Local News

A summer of hands-on action along Oregon’s waterways wrapped up in September.

From May through September, the Waterway Cleanup Series, a partnership between SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES), supported 64 cleanup events across 10 counties, engaging over 1,400 volunteers who collectively removed over 24,000 pounds of litter from waterways and natural areas throughout the region.

The series brought volunteers to a wide range of waterways and natural areas, from the Clackamas River to the Rogue River and Johnson Creek. Among the largest events were the Down the Clackamas River Cleanup, which drew 161 volunteers; the 34th Annual Rogue River Cleanup, with 150 volunteers; and the Johnson Creek Cleanup, where 133 volunteers helped remove more than 7,000 pounds of litter.

Together, these efforts help address litter where it can have an impact far beyond the place where it is found. The impact of these efforts goes beyond the pounds of litter collected. For nine consecutive years, SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environment Services have partnered to support volunteer-led cleanups and connect volunteers to the relationship between litter, stormwater, and water quality.

From neighborhood cleanups to restoration projects, volunteers can find upcoming opportunities with SOLVE at solve.org.

 

The Board of County Commissioners approved two administrative policy revisions at their 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session.

Both the Social Media and Public Records Policies were updated to be more organized and better reflect the current understanding of State law. Motions to approve both revisions passed unanimously.

Also on the agenda was a resolution in the matter of affirming compliance with State and Federal Law, requesting the State address Counties' Federal Funding and False Claims Act exposure. The resolution draft is not intended to be voted on at this time. Continued discussion for public input will take place. It will be addressed at a future meeting.

Accountability, education, and a question about records requests were all brought up during public comment, and after approving the consent calendar, the meeting adjourned.

 

Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Committee on Public Art (CoPA). These are three-year positions.

CoPA works to engage the community and enrich public spaces by placing original artwork in the areas. The committee also provides the Grants Pass City Council with information about public art, creates opportunities for the placement of art in public locations, and promotes collaboration between city departments, artists, architects, developers, and property owners.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 2nd.

The Committee will review applications on Tuesday, December 8th, with the Grants Pass City Council making appointments Wednesday, December 16th.

 

The Josephine County Treasury and Tax Office will be the first in Oregon to offer a new online property tax payment option in 2027, allowing property owners an option to make monthly payments instead of a single lump-sum payment. According to a release, the County is contracting with Easy Smart Pay (ESP), and rollout is planned for early 2027. ESP allows participating property owners to spread their property tax obligation into scheduled monthly payments. ESP collects those payments throughout the year and submits the full property tax payment to the County before the applicable deadline, which potentially will give the taxpayer a 3% full-pay discount. Participation is completely voluntary, taxpayers who prefer the traditional payment options can continue using them with no changes.

 

9th Street will be closed to through traffic from Wharton Drive to Madrone Street this Saturday, October 10th, from 5 am to 10 pm. This to accommodate the Pride of the Northwest Marching Band Competition at Grants Pass High School.

Traffic will be diverted east onto Wharton and Madrone. During that same time, the westbound lane of A Street between 9th and Dean Drive will be closed, and traffic will be diverted south via Baker Drive. Dean Drive will be closed from A Street to Olive Street, and Olive will be closed from Dean to 8th Street. Flint Street will be closed to through traffic at A Street.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through. For more information, call 541-450-6000.

 

Tuesday at approximately 10 a.m., Oregon State Police detectives were assisting the Medford Police Department with follow-up related to a missing person investigation. While at a property in the 10,000 block of Williams Highway, the OSP detectives made contact with an individual who later retreated inside the residence, and shot at detectives. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Grants Pass Police Department responded, and the incident developed into a barricaded subject situation. Once the residence was secured, two individuals were found deceased inside the home. No law enforcement officers were injured. Due to the involvement of the responding agencies, Medford Police were requested to take over the investigation, which remains ongoing. Questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Applications are being accepted for four positions on the Budget Committee.

According to the City website, the committee receives and reviews the Recommended Budget and approves a Budget for Council’s consideration.

Half of the City of Grants Pass Budget Committee members are elected officials, and half are applicants from the community at large. The committee representation welcomes divergent views, and special qualifications include being residents and electors of the City.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 2nd.

Candidates will be interviewed by the City Council December 14th, and appointed Wednesday, December 16th.

 

The Board of Commissioners approved the signing of grant proposals and the cancellation of a Juvenile Justice sponsor agreement at today's workshop.

Community Justice Director Scott Hyde requested authorization to provide a 60-day cancellation notice to the Child Nutrition Program sponsor agreement, with cancellation effective no later than this December. Juvenile Justice has the funds to continue covering food costs. A motion to approve the request passed unanimously.

An Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Grant in the amount of $750,000 over three years was discussed next. A motion approving the request to submit the proposal and designate Shawn Martinez as the authorized County representative for submission and implementation passed 2-0, with Commissioner Gary Richardson abstaining. The grant would support placement of outreach officers at District 7 Schools.

Sheriff Dave Daniel requested the purchase of new Tasers, utilizing $57,100.39 in unclaimed currency and unclaimed property auction proceeds, which was approved unanimously. The board also approved the submission of an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant application for community engagement activities, with further discussion to take place at next week's Weekly Business Session.

The board approved without objection to make a decision on the Fair Housing Initiative at the October 14th session, as well as all Human Resources position requisitions, actions, and a Telework request.

 

Grants Pass Police, while conducting an area check of the 3rd Street trestle Monday afternoon, arrested a wanted man for methamphetamine and weapon charges.

Timothy Woods was located trespassing and walking on the railroad tracks around 2:20 p.m. He was contacted by police and found to have an active and serviceable warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

A consent search was conducted, and per the search and Woods' admittance, a small amount of a white crystal substance was found in his pant pocket. The substance field tested positive for the presumptive presence of meth.

Officers also located a spring-assisted folding knife on Woods, who is a convicted felon. He was arrested, and transported to be lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant, and charges of Meth Possession and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon.

His parole officer was advised, and Woods was trespassed from the railroad property.