Local News

Rogue Community College is seeing results from its efforts to address critical regional nursing shortages, supported by continued investment through the Workforce Ready Grant.

According to a release, RCC was awarded $970,000 to expand its nursing program capacity in 2023 through strategic partnerships with Asante Health System and Providence Medford Medical Center. The program has since received additional funding, including a recent award of $225,000.

These investments have contributed to significant program growth. Nursing cohort sizes have increased from an average of 56 students in 2023 to 128 students in the current spring term, with plans to reach 144 students in the fall.

Beyond state funding, philanthropic support has created new opportunities for RCC to grow its nursing program and advance regional simulation-based education.

RCC says it remains committed to working closely with healthcare partners and community supporters to meet the evolving needs of the region, ensuring the college can respond effectively to workforce demands.

 

The County Commissioners met for a Legal Counsel Update in the BCC Conference Room at 10 a.m. today.

The first agenda items were potential Administrative and Personnel Policy Revisions. No decisions were made during the meeting.

Potential changes included updated limits for Contract Signing Authority and clearer language for Commissioner Liaisons. Regarding Advisory Bodies, a change could be made where all removals and appointments are effectuated by resolution of the board. Requisitions and Actions would only go to the board if they were outside the budget.

Revisions to Personnel Policy included Article 5, Section 5 Workplace, Service or Working Animals, stating ADA animals are specifically allowed, while the Travel approval process would be modified for employee or department heads, for either in or out of state travel.

The Facilities Monthly Update focused on the relocation of three County departments. Different properties have been considered, but no decisions have been made. The board then determined to make their final decision on a Quitclaim Deed for cabin property on Powell Creek when they make a board order.

A motion passed to authorize Legal Counsel Wally Hicks to sign off on the engagement letter between Barran Liebman Attorneys and Josephine County. The board also moved unanimously for the completion of services with Ogletree Deakins, with a change that all matters are brought to a legally recognizable completion.

Regarding the Executive Session Attendance by the County's co-defendants, Hicks recommended there be a change to the confidentiality agreement where decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by the board.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a passenger wanted for Hit and Run during a traffic stop.

A red SUV was pulled over early this morning at 1:59 on the corner of NE 7th Street and NE Hillcrest Drive. The driver was stopped for an improper left turn, and was found to be driving while suspended. She was cited and later released.

Her passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt, was identified by officers as Michael Inch. He was found to be wanted on a Marion County Sheriff's Office warrant for Hit and Run Causing Property Damage, so officers took him into custody.

Inch was transported to the Josephine County Jail for his warrant, and was subsequently lodged.

 

Jackson County Emergency Management will conduct its annual pre-fire season test of the Jackson Alerts mass notification system Friday, May 1st.

This annual test, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding by 12 p.m., will help ensure emergency alerting systems are functioning properly ahead of wildfire season and provides residents an opportunity to become familiar with how alerts are received.

The Jackson Alerts test message will be sent only to individuals who have registered to receive alerts. As part of the test, a live Emergency Alert System message will also be broadcast via local radio and cable television.

Jackson County uses pre-designated evacuation zones to issue wildfire evacuation notices. Residents are encouraged to identify their zone in advance to be better prepared during an emergency at protect.genasys.com.

Community members who do not receive a test alert on May 1st may not be registered in the system and are encouraged to sign up.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office announced via Facebook that all Three Rivers School District schools reopened around 1:15 p.m. following a closed campus Secure Mode procedure in response to a phone threat. All schools switched from secure status to hold status, with normal activities continuing to be conducted inside the school buildings. The properties reopened for public access, and the Sheriff's Office said law enforcement would remain on the scene of all campuses for the remainder of the school day. The original Facebook post was updated at 11:50 a.m., reiterating the secure status of the schools. At 10:48 this morning, it was reported North Valley High School received a threat via phone call, to which law enforcement investigated and remained present at all school district campuses. During Secure Mode, all students and staff were secure inside the building. Entry onto campus was restricted, and regular activities inside the building continued as normal. No further information has been released at this time.

 

The Board of Commissioners heard the annual report from the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council at 1:30 this afternoon.

The organization told the board about their Upper Applegate All Lands Wildfire Resiliency Project and the Aquatic Restoration Program through the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Main topics included fuel reduction work, focused on private lands and neighborhoods, with support from grant funding.

The Community Welfare Protection Plan was discussed, with work being done to identify areas in need of treatment for fuel reduction like ridgeline treatment and defensible space. The plan was noted by the board to be placed on the agenda for the next Commissioner and City Council meeting.

Projects through the Aquatic Restoration Program are covered by BLM Title Two Funding, and include Fish Passage, Habitat Improvement, Irrigation, and Culvert Replacement projects.

Commissioner Gary Richardson proposed the formulation of letters to both federal and state elected officials regarding the fire mitigation works by the organization.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department detained and lodged a man Tuesday on charges of Methamphetamine Possession and for a Parole Violation detainer.

The suspect had driven himself to Josephine County Community Corrections around 4:55 p.m., but was found to be in possession of both meth and a knife. It was reported he may have been under the influence at the time, and dispatch was told the suspect smelled of alcohol and that there was an open bottle in his vehicle.

Officers arrived and contacted Paul Greco in the parking lot near a dark green Toyota Tundra. He wasn't taken into custody for DUI, but was charged with Meth Possession and had a detainer placed on him by his parole officer.

Greco was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on his charges.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect, identified as Logan Wargin, was detained after being held at gunpoint at the corner of Bureau of Land Management Road 40-7-4 and Althouse Creek Road. Deputies took Wargin into custody around 2:14 p.m., then conducted a consent search of his vehicle.

He was found to be in possession of over two grams of Methamphetamine, the subsequently transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. Deputies lodged Wargin on charges including Possession of Meth, Robbery in the First Degree, Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Unlawful Use of Pepper Spray.

The keys to Wargin's vehicle were later dropped off at his mother's house.

 

Two men attempting to cash a fraudulent check at Evergreen Federal Bank were apprehended by Grants Pass Police Tuesday morning.

One of the suspects, John Eacret, tried to deposit a forged check in an account belonging to a different person around 10:44 Tuesday morning, but the account had been frozen by power of attorney. The account owner's grandson, Cody Bayne, had driven Eacret to the drive-up window to deposit the check at the 1329 NE 6th Street location.

The bank advised law enforcement that Bayne had also cashed forged checks at the location over the past two months. Officers arrived and detained the suspects on site. Evidence from the bank showed Eacret cashed 7 forged checks in the account since February totaling over $2,400, while Bayne had cashed one February 24th in the amount of $200.

The account owner's power of attorney confirmed neither Eacret nor Bayne had the right to access the account. Both were taken into custody by officers and transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Eacret was lodged for First Degree Theft, and seven counts each of First Degree Forgery, and Identity Theft. Bayne was lodged on single counts of Second Degree Theft, First Degree Forgery, and Identity Theft.