Multiple Agencies Battled Tuesday Afternoon Mobile Home Fire in North Valley Area
Firefighters from multiple agencies as well as an ambulance from American Medical Response were dispatched to a mobile home fire in the North Valley area this week. Late Tuesday afternoon, crews from Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, the Oregon Department of Forestry and AMR responded to the reported structure fire in the 4200-block of Highland Avenue. Firefighters had limited access, but they were able to stretch hose through a fence and around excessive yard debris to attack the single-wide mobile home that was about 50% involved with flames. Two human occupants escaped safely, but about 20 cats were unaccounted for. Seven cats were pulled from the burning residence and at least one did not survive. During the incident, one firefighter fell through the floor and was pulled to safety by members of his crew. He was treated for heat exposure and released. One spot fire ignited away from the structure, but it was quickly extinguished by ODF. Rural Metro is being assisted with the investigation by the Oregon State Fire Marshal. ...Read more

Total Payroll Employment in Josephine County Down in June and Over Past Year
Total payroll employment in Josephine County declined by 100 jobs in June. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 33,028 people working in Josephine County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 6.6%, which was up from 6.4% in May and up from 5.7% in June 2024. Private education & health services lost 140 jobs over the month, with smaller declines estimated in other services and professional & business services -- both down by 20 jobs. Leisure & hospitality was the only private-sector industry with a notable gain -- up by 70 jobs. Government employment showed a net decline of 20 jobs, with local government education falling by 50 jobs, and local government excluding education and federal government posting slight gains. Over the past year, payroll employment in Josephine was down by 780 jobs, a sharp loss of 2.8%. Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries. ...Read more

Several Events Slated for 30th Annual "Back to the 50s" Weekend in Grants Pass
It's "Back to the 50s" week in Grants Pass, with several events scheduled for this weekend during the 30th annual event. Brought to you by the Rogue Valley Classic Cruisers, Back to the 50s begins with a free kickoff "Show and Shine" on Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Grants Pass Growers Market parking lot on F Street between 4th and 5th streets. There will be up to 100 classic cars on display. On Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., an "American Graffiti Hot Rod Cruise-In Party" will take place a Jimmy's Classic Drive In at 515 NE E Street. The main event is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Enjoy the "Fabulous 50s Car Show" with up to 300 classic cars will be on display. There's more fun on Sunday with the "Hot Rods and Handlebars Car Show" at Corvette's Bar & Grill at 1831 NE 6th Street from 1 to 4 p.m. followed by the "Fabulous 50s Cruise." ...Read more