Local News

The Pacific Power Foundation is proud to support 13 Southern Oregon organizations working to protect the environment and strengthen their communities. Funding will help provide hands-on outdoor education for students, expand volunteer initiatives and support career training programs that create opportunities for the community. Out of the 13 recipients, both the Central Point Little League and the Parks and Recreation Foundation received $2,000. The City of Shady Cove received $2,000, while $5,000 went to Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley in Medford. Other recipients included The Illinois Valley Fire Resiliency Oversight Group, The Oregon Center for Creative Learning in Medford, and the Josephine County Foundation in Murphy, the latter of which received $8,000. These funds were awarded through the Pacific Power Foundation’s Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect grant cycle. Organizations interested in applying for the Foundation’s next grant cycle, Safety and Wellness, may apply by December 15th.

 

A $10,000 grant from Four Way Community Foundation is bringing new computers to Josephine Community Library’s Illinois Valley branch, replacing equipment that has been in service since 2018.

The grant funded new computers for staff and volunteers who rely on the equipment throughout the day to check materials in and out, place and fulfill holds, answer reference questions, help library users find books and other resources, and provide assistance with technology and online tools. The computers are also used to plan and deliver children’s programs, adult events, and other library services.

Four Way Community Foundation has supported technology and other needs at Josephine Community Library for many years, helping the library provide resources and services beyond what can be covered by its regular public funding.

For information about Josephine Community Library Foundation, visit jclfoundation.org. Head to fourwaycommunityfoundation.org to learn more about the work of Four Way Community Foundation in Josephine and Jackson Counties.

 

Travelers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes on Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass this week.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, starting tomorrow (Tuesday Sept. 29th) and running through Thursday, crews will apply new striping to the pavement. Utility crews will repair powerlines over the highway on Wednesday.

Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow, watch for rolling slowdowns in the northbound lanes between Exit 66 in Hugo and Exit 80 in Glendale. Wednesday between 8 a.m. and noon, rolling slowdowns will be in the northbound and southbound lanes in the same area.

Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the southbound lanes will be affected by rolling slowdowns, during which time traffic control vehicles hold traffic to a slow but steady pace. This gives crews a window of time to work safely while keeping traffic moving, avoiding lengthy road closures. Emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through, as needed.

Expect congestion. Watch for pilot cars and drive carefully through the work zone. Traffic may be held for up to 20 minutes at exit ramps. To avoid delays, use an alternate route or travel outside work hours. Check TripCheck.com for the latest information.

 

A man called 911 Sunday night to report he was being assaulted, but after finding the claim to be false, Grants Pass Police arrested him.

According to the police report, the caller notified dispatch of the disturbance at 7:04 p.m. after several juveniles claimed he had physically manipulated a juvenile victim after agreeing to purchase the victim alcoholic beverages.

The caller refused to identify himself, and said he was being assaulted. When the officers arrived, the caller was seen surrounded by a large group of people. He was separated from the crowd, and told police he was being attacked and felt like he couldn't leave.

Footage captured at the scene by witnesses disproved the caller's claims, showing him threatening the crowd and attempting to instigate a fight. Despite having chances to leave the scene, he refused to do so.

Officers identified him as Christian Bartell, and took him into custody for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Third Degree Sex Abuse, and a Parole Violation Detainer. The police report states a juvenile was also taken into custody at the scene.

 

During a special meeting at noon today, the Grants Pass City Council was unanimous in approval of four lease resolutions for Art Along the Rogue.

Motions in favor of leasing the sidewalks and parklets adjacent to both the Wonder Bur and Nada Bar, and the sidewalks adjacent to The Haul and 234 SW 5th Street to the Weekend Beer Company passed unanimously.

These resolutions would authorize the City Manager to lease certain City rights-of-way in the downtown area to local businesses, allowing outdoor food and beverage service in relation this weekend's event. The proposed leases would run from 7 a.m. Friday, October 2nd, to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 4th, with no cost incurred to the city.

Past practices were questioned, and will not be allowed under the current code. Table service will need to be provided, and no storage of bottles, pitchers, taps, coolers, or kegs will be permitted on the sidewalk.

 

A woman was called in as a disturbance Sunday, and police took her into custody for Methamphetamine Possession.

Dispatch was alerted to the incident at 11:40 a.m. The suspect, later identified as Mary Wallace, was throwing things at the caller outside a property in the 400 block of NE Baker Drive.

She also reportedly targeted the window of the premises with what appeared to be a shoe. The caller then reported Wallace was on the sidewalk. Upon contact with Grants Pass Police, Wallace was found to have an active and serviceable warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Her identity and warrant were confirmed, and police transported Wallace to the Josephine County Jail for lodging on the meth charge.

 

The Board of Commissioners held a job performance meeting in open session by request beginning at 10 a.m. this morning.

The County Communications system and a reported lack of communication was a main area of concern. Commissioner Colene Martin stated there was a lack of documents provided, while Facilities Director Ryan Johnson said he had in-person conversations, claiming he didn't feel he needed to bring things to the board to prove he's doing his job.

Animal Shelter updates and maintenance complaints were discussed, as were safety and security inquiries, and the topic of fairgrounds plumbing.

Commissioner Gary Richardson said that, in the director level position, people are sought who are proactive and looking to the future, trying to make the County Government more efficient, and advancing the interest of their department and organization.

Another meeting will be held to discuss next steps following the open session.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department apprehended a woman wanted on a fentanyl possession warrant Sunday.

While on patrol, police recognized Bobbie Jo Langdon walking south on 6th Street next to the Police Department around 7:28 p.m. She was stopped and detained, and found to be wanted on a warrant out of the department.

Officers confirmed her warrant, charging her for possessing fentanyl, and placed Langdon under arrest. She was subsequently transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged at 7:53 p.m.

 

Rogue Community College and Oregon Tech are partnering to address regional demand for manufacturing engineering talent while expanding access to four-year technical education in the Rogue Valley.

The new partnership gives students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree from Oregon Tech without leaving the region. Through the new 2+2 pathway, students will earn an Associate of Science transfer degree through RCC before continuing into Oregon Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.

RCC and Oregon Tech will celebrate the partnership with a ceremonial signing at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 29th, at RCC’s Table Rock Campus, 7800 Pacific Avenue in White City, in the A Building Atrium.

The partnership is a first for RCC and was developed in response to the need for more advanced manufacturing and engineering talent in Southern Oregon. The degree prepares students for the technical needs of modern manufacturing, including manufacturing processes, automation, robotics, industrial controls, computer-aided design and manufacturing, quality and continuous improvement.

For information about RCC’s transfer degree program, visit roguecc.edu/manufacturing-transfer.