Local News

The Oregon Department of Transportation is cautioning motorists that Redwood Highway chip seal work continues between O'Brien and the California border. Last week, the contractor placed rock along the chip seal area in the southern Illinois Valley. This week, the contractor will smooth out any bumpy areas, add permanent striping and reflectors, and perform other work. With concerns about striping adhering to the fresh chip seal with warm weather, striping work is tentatively planned for night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Other work will take place during daytime hours. The striping work will likely begin around milepost 36 in the O'Brien area and continue south to the border while reflectors will be installed in the opposite direction. ODOT officials said drivers can expect lane closures through the work zone and delays up to 20 minutes. Traffic control will be provided by flaggers -- including an automated system -- and pilot cars. Drivers should watch for loose rock along the work zone and allow extra space between vehicles. Installation of reflectors could continue for a couple of weeks, and it will include the entire area from Cave Junction to the California border. Construction schedules are subject to change without notice.

 

The Malmgren Garage in Talent is among Oregon's most recent entries in the National Register of Historic Places. The Oregon State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recommended the property's nomination at their March meeting. The National Park Service -- which maintains the National Register -- accepted the nomination on May 9th. The Malmgren Garage was constructed in 1924 for Theodore and Frederika Malmgren. Theodore Malmgren was a Southern Oregon physician and one of the first local doctors to purchase an automobile so he could provide patient care throughout rural Jackson County. Restored and rehabilitated following damage resulting from the Almeda Fire in September 2020, the Malmgren Garage retains the original material and exterior finish of its characteristic concrete walls, its auto-related deep setback from the public right-of-way, and the false front typical of the modest commercial designs of Talent's downtown area. The Malmgren Garage is one of five individually-listed historic properties in Talent. There are many more throughout Jackson and Josephine counties. The National Register of Historic Places was established as part of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. For more information, please visit "oregonheritage.org."

 

Crews successfully conducted a firing operation last night on the far southeastern corner of the Upper Applegate Fire. This backburn helped bring the wildfire to the fire line. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports today's efforts on the 830-acre wildfire will be focused on snagging trees along the hand-line above Little Applegate Road. Mopping up of fire line continues, with direct and indirect lines around 100% of the fire. Steep slopes, hazard trees and rocks continue to challenge resources. More than 450 personnel are currently assigned to this incident including 19 20-person hand crews backed by six engines, four bulldozers and five tree-fallers. Four helicopters of various sizes are assigned to the fire again today, with additional helicopters and air tankers available when needed. Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notices remain in effect for Zones JAC-434 and JAC-436. These residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. A community meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7 at Ruch Elementary School, 156 Upper Applegate Road. Incident commanders and agency partners will provide an update on the wildfire and answer questions from the community.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has increased the fire danger level to "moderate" on all five ranger districts across the forest starting today. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at "1" and public use restrictions are currently in place along the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River. Forest officials urge recreationists to use caution while participating in all outdoor activities during fire season. The finer fuels at the lower elevations continue to dry out rapidly as experienced by recent wildfires in southwest Oregon. Please make sure your campfires are "dead out" prior to departing. Always carry water and a shovel to extinguish and stir your campfire numerous times, feeling it with the back of your hand to ensure all heat has abated. Remember, under the right conditions just one small spark from an unattended campfire, operating equipment, dragging tow chains or the catalytic converter from a vehicle is all that is needed for igniting fine fuels like grasses and dry plants. As the weather heats up and fuels continue to dry out, more fire restrictions will be put into place.

 

The US Forest Service has appointed Molly Juillerat to serve as the new Supervisor for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Her appointment becomes effective on July 1st. As Forest Supervisor, Juillerat will oversee land management and administration for the local forest which spans nearly 1.8 million acres in seven counties across southwest Oregon and northwest California. Juillerat will be returning to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest as Forest Supervisor following a temporary assignment on the forest as Acting Supervisor in late-2023 through early-2024. She said Southern Oregon has been home to her in different ways at various times in her life and career. She has been backpacking on local forests and climbing Mt. McLoughlin since she was six years old. Juillerat's permanent appointment to the position begins in July. She succeeds Merv George, Jr., who has been serving as a Deputy Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region since July 2023 and was permanently appointed last September.

 

High overnight humidity moderated behavior on the Upper Applegate Fire, allowing the night shift to make significant progress plumbing the wildfire. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews have now lined 100% of the fire with direct and indirect lines. Approximately 80% of the fire is plumbed. Steep slopes and falling trees and rocks are continuing to challenge resources. According to ODF, the wildfire remains GPS-mapped at 756 acres, with an infrared flight scheduled for today. Firefighters were not able to complete firing operations last night due to the high relative humidity. Four portable water tanks were installed in strategic locations to help address spot fires on the top of a ridge. Resources also worked to mop-up portions of the fire. More than 430 personnel are assigned to the incident today including 18 20-person hand crews backed by six engines, four bulldozers and five tree fallers. Helicopters of various sizes are assigned to the fire again today, with additional helicopters and air tankers available when needed. Resources remain focused on bolstering the line especially on the eastern side of the fire which has been difficult to work. Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notices remain in effect for Zones JAC-434 and JAC-436. These residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. The Upper Applegate Fire was first reported last Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

A weekend argument over organizing a family birthday party landed a Grants Pass man behind bars for felony domestic violence. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested a 29-year-old male subject for the incident in the 400-block of SW J Street on Saturday around 2 p.m.. Police said the man and his wife got into an argument during the organization of a birthday celebration. They said the argument turned physical in the doorway to their bedroom when the wife slapped the husband in the face and the husband responded by punching his wife, causing physical injury. Upon arrival, officers interviewed both parties and documented injuries to the victim which included a red, swollen lip and bruising. She refused medical transport to the hospital. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. The charge was upgraded to a felony due to the incident being witnessed by children. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man on a local felony warrant following a weekend incident in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 36-year-old male subject in the 100-block of West Hanby Lane on Saturday at 2:59 p.m.. Few details were disclosed about the incident, but the male victim was contacted near a downtown bakery and he told deputies where they could find the suspect. The suspect was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Methamphetamine Possession. He was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for felony impaired driving following a weekend driving complaint in the north part of the city. The Police Department reports officers eventually pulled over a white 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by a 48-year-old woman near the intersection of NW Lawnridge and Midland avenues on Saturday at about 4:15 p.m.. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a possible intoxicated driver who was failing to maintain her travel lane, driving into oncoming traffic while nearly striking several vehicles, driving up on sidewalks and stopping for long periods of time at stop signs. The citizen followed the suspect until officers arrived on scene. Upon contact with the female driver, officers said she was parked on the side of the road and slumped down in the driver seat. She was identified, showed numerous signs of impairment and eventually admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana. She also performed poorly in field sobriety testing. The woman was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. Further investigation revealed that her driving privileges had been suspended and she had not installed an ignition interlock device on her vehicle as required after past impaired driving arrests. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Driving While Suspended and Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock Device. She was being held without bail and her Jeep was towed.