Local News

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to Extreme (Red) at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 17th. These regulations impact approximately 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF's Southwest Oregon District. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 2. Current fuel conditions across southwest Oregon are critically dry and supporting extreme fire behavior. The East Evans Creek Fire has demonstrated how quickly fires can grow under these conditions. With continued hot weather, critically dry fuels, and the potential for thunderstorms this week, any new wildfire has the potential to spread quickly, making it critical for everyone to do their part to prevent new fire starts. Beginning Friday the following Extreme (Red) public use restrictions will take effect:
• The use of power saws, including battery and electric-powered chainsaws, is prohibited.
• The cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited.
• The mowing of dried or cured grass is prohibited. This includes lawnmowers and string trimmers. The mowing of green, irrigated lawns and the culture and harvest of agricultural crops are exempt from restrictions.
• The operation of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned above is prohibited.
ODF urges everyone to follow current fire restrictions, and report fires immediately by calling 9-1-1. For additional information about current fire season regulations and designated campground locations, visit www.swofire.com.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded July 7th around 9:43 a.m. to a residence in the 900 block of Summer Lane in Grants Pass for a report of a missing person with suspicious circumstances. An official release from the department said that, upon the initial investigation, it was determined that Randall “Randy” Hecker was missing from his residence and perhaps in danger. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and Grants Pass Police Department responded to the scene and began their investigation. The suspect identified in this case was Israel Wytcherley, who resides near the victim’s residence. Wytcherley was located and contacted by investigators at a separate location within the city of Grants Pass. He was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, First Degree Assault, Kidnapping in the First Degree, and Unlawful use of a Weapon. While this case is still under investigation, several details are not available for public release. Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Randy Hecker who has not been seen since the incident occurred. Hecker is a 67-year-old white male who is 5’8" and approximately 185 pounds. Hecker was last seen wearing bluish grey shorts, a light blue t-shirt and a backpack style sprayer. The backpack sprayer has not been located and is of interest.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman wanted on misdemeanor warrants out of the agency.

Monday afternoon around 2:08, deputies arrested Kandi Lewis after contacting her in the 500 block of NW 6th Street. She was taken into custody by deputies for her five warrants and transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

According to jail logs, she was lodged for a total of seven counts of Criminal Trespass in the First Degree.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested two men found with drug paraphernalia after they were reported to be parked outside a residence for about a half hour.

A call to 911 Monday reported a white car parked across the street from a home in the 900 block of NW Morgan Lane at 7:55 p.m. The caller said the vehicle was running and revving, and a man was seen passed out in the front seat.

Officers responded to the scene and detained two individuals inside the vehicle, Stephen Cillo, and Zachary Prauss. Both were observed by law enforcement laying over in the front seat of the vehicle. Also observed inside was a smoking apparatus.

A search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers located several rubber storage containers, over $600 in cash, scales for weighing items, a BB gun resembling a Glock, and a thin walled glass pipe and other drug paraphernalia, which later field tested positive for Methamphetamine.

Cillo initially provided a false name to responding officers, and wouldn't give his date of birth. Both suspects were positively identified, and found to be wanted on active warrants.

Cillo was taken into custody on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Harboring, as well as charges of Possession and Delivery of Meth, and Furnishing False Information to Police. Officers took Prauss into custody on two Medford Police Department warrants for a Traffic Offense and Elude, plus an Oregon Parole Board warrant.

Both were lodged in the Josephine County Jail, and all evidence was logged.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing complaint at The Haul Monday afternoon, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Officers were notified the suspect, later identified as Thomas Ehens, was in the alley just south of the 121 SW H Street restaurant at noon. He had been warned for trespassing 15 minutes prior, and was contacted sitting against the building.

He was taken into custody by law enforcement and transported to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on a charge of Second Degree Trespass.

 

The Salvation Army will celebrate the Dedication and Grand Opening of Hope Lofts, seven new studio apartments, this Friday.

According to a release, the celebration will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Hope House Transitional Living Program, 1065 Crews Road, in Medford. During the event, the Salvation Army will present the first set of keys to a Hope House participant preparing to move into one of the seven new, fully furnished studio apartments.

The Salvation Army officially broke ground on Hope Lofts July 15th, 2025. Donors, foundations, businesses, government representatives, and community partners gathered at the Hope House campus to launch the nearly $1.46 million expansion. Just over a year later, the property is ready to welcome its first families and participants.

The expansion responds to a critical shortage of transitional housing in Jackson County, where homelessness has increased by 132 percent over the past five years. Hope House has frequently maintained a waiting list for its studio apartments, which provide an important next step for people who need a smaller, independent living space while continuing to receive supportive services.

The July 17th celebration will include the formal dedication, ribbon cutting, presentation of the first keys, donor wall unveiling, guided tours, and refreshments. Community members, donors and partners are invited to attend and help celebrate this historic milestone.

 

Josephine County residents who use the internet-enabled computers at the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley branch libraries can now enjoy new and modern computers.

According to a release, the update comes courtesy of a $74,796 grant from the Oregon Broadband Office awarded to Josephine Community Library District in May.

The Digital Connectivity Technology Program grant, through the Oregon Broadband Office, has funded the replacement of 15 public access computers at Grants Pass library, six each at the Illinois Valley and Wolf Creek libraries, and two at the Williams library, for a total of 29 computers. The replacement computers at the Wolf Creek and Williams libraries will be available for public use by the end of this month.

The Digital Connectivity Technology Program grant has also funded eight laptop computers, which are now available for checkout at all four library branches. In addition to access to technology devices, the library provides a variety of computer training and support.

The computers being replaced were funded in 2018 by the Oregon Community Foundation, Four Way Community Foundation, and Josephine Community Library Foundation.

 

Crews are braced for another demanding day on the East Evans Creek Fire, as hot and dry conditions combine with the potential for gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms. The Oregon Department of Forestry's latest update says extreme fire behavior and spotting created challenging evening conditions across the north, northwest, and northeast areas of the blaze, now estimated at around 5,370 acres. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reported that, due to successful firefighting efforts today, the Evacuation Level 3 for Zone JAC-148A has been downgraded to an Evacuation Level 2: Be Set. Zone 148 is no longer split into A and B sections. The entirety of Zone JAC-148 is at a Level 2. Hand crews, engines, heavy equipment, overhead personnel, and aviation resources ordered by ODF and the Oregon State Fire Marshal reflect the incident's complexity. Smoke from the fire may settle into valleys and other low-lying areas, reducing visibility and impacting air quality in nearby communities. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, and JAC-147, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect.

 

Jackson County Public Health is encouraging community members to prepare for potential air quality impacts from the East Evans Creek Road Fire. According to Jackson County Health and Human Services, smoke levels can rise or fall quickly depending on changing weather conditions. It is important for people to stay alert and monitor air quality throughout wildfire season. The particulate matter (also called “PM”) in wildfire smoke poses the biggest risk to the public’s health. Particles larger than 10 micrometers usually irritate only the eyes, nose, and throat. Fine particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller (PM2.5) can be inhaled into the deepest part of the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Those known to be more vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures include children less than 18 years, Adults 65 or older, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those with chronic health conditions. During a wildfire smoke event, Jackson County Public Health officials advise people to take precautions like staying aware of smoke concentrations and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity. Drink plenty of water, and keep