KRRM - Local News

HR Director Terminated from Position, BCC Approved Meeting Ordinance

Michelle Shaw has been terminated from her position as Human Resources Director following a motion from the Board of Commissioners. After Wednesday's 3:30 p.m. Executive Session, Commissioner Gary Richardson said that there was no harmful intent or bad behavior on the part of Shaw, but that the decision was based on needing a higher skill level in the position. Commissioner Colene Martin was in agreement, and the motion passed 2-0 with Commissioner Ron Smith abstaining. The board then reconvened in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium for their 5:30 p.m. Weekly Business Session. First on the agenda was a public hearing regarding the second reading of an ordinance amending the County Code in relation to meetings of the board. A motion to adopt the ordinance passed 3-0. Following the second public hearing for annexations to the Josephine Community Library District, both landowner petitions were approved unanimously. The public brought topics to the board including alleged harassment, defamation, and the potential to bring the issue to the Supreme Court, comments about the mining ordinance, an idea for Sheriff's Department revenue, and an update on the upcoming Josephine County Fair.

Posted on 7/8/26 6:11PM by Alex Bauer

City Announces Opening of Riverside Park's Rogue Credit Union Half Shell Stage

The City of Grants Pass is encouraging the public to be a part of the ribbon-cutting and debut concert at the Rogue Credit Union Half Shell in Riverside Park.

According to the City's Facebook post, the ceremony begins tomorrow at 5 p.m. Following opening remarks and the ribbon cutting, the Rogue Gold Jazz Band will play an array of big band and jazz classics to christen the stage.

The Rogue Credit Union Half Shell is on the east side of Riverside Park, between the softball field and Rogue River, just off Vista Drive. The new stage will be host to concerts, theater performances, and community events.

Posted on 7/8/26 2:30PM by Alex Bauer

BCC to Hold Public Hearings Covering Board Meetings, Library Annexations at WBS

The Josephine County Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. for their evening Weekly Business Session.

The board will meet in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium and hold two public hearings during the Session. One hearing is for an ordinance amending the County Code relating to the meetings of the board, while the second will consider annexations to the Josephine Community Library District by petition of landowner.

The board will consider approval of the consent calendar, and the meeting will adjourn pending any other matters. The public is welcome to attend these meetings in person or online at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 7/8/26 2:00PM by Alex Bauer

New Regional Food and Ag Business Center Launches in Southern Oregon

Farmers and food artisans in Southern Oregon are receiving a much needed boost in business development support thanks to the launch of a new, remote Regional Food and Agriculture Business Center.

According to the Rogue Valley Food System Network, the new Southern Oregon Regional Food and Agriculture Business (RFAB) Center is one of three pilot centers being launched by the Oregon Department of Agriculture across Oregon. Centers are also being launched in the Mid-Willamette Valley and in Eastern Oregon.

Needs identified by farmers and food businesses include one-on-one assistance to help navigate the complex world of certifications, food safety requirements, capital investment and grant opportunities.

The Southern Oregon Regional Food and Agriculture Business Center begins offering services this month For the first six months, most of the services will be free of charge, thanks to support from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Fundraising efforts are underway, with the goal to keep the majority of services free in the future.

Learn more about the center at www.oregon.gov/oda.

Posted on 7/8/26 1:17PM by Alex Bauer

IVFD, AMR, California Highway Patrol Responded to U.S. Highway 199 Crash

Emergency crews were dispatched to a reported traffic accident on U.S. Highway 199 this morning.

The incident, reported around 6:10 a.m., occurred at milepost 36 on the California side. The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the California Highway Patrol responded to the single-vehicle incident.

Upon arrival, the involved vehicle was found to have entered a ditch. No injuries were reported, and a tow truck was dispatched to facilitate vehicle removal.

Posted on 7/8/26 12:51PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Deputies Lodged Woman for Trespass and Escape Charges

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman after she reportedly ran from deputies Tuesday morning.

Law enforcement encountered a woman in the 7200 block of Williams Highway around 4:01 a.m. According to the deputy report, the woman ran before being taken into custody.

Charges of Second Degree Trespass and Third Degree Escape were charged against the suspect, identified by deputies as Hailey Berger. She was then transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for lodging. She was later released due to a lack of resources.

Posted on 7/8/26 12:37PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Cited Woman for Littering, Transported Her to Hospital after fall

A woman located outside the Oregon State Police Station was cited and transported to Three Rivers Medical Center early this morning.

An OSP detective reported the woman sitting in the parking lot of the 1463 NE 7th Street station at 3:24 a.m. A welfare check was requested, and a trooper responded to the scene.

