Local News

UPDATE: STEPHEN MCGUIRE HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFE.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was seeking public assistance in locating a missing Grants Pass man. In a Saturday evening press release, sheriff's officials reported 58-year-old Stephen Anthony McGuire was last seen on July 15th on SW Central Avenue in Grants Pass. Officials said they received information that McGuire left during the night and he may be wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. He is described as a white male adult, 5-feet-8-inches tall, with graying-brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Stephen McGuire is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.

 

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Rural Metro Fire Department worked together to rescue an injured hiker in the Wolf Creek-Sunny Valley area. On Saturday evening, Grants Pass and Rural Metro crews were dispatched to the incident near milepost 11 of Lower Grave Creek Road. That's where a hiker suffered a leg injury after falling down a steep embankment. Facing challenging terrain, personnel constructed a rope-haul system to perform a 75-foot low-angle rescue using a Stokes basket. Crews were able to access the patient and remained with him throughout the lift to ensure a safe and steady extrication. It was unclear in the report whether the unidentified patient was taken to a hospital. Officials said their responders are trained across multiple disciplines to handle any call, any hazard, any time -- day or night.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged a busy week of activity while protecting the community during the summer heat. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 652 calls for service along with 297 officer-initiated calls which resulted in 50 arrests, 31 citations, 77 warnings and five highly intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 86 traffic stops in the city and they made 23 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 32 potential troublemakers while arresting five suspects, citing eight more and warning 14 others. The CRT unit also trespassed eight individuals and made 71 park checks. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 113 calls last week including 42 for emergency medical service, 10 for reports of fire or smoke, eight lift assists, six rescue situations, 16 assists to other agencies and five false alarms. Firefighters also performed 16 business inspections, led three education/prevention programs, assisted the public nine times and properly installed seven child car seats. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,437 emergency calls last week.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will address an advisory committee motion and continue to work on strategies to fund public safety services during its workshop session today. The City Council will open the session with a Committee on Public Art motion to activate a new mural in the Redwood Alley. Next up is continued discussion on public safety services and funding. The Council is seeking a long-term solution to properly fund law enforcement and fire services in Grants Pass. The final item is an agenda review for future workshops and meetings. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Cooler overnight temperatures have allowed crews working on the Board Shanty Fire to hold control lines and finish installing hose lays around the full perimeter. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 reported this morning that the wildfire burning south of Grants Pass was holding at 474 acres with 14% containment. The perimeter of the wildfire is now completely lined. Firefighters continued mop-up on all flanks of the fire yesterday. ODF officials said extreme slopes continue to pose a hazard for burning debris that may roll across fire lines. Firefighters remain vigilant in assessing hazards and patrolling for spot fires in the area. Due to progress on the fire, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office has downgraded existing Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notices to Level 1 "Be Ready" for Zones JCU-436, JCU-437 and JCU-448-A. The Level 1 notice for Zone JCU-448-B in Josephine County remains in place, but it has been dropped for Zone JAC-068 in Jackson County. Incident resources devoted to the Board Shanty Fire today totaled 809 personnel including 31 hand crews, 35 engines, 14 water tenders, 12 bulldozers and 12 helicopters. Commanders praised crews for keeping the fire away from the emergency response radio tower near the top of the mountain ridge to allow communications to remain uninterrupted for local communities.

 

The president of the Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District said the Board Shanty Fire underscores the critical importance of coordinated fire protection and emergency response in the wildland-urban interface. Mark Jones said the Grants Pass area incident illustrates why the District's board of directors voted unanimously to enter into a formal agreement with Rural Metro Fire Department on July 7th -- just 10 days before the Board Shanty Fire started. Thanks to a fast and aggressive initial attack led by Rural Metro -- working in seamless coordination with the Oregon Department of Forestry -- Jones said the fire was rapidly engaged, helping to prevent greater spread and potential damage. The successful response last Thursday afternoon was bolstered by longstanding mutual and automatic aid partnerships with agencies including Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Williams Rural Fire Protection District, Applegate Valley Fire District, Illinois Valley Fire District and many others. Jones said the District's board thanks all the agencies involved for their dedication and courage, and they pray for their continued safety as they work to protect lives and property.

 

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Grants Pass Tourism Promotion Grant Program. Grants range from a minimum of $2,000 to $5,000. Applications must be received by August 12th. Because tourism is an important part of Grants Pass' economic success, the City designates 12% of eligible tourism funds to the Sustainable Tourism Grant Program. This program supports promotional activities that will lead to sustainable tourism by attracting tourists and increasing overnight stays at lodging facilities. The purpose of this grant is tied directly to marketing and promoting a specific event or activity. The program supports promotional activities that will lead to recurring tourism by attracting tourists from more than 50 miles away and/or increasing overnight stays. For more information or how to apply for the Tourism Promotion Grant Program, please visit "grantspassoregon.gov."

 

Respondents to this Request for Expressions of Interest will submit a proposal detailing how the building would be used and any anticipated changes to the site within and immediately around the building.This request represents the initial step in soliciting proposals from qualified Individuals or businesses. Responses must demonstrate the proposer’s specific intended use for the building. Any response should anticipate a lease arrangement; the City has no intention to sell the building or property. Further, respondents shall demonstrate proven success for the proposed use. The deadline for sealed submission in response is Friday, August 29, 2025, by 3:00 pm local time. The sealed submittals should be labeled and directed to City of Grants Pass, Reed Building/Caretaker’s Cottage (Riverside Park), Request for Expressions of Interest, Attn: Karen Frerk, City Recorder, Administration Department, Room 205, 101 NW “A” Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 9752.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s office is attempting to locate 42-year-old Sarah Caron. The attempt to locate is a welfare check to determine if she is, in fact, missing. Sharon was last seen Thursday between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. in the area of a structure fire in Josephine County. Sarah is described as a white female adult, six feet tall, weighing about 160 pounds with red hair.Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s office at 541-474-5123 with any information.