Local News

The Grants Pass City Council's evening meeting will tackle resolutions and new appointments to local organizations.

Council Action includes resolutions adopting the revised Addressing Homelessness Grant Program, the water user rates for 2026, establishing a procedure for employee salary adjustments, and authorizing the funding of additional Public Safety positions.

The Council will then acknowledge motions for appointing one member each to the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, and the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

After Public Comment, the consent agenda, and matters from the Mayor, Council, and Staff, the meeting will adjourn and the Urban Renewal Agency will convene.

Tonight's City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

A repeat offender reported to the Josephine County Jail to turn himself in on an action warrant alleging possession of two grams of methamphetamine.

At 2:59 Monday afternoon Josephine County Sheriff's deputies contacted Alejandro Torres and Tarah Munoz outside the jail facility to turn himself in for a warrant from the Sheriff's office.

Torres was cooperative and the warrant was confirmed. Torres does not have a social security number or a drivers license so the warrant was confirmed by a booking photo, name and date of birth. Torres was lodged in the jail.

This was the fourth incarceration for Torres since November of last year for charges mostly for methamphetamine possession, but included theft II and trespass charges.

 

The Grants Pass Urban Renewal Agency just approved new grants.

The first grant was a building restoration and rehabilitation grant for $50,000 to support the installation of fire suppression in the former Dutch Bros. Headquarters, soon to become the Grants Pass location for the Ivy School and Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon.

This project will expand the availability of childcare and support workforce development in our community.

The second grant was a public infrastructure and underdeveloped land grant for $144,522 to support the expansion of Magazine Exchange and public infrastructure in the Spalding Industrial Park.

This project will support business expansion, add jobs to a local distribution company, make available additional industrial space, and extend water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure to vacant industrial lands.

 

Grants Pass is preparing to bring in a new housing development. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, the city received an update from Chrisman Development about the progress on the Nebraska Trail Development. This project will bring in a large amount of much-needed new housing to the area. As of July 31st, the project was about 16 percent complete, with an expected finishing date of November 2026. The management company will start sharing information about 6 months before completion. The application process will begin 3 months before the work is done.

 

The Grants Pass City Council discussed and made decisions on their workshop agenda yesterday, while also scheduling further deliberation. The Council interviewed Alexis Smithee, Owner of Rogue Florists & Gifts, for the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission. She stressed the importance of keeping the historical aesthetic in our community while also serving the modern needs of businesses, helping them thrive. Next, Jason Canady with Public Works brought 3 different 5-year rate scenarios for water usage affecting both residential areas and businesses. The timeline for the scenarios could be expanded, should the council choose, to assist lower-income households. The Dimmick Railroad Crossing was next on the agenda. Presenter Wade Elliott discussed moving the Booth Street crossing to Dimmick, a move supporting the goal of infrastructure; creating efficiency in the transportation system and enhancing public safety. All councilors but one voted to move forward with the plan.

 

Grants Pass Police contacted a male suspect for a drug investigation early this morning.

The man was found unconscious with a broken glass pipe and white crystalline substance next to him on NE D Street between Perfect Nails and Aaron's Rent to Own Furniture Store.

Officers detained him and, during a consent search, found a clamshell eyeglass case which contained two glass pipes with a burnt crystalline residue.

The substance tested positive for the presumptive presence of methamphetamine, resulting in the suspect being lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

 

The Grants Pass City Council's Wednesday evening meeting will cover funding and new appointments to local organizations.

After discussing water rate changes, the Council will cover resolutions for employee salary adjustments and authorizing funding of additional Public Safety positions.

The Council will then acknowledge motions for appointing one member each to the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, and the Public Safety Advisory Committee.

After Public Comment, the consent agenda, and matters from the Mayor, Council, and Staff, the meeting will adjourn and the Urban Renewal Agency will convene.

Wednesday's City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a local resting site after a woman reported she was assaulted last week.

Officers arrived at Resting Site 6 on NW 6th just before 10 a.m. August 26th, where the woman said she had not only been assaulted about an hour before, but the previous night as well in the NW corner of the site, where one suspect was staying.

Officers contacted the second suspect while conducting a check at Westholm Park. She admitted to punching the victim after the first suspect had done the same. Both were taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the 27th and 31st respectively.

 

The Bureau of Land Management Grants Pass Field Office has temporarily closed the Cow Creek Road near the Dad’s Creek Fire for firefighter and public safety. The closure order encompasses Cow Creek Road from the Ruben Historic Site to the intersection with Dad’s Creek. Public and firefighter safety are the highest priority. Providing safe access for firefighters prompted the closure. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses -- including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping -- are prohibited. Firefighters will assess the closure and its impact as it becomes safe to do so. Weather and fuel conditions remain favorable for continued fire spread. For the latest road and weather condition updates, visit TripCheck.com. Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.