos Forest Protective Association were also responding. The Scenic Fire on the High Cascades Ranger District was 60% contained as of this morning. The fire -- located near National Creek east of Highway 230 -- was last reported to be 75 acres while burning in dense timber and thick brush. Lines have been constructed around the entire perimeter of the wildfire and mop-up is underway. Resources on scene today are eight hand crews including one Hot Shot team, 16 engines, water tenders and heavy equipment. Four crews and five engines will be released at the end of today's shift as resources work toward full containment. Both fixed- and rotor-wing air support is available if needed. Motorists are advised to expect travel delays on Diamond Lake Highway. They are urged to watch for firefighters working in the area.

 

The recent heat wave along with extremely dry fuel conditions have prompted federal and state agencies to increase campfire restrictions on lands located within the boundaries of the wild and scenic section of the Rogue River. Effective immediately, there is a complete prohibition on building, maintaining or using a fire on the Wild Rogue that stretches from Grave Creek Boat Landing to the mouth of Watson Creek. In addition to the campfire ban, the use of charcoal briquettes is also prohibited. Commercially-produced stoves that use liquid fuel or propane are allowed, but cooking areas need to be naturally cleared of vegetation and all groups traveling on the river must have a shovel and bucket. The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management administers the Rogue between Grave Creek and Marial where the Oregon Department of Forestry provides initial attack on new fires. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest manages from Marial downstream to the mouth of Watson Creek. These new restrictions will be in place through November 30th, unless rescinded sooner. Additional fire restrictions may be put in place as fire season progresses. As hot and dry conditions across southwest Oregon persist, public land managers are reminding the public to be aware of fire danger, fire restrictions and their important role in preventing human-caused fires.