ODF Crews Tackling East Evans Creek Road Fire

Firefighters were dispatched to a grass fire occurring along East Evans Creek Road. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said the fire is being driven by wind and steep terrain. ODF posted a Facebook update at 4:45 p.m., saying the fire is now estimated at 75-100 acres and continues to burn in steep terrain. Firefighters, along with partnering agencies, are working hard to slow the fire's spread while battling extreme heat, low relative humidity, and challenging terrain. Crews are also tackling a spot fire as suppression efforts continue. A coordinated air and ground response remains underway. Resources assigned include two Large Air Tankers, one Very Large Air Tanker, two Type 1 helicopters, two Type 2 helicopters, one Type 3 helicopter, and Air Attack, all supporting firefighters on the ground. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036 and JAC-147, and a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zone JAC-016 and JAC-148 have been issued in the area of the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Rd. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports traffic is blocked on E Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and W Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. Please avoid the area as fire crews do their work. For more information on the Evacuation Levels go to: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/Pages/evacuations.aspx ...Read more

Council to Discuss Lodging Tax, Tourism Grant Program, Owl Plaza before Executive Session

The Grants Pass City Council is scheduled to meet for their workshop to discuss tax allocation and tourism following presentations, then meet in Executive Session Monday morning. The meeting, starting at 11:45 a.m. will begin with a Lodging Tax allocation presentation. Council will hear a review of the Tourism Grant Program, then hold a discussion for the Owl Plaza. An agenda review will follow covering Wednesday's business meeting, and any potential items to be added to the calendar. Council will then adjourn the meeting and reconvene in Executive Session for labor negotiations. The public is welcome to attend the workshop in person or virtually by going to www.grantspassoregon.gov. ...Read more

Task Force Busts Black-Market Marijuana Grow outside Applegate Area

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant today at a black-market cannabis grow in the 100 block of Hogan Road near rural Applegate outside of Jacksonville. According to a press release, IMET detectives seized approximately 1,300 marijuana plants, a half-pound of psilocybin mushrooms, and three and a half pounds of THC extract. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at the location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Oregon State Police. Oregon Water Resources Department and Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct investigations. ...Read more