Real Live News Southern Oregon

07/19/2025

Wings and Eagles Airshow...Free....

07/19/2025

Air Force Thunderbirds sneak peek....

07/18/2025

Here’s the latest on the Board Shanty Creek Fire near Grants Pass, Oregon:

Fire Overview

Start time: Thursday evening (~5:30 p.m.) near the 2000 block of Board Shanty Road

Size: Grew rapidly from ~5 acres at detection to ~80 acres by ~7:25 p.m., and later to about 200 acres by nightfall

Evacuations & Warnings

Agency Zone(s) Level

Josephine County JCU‑436 & JCU‑437 Level 2 – Be Set (get ready to leave)
JCU‑448 Level 1 – Be Ready
Jackson County JAC‑068 (Savage Creek) Level 1 – Be Ready
Firefighting Efforts

Air support: Tanker and retardant drops throughout the evening helped slow the spread

Ground crews: Multiple teams from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Grants Pass Fire, Rural Metro, and private contractors are working to reinforce containment lines, especially in rugged terrain. Night crews are still holding lines and targeting spot fires located near Green Creek Road

Current Status

Size: Estimated 350 acres

Containment: Still active; progress aided by cooler evening temperatures

Structures: No losses reported so far

Spot fires: A few small ones (

07/18/2025

Air Support Fire retardant drop on Board Shanty Creek Fire.

07/18/2025

Board Shany Creek Fire.

The synchronized operations of these aircrews, encompassing helicopters and tankers, are commendable. Congratulations on a job well executed.

07/18/2025

Structure Fire Board Shanty area....Air assets inbound.....

07/17/2025

07/17/2025

This weekend...

07/16/2025

Newsdesk exclusive:

The Truth About John Oliver Riccio of the Tribune and Jay Meredith a CPA or Contributor?

Voices That Divide, Not Unite by contributor MS.

In Josephine County, where trust in local leadership and media matters more than ever, some figures present themselves as public servants or journalists—but act as divisive forces beneath the surface. Two names that increasingly raise concern among citizens are John Oliver Riccio of the Tribune and Jay Meredith.

Riccio, who positions himself as a community advocate through his role at the Tribune, claims to "receive the public" with integrity and openness. But many residents know a different side: one where selective reporting, biased narratives, and behind-the-scenes influence serve private agendas rather than the public interest. Instead of holding institutions accountable, Riccio has used his platform to protect allies and stir division—disguising manipulation as media.

Jay Meredith, another self-styled community reporter, follows a similar path. Rather than investigate both sides of an issue, he often picks one and pushes it aggressively—frequently attacking those who disagree, labeling critics, and weaponizing public opinion through one-sided storytelling. What should be fact-based reporting has devolved into personal positioning, aimed more at inflaming than informing.

When the "Watchdogs" Become Gatekeepers

When media voices like Riccio and Meredith fail to reflect the whole truth, they do more harm than good. The people of Josephine County deserve transparency—not filtered narratives. They deserve fairness—not favoritism. And they deserve journalists who listen and question—not ones who divide and deflect.

A Community Call to Action

It’s time for residents to speak up, ask tough questions, and hold local media to the same standard expected of public officials. Journalism should be a mirror to society, not a mask for hidden agendas.

The future of Josephine County depends on truth—not titles.

07/16/2025

🎡 Josephine County Fair is Almost Here! 🎉
Just 2 weeks away from the biggest summer event in JoCo! Get ready for
🎶 Live music
🎢 Carnival rides
🐄 4-H & FFA shows
🍔 Delicious fair food
…and so much more!

📍 Josephine County Fairgrounds
📅 [Insert exact dates here, e.g., July 30 – August 3]

Tag your crew and make plans — the countdown is on!