MEDFORD, Ore. — The recent rain in Southern Oregon has lead the Oregon Department of Forestry to declare the end of fire season. The largest fire in Southern Oregon this year was the Slate Creek Fire in Josephine County which burned 160 acres. Brian Ballou with ODF said the mild summer weather is what stands … Continue reading »
Merlin Exit 61 Improvements Discussed
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – For years, Josephine County officials and state highway engineers have been wrangling over a way to make the Merlin interchange at Exit 61 safer and more efficient. Now, it appears ODOT designers are ready to move ahead with a project. State highway officials laid out before Josephine County Commissioners their plans … Continue reading »
Fatal Crash Near Grants Pass
NEAR GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A 20-year old Josephine County woman is dead following a rollover crash on a mountain road near Grants Pass on Sunday. A spokesman for Rural-Metro Fire Department says their crews and Sheriff Gil Gilbertson responded to the accident on Granite Hill Road. Sabrina Kasiah was thrown from a vehicle that … Continue reading »
Fire Danger Level Lowered
MEDFORD, Ore. — Monday morning, the fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties dropped to “high” due to light rain in the region. Chain saws, power mowers, brush cutters, and other equipment employing internal combustion engines may now be used until 1:00 p.m. The fire danger level in … Continue reading »
Local Prosecutor On Sandusky Sentence
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – At Jerry Sandusky’s sentencing on Tuesday, a Pennsylvania judge handed the former Penn State assistant football coach a prison term that will likely have him spending the rest of his life behind bars. The sentence of no less than 30 and no more than 60 years in prison, comes after Sandusky’s … Continue reading »
Josephine Co. “Disappointed” In BLM
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Attempts by Jackson and Josephine County Commissioners to clarify their role in planning by the BLM is getting a cold shoulder from the federal agency. On Wednesday, Josephine County Commissioners expressed disappointment that the Bureau of Land Management does not want to sign a “coordination and cooperation” agreement with the county. … Continue reading »
211 Referral Resource For Josephine Co.
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – A new referral service has made it’s way to Josephine County. Programs like ACCESS, or emergency needs like food pantries or homeless shelters, will now only be a call away. The 211 program is a system that is in select cities across Oregon. Residents can dial the number to receive information … Continue reading »
Grants Pass Downs Showing Revenue Loss
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – For the second year in a row the Grants Pass Fairgrounds has lost money with its horse-racing event. The Grants Pass Downs lost close to $42,000 this season and Josephine County Commissioners are now reconsidering if horse-racing should continue or not in the future. Commissioner Don Reedy told NewsWatch12 the county … Continue reading »
Students Use Church Building For School
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – About 65 Southern Oregon students are still not back in class after summer vacation, but those dozens of students in Josephine County will soon call a church building their school. The Woodland Charter School is temporarily using the church as construction work finishes on its new building. On Tuesday, Grants Pass … Continue reading »
Curry County Braces For Cuts
CURRY COUNTY, Ore. — The Curry County Sheriff’s Office is bracing for cuts, due to budget shortfalls. It’s a similar situation to what happened in Josephine County earlier this year. They expect everything from releasing prisoners and cutting patrol hours, to answering fewer calls. The Curry County Sherrifs Office has reached out to the Jackson … Continue reading »
