KRRM - Local News

OSFM Mobilizes Structural Task Forces to Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized two structural task forces to the Upper Applegate Fire in Jackson County. The task forces are from Lane and Polk counties and they were mobilized through Immediate Response, a tool the fire marshal uses to send firefighting resources outside of a conflagration. The task forces will support the Applegate Valley Fire District. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices in place for homes near the fire, which is burning south of Ruch and east of Jacksonville. State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said their priority is to proactively protect communities from the threat of wildfires. She said they've sent resources to boost capacity and support the Applegate Valley Fire District until the fire is contained. Ruiz-Temple said with warm and dry weather in the forecast, the risk of wildfires is heightened across the state. She urges everyone to help firefighters by taking preventive measures to avoid sparking a fire this summer and by following all fire season restrictions including no outdoor debris burning.

Posted on 6/21/24 10:36AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Managing Two Wildfires that Erupted on Opposite Sides of Jackson County (Update)

Firefighters were making good progress on two wildfires burning on opposite ends of Jackson County that were reported within the space of 15 minutes on Thursday afternoon. The Oregon Department of Forestry reported this morning that the Highway 62 Fire located south of Shady Cove was holding at 75 acres. The fire on both private and Bureau of Land Management land was 100% lined and 60% plumbed. More than 100 personnel were assigned to that wildfire today. The Upper Applegate Fire located south of Ruch was challenging firefighters this morning. It's estimated to be at least 500 acres and is burning in extremely steep terrain affecting private, BLM and US Forest Service land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. More than 100 personnel backed by bulldozers and helicopters were assigned to that fire today, with additional aircraft available. A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice for the Highway 62 Fire was canceled this morning, but a Level 1 notice remains in effect for the Upper Applegate Fire on Eastside Road south of Little Applegate Road to north of McKee Bridge, and for Little Applegate Road west of Upper Applegate Road and eastern portions of Sterling Creek Road near Jacksonville. ODF officials said hot temperatures and low relative humidity will help to naturally increase fire behavior today. They said crews are aware of this potential and are planning accordingly.

Posted on 6/21/24 9:07AM by Sam Marsh

GP City Council Calls Special Meeting in Executive Session for Real Estate Deal

The Grants Pass City Council has called for a Special Meeting in Executive Session this afternoon. During the 4 p.m. closed session in the City Council Chambers, the topic will be real property transactions and/or negotiations. No other information is available. It is unknown whether the executive session is related to the upcoming ruling by the US Supreme Court on the unhoused population living in Grants Pass city parks. The ruling -- which is being watched by cities across the country -- was scheduled to be made in late June or early July. Even if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Grants Pass, the city is bound by state laws that govern time, place and manner restrictions favoring the homeless. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled that because Grants Pass does not have a low-barrier homeless shelter, the city must allow homeless people to stay overnight in all parks except Reinhart Volunteer Park.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Got Assist from OSP in Locating and Arresting Felony Assault Suspect

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office got an assist from the Oregon State Police in tracking down and arresting a North Valley man wanted in a felony assault case. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and state troopers arrested 41-year-old Brian Edward Simpson at a home in the 7,000-block of Monument Drive on Wednesday night. Deputies said they were on patrol when they spotted a silver Dodge Challenger known to be associated with Simpson near the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Merlin roads. The suspect fled on Merlin Road toward Interstate 5, so deputies contacted OSP to watch for him in the area of the freeway. The Sheriff's Office and OSP continued to search the area of Monument Drive until they once again spotted the suspect vehicle, swooped in and placed Simpson into custody. No information on the details of the case have been disclosed. Simpson was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Assault, which is defined under Oregon law as intentionally or knowingly causing serious physical injury to another person with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:24AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed North Valley Woman for Attacking Boyfriend at Hugo Residence

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a North Valley woman for attacking her boyfriend at a Hugo area residence this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested the 30-year-old female subject for the incident in the 6900-block of Tunnel Loop Road late Wednesday night. Deputies said the male victim called 9-1-1 to report the attack in which the woman reportedly hit him with a piece of metal and threatened him with a butter knife. He also told dispatchers that his girlfriend hit him in the face with an old-fashioned camera lens. He said he shoved her because he thought she was going to stab him. Responding deputies contacted the man and confirmed his injuries, but he declined medical treatment. They found the woman walking up the driveway and placed her into custody in short order. No other information was available. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Elderly GP Man Arrested for Trying to Fight Police on NW Hawthorne Avenue

