Local News

The Grants Pass Budget Committee met and gave tentative approval of the budget items discussed during their 6 p.m. meeting last night. To start the Tuesday meeting, the committee voted Terry Hopkins as Budget Chair, and Tom Bradbeer as Vice Chair. After the Budget Committee Ground Rules were adopted, City Manager Aaron Cubic presented the Budget message, starting with an overview of the Budget Process. Following yesterday's meeting, two more are scheduled for April 30th and May 5th for the proposal of the budget, followed by approval and adoption of the budget, with changes possible after the adoption. City Council will set policy direction and define levels of service for programs and services, while the committee will ensure the budget allocates resources accordingly. Additions to the 2027 budget include six police and six fire positions, with minor staffing adjustments. The total Fiscal Year 2027 budget was presented to be $297,247,088, with part of the increase over last year's budget coming from the Water Treatment Plant. Next years proposed operating budget is $61.9 million. Potential challenges include city expansion, Caveman Pool, the Water Treatment Plant, health care costs, and continuing in the third year of the five year Public Safety Levy.

 

The Board of Commissioners gave staff direction to move forward with a job offer for the new Emergency Management Director Position, pending the results of further background investigations. Sheriff Dave Daniel told the board that a qualified candidate had been identified for the position, and staff was instructed to move forward without objection. The board then approved the refilling of a recently vacated Department Specialist position in the District Attorney's Office. It was unanimous to appoint Trent Carpenter to the Fair Board. The Commissioners then tabled a JB Steel Change Order pending Legal Counsel review, and directed staff to apply for a 60 day extension on an Oregon Department of Aviation Planning Grant. The board continued by approving 3-0 a Rogue Community College Student and Staff Pass Program Agreement with Josephine Community Transit, as well as a FleetNet Digital Radio Annual Service Agreement. Both incur no cost from the county, and the Service agreement covering 39 handheld radio units.

 

Oregon State Police are attempting to locate a woman suspected of littering on Bureau of Land Management property.

Monday morning around 9:11, troopers encountered a large trash pile dumped at Griffin Park, 500 Griffin Road, during a routine Fish and Wildlife patrol. The trash spread around a radius of twenty five feet, and contained clothing, food waste, medications, and other hazardous materials to the Rogue River and nearby wildlife.

Troopers inspected the pile and found a used medication box with a name and address, pinpointing the suspect to a residence in Grants Pass. OSP responded to the listed location, only to find the residence unoccupied and up for sale.

The real estate agent was contacted, who then stated the suspect had been squatting at the location the previous week, and proceeded to leave the residence and stay at the local Motel 6.

Troopers were unable to get a room number for the suspect from hotel management, but the suspect's vehicle was unoccupied on the property. According to police logs, OSP is still attempting to make contact with the suspect for Depositing Trash within 100 Yards of Water.

 

The Grants Pass City Council and Josephine County Board of Commissioners met for a collaborative discussion at 11:04 this morning.

The meeting began with Council presenting a map showing marked city and county property quadrants. Mayor Clint Scherf wanted to continue the conversation on land swapping for joint ventures and development projects, with the potential end result of more housing in both Grants Pass and Cave Junction.

Another potential discussion topic involved the expansion of parking, with a multi-level parking structure as an option. School and park property expansion was brought up, as well as Dollar Mountain, and the city and county property managers coming together to find space for the Public Health, Facilities, and Community Development departments.

Collaboration between Grants Pass and Cave Junction was brought up, as well as the city and county coming together for a community center at a later date. The discussion continued regarding traffic and park surveys, as well as the country's 250th birthday celebration.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office lodged a man wanted on a criminal mischief and theft warrant following an incident between him and his neighbor's dog.

Dispatch was notified Monday around 12:24 p.m. by the neighbor that her dog had been stabbed. She was trying to take her dog to the vet when she called 911. She reported her dog had somehow escaped into the front yard of the property in the 100 block of South Sawyer Avenue.

