Issuu

FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026

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Rob Brandes Set to Return as Public Works Director County Agenda Signals Major Administrative Moves By John Oliver Josephine County government is poised to make one of its most notable personnel moves of the year as Rob Brandes returns to the role of Public Works Director, placing him once again at the helm of a department responsible for maintaining the roads, infrastructure and public works systems that serve residents across the county. The reinstatement appears on Tuesday's Board of Commissioners workshop agenda and stands out among a collection of county business items that touch nearly every corner of local issues plaguing Josephine County. While timber sales, juvenile justice programs, staffing requests and sanitation agreements will all come before the board, the return of Brandes places renewed attention on a department that quietly influences daily life throughout Josephine County. For most residents, Public Works is often noticed only when a road washes out, a culvert fails, a bridge requires repair or winter weather creates hazardous travel conditions. Behind the scenes, however, the department manages an extensive network of infrastructure and maintenance responsibilities that affect transportation, public safety and long-term county planning. Leadership within the department carries responsibility not only for day-to-day operations but also for guiding projects that can shape county services for years. We have been lacking leadership in that department after the last board’s creative layoffs. As Josephine County enters one of its busiest seasons; summer, construction projects, increased travel, wildfire preparedness efforts and ongoing

infrastructure maintenance place significant demands on county departments. The return of an experienced Public Works Director comes at a time when those responsibilities are becoming increasingly visible. The board's workshop agenda reflects the wide range of issues county government continues to manage. Several other personnel matters are scheduled for review, including staffing adjustments within Community Corrections and the District Attorney's Office. County officials are seeking to add a Community Corrections Work Crew Coordinator position and replace a Treatment Counselor position, while multiple classifications within the District Attorney's Office are being updated through position description changes and reclassifications. Preparations are also underway for one of Josephine County's largest annual events. Fairgrounds officials are seeking authorization for eight temporary Fair Aide positions as planning accelerates for the Josephine County Fair, an event that draws thousands of visitors and requires a substantial seasonal workforce. Natural resource management remains another prominent topic before commissioners.

Three timber sale contracts involving county forestlands are scheduled for consideration. The proposed Pumpchance, Butte and Winona-Orofino timber sales continue a long-standing relationship between county finances and the management of publicly owned forest resources. Timber revenues have historically played a role in supporting county operations while forest management activities remain closely connected to wildfire mitigation and land stewardship efforts. Water issues will also receive attention through a presentation from the Oregon Groundwater Association. Throughout Southern Oregon, questions surrounding groundwater availability, long-term water planning and resource management continue to gain importance as communities balance growth, agricultural needs and recurring drought concerns. Additional discussion is expected regarding a resolution involving Southern Oregon Sanitation and a proposed change in assignment connected to the company. The item follows broader developments within the regional waste management industry and represents another example of how county governments routinely oversee matters that affect essential public services. Individually, each agenda item represents a small piece of county government. Together, they provide a snapshot of the challenges and responsibilities facing Josephine County as officials navigate infrastructure, public safety, staffing, resource management and community services. Yet among all of Tuesday's business, the reinstatement of Rob Brandes as Public Works Director is likely to draw the greatest attention. The position occupies a central role in county operations, and the return of its leadership comes as Josephine County enters a season when infrastructure, maintenance and public works services move to the forefront of public attention.

Fire Season’s First Warning Has Already Arrived in Southern Oregon By John Oliver Two significant vegetation fires in less than 48 hours have delivered an unmistakable message to residents of Josephine County and the surrounding region: wildfire season is no longer a concern on the horizon. It has arrived. The Spencer Gulch Fire in the Upper Applegate Valley on June 14 and the Jones Creek Fire west of Grants Pass on June 15 required largescale firefighting responses, aerial resources, evacuation notifications, and the coordinated efforts of agencies from across Southern Oregon. While neither fire resulted in the loss of homes or serious injuries, both incidents demonstrated how rapidly conditions can change when dry vegetation, warm temperatures, and wind align. The Spencer Gulch Fire was first reported west of Ruch in the Upper Applegate Valley and quickly drew an aggressive response from the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, Applegate Fire District, Jackson County Fire District 3, Bureau of Land Management crews, and other regional partners. What initially appeared to be a relatively small fire

ultimately grew to approximately 75 acres as firefighters battled flames moving through dry vegetation and challenging terrain. Ground crews, heavy equipment operators, and aircraft worked throughout the day and into the night to establish containment lines and prevent the fire from spreading further. Level 1 evacuation notifications were issued for nearby residents as emergency officials monitored changing conditions. Traffic restrictions were also implemented to provide safe access for

firefighting equipment. Less than a day later, another wildfire ignited closer to home for many Josephine County residents. The Jones Creek Fire broke out in the West Jones Creek Road area west of Grants Pass and quickly spread through grass, brush, and timber fuels. The fire ultimately burned approximately 17 acres, but its size tells only part of the story. Within hours, fire behavior became active

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see FIRE, page 3

Josephine County Fair Four Days of Entertainment, Tradition and Community Celebration

By John Oliver One of Josephine County’s longest-standing summer traditions is preparing to return with a full slate of entertainment, agricultural exhibits, family activities and community gatherings as organizers finalize plans for the 2026 Josephine County Fair. Scheduled for July 29 through August 1 at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, this year’s fair will once again offer free daily admission, continuing an effort to make one of Southern Oregon’s largest annual events accessible to families throughout the region. For generations, the county fair has served as more than a destination for rides and entertainment. It remains one of the few events each year where agriculture, youth achievement, local businesses, civic organizations and residents from across the county gather in one place to celebrate the community’s shared heritage. This summer’s fair will feature four consecutive nights of headline entertainment designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences while preserving many of the traditions that have made the event a staple of Southern Oregon summers. The fair opens Wednesday, July 29, with the return of the McCaslin Rough Stock Rodeo, bringing professional rodeo competition back to the arena. Bull riding, bronc riding and other classic events are expected to draw rodeo fans from throughout Josephine County and neighboring communities. The following evening shifts from western competition to live music as country recording artist Clay Walker takes the stage. Known for a career spanning more than three decades, Walker remains a familiar name among country music audiences and is expected to be one of the fair’s largest entertainment draws. The final two nights of the fair will feature the Monster X Tour, bringing high-powered motorsports action to the fairgrounds. Monster trucks weighing several tons will compete in racing, wheelie contests and freestyle exhibitions, creating a dramatic conclusion to the four-day event. While the evening entertainment often at-

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see FAIR, page 9