Local News

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Sustainability and Energy Action Committee due to a vacancy. This term expires on November 15, 2026. The Sustainability and Energy Action Committee monitors and reports to the Grants Pass City Council the progress of the Sustainability Energy Action Plan implementation while supporting the City in achieving long-term greenhouse gas emission and energy reduction goals. This includes outreach to the community, evaluating feasibility studies and providing recommendations for project advancement. The special qualification for this position is a solar energy technology specialist. 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 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20th.

 

Josephine County Deputies Friday arrested a male bicyclist after he allegedly stole a chain from a secure gate Thursday. Deputies were alerted Thursday afternoon to the report of a man on a bike going through a woman’s gate and stealing the chain used to secure it in the area of South Sawyer Avenue and West Lister Street in Cave Junction. The woman stated she had a picture of the suspect. Upon receiving the photo, a deputy recognized the suspect as a local transient and would follow up on Friday. Friday morning just after 11 a.m. that deputy took the 44-year-old suspect into custody, transported him and lodged him into the Josephine County jail for theft III, criminal trespass Ii and possession of methamphetamine.

 

A 22-year-old man is in the Josephine County Jail following an assault on his mother. Josephine County Deputies responded Friday afternoon at 4:33 to the report of the son hitting and kicking his mother in the 600 block of Lincoln Road. The mother stated he also tried to steal her vehicle. The mother stated the son has a history of meth and fentanyl use but stated he is not presently on anything. Deputies had the suspect detained by 4:47 p.m

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for violating a court order after he allegedly beat up a legally-protected woman at a city park this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 42-year-old male subject for the domestic violence incident at Riverside Park around midday Thursday. Police said they responded to the park after citizens reported a man assaulting a woman inside a vehicle parked near the playground. Upon arrival, the female victim advised officers the male suspect fled on foot toward the Rogue River. Officers confirmed the woman did not need medical attention and then observed the man walking back to the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that there was a no-contact order in place prohibiting him from contacting the victim following a previous assault. He was placed into custody without incident.

 

Evacuations remain in place for the Devil's Knob and Milepost 98 fires in southern Douglas County, but a number of evacuation downgrades have occurred. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported Friday that Level 3 "Go Now" and Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation orders no longer exist on the wildfires near Tiller and Canyonville after the previous levels were downgraded. A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice is still in effect for residences on Joe Hall Road, Tison Road and Elk Diamond Road near Tiller and for residences on Ritchie Road in Canyonville. All residential addresses on the east side of Tiller-Trail Highway between the 34,000 and 36,760 blocks as well as Canyon Creek Road near Canyonville are no longer under any evacuation notices. The Douglas Forest Protective Association reported yesterday that the Devil's Knob Fire was 4,130 acres with 15% containment and the Milepost 98 Fire was 250 acres with 27% containment. Minimal fire growth is expected due to increased relative humidity in the fire areas.

 

The Oregon Department of Education -- in partnership with the Oregon Lottery -- has announced a Grants Pass educator is one of the state's 18 Regional Teachers of the Year. Kellen Akiyama teaches English Language Arts and African-American Studies at Gladiola High School. Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12. Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. "Kellen has been an exceptional advocate for his community," stated by a peer in his nomination. "He incorporates art and music, such as hip hop and poem, to his social studies curriculum so students can relate to their learning better and explore different ways to show their understanding through various mediums." Akiyama and the other 17 Regional Teachers of the Year win a $1,000 cash prize and are in the running for the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

 

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. He said they are grateful to their dedicated faculty, staff and Board of Education, adding that their commitment is fundamental to RCC's success as an educational and economic cornerstone in Josephine and Jackson counties. RCC's commitment to serving high school students and partners has also contributed to its success. During the 2023-24 academic year, RCC provided 16 training cohorts for high school students in credit and non-credit programs, further strengthening the pipeline from secondary to post-secondary education to skills that translate into employment.

 

The Oregon Department of Education -- in partnership with the Oregon Lottery -- has announced a Grants Pass educator is one of the state's 18 Regional Teachers of the Year. Kellen Akiyama teaches English Language Arts and African-American Studies at Gladiola High School. Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12. Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. "Kellen has been an exceptional advocate for his community," stated by a peer in his nomination. "He incorporates art and music, such as hip hop and poem, to his social studies curriculum so students can relate to their learning better and explore different ways to show their understanding through various mediums." Akiyama and the other 17 Regional Teachers of the Year win a $1,000 cash prize and are in the running for the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for violating a court order after he allegedly beat up a legally-protected woman at a city park yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 42-year-old male subject for the domestic violence incident at Riverside Park on Thursday at 11:46 a.m.. Police said they responded to the park after citizens reported a man assaulting a woman inside a vehicle parked near the playground. Upon arrival, the female victim advised officers the male suspect fled on foot toward the Rogue River. Officers confirmed the woman did not need medical attention and then observed the man walking back to the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that there was a no-contact order in place prohibiting him from contacting the victim following a previous assault. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and Contempt of Court -- Violation of a No-Contact Order. He was being held without bail and he was trespassed from the park for 30 days.