Local News

A motorist was injured yesterday when he rolled his vehicle off a US Forest Service Road in the Illinois Valley. On Sunday at 1:49 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash off Briggs Valley Road at Spaulding Pond near Cave Junction. IVFD officials said the driver swerved to miss an oncoming vehicle before going off the road. They said as he was attempting to exit the vehicle, his door opened and he fell approximately 20 feet down a hill. The driver was removed from the area by IVFD personnel who used a low-angle rope rescue. He was transferred to an awaiting AMR ambulance for transport to Three Rivers Medical Center. The Sheriff's Office was investigating the crash.

 

Firefighters saved a horse operation in the Redwood area of Grants Pass yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to the reported structure fire on Boundary Lane on Sunday at about 1:15 p.m.. Arriving units found an outbuilding and motorhome on fire next to a large occupied horse barn. Crews got a quick handle on the two-alarm blaze, keeping flames from spreading to the barn, a couple of horse trailers and nearby pastures. According to Rural Metro, there were no injuries to humans or horses. Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished two incidents on Saturday -- an RV fire near O'Brien and an escaped open debris burn near Cave Junction. On Saturday at 10:27 a.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to reports of an odor of smoke in the 30,000-block of Redwood Highway near O'Brien. While responding, emergency units were advised of a burning recreational vehicle at that address. IVFD officials said the fire was quickly extinguished and mopped up. They said the cause of the fire was under investigation. On Saturday at 12:40 p.m., IVFD units responded to a grass fire in the 4,000-block of Waldo Road near Cave Junction. Officials said arriving units found an escaped burn that had spread into the nearby hills. Patrons were attempting to put out three spot fires prior to firefighters' arrival. The spot fires were mopped up and the property owner was cited.

 

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue knocked down a small fire near the Oregon Youth Authority prison last night. On Sunday at 7:45 p.m., Grants Pass firefighters were dispatched to reports of smoke in the vicinity of the OYA facility on NE F Street. Upon arrival, Engine 7308 discovered a 1/100th of an acre fire burning in the brush behind the facility. Engine 7307, Brush 7367 and Battalion Chief 4 also responded to assist with fire control. Fortunately, forward progress was halted and there was no increase in the fire's size. Grants Pass fire officials said the cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but it is suspected to be related to recent railroad work.

 

The Three Rivers School District invites all community members to join them in celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2024 at high school commencement ceremonies this week. District officials said your presence will make these special moments even more memorable for their graduating students. The first commencement ceremony this week is at North Valley High School on Tuesday at 7 p.m.. Next up is Hidden Valley High School on Wednesday at 7 p.m., followed by Illinois Valley High School on Thursday at 7 p.m.. Southern Oregon Success Academy will hold its graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 4th, at 6 p.m. at Veterans Park in Merlin. All Three Rivers graduations will also be live-streamed and recorded on YouTube at "trsdyoutube3111." Congratulations to all local graduates of the Class of 2024!

 

The Tom Rice Memorial Whitewater Hydroplane Race on the Rogue River begins today at 1:15 p.m.. The Memorial Day Ceremony at Riverside Park starts at 11:30 a.m., with the F-15 Flyover at approximately 11:45 a.m.. Race introductions begin at 1 p.m., The race will be carried "live" on KAJO Radio -- 99.7FM and AM1270.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters answered the challenge of community protection in the week leading up to the Boatnik Festival. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 650 calls for service along with 287 officer-initiated calls that resulted in 45 arrests, 25 citations, 41 warnings and one highly-intoxicated person being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 52 traffic stops in the city and made 32 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 113 potential trouble-makers while arresting five people, citing 15 more and warning 98 others. The CRT unit also trespassed eight individuals, posted 26 transient camps and removed trash from seven campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 103 calls last week including 44 for emergency medical service, three reports of fire or smoke, 17 lift assists, five rescue situations, seven assist to other agencies and two false alarms. Firefighters also performed 11 business inspections, led four education/prevention programs, assisted the public seven times and properly installed one child car seat. The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center fielded a total of 1,193 emergency calls last week.

 

Fire restrictions are now in effect on all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions as warmer, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest. Officials said these fire restrictions help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. The use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component core or jacket ammunition, tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns is prohibited. Anita Bilbao, BLM Oregon/Washington Associate State Director said although we had a wet winter, we must still be careful with activities that can cause a spark. Wet weather supports the growth of invasive grasses, which then dry out quickly in the summer months. Bilbao said everyone can help keep first responders, local communities and public lands safe by following fire restrictions and practicing fire safety while out on public lands. Those who violate the prohibitions may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of suppression. For the complete order and more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please visit "blm.gov/orwafire."

 

Business Oregon is pleased to announce recent Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program awards to emergency service and school projects -- including two in Jackson County. The Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) is a competitive grant program that provides funding for the seismic rehabilitation of critical public buildings, particularly public schools and emergency services facilities in Oregon. This year, Business Oregon received more than 100 applications requesting almost $240 million in funding. Nearly $82 million was awarded in 2024. According to the state agency, $2.5 million was awarded to the Ashland School District for upgrades to the Ashland High School Science Building and nearly $2.5 million went to the Central Point School District to upgrade the old gymnasium at Crater High School. Public K-12 school districts, community colleges and education service districts are eligible for the grant program. For emergency services facilities, the emphasis is on first responder buildings. Eligible activities for a SRGP grant award include structural and non-structural improvements, architecture and engineering, and project management.