Local News

An unoccupied recreational vehicle was destroyed by fire in the Merlin area early yesterday. On Wednesday at 6 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to the RV fire on Pickett Creek Road.Initial reports were of a dark column of smoke followed by multiple residents in the area seeing what appeared to be a large structure on fire. Firefighters quickly converged on the scene and contained the blaze. No injuries were reported, but the RV was a total loss. Due to the remote location, Rural Metro officials said a water source was established by drafting out of the Rogue River at Robertson Bridge Boat Landing, which temporarily shut the facility down. Following an investigation, officials said the cause of the fire was undetermined.

 

Just months after taking on the role of executive director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Gabriella Calicchio is leaving the post. Ashland News reported that an email sent out to festival donors last week said Calicchio is currently on leave and will officially conclude her term on July 1st. Calicchio was named executive director in September of 2024, taking the place of Tyler Hokama. Hokama had been interim executive director since June 2023 during a time marked by multiple staff departures and layoffs, including executive director David Schmitz and artistic director Nataki Garrett. Garrett was temporarily replaced by Evren Odcikin and then Tim Bond, who remains in the role. Also that year, the company fundraised more than $2.7 million, allowing the season to continue as planned, as it worked to find equilibrium after several turbulent years that included fires, a pandemic and the staff turnover. Oregon Shakespeare Festival is currently in the middle of its 90th season. In May, the festival announced the 10 plays that will comprise its 91st season. The festival said it was in the process of finalizing the details of the next interim executive director and would likely have more details later this week.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved two library annexation requests and four budgets following five public hearings on Wednesday. The Board opened the public meeting by approving annexations to the Josephine Community Library for properties on Riverbanks Road and Cienega Lane. The annexations increased the size of the library district by more than 13 acres. After public testimony and Board deliberations, the Commissioners unanimously adopted an approximately $182 million budget for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year. Next year's spending plan includes 435.87 full-time equivalent employees with a tax rate of about $1.63 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Commissioner Ron Smith first made a motion to approve the budget and tax rate with amendments to eliminate 12% cuts to most departments and to give Sheriff Dave Daniel all the money he requested. It died for lack of a second. Vice-Chair Chris Barnett then made a motion to approve the budget and tax rate with changes that included reducing the 12% cuts to 5%, excluding the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Community Justice, Veterans Services and Property Reserve from the cuts. Smith seconded that motion, which was approved unanimously. The Board also unanimously approved a $1.6 million budget for the Rural Fire Protection District and a $5.79 million budget for the Law Enforcement Service District. The 4-H Extension Service District was approved by a 2-1 vote, with Board Chair Andreas Blech dissenting.

 

A Homeless Grant Program and the 2025-26 fiscal budget were both passed by the Grants Pass City Council during its Wednesday night business meeting. The City Council adopted a resolution creating a Homeless Grant Program that will award funds -- up to $1.2 million -- to support capital expenses for one or more programs that would provide a managed, low-barrier shelter for up to 150 unhoused people. The successful applicant will be required to provide regular reports to demonstrate effectiveness of the program during the grant period. The City of Grants Pass currently spends a little over $371,000 annually to maintain designated resting sites. Spending at that level for three years was the basis for the $1.2 million grant amount. The City Council also approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget at a level of almost $240 million. The permanent rate per $1,000 is just over $4.13 plus the local option levy for public safety at $1.79 per thousand for a total of about $5.92. The vote to approve was 6-2, with Indra Nicholas and Joel King dissenting. The Council also voted to receive state shared revenues in the amount of $513,000.

 

Josephine Community Library Director Kate Lasky was named Community Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club of Grants Pass during the organization's recent annual awards dinner held at Black Bear Diner. The award recognizes Lasky's long-standing leadership and contributions to public service, literacy and community development. Lasky has served as Library Director since 2009, helping transition the library system from a volunteer-run nonprofit to a publicly funded special district. Under her leadership, the library district has maintained its four branch structure while expanding hours, services and professional staffing to meet the growing needs of the community. In addition to leading the library, Lasky serves on the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce board and was chair in 2024. She co-chairs the Oregon Library Association's legislative committee, previously served as OLA president, and held board roles with Oregon Humanities and Asante Health. She was recently named Oregon Librarian of the Year for 2025.

