Local News

Our Foster Kids, Inc. has announced the first of several Christmas gift deliveries for foster children in Josephine County, today at 1 p.m.

This year, Santa is teaming up with the Grinch to bring joy, laughter, and holiday magic to local foster kids. The festive duo will arrive at the DHS office, 2101 NW Hawthorne Ave, with a Sheriff’s escort, ready to deliver toys and bicycles to all the kids.

For more information, call (541) 660-6032.

 

A woman requesting a ride to Ashland for her medication was arrested by Grants Pass Police Tuesday.

The woman called from the Walgreens at 111 Union Avenue at 7:51 a.m. She was reportedly tired, confused, and seemed to have a hard time speaking and responding to dispatch.

She was located in the back corner of the store by the pharmacy. Emergency medical services canceled fire services but requested law enforcement.

Arriving officers contacted the woman's parole officer. A detainer was requested, and she was taken into custody.

The woman was charged with the parole violation detainer, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. She was later turned over to another law enforcement agency.

 

The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on 5th and G streets is today! The tree was delivered on Monday, placed in its usual spot, and decorated throughout the week. Today, G Street between 4th and 6th streets will be closed from noon to 11 pm, as will 5th Street between G and H streets, to allow the festivities. This year's festivities include 30 vendors selling crafts on the north side of G Street, horse-drawn carriage rides, music from the stage at G and 5th streets, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Across the street at the Children's Museum will be a sock rink where children can "skate" in their socks around a wooden rink. For more information and the full schedule, check the community calendar at www.grantspasschamber.org.

 

A special election was announced Wednesday for January 6, 2026, by the County Clerk following validated signatures for the recall campaign against Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett. According to the Daily Courier, notifications sent from the Clerk's office to the Commissioners and chief recall petitioner Jim Goodwin Wednesday said the petition for Commissioner Blech had 6,711 valid signatures. The petition for Commissioner Barnett had 6,728 valid signatures. Both were more than the 6,445 signatures required under state law. The two Commissioners have until Monday to submit a written resignation, or submit a "statement of justification." Also on Wednesday, Barnett filed suit against Goodwin, and County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels in her capacity as clerk, saying the petition was "legally insufficient," and asking the court to halt the recall process. In his lawsuit, Commissioner Barnett alleges the recall effort violates a separation agreement Goodwin signed when he left the county. Barnett is seeking an injunction blocking the election.

 

Following the approval of the 2025-26 Fiscal Year Budget, the Board of County Commissioners approved multiple grant agreements, contracts, and a radio replacement purchase request during the Weekly Business Session.

Seven new replacement radios for vehicles and a base radio for dispatch were requested by the Community Justice Department to be paid for with state pass through dollars. The board approved the request 2-0, as well as a grant agreement between Oregon and Josephine County for the Justice Reinvestment program in the amount of over $2.3 million to fund parole officer, deputy district attorney, and Sheriff's department positions.

Contracts for Personal Services between Josephine County and both the Women's Crisis Support Team and Illinois Valley Safe House for Victim Assistance Services, funded by grant award JRP monies, were approved by the board.

The board continued by approving Treatment Court Grant Agreements between Oregon and the Josephine County Adult Drug Court and Family Treatment Court, with JPR dollars funding positions, and peer and administrative services. An agreement with the state and Josephine County Mental Health Court with funding through the Criminal Justice Commission was approved as well.

A motion to approve a 3.7% Cost of Living Adjustment increase for the Non-Union Personnel passed, and the matter of amending administrative policy regarding approval authority failed due to no motion from the Commissioners.

The board approved the consent calendar, and during requests and comments, the public brought topics including the recall effort and potential board candidates, thanks to the commissioners for their work, criticism of the board, and helping our fellow man.

 

In a brief County Administration Workshop at 9 a.m. this morning in the BCC Conference Room, the Board of County Commissioners motioned to allow staff to move forward with the process of filling any vacancy on the BCC. The direction is to allow staff to continue advertising for this position, to require applications to be due at 9 a.m. and interviews at 1 p.m. Monday. The motion carried 3-0. The Weekly Business Session then commenced at 10 a.m. with a Public Hearing regarding a resolution to the Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Commissioner Chris Barnett was excused. The budget increase is just over $1.4 million, and two full time equivalents as approved by the budget committee. The only affect to the general fund is the addition of one prosecutor for the DA's office. A motion to approve the budget passed 2-0.

 

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant Tuesday morning in rural Central Point. Investigators served the search warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the address. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. SOCET served the search warrant December 2 at a mobile home park in the 300 block of West Gregory Road in Central Point. SOCET began the investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force for further evidence of child exploitation. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

 

The Grants Pass City Council heard and accepted a resolution accepting the Community Development Block Grant’s 2024 Annual report. The City receives funding from Housing and Urban Development, HUD, and regulations require the City to annually assess the programs accomplishments. The City received just over $381,000 for activities beginning October 1st, 2024 and running through September this year. A large portion of the funds were used in the weatherization and rehabilitation program that resulted in 26 single-family homes being refurbished. Some of those repairs included new roofs, HVAC repairs, window replacements, electrical upgrades and ADA improvements to bathrooms and wheelchair ramps installed. Other areas that benefited from the funds include the Boys and Girls Club, Hearts with a Mission, and the Maslow Project. The St. Vincent DePaul Mobile Kitchen supported 354 Homeless persons. Seven households were saved from eviction or the loss of utility services. Physical year 2024 expended over $414,000 including remaining funds from 2023. Just over $100,700 remains in the fund that will be applied to physical year 2025.

 

The planned new library building moved a bit closer to construction when the City Council approved and ordinance vacating the property lines creating one tax lot on the block between Southeast 6th and Southeast 7th Streets and on Southeast ‘J’ and ‘K’ Streets. Currently the area has a parking lot and an older building that is planned to be demolished. The Vote was four to two with councilors Marshall and Schloegl casting the dissenting votes. A final vote will be held at the next business meeting because an ordinance must have two votes to pass. The proposed homeless shelter facility that was recently approve by council that intends to use modified intermodal shipping containers as housing is forcing the small change of the transitional housing standard to accommodate the proposed design. The resolution passed also on a four to two vote again with Councilors Marshall and Schloegl casting dissenting votes. Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution okaying the purchase of property at 207 Southwest Oak Street to eventually improve the intersections of and Dimmick for a price of $97,000. The City’s annual cost of living adjustments for the comprehensive fee schedule was tabled to allow councilors more time to study the fees line by line. Councilors made several appointments to several committees. Keith Trahern was appointed to the Urban Area Planning Commission. Reed Beaumont and Valerie Lovelace were appointed to the Parks Advisory Committee. Adrianna Reinhart and Donald Fasching were appointed to the Public Safety Advisory Committee.