A Josephine County homicide investigation is underway after authorities say a woman was found dead in a remote area near Upper Deer Creek Road outside Selma. Investigators say poor cell service and an unclear location complicated the initial search. A 42-year-old man has been arrested on manslaughter and firearm charges.

A Heat Advisory is in effect Monday and Tuesday for much of southwest Oregon and parts of Northern California, with afternoon highs of 95 to 100 expected in the Rogue Valley and nearby low-lying valleys.

Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Friday across parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California, including Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou counties, as thunderstorms are expected to bring abundant lightning over dry fuels.

Rural Metro Fire says a fast mutual-aid response helped stop the West Jones Fire at 17 acres Monday evening near Grants Pass. Several homes were threatened along West Jones Creek Road and Rancho Vista Drive, but officials said all residences were protected.

The West Jones Fire evacuation has been reduced from Level 3 “GO NOW” to Level 1 as crews make progress northeast of Grants Pass. Rural Metro Fire says the fire remains estimated at 8 to 10 acres, with crews continuing to protect homes and Rancho Vista Drive still closed due to emergency vehicle traffic.

All Oregon Department of Forestry districts are now in fire season, triggering prevention reminders and local restrictions across the state. In Southern Oregon and Northern California, agencies are also updating fire danger levels, burn rules and equipment-use restrictions as conditions dry out.

The first significant heat wave of the summer is expected to bring 90-degree and triple-digit temperatures to much of Southern Oregon and Northern California this weekend, prompting heat advisories across several west side valleys, coastal areas and parts of far Northern California.

Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University will both hold commencement ceremonies Saturday, recognizing more than 1,300 students across the Rogue Valley. RCC will celebrate its largest graduating class since 2018, while SOU marks its 100th commencement since reopening at its Ashland campus.

A Williams man is facing multiple potential charges, including DUII and third-degree assault, after a quad ATV crash injured three people, including two juveniles. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office says the case has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution review.

Fire danger on ODF-protected lands across Jackson and Josephine counties will rise to moderate Thursday, bringing new restrictions on campfires, chainsaws, mowing and other spark-producing activities. SCOFMP already lists moderate fire danger across parts of Klamath and Lake counties.

A 22-year-old man died Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Highland Avenue in Grants Pass. Police said Gabriel Davis was killed when his car veered into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle.

Seventy-three organizations will share more than $2.25 million in spring 2026 grants through the Reed and Carolee Walker Fund of Oregon Community Foundation. The award list includes organizations based in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties, with funding focused largely on services for children, families and low-income residents in Jackson County.

A mower sparked a grass fire Sunday afternoon on Ament Road near Moon Mountain, according to Rural Metro Fire. Firefighters from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District controlled the fire at 1.75 acres with no structural damage reported.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 13 civil penalties in April totaling more than $3.4 million. The enforcement actions included major wastewater penalties tied to Pacific Seafood facilities in Charleston and Brookings, along with a solid waste case in Wolf Creek.

A driver was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 5 near Wolf Creek. Rural Metro Fire, responding on behalf of Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District, said firefighters removed the vehicle’s roof and windshield to extricate the driver.

More than $26.4 million in new state shelter funding has been awarded to regional coordinators serving Southern Oregon, the South Coast, and Central Oregon. The awards are part of more than $102 million announced statewide through Oregon’s Statewide Shelter Program.

A man was arrested Wednesday morning after Josephine County deputies say he fled a traffic stop in a pickup truck towing a trailer near Rogue River Highway. Deputies ended the pursuit for safety after the vehicle entered oncoming lanes, then later found the vehicle stopped on Savage Creek Road.

Fire season restrictions will begin inside the City of Grants Pass on Friday, May 15, at 12:01 a.m. The city will enter fire season at a low fire danger level, with rules limiting open fires, smoking near flammable vegetation, vehicle use, power saws, mowing, and other activities that can increase wildfire risk.

Fire season begins Friday, May 15, on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. ODF Southwest Oregon District says the declaration starts at 12:01 a.m. and brings new restrictions on debris burning, fireworks, campfires, smoking, and other fire-risk activities.

Grants Pass School District 7 has received state summer learning funding to support literacy, enrichment and school readiness programs for students. The funding will help continue Kinder Camps, launch Literacy Quest for invited elementary students and support a 5th- to 6th-Grade Transition Academy in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley.