Local News

The Oregon State Marine Board recently opened rulemaking for the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County and the agency seeks written public comments on the proposed rule language. The State Marine Board filed a Notice of Rulemaking with the Oregon Secretary of State, which was published in the November 1st Oregon Bulletin to establish a new rule for the Upper Rogue River. Oregon Administrative Rule 250-020-0151 preserves traditional boating uses along the Upper Rogue. The horsepower restrictions will limit the size and speeds at which boats may operate on sections of the river. This will prevent conflicts between motorized and non-motorized boats, and it will allow other river users to access sections of the river without interference from high-speed boats. The agency will also host a public hearing on December 4th at the Riverside Campus of Rogue Community College in Medford. More information will be forthcoming in advance of the hearing. The Board will meet on January 23, 2025, and make a motion to adopt, amend or take other action on the proposed rulemaking. Written comments will be accepted until December 20th at 5 p.m.. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to "osmb.rulemaking@boat.oregon.gov."

 

The Mount Ashland Ski Area has announced the launch of a new Exploring Post program, a hands-on job shadowing and career exploration initiative designed for students ages 16 to 20. Building on the success of former youth programs, the 7,500-Foot Crew and Youth Summer Service, the Exploring Post will give local youth a chance to gain valuable real-world experience in the ski and outdoor industry while developing their leadership and creativity. Through the Exploring Post, participants will have the unique opportunity to experience Mount Ashland's operations -- from mountain operations and ski patrol to guest services and environmental stewardship. The program will emphasize hands-on learning, career skill development, and an inside look at the daily work that goes into operating a community ski area. The Exploring Post program will launch this winter, with meetings starting before the 2024-25 ski season. An informational Open House will be held for prospective participants and their families on Tuesday, November 5th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Talent Community Library. For more information, please visit "mtashland.com/exploring."

 

The Oregon State Marine Board recently opened rulemaking for the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County and is seeking written public comments on the proposed rule change. The agency filed a Notice of Rulemaking with the Oregon Secretary of State, being published in the November 1st Oregon Bulletin to establish a new rule for the Upper Rogue River: The rule preserves traditional boating uses along the Upper Rogue River. The horsepower restrictions will limit the size and speeds at which boats may operate on sections of the river. This will prevent conflicts between motorized and nonmotorized boaters and allow other river users to access sections of the river without interference from high-speed boats. The agency will also host a public hearing on December 4, in Medford at the Rogue Community College. More information will be forthcoming in advance of the hearing. The Board will meet on January 23, 2025, and may make a motion to adopt, amend, or take other action on the proposed rulemaking. Written comments will be accepted until December 20, by 12:55 pm. Comments can be submitted by email to osmb.rulemaking@boat.oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Testimony will not be accepted by telephone.

 

The Oregon State Police was investigating the cause of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Redwood Highway at Hayes Hill early yesterday. According to OSP, troopers, the Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash at milepost 15.5 of US Highway 199 on Friday at 6:53 a.m. IVFD officials said the vehicle involved in the crash collided with the guardrail, but no injuries were reported.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a local felon this week after he got into a fight with two corrections officers. The Police Department reports officers arrested 29-year-old Jake Robert Thompson at the Josephine County Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Thursday afternoon. Police said they responded to a call at the corrections office stating that two officers were fighting with Thompson, who was wanted for two counts of Felony Parole Violation stemming from a 2017 conviction for unspecified crimes. The corrections officers told police that Thompson failed to comply with multiple commands to put his hands behind his back so he could be handcuffed. They had to use a considerable amount of force to place him into custody. Roberts was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for the felony parole violations plus a new charge of Resisting Arrest. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley woman for a domestic violence incident that ruined her family's Halloween. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 34-year-old female subject at a residence in the 1800-block of Rockydale Road on Thursday night. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that when he and his 9-year-old son returned home from trick-or-treating, the woman threw a bucket of candy at the boy and it hit him in the face, causing a swollen eye and red marks on his face. The caller then stated that the woman choked him for about 15 seconds, making it difficult for him to breathe and forcing him to gasp for air. The victim declined medical treatment for him and his son. According to the report, the man and woman are the parents of two boys -- but the woman lives above the garage.

 

The Mount Ashland Ski Area has announced the launch of a new Exploring Post program, a hands-on job shadowing and career exploration initiative designed for students ages 16 to 20. Building on the success of former youth programs, the 7,500-Foot Crew and Youth Summer Service, the Exploring Post will give local youth a chance to gain valuable real-world experience in the ski and outdoor industry while developing their leadership and creativity. Through the Exploring Post, participants will have the unique opportunity to experience Mount Ashland's operations -- from mountain operations and ski patrol to guest services and environmental stewardship. The program will emphasize hands-on learning, career skill development, and an inside look at the daily work that goes into operating a community ski area. The Exploring Post program will launch this winter, with meetings starting before the 2024-25 ski season. Participants receive a uniform and skiing privileges. The cost of the program is $120 per year and financial assistance is available. An informational Open House will be held for prospective participants and their families on Tuesday, November 5th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Talent Community Library.

 

A persistent weather pattern of cooler temperatures and consistent rain has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry to decrease restrictions for industrial slash burning starting at 9 a.m. today. As a result, ODF officials said prescribed fire and industrial slash burning may increase in high-elevation, remote areas throughout Josephine and Jackson counties. These restrictions are specifically for industrial use and are separate from general public debris burning regulations. Before a debris or barrel burn, members of the public should first contact their local fire district for any needed permits. On the day of the debris burn, contact the appropriate county burn line to confirm it is a "burn day." In Josephine County, the number is (541)-476-9663. In Jackson County, the number is (541)-776-7007.

 

Heading into the weekend, nearly half of Josephine County's registered voters had returned their ballots for next Tuesday's general election. The Josephine County Clerk's Office on Friday evening reported a local turnout of 46.47%. Out of 71,141 registered voters, 33,063 had returned completed ballots. Josephine County voters will decide races for two out of three seats on the Board of Commissioners as well as the race for Treasurer. Grants Pass and Cave Junction voters will decide two-person races for mayor along with city council positions. In addition, there are four ballot measure on the November 5th ballot. The deadline for completed ballots is Tuesday at 8 p.m. and postmarks will be counted. Voters can also hand-deliver their ballots to designated drop-boxes at the Clerk's Office, the north and south entrances to the Courthouse, the back parking lot of the Grants Pass library branch, Washington Mutual Bank on Union Avenue, Ray's Food Place in Merlin, Hidden Valley Market in Murphy and Cave Junction City Hall. In other news, the group attempting to recall Josephine County Commissioner John West turned in 7,538 signatures to the Clerk's Office by Thursday's deadline. A total of 6,445 valid signatures must be verified by the Clerk by November 27th in order to trigger the recall.