Local News

Trespass orders and citations were given during a Riverside Park check by Grants Pass Police officers.

Tuesday morning, officers contacted two suspects in the 304 E Park Street location. They were both cited for Utilization of Open Park Space, and trespassed from the area for 30 days.

Law enforcement then located a woman inside her van. She was contacted and warned for parking on Vista Drive without a permit. During the interaction, she was found to have a warrant out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for Second Degree Trespass.

The warrant charged her with Larceny, and officers took her into custody around 7:46 a.m. She was then issued a citation to appear in Douglas County Court for her warrant.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested one and impounded a dog during an area check Tuesday morning.

Two suspects were contacted at the river's edge near 900 E Park Street around 10:51 a.m. One of them, identified as Jeffrey McPeake, was found to have a felony warrant and had previously run from law enforcement during the last property check.

He proceeded to run from police, and an officer attempted to deploy a taser after telling McPeake to stop to avoid potential injury. The attempt was unsuccessful, as was a search of the area for McPeake.

The second suspect, Morgan Botello, was taken into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass. Animal Control had been contacted by officers regarding McPeake's dog that was at the scene, and he was secured at the Josephine County Animal Shelter. Botello was advised she had five days to contact the shelter.

She was additionally trespassed from the property and transported to jail. Officers lodged Botello on her trespass charge and Offensive Littering. Josephine County Jail logs show she was booked today at 9:50 a.m.

Logs also show McPeake was booked this morning at 10:01 a.m. for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Possession of Methamphetamine, Offensive Littering, and a Post-Prison Supervision Sanction.

 

A cab driver called 911 Tuesday to report a female passenger that didn't pay, leading to her arrest by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Dispatch was notified of the incident around 8:03 a.m., when the driver with Grants Pass Cab said his passenger didn't pay for services. According to the police report, the suspect, Tamara Denton, had been given a ride from Grants Pass to Cave Junction.

Before arriving at the destination in the 1200 block of White Schoolhouse Road, she told the driver she had money at her house and would pay him when they arrived. She exited the vehicle, entered her residence, and didn't return to the cab with the $140 she owed.

After 10 to 15 minutes, the driver reportedly returned to Grants Pass and reported the situation to dispatch. A deputy reported to Denton's home and took her into custody. She was transported to the Adult Jail Facility for lodging on a Theft of Services charge. Due to a lack of resources, she was soon released.

 

The East Evans Creek Fire remained active through the night as firefighters worked aggressively on spot fires, and made progress with continued suppression efforts on the 7,843.2 acre fire. The Oregon Department of Forestry's latest update reports one of the larger spot fires on Board Mountain is estimated at about 1,000 acres. Crews, engines, and heavy equipment are engaged to limit further spread. Overnight, firefighters conducted a small-scale tactical firing operation on the western portion of the blaze to minimize impacts from the main fire. Today, aircraft and ground resources are working to remain vigilant of any new spot fires, cool active areas, and support fireline construction. Oregon State Fire Marshal structure engines along the eastern portion continue work to protect homes and critical infrastructure. Elevated fire behavior is expected to return this afternoon. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-149A, and JAC-158, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, and JAC-149-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect.

 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in June, unchanged from 5.2% in May, and also matched the 5.2% rate one year ago.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, on a seasonally adjusted basis, Oregon employers cut 600 jobs from nonfarm payrolls in June. That follows a revised gain of 2,500 jobs in May. June’s gains were largest in private health care and social assistance (+2,000 jobs). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,700 jobs).

Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 8,500 jobs between June 2025 and June 2026, a loss of 0.4%. Both the private and public sectors lost jobs over the past year. Private-sector employment fell by 5,400 jobs (-0.3%), and government employment declined by 3,100 jobs (-1.0%).

Private health care and social assistance continues to lead job growth in Oregon. The sector added 14,000 jobs over the past year, a gain of 4.5%. Over the past year, growth within the sector was strongest in social assistance (8.6%) and nursing and residential care facilities (5.3 %). Ambulatory health care services (2.6 %) and hospitals (0.5%) also added jobs, but at slower rates.

Manufacturing employment continues to decline in Oregon. Manufacturers lost 10,000 jobs over the past year, a decline of 5.6%. Within manufacturing, employment in durable goods fell by 5,800 jobs (-4.6%). Nondurable goods manufacturing lost 4,200 jobs (-7.7%).

 

Firefighters took advantage of cooler conditions yesterday morning to make steady progress on the East Evans Creek Fire, but spot fires led to additional evacuations. According to the latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry, afternoon conditions became more unstable, but predicted thunderstorms remained south and east of the fire, reported to be at about 7,843.2 acres. Two of the identified spot fires have been mostly lined, with one remaining a challenge due to rugged terrain. Crews are using aircraft and heavy equipment to support suppression efforts, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal structural resources remain in place. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-149A, and JAC-158, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, and JAC-149-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect. The fire started on Friday afternoon at 2:41 p.m. after a car crashed into a power pole, sparking dry vegetation in the area. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the crash. There is a community meeting planned for today at 6:30 p.m. to provide an update for the fire. It will take place at the Shady Cove School Gym, 100 Cleveland Street in Shady Cove. The meeting will also be streamed at Facebook.com/ODFSouthwest.

 

The Board of Commissioners met to hear Legal Counsel Business at Tuesday's workshop. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, an Intergovernmental Agreement for the 4H Extension and OSU Service District was discussed, including the potential Rogue Community College facility intentions. The presented budget reportedly covers all of the District's anticipated business needs for Fiscal Year 2027. A meeting will be scheduled for final approval, then the board moved 2-0 in favor of a Community Development Block Grant Conflict of Interest Letter. Commissioner Colene Martin abstained. There was no vote on the Jail and Juvenile Justice Levy renewal, and the public will have a chance to comment on the topic. The board unanimously approved a motion to elect in favor of the SRS funding mechanism, with 85% of Title 1 funds, 8% Title 2 funds, and 7% Title 3 funds. A Personnel Policy regarding At-Will Employment will be brought back to the board. There was interest in making County Administrative Policies and Procedures as clear as possible, potentially reviewing them with a committee. This will be a continued discussion.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports two Jackson County Zones affected by the East Evans Creek Fire are now at a Level 2: Be Set warning. Zones JAC-126 and JAC-149-B have both been upgraded. Level 2 means there is significant danger in the area, and those living in the zones should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. As of the latest report, the fire is at an estimated 5,370 acres. The fire is being driven by irregular winds and steep terrain, and is exhibiting extreme fire behavior. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-149A, and JAC-158, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-147, and JAC-148, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect.

 

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.