Grants Pass Students Make Significant Gains on State Assessments

Grants Pass School District 7 students made significant gains in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math on the 2025-26 Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) tests, with growth across the district and particularly strong gains in grades 3, 5 and 7. According to a statement, districtwide, ELA proficiency increased 4.3 percentage points, from 46.6% in 2024-25 to 50.9% in 2025-26. Math proficiency increased 4.2 percentage points, from 31.9% in 2024-25 to 36.1% in 2025-26. Across Oregon, proficiency increased by 0.8 percentage points in ELA and 1.4 percentage points in math. Statewide, 43.8% of students were proficient in ELA, and 32.9% were proficient in math. Grants Pass students outperformed the statewide proficiency rate. The district was 8.9 percentage points above the state in third-grade ELA, 10.0 points above in fifth-grade ELA, and 8.1 points above in seventh-grade ELA. In math, Grants Pass was 8.0 points above the state in third grade, 5.1 points above in fifth grade, and 10.8 points above in seventh grade. ...Read more

Final Anderson Butte Road Fire Shows 50% Containment

Containment on the Anderson Butte Road Fire has increased to 50% following another day of hard work by firefighters. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire remains at 78 acres, with all control lines holding as crews continue to secure the perimeter and extinguish remaining heat. Firefighters have now completed mop-up approximately 200 feet inward from the perimeter, further securing the fire’s edge. Snagging operations have also been completed throughout the areas crews have been able to safely access. Some smoke remains visible in the interior of the fire, particularly in a steep drainage where heavy concentrations of hazardous trees make access difficult. Crews continue to assess these areas and address remaining heat where they can do so safely. ...Read more

Teen Arrested after Rollover Car Crash Kills Passenger, Sparks East Evans Creek Fire

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 17-year-old driver Friday, September 18th, following a vehicle crash that killed his passenger and sparked the 15,000-acre East Evans Creek Fire. The 18-year-old male passenger in the involved 2002 Ford Ranger died July 18th at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. The suspect, a 17-year-old male, is charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide, Reckless Driving, and Second-Degree Criminal mischief. Deputies lodged the suspect in the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility. Friday, July 10th at 2:39 p.m., dispatch received a call for a rollover motor vehicle crash in the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Road in rural Rogue River. An Oregon ...Read more