No Threat after Unfounded Rogue River High School Report of Student with Gun

Rogue River Junior Senior High School has returned to normal operations after an unfounded report of a student with a firearm on the way to school prompted a precautionary “secure status” this morning. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Rogue River Police Department officers responded and determined there was no credible threat to the school. The “secure status” was lifted shortly after 8 a.m., and there is no further threat to students, staff, or the school community. Law enforcement responded to a report of a Rogue River High School student potentially carrying a firearm in their backpack on the way to school this morning at 7:31 a.m. The report prompted school officials to place the school in a “secure status” as a precaution while law enforcement investigated and ensured the safety of students and staff. Law enforcement contacted the student after a parent dropped them off at school, but before the student entered the building, it was confirmed the student did not have a firearm. There is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the school community. JCSO takes all reports of potential threats to school safety seriously. ...Read more

Emergency Crews Responded to Fatal Vehicle Crash in Murphy

The 911 Dispatch Center was notified Monday at 5:07 p.m. of a motor vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality in Murphy. Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response, Oregon State Police, and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find a pickup truck rolled off an embankment and the driver had been ejected. The driver Brent Smith, 54, was deceased upon arrival and was the only occupant in the vehicle. The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling towards Spencer Creek on a gravel BLM road. The vehicle left the roadway, and went down an embankment, striking several trees, before coming to rest on its side nearly 500 feet down from the roadway. Josephine County Search & Rescue's Rope Team was activated and successfully recovered Brent. Next of kin has been notified. No further information will be released at this time. ...Read more

Fire Season Ends Wednesday

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is officially declaring an end to the 2026 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties, effective Wednesday, October 28th, at 12:01 a.m. Recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and a shift toward consistent fall weather have allowed all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted. Since fire season was declared on May 15, ODF firefighters have responded to 210 fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, totaling approximately 17,220 acres burned. Crews successfully kept 95% of fires at 10 acres or less, just below ODF's annual goal of 98%. The termination of fire season removes ODF's seasonal fire prevention regulations on equipment use and debris burning for the public and industrial operations on protected forestlands. However, industrial slash burning remains prohibited. Before burning, residents should check with their local fire department for permit requirements and confirm that burning is allowed in their area. Residents can check daily burning conditions through their county's burn information line:
- Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
- Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663 ...Read more