The Woodrat Mountain Fire burning near Ruch did not grow on Friday and all “Level 3 - Go Now” evacuation notices have been downgraded, the Oregon Department of Forestry said.

RUCH — An Applegate Valley wildfire that grew quickly Thursday afternoon and triggered a “Level 3 - Go Now” evacuation for the rural community of Buncom was mapped at 282 acres overnight.

A century ago, a fellow enamored with the spectacular lower Rogue River built a one-room cabin a dozen miles northwest of Galice on the north side of the river at Winkle Bar. That 1926 cabin built of peeled logs and hand-split shingles still stands there today.

Grants Pass Police Department

I just returned home from a short vacation to find two inspiring articles in the Aug. 2 edition of the Daily Courier.

Deborah Kay Cumming passed away on July 20, 2026, in a Medford hospital. She was born on June 4, 1952, in Albion, Nebraska, to parents Lyle and Corinne Cumming. Deb moved with her family to Oregon in 1956. She graduated from Gresham High School in 1970. She received her Bachelor of Science from Portland State University in 1975.

Fight off this early August heat wave by immersing yourself in some way cool art. It’s time for another evening of first Friday fun.

All events listed are subject to last-minute changes or re-scheduling. Call or check online before heading out.

A lifetime ago when I reported aboard my ship as a newly minted U.S. Navy ensign, the executive officer asked me what I had studied in college. I replied I had just completed a master’s degree in ethics. He said, “What’s ethics?” and assigned me to the engineering department, presumably because it started with the letter E.

The Horny Goat has ambled over to a much bigger home and greener pastures where Elk once roamed.

ASANTE ROGUE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

The top winners for foods at the Josephine County Fair were shown off in the Pavilion last week.

The general rule in medicine is that healthy aging depends on eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. These factors are important, but research suggests there may be another powerful factor that influences how long and how well we live: having a sense of purpose.

The summer doldrums have arrived. It's that warm weather time when we'd rather be reading a book and sipping a cold beverage than weeding in the garden. Or really, doing anything in the garden.

Vacation Bible school sessions are underway:

With temperatures cooling and rain falling in the Rogue Valley, it seems like soup weather has arrived. Read More »