Jackson County Sheriff Warns Rogue Valley Residents about Increase in Local Scams

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is warning the Rogue Valley community that there is a major increase of scam calls in the local area. The Sheriff's Office has been receiving 20 to 30 reports per day of people receiving scam calls from people pretending to be sheriff's deputies. These scammers are able to spoof the agency's number as well, making these calls seem legitimate. If you receive a call from a Sergeant David Miller or Sergeant Matt Hagert, please know the Jackson County Sheriff's Office does not have any sergeants by those names and it is a scam. Please note the names and ranks of these callers can change on a regular basis. According to the Sheriff's Office, you will not be called because you have missed grand jury, jury duty or a jury summons, or you have an outstanding warrant. They prefer to come find you in person. They will never ask you to pay anything over the phone by cash, credit, wire, Crypto or Bitcoin. If someone is asking for money, it is a Red Flag and you should hang up. Unless you are in an active investigation, you will not receive calls from anyone in a law enforcement agency. Please share this information with your friends and family who do not have social media as many community members are receiving these calls, believing in them and following the caller's instructions. ...Read more

More Than $5.4 Million Coming to Oregon for Hazardous Fuels Projects Across State

US Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced that $5.4 million is coming to Oregon from the Inflation Reduction Act for hazardous fuels projects across the state. The federal funding awarded by the US Forest Service will reduce the risk of wildfires by removing hazardous fuels from national forests and grasslands to facilities for use in wood products and wood energy production. The awards to Oregon are part of a $20 million effort by the Forest Service to fund 34 entities for 66 projects as part of its hazardous fuels transportation assistance program. A total of eight projects were selected in Oregon, with three of them in the southwest part of the state. The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe Project will receive $375,000 to remove 65,000 tons of material on 1,000 acres of Umpqua Tribal lands adjacent to US Forest Service lands. The Mineral Creek Logging Project will receive $248,668 to remove 4,000 tons of non-saw Timber Subject to Agreement material from 402 acres on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The Biomass One Project gets $88,000 to remove 15,000 tons of green biomass material on approximately 950 acres near Crater Lake National Park. ...Read more

Grants Pass School Board Holding Community Listening Session on Tuesday at GPHS

The Grants Pass School District 7 Board of Education wants to hear from its patrons during a community listening session next week. The listening session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Grants Pass High School Commons. The Grants Pass School District is inviting all interested citizens to attend the session. This is the public's chance to share their questions, ideas and feedback directly with the Board. Whether you have thoughts on cell phone policies, questions on the dress code or budget, suggestions for improving school facilities, or feedback on current school programs, the D7 Board wants to hear from you. An RSVP is appreciated but not required to attend the listening session. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Tonya Doane at (541)-474-5700. ...Read more