Local News

Investigators believe egg incubators may be the cause of a fire that destroyed a home in the Applegate Valley earlier this week. On Monday afternoon, the Applegate Valley Fire District responded to a reported structure fire on Slagle Creek Road. Prior to arrival, the lead engine upgraded the response to a second alarm based on the smoke observed from about a mile away from the incident location. It brought in additional resources from Rural Metro Fire Department and the Williams Rural Fire Protection District. Upon arrival, crews reported a single-family residential structure that was fully-involved with flames. Fortunately, both of the residents were out of the structure which was a total loss due to the extent of fire damage. The investigation revealed that the most likely cause of the fire was from egg incubators in the living room of the home. Fire departments around the nation respond to numerous fires each year related to heating devices associated with the production of chickens. Officials say it is often because of overloaded circuits, heat lamps or faulty extension cords.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished an illegal outdoor debris burn near the summit of Hayes Hill early yesterday. On Wednesday at 6:42 a.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to a fire near the intersection of Old Redwood Highway and Hayes Hill Road. Arriving units found an unattended open burn pile with illegal materials near the Hayes Hill rock pit. Crews quickly put out and mopped up the small fire. Officials said there are number of transient camps in the area and some of the inhabitants of those camps likely started the blaze.

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Urban Tree Advisory Committee. This term expires on September 30, 2025. The purpose of the committee is to review, develop and implement programs and activities that promote, protect and enhance the urban forest in Grants Pass as part of the Tree City USA program. The only special qualification for this post is an interest in the promotion and enhancement of the urban forest in Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Monday, May 13th. The Grants Pass City Council will make the appointment during its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 5th.

 

During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help protect the blood supply by making and keeping blood or platelet donation appointments in the weeks ahead. Donors of all blood types -- especially Type O donors and those giving platelets -- are needed now to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care this spring. The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer blood donors to collect about 12,000 blood donations every single day. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential in transfusion care. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need. Spring into action -- book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now by visiting "RedCrossBlood.org," calling 1-(800)-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who give through April 28th will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice plus be automatically entered to win a $7,000 gift card.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday tabled a public hearing on the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the Rural Land Development Code for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Board opened the hearing but decided to continue it due to lingering questions about fire protection on rural and forested lands. Is the Oregon Department of Forestry a fire service provider? That's the question the Board wants answered before resuming the process. Assistant Community Development Director James Black testified the ordinance amends the development code to allow accessory dwelling units on properties that are more than two acres in size. He said it also allows the conversion of historic homes on such properties into ADUs, adding that all the provisions contained in the amendment are based on state statutes. However, when the Commissioners questioned the state-mandated rule to provide proof of fire protection for these developments, neither Black nor County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks would provide an answer. The Board has already passed an ordinance that states ODF is a fire service provider for forest land developments. The Public Comment period was lengthy with several people addressing the Board on a new offer for the proposed Pipe Fork Timber Sale near Williams.

 

To boost the number of firefighters across Oregon before wildfire season, the Oregon State Fire Marshal announced it has awarded $6 million in grants to 191 local fire agencies across the state -- including 12 agencies in Southern Oregon. The 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program is in its third year. Local agencies in the Oregon structural fire service were eligible to apply for up to $35,000. The funding will allow selected agencies to bring on additional firefighters or increase on-duty hours during the upcoming fire season. Locally, OSFM grants were awarded to the Applegate Valley Fire District, Ashland Fire & Rescue, Azalea Rural Fire Protection District, Evans Valley Fire District, Greensprings Rural Fire Protection District, Illinois Valley Fire District, Jackson County Fire District #4, Jacksonville Fire Department, Lake Creek Rural Fire Protection District, Prospect Rural Fire Protection District, Rogue River Fire District and Williams Rural Fire Protection District. The 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program is part of a multi-pronged approach to combat wildfires in Oregon. This grant is part of the OSFM's "Response Ready Oregon initiative."

 

Hidden Valley High School students were witnesses to the graphic reality of a two-vehicle crash simulation as part of the national "Every 15 Minutes" campaign on Wednesday. The simulation was staged on the track in front of the grandstands, where students experienced a realistic perspective of what can happen as a result of impaired or distracted driving. As the students watched in silence, several kids were packaged and transported to hospitals and one was transported to the morgue. A student "driver" who survived was taken to jail due to "a high level of impairment." Rural Metro Fire Department officials said this message of prevention comes as students are preparing for their prom and the end of the school year. They said it's everyone's wish that they all make good decisions while having fun. Officials said families should have serious conversations regarding the dangers of driving impaired or being a passenger with someone who might be impaired. To learn more, visit "every15minutes.com."

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning tabled a public hearing on the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the Rural Land Development Code for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Board opened the hearing but decided to continue it due to lingering questions about fire protection on rural and forested lands. Is the Oregon Department of Forestry a fire service provider? That's the question the Board wants answered. Assistant Community Development Director James Black testified the ordinance amends the development code to allow accessory dwelling units on properties that are more than two acres in size. He said it also allows the conversion of historic homes on such properties into ADUs, adding that all the provisions contained in the amendment are based on state statutes. However, when the Commissioners questioned the state-mandated rule to provide proof of fire protection for these developments neither Black nor County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks would provide an answer. The Board has already passed an ordinance that states ODF is a fire service provider for forest land developments. The Public Comment period was lengthy with several people addressing the Board on a new offer for the proposed Pipe Fork Timber Sale near Williams. The new offer is reportedly $2,320,000 for the 320-acre property, which is $300,000 higher than the original offer funded by a conservancy organization. The Commissioners are scheduled to consider the new offer during a Thursday executive session. Other comments came from Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Director Colleen Padilla who encouraged the Board to remember the good work SOREDI has done in Josephine County, a Master Gardener who urged the Board not to defund the OSU Extension Service and three Colonial Valley residents who made complaints about a dangerous dog on Palomino Drive.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant early yesterday during a patrol check at the Williams Highway Plaza. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 37-year-old male subject at the Plaza Liquor Store on Tuesday at about 9 a.m.. Police said they contacted the man outside the liquor store and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested for violating terms of his post-prison supervision four times since July of last year.