Local News

The City of Grants Pass is still soliciting applications to identify providers to host and operate one or more severe weather shelters for 2024-2026, but time is running out. Respondents to this open call and grant should determine the most realistic and feasible use for funding while recognizing the objective to maximize the sustainability of funds to address the city's ongoing need for a temporary shelter. Multiple groups can apply together in partnership to operate a shelter. For example, if one group has a space but no staff, they can partner with a group that might not have a space but could staff the partner's space. Partners must apply together on one application. Responses to this call should provide a detailed explanation of the funding amount requested and how it is to be spent. Further, the respondents shall demonstrate any history in operating similar shelters or programs. The total available funding for this grant is $52,580 and the cost-free loan of one air scrubber machine for the duration of the grant period. Grants may be awarded to multiple applicants and the city reserves the right to not release all available funding and resources during this grant period. The deadline for sealed submissions in response to this open call and grant is Friday, November 8th by 3 p.m. local time. For more information, contact Grants Pass Housing & Neighborhood Specialist Amber Neeck at (541)-450-6068 or email "aneeck@grantspassoregon.gov."

 

The City of Grants Pass will host an Urban Renewal Agency (URA) community forum on Tuesday, November 12th, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. During the forum, city staff expects to briefly present the URA plan and purpose, tax increment financing, and an overview of the projects and timeline proposed for the five-year implementation strategy. Members of the public in attendance will be able to provide feedback to the City Council. A mailer has been sent to all properties in the urban renewal area. For more information, contact Grants Pass Economic Development Manager Dana Pearce at (541)-450-6014 or email "dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov."

 

After the third release of unofficial election results Wednesday night, it appears both the Josephine County Board of Commissioners and Grants Pass City Council will look dramatically different in 2025. Chris Barnett was still holding a big lead over Colene Martin in the race for Position 2 on the Board of Commissioners while Ron Smith was still well ahead of Pat Fahey in the race for Position 3. Incumbent Treasurer Eve Arce was trailing challenger Mark DeYoung by more than 10 percentage points. Former City Councilor Clint Scherf was maintaining a nearly 10-point lead over incumbent Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol. Indra Nicholas was defeating Ward 1 City Councilor Brian DeLaGrange, Victoria Marshall was beating Jay Meredith in Ward 2, and Kathleen Krohn was still leading Ward 4 Councilor Vanessa Ogier and fellow challenger Mark Kelsey. In Cave Junction, it appears Jesse Dugas has defeated fellow Council member Jean Ann Miles for the position of Mayor and incumbent Councilor Tina Casey Jones has held off a challenge by Steven Strauss. Ballot measures supporting Rogue Community College bonds, Three Rivers School District bonds, Veterans Services and a Cave Junction Transient Lodging Tax were all routed by approximately 3-to-1 margins. Josephine County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels reported voter turnout last night to be 71.08%. Final certification of the ballots will occur no later than December 2nd.

 

The Grants Pass City Council last night approved an ordinance that will help pave the way for a new RV park along with an appeal of system development charges for an existing RV park. Following a public hearing, the City Council unanimously agreed to vacate a common line that divides a 5.3-acre property at the corner of NE Agness Avenue and F Street that is slated for development of a 68-space RV park. The Council also approved an appeal of Sewer System Development Charges (SDCs) for the Hidden Valley RV Park at 1935 Rogue River Highway. The panel recently okayed a lower SDC rate for individual RV spaces, so the city will refund $16,377.77 to the developer who had already paid the fee at the higher rate. In other business, the City Council approved a resolution to revise an agreement between the City of Grants Pass, Josephine Housing and Community Development Council and Jackson County Housing Authority for the 68-unit Allen Creek Crossing housing development at 1191 West Harbeck Road. More than $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were allocated for the project and the agreement was extended from December 2024 to September 2026.

 

The Redwood Foundation for Education is pleased to announce a new scholarship opportunity tailored specifically for students pursuing trade, technical or vocational careers or apprenticeships. Graduating high school seniors living in Josephine County or attending Grants Pass, Hidden Valley, North Valley, Illinois Valley, Rogue River or Glendale High Schools are eligible to fill out the Redwood Trade Scholarship Application. Through one application, students have access to 12 different trade-specific scholarship funds. Last year was the first year this specialized scholarship application was open and -- as a result -- over $65,000 was awarded to 2024 graduates going into trade fields. The application will ask students basic demographic questions and financial information. They will be required to submit one personal statement about their specific career plans and why they are passionate about their chosen field. To learn more about the Redwood Foundation for Education, make a donation, apply for scholarships and grant funding, or develop your own legacy gift, visit their website at "redwoodforeducation.org" or call (541)-476-2196.

 

The Board of Commissioners this morning repealed three outdated chapters from the Josephine County Code and approved changes to several projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Board voted 2-0 to approve ordinances to repeal chapters of the Code related to property forfeiture, golf carts and septic sludge disposal. Commissioner Herman Baertschiger was absent. During three public hearings, Assistant Legal Counsel Leah Harper explained the chapters were either outdated or contrary to current Oregon statutes. The first readings of the ordinances were held October 23rd. Under Administrative Actions, the Board approved a Sheriff's Office invoice for $13,899.75 to pay for the purchase and initial training of a police service dog. It includes a California sales tax of $999.75. In other business, the Commissioners approved ratification of changes to five ARPA projects including a self-service fuel island at the Illinois Valley Airport, improvements at the Fleming Treatment Plant, a water suppression pond for Grants Pass Airport Hangars, an amendment to help fund Hillcrest Village and two main water control valves for the Fort Vannoy Irrigation District. Some of the funding will be diverted to pay for new water and sewer lines at the Grants Pass Airport. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board approved an order that set a public hearing for proposed fee schedule changes for several county departments for November 27th. A list of the fee changes is available at "josephinecounty.gov." The Commissioners also appointed Bruce Galloway to a four-year term on the Parks Advisory Board and Terri Pace to a three-year term on the Law Enforcement Service District's Citizen Advisory Committee.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass woman early yesterday for threatening to kill her two roommates with a knife. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Brittney Faith Hageman for the incident at a home in the 2100-block of Rogue River Highway on Tuesday at 10:28 a.m.. Grants Pass police officers and Oregon state troopers assisted. Deputies said Hageman had a large knife and was threatening to kill her two roommates with it. They said she swung the knife at one of her roommates who is wheelchair-bound. The victim was able to block the knife and move out of the way before the suspect began stabbing holes in the bedroom door and screaming. Law enforcement arrived on scene and ordered Hageman to drop the knife, but she did not comply and was Tased multiple times. While being placed in handcuffs, the subject resisted by pulling her hands away and tucking them under her body. The knife was located and seized as evidence. Fortunately, no one was injured. Hageman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felony Attempted 1st-Degree Assault, two counts of Menacing and one count of Resisting Arrest. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for two crimes early yesterday during a patrol check in the downtown area. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 46-year-old Jason William Whittenberg in the 100-block of SW 4th Street on Tuesday shortly before 10 a.m.. Few details about the incident were disclosed, but officers said Whittenberg was surrounded by trash and in possession of a WinCo Foods shopping cart. The trash was disposed of and the cart was returned to the supermarket. Whittenberg was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Offensive Littering and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Cave Junction man for impaired driving last night during a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in the southern Illinois Valley. OSP reports troopers pulled over a black Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by the 45-year-old male subject near milepost 29 of US Highway 199 at 10:02 p.m. on Tuesday. Troopers said they stopped the truck for speeding and the driver appeared to be impaired. They said the driver refused to perform field sobriety tests, so a search warrant was obtained and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented a high level of impairment. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. His pickup was impounded.