 

A Homeless Grant Program plus the 2025-26 fiscal budget were both passed by the Grants Pass City Council during their Wednesday night business meeting.The City Council adopted a resolution creating a Homeless Grant Program that award funds, up to $1.2 million to support capital expenses for one or more programs that would provide a managed, low barrier shelter for up to 150 persons. The successful applicant would be required to provide regular reports to demonstrate effectiveness of the program during the Grant period. The City currently spends a little over $371,000 annually. Spending at that level for three years was the basis for the $1.2 million grant amount. The Council also approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget at a level of almost $240 million dollars. The permanent rate per $1,000 is $4.1335 plus the local option levy for public safety is $1.79 for a total $5.9235. The vote to approve was 6 to 2 with Indra Nicholas and Joel King dissenting.Council voted to receive state shared revenues in the amount of $513,000.A sign code appeal for the Applebee’s sign was unanimously approved by the council. The Applebee’s sign will be re-faced, and a second same size sign will be added signifying the addition of IHOP being housed in the same building as the current Applebee’s. There was no time frame discussed for the addition of IHOP.Councilors decided to create a council vice president to improve communication. Joel King was elected to the position. Other appointments include Gordon Langenbeck and Byron Robertson to the Non-bargaining compensation and classification taskforce and Tom Bradbeer and Tom Brandes to the city’s budget committee.The Council adjourned and immediately reconvened as Urban Renewal agency. The agency approved a $50,000 reimbursement grant for Medical Aesthetics, L.L.C. at 1212 Northeast 7th Street. The grant for building rehabilitation and restoration.

 

Multiple agencies are responding to a fast-moving wildfire on Upper Applegate Road near Ruch. In a 1:35 p.m. update, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported the fire was an estimated 50 acres and growing in the 2,000-block of Upper Applegate Road. ODF Southwest reported resources are still responding including multiple engines and crews from numerous agencies including the US Forest Service, BLM and structural partners including the Applegate Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department and others. ODF has also ordered numerous aircraft including Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters plus two large air tankers. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice for the following zones: JAC-419, JAC-422 and JAC-428. Residents in these areas should be aware of the danger and stay informed. Make plans to prepare to evacuate. For preparedness tips, visit "RVEM.org." Act early if you are older, have children, disabilities or limited access to transportation. Consider moving pets and livestock early. If you can do so safely, check with your neighbors and share information. Ask for help if you need it. This may be the only notice you receive. Don't wait to evacuate if you feel unsafe. If conditions change, you may receive a Level 2 "Be Set" or Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notice. You do not need to wait for another evacuation notice. Make the best decision for your safety.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved two library annexation requests and four budgets following five public hearings this morning. The Board opened the public meeting by approving annexations to the Josephine Community Library for properties on Riverbanks Road and Cienega Lane. The annexations increased the size of the library district by more than 13 acres. After public testimony and Board deliberations, the Commissioners unanimously adopted an approximately $182 million budget for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year. Next year's spending plan includes 435.87 full-time equivalent employees with a tax rate of about $1.63 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Commissioner Ron Smith first made a motion to approve the budget and tax rate with amendments to eliminate 12% cuts to most departments and to give Sheriff Dave Daniel all the money he requested. It died for lack of a second. Vice-Chair Chris Barnett then made a motion to approve the budget and tax rate with changes that included reducing the 12% cuts to 5%, excluding the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Community Justice, Veterans Services and Property Reserve from the cuts. Smith seconded that motion, which was approved unanimously. The Board also unanimously approved a $1.6 million budget for the Rural Fire Protection District and a $5.79 million budget for the Law Enforcement Service District. The 4-H Extension Service District was approved by a 2-1 vote, with Board Chair Andreas Blech dissenting. The Extension District was reinstated without a tax rate for the next fiscal year. It will be funded with $230,000 in reserves in the account that were not disbursed last year when the program was halted by former Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West. In other business, the Board approved the results from the May Special District Election.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for pointing a gun at another man in a clothing store yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 60-year-old Paul Leon Rumer on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. for the alleged incident at Ross Dress 4 Less in the Grants Pass Shopping Center. Police said Rumer brandished a gun and pointed it at another man inside Ross after a disagreement about moving out of the way in a store aisle. They said the other man left the area and Rumer followed him, pulled out the loaded pistol and pointed it at him while acting in a violent and tumultuous manner. According to the report, the victim called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers that Rumer's actions placed him in fear of serious injury or death. Responding officers located Rumer, placed him into custody and seized the firearm as evidence. Rumer was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.