The dog proceeded to bite the dog belonging to the suspect, later identified as Morgan Hansen. Dispatch was told Hansen tried to fight the dog off and reportedly stabbed it at the base of its rib cage. The reporting party said she knew her dog was at fault, and that she was concerned for Hansen's dog.

Deputies were soon dispatched to the location where they were able to locate Hansen. He brought out his dog, telling officers where it was bitten. Deputies determined the dog appeared healthy and wasn't suffering. They also identified Morgan as being wanted on a Sheriff's Office Misdemeanor warrant for Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and Theft in the Second Degree.

The warrant informed deputies to not cite and release Morgan, so he was transported to the Josephine County Jail after securing his dog inside his home. Morgan was lodged, and informed he could talk with a jail deputy if further assistance was needed for his dog.

 

The Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment is hosting two public events in the Medford area in early May.

According to the Oregon Military Department, the community is invited to learn more about their local National Guard May 1st at the Medford Armory, and May 2nd at the Bear Creek Greenway.

The armory at 1701 South Pacific Highway will hold the 1-186th Infantry Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can talk with soldiers and learn about military occupational specialties. Military vehicles will be on display, and Oregon Army National Guard recruiters will be on hand to answer questions about military service and career opportunities.

The following day, a Norwegian Foot March will be hosted at the greenway, 2931 South Pacific Highway. Registration and ruck sack weigh-in begins at 4 a.m., with the march kicking off at 5 a.m. The event concludes at noon.

The march is a physically demanding endurance march, where participants carry a 24-pound dry rucksack over the course. Those who complete the march will receive a commemorative plaque or coin. Drinks and snacks will be provided. The event is open to the public and free to participate.

For more information about the Open House, call 541-450-8978. For details on the Norwegian Foot March, call 805-704-6468.

 

Rural Metro Fire Department crews responded to a mostly extinguished fire at a residence on Donaldson Road Monday at 1:39 p.m.

Firefighters believed a floating ember from an outdoor fire pit that landed on a gardening table led to the flames that climbed the outside wall of the home. It was confirmed no hidden heat was present following an inspection of the attic.

No injuries were reported. Grants Pass Fire, AMR, and Oregon State Police assisted at the scene.

Outdoor fire pits and open debris burning is a common activity this time of year. Rural Metro reminds the public that recreational fire pits used near the home must be attended, or otherwise extinguished when not in use.

A screen is also critical to help capture hot embers that might otherwise escape and land in or on flammable items.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District cleared up a rock fall incident that occurred at Sours Flat in Cave Junction, and the corner of Redwood Highway and Deer Creek Road.

According to their post on Facebook, the IVFD responded to a fire assist call Monday at 9:30 a.m., regarding public safety on the roadway near the ghost town between Reeves Creek and Eight Dollar. The situation occurred due to a possible dump truck or trailer that dropped rocks on the roadway.

Traffic control measures were established, and by 11 a.m., all roads were opened following cleanup operations.

The rock fall reportedly extended about one-quarter of a mile. The Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation provided assistance.

 

Expect nighttime exit ramp closures on Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass In the coming weeks. Crews will be working on pavement repairs and safety features as part of the I-5: Monument Dr. Grants Pass project. The I-5 southbound on-ramp at Exit 66, Hugo from Monument Drive will be closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. During daytime hours this week now through Friday morning, May 1. Crews will be working on Monument Drive near the exit. Expect short delays with flaggers directing traffic. From the evening of Sunday, May 3 through Friday, May 8, the I-5 northbound off-ramp to Monument Drive will be closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. During ramp closures, travelers are advised to follow detour signs or use an alternate route.The northbound Manzanita Rest Area (Exit 62) will be closed during the day on Monday, May 4 for paving work; the southbound rest area will be closed on Tuesday, May 5. Watch for intermittent I-5 lane closures near the rest area.Expect short delays with intermittent shoulder and lane closures as crews continue work on Interstate 5 south of Exit 66 during the day. Use caution and watch for workers and equipment in the roadway.Additional ramp closures are planned in the project area in the following weeks. The construction schedule is subject to change for adverse weather conditions. Updates will be provided on the project webpage and on TripCheck.com.