Cascade Policy Institute Sides with City of GP in Supreme Court Hearing on Homelessness
The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in the case of Johnson vs. the City of Grants Pass. According to John A. Charles, Jr., of the Cascade Policy Institute, the central question is whether local ordinances that prohibit people from camping on public property constitute "cruel and unusual punishment" under the Eighth Amendment. Based on prior rulings in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, western states have been limited since 2018 in what they can do to prevent people from using parks, sidewalks and streets as campgrounds. A successful class action lawsuit against the City of Grants Pass on behalf of homeless people has resulted in long-term camping in all city parks except Reinhart Volunteer Park, preventing residents from using the other parks for recreational purposes. Although some people have criticized Grants Pass for allegedly making it illegal to be homeless, Charles said that is not the issue. He said cities and counties simply need clear authority to prohibit camping in certain public spaces, while designating other spaces as legal places to sleep for people who lack permanent shelters. ...Read more

Three Rivers District Announces Grandma Jean Library Endowment at Applegate School
The Three Rivers School District is pleased to announce the recent establishment of the "Grandma Jean Hall Applegate School Library Endowment." It's a tribute to the extraordinary dedication of Jean Hall, affectionately known as "Grandma Jean." As Jean celebrates her 90th birthday this month, her legacy of promoting literacy and learning will continue to thrive through this initiative. Initiated by Principal Steven Fuller and Fred Hall, Jean's husband, the endowment was established in collaboration with the Redwood Foundation for Education. By recognizing Grandma Jean's longstanding commitment as a volunteer at Applegate School, the endowment will provide perpetual support to the school library. In lieu of birthday presents, more than $10,000 was generously donated to kickstart the endowment, ensuring that future generations of students will benefit from Grandma Jean's passion for reading. This legacy initiative coincides with "School Library Appreciation Month," underscoring the vital role libraries play in education and literacy. ...Read more

Commissioners Designate Four County-Owned Properties for Sheriff's Auction in June

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday designated four county-owned properties as surplus property and included them on a list of 10 properties that will be sold at a Sheriff's Auction in June. The Board voted unanimously to designate 24.8 acres on Lower Wolf Creek Road, 5.07 acres at 125 Ingalls Lane, 0.37 of an acre on Josephine Street and 1.7 acres at 33223 Redwood Highway as forest, public parks or recreational areas. Proceeds from the sales of these properties will benefit the Parks and Forestry Departments. Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the majority of the 10 parcels were obtained by Josephine County through property tax foreclosures, which is a six-year process. The exact date of the Sheriff's Sale has not yet been approved. In other business, the Commissioners unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Cave Junction to apply for a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 to repair houses for low-income residents. The program would allow individuals to apply for up to $25,000 to improve their housing. All areas outside the City of Grants Pass would be eligible for the CDBG funding. No action was taken by the Board on a possible resolution to the proposed sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams. The agenda item was postponed due to ongoing negotiations to purchase the 320-acre forested parcel. ...Read more