Local News

Authorities were investigating several small fires that broke out in the North Valley area early yesterday. It all started early Monday morning when the Oregon Department of Forestry and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to six reported fires along Interstate 5 near the Manzanita Rest Area. By 3 a.m., all the fires were out and under investigation by ODF and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Later Monday morning, ODF and Rural Metro crews responded to reports of two fires on the side of Walker Mountain above the Sportsman's Park. Fire activity was minimal, but smoke was clearly visible. Due to limited access, helicopters assisted hand crews in getting a jump on the fires. A bulldozer was brought in to build a road in order to get engines closer. Shortly before noon, ODF provided an update that the two fires on Walker Mountain were contained at about one acre combined. ODF and the Sheriff's Office were actively investigating the cause of the fires.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for violating his post-prison supervision last weekend by attempting to purchase gasoline at a local station with fake currency. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a fraud complaint at the Chevron station in the 600-block of Redwood Highway on Saturday night. Police said 45-year-old Kayasith "Johnny" Thavisack tried to purchase $40 in gas using two counterfeit $20 bills. They said he was contacted and placed into custody following the complaint by the gas station attendant. During a consent search, Thavisack was found to be in possession of more than one gram of methamphetamine. It was seized for destruction and the 'funny money' was seized as evidence. Thavisack was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Forgery, Meth Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman on an outstanding warrant after she tried to elude deputies in the Selma area last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies initially tried to pull over a gray sport utility vehicle driven by the 23-year-old female subject in the 500-block of Deer Creek Road early Saturday morning. Deputies said the traffic stop was for failing to signal a turn and no registration on the vehicle. They said the driver -- later identified as "Angela Marie Yost" -- refused to yield and continued driving out Deer Creek Road while weaving back and forth in both travel lanes and straddling the center line. According to the report, Yost eventually slowed down and stopped. That's when deputies discovered that she was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. Yost was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. Her SUV was impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for beating up another man who refused to buy him a beer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a disturbance near the corner of SE 7th and G streets on Sunday at 6:35 p.m.. Police said they were alerted to two male transients fighting by the Oregon Pour Authority and learned that 53-year-old Tyler Allan Pinard was upset when the other man wouldn't buy him a beer which he felt he owed him. Pinard told officers he had hit the other man in self-defense, but admitted that he continued to punch the victim every time he attempted to stand up. Witness cell phone video showed the suspect punched the victim at least four different times. According to the report, the victim had a bleeding cut and swelling -- but he refused medical treatment. Pinard was placed into custody and booked into the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault.

 

The Whiskey Creek Bridge on the Wild Rivers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest southwest of O'Brien is scheduled for rehabilitation work. The work on the Wimer Forest Service Road will rehabilitate an existing 48-foot span timber bridge that is suffering from wear, decay and recent damage. Murphy contractor Anderson Rock & Dirt Company was selected for the project. The first phase of the project started Monday and will run through October 4th. The scope of the work will include repair of the sloughing roadway embankment at abutments, reconstruction of roadway approaches and minor repair of concrete abutment walls. During this phase, motorists can expect up to 30-minute delays. The second phase of the project is slated for November 18th through November 29th. The scope of the work will include replacement of the timber bridge deck and curbs as well as paving of roadway approaches. The bridge will be unavailable for public use between November 18th and November 22nd. There is no alternate route available, so please plan accordingly.

 

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that the Federal Highway Administration is sending a total of $42.7 million to state and federal agencies in Oregon that repaired roads and other critical infrastructure that was deeply damaged during natural disasters. The federal funds will be used to reimburse the agencies for their vital work that was needed to ensure communities across the state can continue to recover from years of severe weather events. The federal investments for Oregon come through nine awards under the US Department of Transportation's FHWA Emergency Relief Program, which helps communities hurt by natural disasters and catastrophic events by providing federal funding for them to repair damaged roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure. Wyden and Merkley said $11.4 million will be sent to the Oregon Department of Transportation for infrastructure repairs following the January 2024 ice storm that covered much of Oregon in ice, causing trees and power lines to come down across roads and damage signs. The same storm dropped several inches of rain in Southern Oregon, causing flooding and landslides. Other local awards included $1.4 million for the Bureau of Land Management's work to restore its roads and culverts that washed out in southwest Oregon during an atmospheric river event in December 2023.

 

Rogue Community College is continuing its upward trajectory from the previous year, reporting a nearly 19% increase in full-time equivalent enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year. RCC's growth also stands out at the state level. The college's 18.9% enrollment increase from fall 2023 to fall 2024 far surpasses the average 5.7% increase reported by other Oregon community colleges. This positions RCC as one of the top-performing institutions in the state. During the past two fall terms, RCC has achieved a 24.7% growth in enrollment as compared to the statewide average of 6.3%. Enrollment for Fall 2024 is underway. RCC's total student population grew from 8,366 in 2022-23 to 9,280 in 2023-24. College officials report the increase is due to the school's recruitment initiatives, strong community support and commitment to high-quality education. RCC President Randy Weber said this achievement highlights the college's collective efforts and the unwavering support of the community. An analysis done by independent labor market analytics firm Lightcast using date from 2020-21 found that RCC contributes $306.5 million annually in income to the local economy.

 

The City of Grants Pass is looking for its next Urban Forester and time is running out for those wishing to apply. The Grants Pass Urban Forester conducts inspections of tree health and safety, determines approved street trees, develops permit conditions, assists with reviews of landscape plans and incorporates best management practices for the public tree canopy. The Urban Forester also presents tree-related topics to city boards and committees, oversees the Heritage Tree and Memorial Tree programs, and responds to citizen inquiries. The application period closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. For more information about the position and how to apply, please visit "governmentjobs.com/465316/urban-forester."

 

Authorities are investigating several small fires that broke out in the North Valley area early today. It all started early this morning when the Oregon Department of Forestry and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to six fires along Interstate 5 near the Manzanita Rest Area. By 3 a.m., all the fires were out and under investigation by ODF and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Later this morning, ODF and Rural Metro crews responded to reports of two fires on the side of Walker Mountain above the Sportsman's Park. Fire activity was minimal, but smoke was clearly visible. Due to limited access, helicopters assisted hand crews in getting a jump on the fires. A bulldozer was brought in to build a road in order to get engines closer. Shortly before noon, ODF provided an update that the two fires on Walker Mountain were contained at about one acre combined. ODF and the Sheriff's Office are actively investigating the cause of the fires.