JoCo Board of Commissioners to Tackle Department Business Heavy Workshop
After a quick Legal Counsel Update, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hear many Department Business presentations during Tuesday's workshop. The board will first hear an update on the Grants Pass Civil Air Patrol property, a confirmation of the Sheriff's certificate of sale, and authorization of the distribution of proceeds from the sale, plus a review of Quitclaim Deeds and Land Sale Contracts from the September Auction. The Sheriff's Office will then present the e-Citations Integration Program, Community Justice will go over the third contract amendment for Options for Southern Oregon, and the Recreation Department has an Engineering Services Proposal for Schroeder Park, as well as an agreement with SOU. Public Health will present the board with amendments to Oregon Health Authority Intergovernmental Agreements, and the Human Resources Department will have many Personnel Actions and Requisitions on their agenda to discuss. ...Read more

American Red Cross Begins Fire Prevention Week with House Fire Reminders
It's Fire Prevention Week, and the American Red Cross reminds everyone of the dangers of house fires. These claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes. For your home fire escape plan, everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home. Decide where to meet once you get outside, and then stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets or things. Make sure you place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test your alarms once a month, and change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it. Replace your smoke alarms if they are 10 years or older. ...Read more

Three Local Heroes Rescued Man Trapped in Vehicle Fire, Honored for Heroism

Three citizens were honored for rescuing a man trapped in his vehicle as it was burning. On June 27, 2025 a fiery crash on Rogue River Highway near Gordon Way prompted a swift response from the three. A Ford Mustang and a commercial water truck collided. The driver of the Mustang, John Irwin, was trapped inside his car as it burst into flames. Calls came into Grants Pass 911 Communications, who mobilized crews from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and AMR-Josephine County. While first responders were en-route to the incident, citizens at the scene, Chelsae Booth, Andrew Clem, and Michael McGilvreay, jumped into action to pull John from the wreckage. The three worked together to force open the passenger door, unbuckle John, and pull him to safety before the vehicle became fully involved. Austin Prince, Operations Chief with Rural Metro Fire, recently led a joint multi-agency effort to recognize the heroic acts of Booth, Clem, and McGilvreay. ...Read more