*Rain, cooler temperatures and higher humidity during the first week of September brought a substantial reprieve from the hazardous levels of smoke and immediate threat of wildfire. Highway 199 was reopened to all traffic Sept. 2, and O’Brien residents living south of Highway 199 milepost 38 finally got to go[Read More…]

*The commissioners approved an ordinance to adopt recent state land use rules during their Sept. 27 meeting. While legally obligated to follow these state laws, the commissioners said they disagreed with several of them, including the prohibition of building structures in forest zones that are not part of a fire[Read More…]

*Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a location on Redwood Hwy south of Cave Junction Friday, Oct. 27 for a landlord vs. tenant dispute. Oregon State Police Sergeant Walport of the major crimes unit stated that upon arrival JOCO found a dead body and called Oregon State Police close to[Read More…]

*Dec. 6 marked the first time the commissioners granted a request by a landowner living within the Josephine Community Library District to opt out of paying their taxes. The tax is $0.39 per $1,000 assessed property value. Mike Pelfry and his wife Winnie argued the library does not benefit their[Read More…]

Siege SchatzaIVN Contributing Writer After the Board of Josephine County Commissioners’ unprecedented decision Dec. 6 to grant a local couple’s petition to withdraw their property from the Josephine Community Library District, and the associated taxes, four more families submitted petitions to follow suit, which the board considered at their Dec.[Read More…]

Between the evening of Nov. 27 and early morning of Nov. 28, the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserves was the victim of a large-scale burglary. Multiple items of property belonging to the National Park Service were taken during the crime. A black Can Am UTV, a large dump trailer,[Read More…]

Jett Conn, 2 (right), and Jade Conn, 8 months, get to visit Mr. & Mrs. Claus after they arrived in Cave Junction Saturday, Dec. 16 on a I.V. Fire District truck to visit Valley children at the Visitor’s Center.

Jane VaughanJefferson Public Radio A decision by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners two weeks ago could set a precedent for voter-approved districts across the county.The Josephine Community Library District is pursuing legal action after the county’s Board of Commissioners allowed a couple to opt out of the library’s tax[Read More…]

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — Josephine County is seeking applicants to serve on the citizens advisory committee for the newly formed Josephine County Law Enforcement Service District.Approved by voters in the November 2023 special election, the JCLESD will be advised by a five-member panel of Josephine County residents from various member[Read More…]