A large quantity of empty beer cans, clothing, and other items were seen surrounding her, and she told the trooper she had been drinking before slipping and falling. She denied being the owner of the beer cans, but claimed the other belongings.

The woman was in pain, and taken into constructive custody by law enforcement. She was issued a citation for Offensive Littering, then transported by American Medical Response to the hospital due to injuries from her fall.

Posted on 7/8/26 11:16AM by Alex Bauer

Anonymous Call leads GP Police, Parole Officers to Wanted Man

Grants Pass Police and assisting parole officers arrested a wanted man Tuesday following an anonymous call to dispatch.

The caller reported around 4:53 p.m. that the suspect, later identified as Easton Foley, was behind a property in the 800 block of E Park Street. An officer response was requested, and Foley was reportedly trying to get inside the home.

Officers confirmed Foley was wanted on an Oregon Parole Board warrant for a Parole Violation regarding a Weapons Offense. Police and parole officers located Foley at the scene and took him into custody without incident.

He was taken to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrant.

Posted on 7/8/26 11:00AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Woman Using False Name for Disorderly Conduct

A woman dancing around and screaming at bystanders outside St. Luke's Episcopal Church was arrested by Grants Pass Police after she gave them a false name.

Dispatch was notified the suspect was causing a disturbance in the parking lot of the 224 NW D Street church Tuesday around 6:42 p.m. The caller was concerned for the woman's safety, and said she had been on the scene for approximately three hours.

The suspect reportedly proceeded to lay down before she left the scene toward 6th Street. Officers located the woman and attempted to contact her, but she would only identify herself as 6-year-old Christina Aguilera.

She was promptly taken into custody as there was probable cause for a Second Degree Criminal Trespass charge. Her identity was confirmed via finger prints as 48-year-old Christine Marsden, and she was lodged in jail for a charge of Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

Posted on 7/8/26 10:43AM by Alex Bauer

BLM Timber Sales Generate $10.7 Million, Support American Jobs In Second Quarter

The Bureau of Land Management generated more than $10.7 million in revenue from timber sales during the second quarter of 2026, supporting American jobs and increasing domestic timber supply.

During the quarter, the BLM sold about 41 million board feet of timber across 1,500 acres in Oregon and California. The quarterly results come as recently confirmed BLM Director Steve Pearce visited western Oregon to meet with BLM employees, industry partners, and local mills about the BLM’s timber program and the work happening to support domestic timber production.

The BLM plans to hold six timber sales this month to offer 31 million board feet of timber across almost 835 acres. More information about BLM’s timber plans and results can be found at www.blm.gov.

The BLM manages 58 million acres of forests, including 2.4 million acres in western Oregon. The BLM ensures the health and resilience of these public forest lands as well as the availability of traditional forest products, such as timber.

Posted on 7/8/26 10:32AM by Alex Bauer

ODF Crews Tackle Crooks Creek Wildfire, One Civilian Injured

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District and partner agencies tackled the Crooks Creek Fire yesterday. ODF's Facebook page reported firefighters engaged in an aggressive initial attack to quickly contain the fire. Forward spread of the grass fire was stopped around 5:10 p.m., and was, at that time, reported to be 100% wet lined. Agency partners and firefighters kept the wildfire at just a quarter acre despite hot conditions. By 5:30 p.m., the agency's final update reported the fire remained at a quarter acre, was 50% hand lined and 25% mopped up. Four Type 6 engines continued to work the scene to secure the blaze and extinguish remaining hot spots. Firefighters continued suppression efforts on the structure fire. According to the Illinois Valley Fire District, one civilian sustained injuries during the incident and was transported by American Medical Response. ODF, IVFD, and Rural Metro crews responded, and the fire has been extinguished and contained. Units have completed mop up operations. The incident is under investigation

Posted on 7/8/26 6:26AM by Alex Bauer

BCC to Hold Executive Session, Evening WBS with Public Hearings Wednesday

The Josephine County Commissioners will meet Wednesday for both an Executive Session and evening Weekly Business Session.

Starting at 3:30 p.m., the board will meet in Executive Session to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent who does not request an open hearing.

Also on the agenda are deliberations with the County's designated representative regarding labor negotiations.

Then at 5:30 p.m., the board will meet in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium and hold two public hearings during the Weekly Business Session. One hearing is for an ordinance amending the County Code relating to the meetings of the board, while the second will consider annexations to the Josephine Community Library District by petition of landowner.

The board will consider approval of the consent calendar, and the meeting will adjourn pending any other matters. The public is welcome to attend these meetings in person or online at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 7/7/26 3:32PM by Alex Bauer