Local News

The Mount Ashland Association is hosting a webinar to share a recap of the 2024-25 Winter Season on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.. The association will also take a closer look at the upcoming 2026 Chairlift Replacement Project and so much more. Stick around for a "live" Q & A session with Ski Ashland General Manager Andrew Gast where you'll have the chance to get your questions answered directly. To submit your questions in advance and get the webinar link, please visit "mtashland.com/events/2025-virtual-town-hall."

 

The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management is offering up to 8.5 million board feet of timber across 380 public acres for sale on June 26th. BLM officials said timber produced from these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries as well as support jobs across western Oregon economies. The Salt Creek Salvage Sale will offer salvage logging on 110 acres, producing an estimated 2.2 million board feet. The Rotors Up Timber Sale will offer commercial thinning on 16 acres, selection harvest on 252 acres and right-of-way clearing on two acres, producing an estimated 6.3 million board feet of timber. BLM Medford District Manager Elizabeth Burghard said these timber sales provide jobs that improve life in local economies while also improving the health of local forests. In western Oregon, the BLM manages 2.4 million acres of some of the most productive forests in the world. The agency is committed to supplying a reliable, secure and resilient domestic supply of timber. BLM forestry supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, conserves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases costs of energy production. Each year, the BLM Oregon-Washington forestry program generates more than $1 billion for local economies and supports approximately 2,000 local jobs.

 

Rogue Community College has announced a partnership with Linn-Benton Community College and Providence Medford Medical Center that will bring a Surgical Technology program to the Rogue Valley -- an important step toward addressing the critical need for trained surgical technologists in Southern Oregon. This collaborative effort allows students in the Rogue Valley to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree without leaving the region. The Linn-Benton Community College program blends online coursework with in-person labs at RCC's Table Rock Campus in White City and hands-on clinical experience at Providence Medford Medical Center. Graduates will be prepared to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam, administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The program is fully-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, ensuring students receive industry-recognized, high-quality training. Enrollment is now open for the Fall 2025 Cohort. For more information, visit "roguecc.edu/SurgicalTech."

 

Big news for downtown Grants Pass. Main Street Grants Pass has announced that the Partake Project has been awarded a $400,000 state grant to bring the historic Shallhorn-Harmon Building back to life. With the support of local owners Patty and Scott Hillier and funding from Oregon Lottery-backed funds, this two-story brick landmark at 221 SE 6th Street will soon be home to Partake Shop, Lounge & Dine on the ground floor, and a beautiful second-floor restaurant and lounge in a space unused since the 1960s. Key project elements include reconstruction of the historic stairway from 6th Street to the second floor, full façade restoration reflecting the building's original design, activation of the upper floor space that has been vacant for over 60 years, and creation of between 15 and 20 permanent jobs plus numerous construction jobs. Seth Benham, Co-Chair and President of Main Street Grants Pass, said this project is a cornerstone of their efforts to revitalize downtown. Construction will begin this summer.

 

An Illinois Valley man was jailed on a dozen charges last night following a violent incident in the Selma area. The Oregon State Police reports troopers arrested 36-year-old William Arthur Way of O'Brien on Hogue Drive on Monday around 10 p.m.. Troopers said they were flagged down by a man at the Ray's Food Place in Selma and advised of a possible assault victim at the store. The victim told them that he had fled from an incident after observing his friend being held at gunpoint by Way. They had given the suspect a ride on Illinois River Road. While attempting to locate the Toyota Tundra Way had stolen from the men, state troopers observed Way run a stop sign, turn onto Redwood Highway and then onto Hogue Drive. Meanwhile, the man being held at gunpoint called 9-1-1 and reported that he was a passenger in the vehicle during the pursuit. Way bailed out of the stolen vehicle and fled southbound on foot. He resisted arrest while being placed into custody by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Way was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on charges including Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Felony Kidnapping, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Menacing, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on statewide and local warrants plus new charges after he led deputies on a weekend pursuit in the Murphy area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 48-year-old Ronald Michael Varner, Sr., in the 100-block of Scott Drive on Sunday at 12:09 p.m.. Deputies said they initially attempted to stop an unplated motorcycle ridden by Varner in the 7200-block of North Applegate Road, but he refused to yield and sped away, turning onto Board Shanty Road and Scott Drive before stopping. Upon contact, deputies discovered that Varner was wanted on a state warrant for Parole Violation stemming from convictions for Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Delivery of Methamphetamine. He was also wanted on a Josephine County warrant containing a secret indictment for 3rd-Degree Robbery, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, 4th-Degree Assault and Petty Theft as well as a Jackson County warrant for Contempt of Court. Varner was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus new charges of Reckless Driving and Driving While Suspended. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. His motorcycle was impounded.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for violating terms of her probation following a foot pursuit in Cave Junction late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a disturbance involving 31-year-old Carly Brooke Jensen in the parking lot of Jubilee Park on Monday at 5:47 p.m.. Deputies said a citizen reported that Jensen and a male subject were intoxicated and arguing inside a dark-green sport utility vehicle. Prior to the 9-1-1 call, the citizen advised both the man and woman had punched each other, but no one was hurt. The feuding couple were taking turns walking a dog in the park. Upon arrival, the unidentified male subject told deputies that Jensen had broken a window on his vehicle -- but he didn't want to press any charges against her. Both Jensen and her corrections officer were contacted, and the officer wanted her detained. She tried to run away, but was quickly subdued and placed into custody. Jensen was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Probation Violation and 3rd-Degree Escape. She was being held on a no-bail detainer. She was also trespassed from Jubilee Park for one year.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for fighting with officers who responded to a weekend trespassing complaint at a northeast city residence. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident involving 43-year-old Dion Micki Cleek in the 1300-block of NE 10th Street on Sunday at about 7:15 p.m.. Police said Cleek returned to the home after previously being warned for trespass at that address. After being contacted by officers, Cleek refused to stop and used physical force to prevent being placed into custody. She intentionally kicked one officer before she was taken to the ground. She was not hurt in the apprehension. Cleek was uncooperative throughout the investigation and she was ultimately arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail and her trespass warning was updated.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for her violent behavior toward others at a downtown resting site early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the disturbance at the NE 7th Street resting site on Monday at 9:50 a.m.. Police said they were alerted to a man and woman fighting on the ground at the designated campsite. The male subject -- identified by GPPD as "Gregory Kime" -- came into the nearby police lobby to file a complaint against 63-year-old Carol Selph who was also identified as "Carol Ann Taylor" in the report. An investigation determined that Selph shoved gravel into Kime's mouth and then threw gravel at others in the resting site. Her behavior caused public alarm and generated multiple calls for service. Video surveillance footage showed her to be the primary aggressor in the altercation with Kime. Selph was placed into custody and lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail. She was also trespassed from the resting site for 30 days.