An elderly Grants Pass man was arrested this week for trying to fight with police officers who responded to an incident at the man's northwest-city residence. The Police Department reports officers were on patrol Wednesday evening when they observed the 83-year-old man striking a male transient while trying to kick him off his property in the 1300-block of NW Hawthorne Avenue. Police said the elderly man was intoxicated while trying to physically evict the transient who had established a campsite on his property. No one was seriously hurt. While trying to separate the combatants, officers said the older man came at them in an aggressive manner and attempted to strike them with a closed fist. After being placed into custody, he then tried to "mule kick" the officers. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Assault on a Police Officer. He was being held without bail. The unidentified transient was advised to leave and he was trespassed from the property.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Firefighters Knocked Down Small Vegetation Fire on Shadywood Drive in CJ

Firefighters knocked down another small vegetation fire near Cave Junction on Thursday. The Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the reported grass fire on Shadywood Drive shortly after 11 a.m. yesterday. IVFD and ODF crews made quick work of the blaze, extinguishing and mopping it up in short order. Units stayed on scene into the early afternoon hours to ensure it was completely out. No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire was under investigation. A similar small vegetation fire was extinguished by IVFD and ODF on Holland Loop Road on Wednesday.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Economic Development Invites Citizens to Highway 199 Listening Session

The City of Grants Pass Economic Development Division cordially invites citizens to a Business Listening Session for the Redwood Highway area next week. The Business Listening Session is set for Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the upstairs meeting space of Cascade Springs Meadow Retirement Community at 1357 Redwood Circle. City officials said this session will provide an excellent opportunity for local businesses to share ideas, express concerns, ask questions and gain insights into support organizations and available resources. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by contacting Economic Development Manager Dana Pearce at (541)-450-6014 or by e-mail at dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov."

Posted on 6/21/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Being Accepted for Seat on GP Urban Tree Advisory Committee

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Urban Tree Advisory Committee due to a vacancy. This volunteer position will expire in April 2025. This committee's purpose is to review, develop and implement programs and activities that promote, protect and enhance the urban forest as part of the Tree City USA program. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received before 5 p.m. on Friday, August 2nd.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Managing Two Wildfires that Erupted on Opposite Sides of Jackson County

The Oregon Department of Forestry is managing two wildfires that erupted late yesterday on opposite sides of Jackson County. ODF reports the first fire broke out along Highway 62 south of Shady Cove while the second started a short time later in the 3900-block of Upper Applegate Road. As of 10:20 p.m. Thursday, the Highway 62 Fire was holding at 75 acres and was 40% lined. More than 60 firefighters were assigned to the blaze overnight. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has placed a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice in the area of Highway 62 and Hammel Road. The Upper Applegate Fire was estimated to be 120 acres and was only 5% lined. More than 90 personnel were assigned to the wildfire overnight. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has placed a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice from Eastside Road south of Little Applegate Road to north of McKee Bridge. In both incidents, ODF officials said afternoon and evening winds fanned the flames, causing both fires to grow despite an aggressive initial attack that included the first use of a large air tanker this year. Fire behavior decreased after sunset on both incidents and crews were working overnight toward full containment. According to ODF, the causes of both fires were under investigation.

Posted on 6/21/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Medford District BLM Implements Public Use Restrictions Across Southern Oregon

As the weather warms up and fire danger increases, the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has implemented public use restrictions on lands it manages in Southern Oregon. As of Thursday, certain activities on BLM-managed lands in Josephine and Jackson counties are restricted to prevent human-caused fires and to reduce the overall wildfire potential. Campfires are only allowed at the Hyatt Lake Campground and the lower section of the Rogue River below the high-water mark. In all other areas, visitors can use portable cooking stoves that utilize liquefied or bottled fuels. Otherwise, campfires or any other type of open fire -- including the use of charcoal briquettes -- is banned until further notice. Smoking is only allowed while inside a vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of flammable vegetation. Operating a motor vehicle and parking off-road is only allowed on roadways clear of flammable vegetation. Using fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition is prohibited. Using a chain saw or other equipment with internal combustion engines for any type of operation is prohibited between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.. For updated information on public use restrictions, visit "blm.gov/orwafire."

Posted on 6/21/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland Ski Area Now Open for Summer Season Adventures and More

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is now open for the summer season. The mountain lodge opens its restaurant and retail shop to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day. The restaurant serves hot entrees, ice cream and adult beverages. The ski area will offer events throughout the summer including movie nights, tie-dye events, a disc golf tournament and other activities for all ages. Mt. Ashland is also launching an Alpine Adventure program for kids. Children ages 8-13 can enroll in camps and mini-camps including hiking, nature, arts and crafts, and mountain sports. The resort also invites interested youth groups to take field trips for mountain programs during the week. The summer season for Mt. Ashland comes on the heels of a successful ski season that saw more than 95,000 visitors for skiing and snowboarding. The local ski area had the most successful spring season pass sale in its history, surpassing the previous record by 10.5%. For more information, visit "mtashland.com."

Posted on 6/21/24 5:56AM by Sam Marsh