Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will tackle two public hearings and two Administrative Action items during its business session this morning. The Board's first hearing is on two annexation requests to the Josephine Community Library District, by petition of the landowners. The second hearing is on the first reading of an ordinance that amends a chapter of the County Code relating to meetings of the Board of Commissioners. If approved, the second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for May 15th. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider a letter from the Special Districts Association of Oregon requesting $500 in dues for the 2025 calendar year. At this time, the county's membership in SDAO is no longer active. The Board will also consider an order that reschedules its weekly business sessions to Thursdays at 10 a.m. from May 1st through August 14th. The sessions already have been moved from Wednesdays to Fridays. Today's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 60 jobs in March, with leisure & hospitality leading the way. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 32,645 people working in Josephine County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 7.2%, which was down slightly from 7.3% in February. Leisure & hospitality gained 40 jobs in March. Small changes in other industries accounted for the other 20 jobs. Local government education gained 30 jobs while local government excluding education slipped by 20 jobs, leaving government employment up by 10 jobs in March. Over the past year, payroll employment in Josephine County declined slightly, down by 100 jobs for a loss of 0.4%. Industries adding jobs since March 2024 included leisure & hospitality (+190), other services (+70) and transportation, warehousing & utilities (+60). Industries losing jobs over the year were manufacturing (-110), retail trade (-100), financial activities (-90), professional & business services (-60), wholesale trade (-40), and construction (-20). Government employment rose by 20 jobs over the year. An increase of 50 in state government was offset by a loss of 30 jobs in federal government.

 

As the nation celebrates Community College Month, Rogue Community College has even more reason to celebrate. RCC was named the only community college in Oregon to receive the Opportunity College and University designation by the Carnegie Classifications. This recognition highlights RCC as a model institution for advancing student success. The designation is part of the new Student Access and Earnings Classification, released this month by the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education. The classification uses federal data to assess how well colleges reflect the demographics of their communities and how their graduates' earnings compare to peers -- highlighting institutions that drive access and upward mobility. RCC falls under the 2025 Mixed Associate Medium classification, comprising 265 institutions or about 7% of US colleges and universities. In Oregon, only two other institutions -- both private universities -- received this distinction. In total, 479 institutions nationwide -- roughly 16% of those classified -- were designated as Opportunity Colleges and Universities.

 

Britt Music & Arts Festival is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved Rock Camp, a dynamic summer program designed to inspire and educate the next generation of musicians. After an 11-year hiatus, Britt's Rock Camp is making a comeback this summer, offering young artists an immersive experience in music performances, songwriting and collaboration. Aimed at inspiring musicians entering grades 8-12, Rock Camp provides hands-on instruction from professional musicians and educators, guiding campers through instrument techniques, stage presence, and the creative process of writing and performing original music. The camp is open to all abilities and culminates in a high-energy final concert where participants showcase their newfound skills to family, friends and the community. Thanks to the generous support of Grants Pass-based Dutch Bros as the lead sponsor of Rock Camp, Britt has been able to purchase new equipment and instruments so participants have access to high-quality gear. Registration is now open and space is limited. Visit "brittfest.org."

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will tackle two public hearings and two Administrative Action items during its business session tomorrow. The Board's first hearing is on two annexation requests to the Josephine Community Library District, by petition of the landowners. The second hearing is on the first reading of an ordinance that amends a chapter of the County Code relating to meetings of the Board of Commissioners. If approved, the second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for May 15th. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider a letter from the Special Districts Association of Oregon requesting $500 in dues for the 2025 calendar year. At this time, the county's membership in SDAO is no longer active. The Board will also consider an order that reschedules it weekly business sessions to Thursdays at 10 a.m. from May 1st through August 14th. The sessions already have been moved from Wednesdays to Fridays. Friday's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for threatening a woman and then scuffling with officers at the Josephine County Courthouse late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 48-year-old Marvin Dale Engman, Jr., on the backside of the Courthouse near the Grants Pass branch library on Wednesday at 5:19 p.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report a male subject later identified as Engman cursed at her and threatened to murder her. The caller said she also witnessed the subject shoulder-check a courthouse employee recently. She was advised that officers were on the way and to keep away from the subject. Engman was sitting on a ledge near the library when officers arrived on scene. He fought with law enforcement before they were able to place him into custody. He requested an ambulance and then refused medical attention. Engman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Resisting Arrest, Harassment and Escape. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on two local warrants after he was released from the hospital yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 38-year-old Joshua Dean Miller at Three Rivers Medical Center on Wednesday around 3:15 p.m.. Police said Miller was being treated for injuries he sustained during an unspecified Tuesday incident and hospital staff notified them that he was about to be released. He was wanted on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for two counts each of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing as well as for Probation Violation related to an arrest in 2023. Miller's corrections officer was notified and requested his client be placed on a detainer. Miller was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and medications for him were transported to the detention facility.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a local felony warrant yesterday while they were investigating a trespassing complaint at an eastside restaurant. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the trespassing call at Elmer's on NE Agness Avenue on Wednesday around 10:45 a.m.. Police said restaurant workers reported an occupied Dodge Avenger was parked in a handicapped parking space and they believed the person might be selling drugs from the vehicle. Two men on bicycles were observed talking to the male driver. Officers said 38-year-old Starr Corinne Tibbett was contacted as a passenger in the vehicle and she was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for three counts of Mail Theft. She was immediately placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant. Tibbett and two men identified as "John Malarkey and "Dakota Ree" were issued trespassing warnings.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for drug possession yesterday after she was caught smoking narcotics in a downtown alley. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the incident in the alley off SE H Street on Thursday at 2:40 p.m.. Police said they received a report that two people were crouched down in the alley smoking something off tin foil. They were near a downtown apartment complex and their actions were making people in the area feel uncomfortable. Responding officers contacted 25-year-old Braylyn Marie McElmurry, finding her with burnt foil and a melted straw with drug residue. They said she admitted to smoking fentanyl from the foil, but stated that it was not hers. McElmurry was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Fentanyl Possession. She was being held without bail. The second person with her was not identified in the report.