Local News

The preliminary results of last night's General Election are in. According to results.oregonvotes.gov, Colene Martin is in the lead for County Commissioner Position 1 with 57.62% of the vote. John West currently has 41.91%. For Position 2, Mark Jones is in the lead with 54.11%, while Chad Hansen is at 45.49%. For City Council Ward 1, Rob Pell is ahead of Michael J O'Coyne with 63.46% of the vote. Rick Riker has 47.39% of the votes against Erin Cook and Candy Rosenberg for Grants Pass City Council Ward 2. Seth Benham leads with 76.68% for Ward 3 against Konnor Kirkpatrick. Dave Daniel is retaining his current position as Sheriff with 80.89% of the vote, while Jonathan Knapp has 18.25%. Dustin Calvo has 54.46% of the vote for Treasurer, while Simon Hare has 45.21%. The Five-Year Local Option Levy for Fire and Emergency Services received 67.26% of the yes votes. Renewal of the Current Five-Year Jail and Juvenile Local Option Tax has 55.34% no votes, with 44.66% saying yes. There are currently 59.62% yes votes for bonds to update the Grants Pass School District 7 facilities, increase safety, and receive an $8,168,000 State grant.

 

The Board of Commissioners met to discuss their Department Review at today's 1:30 p.m. workshop. Commissioner Ron Smith was absent due to a family matter.

Commissioner Gary Richardson presented the review as a first example before other County Departments participate. Key figures highlighted adopted actions, minutes approved, commitments, records requests, and vacant advisory seats.

The board reviewed their budget status, and commitments including reassessing the 4-H/Extension levy, Sheriff's Office radio system, and the County solid waste program. Four of five staff positions have been filled, and Commissioner Gary Richardson discussed what processes were in place should a County function like meeting notices or public records intake stop or degrade if one position were unavailable.

Some departments will participate in the reviews over the next four to five weeks, as well as provide feedback to the board. The board then decided to postpone a decision on the potential repeal of a Mining Ordinance.

Public Information Coordinator Thomas Gray gave a Communications update, remarking on continued promotion for the Agricultural Education Grant Program and Operation Greenlight. A webpage for the grant program is live on the County website, and a video is being put together informing the community on the Election Process.

The board approved position requisitions and personnel actions from Human Resources. Richardson clarified the Facilities Director Performance Improvement Plan was signed by the Commissioners, and Commissioner Colene Martin will have oversight responsibility as established in the signed plan.

 

Following a shoplifting attempt at the South Safeway Monday, law enforcement issued the suspect a citation for Second Degree Theft.

Dispatch was notified of the suspect filling up a backpack with stolen food items around 3:17 p.m. He passed all points of sale without paying, and after denying the theft to the caller, the suspect left the scene on a bicycle southbound on Harbeck.

Grants Pass Police soon located the suspect and made contact. It was determined he had stolen over $106 worth of items from the 1640 Williams Highway grocer. He was arrested and the items were recovered and returned. Officers then issued the suspect a citation to appear in court for Theft in the Second Degree.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man illegally camping for a methamphetamine possession warrant Monday.

The suspect was identified in his tent on Leavitt Family Corporation property around 2:41 p.m. He had an active warrant out of the Police Department, and upon confirmation of both his identity and warrant, officers arrested Ryan Velasquez at the scene.

He was taken into custody, trespassed from the property, and lodged for his Meth Possession warrant. His tent and personal property were entered into safekeeping.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police stopped a driver for a violation, then lodged him in jail for an out-of-county warrant, and possessing drugs and a firearm.

Early Monday around 12:46 a.m., a black Chrysler was pulled over at the corner of NE 7th Street and NE Manzanita Avenue for failing to display plates. The driver, Austin Jackson, was contacted by officers, and found to be driving while suspended.

A consent search yielded a tooter with residue that field tested presumptive positive for a Schedule II controlled substance. Officers then conducted a search of the vehicle, which located a firearm in a backpack on the passenger seat. A small tin was also found that contained about 10 grams of methamphetamine.

Jackson was taken into custody at the scene, and his vehicle was towed for impounding. Officers proceeded to transport Jackson to the Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged for Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Fentanyl, and a Jackson County Sheriff's Office warrant for Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.

A Meth Possession charge was referred to the District Attorney's Office.

 

Applications are being accepted for two positions on the Tourism Advisory Committee due to term resignations.

One position is for a 2-year term, and one is for a 3-year term. The goal of the Committee is to encourage visitors and residents to engage in community activities while enhancing the positive image of our City through marketing, promotions, and destination management.

The Committee's purpose is to review and advise the work of the City’s Tourism Contractor. This includes reporting findings and recommendations to City Council as needed. Special qualifications for this position include an interest and/or experience in tourism promotion.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. November 27th. They will be reviewed by the committee December 1st, and appointments will be made by the Council January 6th.

 

Parker's Place Village has shared a Letter of Support from the City of Grants Pass. According to a release, The Do Good Foundation, an Oregon 501(c)(3) assisting Parker's Place, joined Elk Island Trading Group in addressing three community priorities: oversight, trained staff, and toilets and showers. Parker's Place operates under a grant agreement with the City. Elk Island and the Foundation met with City staff October 28th to review items listed in an August 6th addendum to be addressed by November 13th, along with other concerns that have come up in recent months as operations began. That meeting produced written responses to the City's questions on fencing, sleeping arrangements, intake policies and portable toilet maintenance. Fencing and striping is scheduled for completion by November 13th. Also covered were policies related to staff, background checks, site safety, and service provider agreements, a plan to complete the stormwater system with an approved contractor, and a follow-up meeting scheduled with the City to discuss long-term operations funding. The City has also offered to write application-specific letters and to sponsor or co-sponsor applications for operations funding. The project continues to move forward toward completion.

 

The City of Grants Pass has announced there are additional spaces available for craft vendors at the Tree Lighting Ceremony coming up December 4th.

According to the City's Facebook page, the application portal will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 5th, for craft vendors, who will be in the Owl Plaza during the ceremony.

It's anticipated the remaining spaces will fill quickly, so don’t delay if you wish to be a vendor. The fee to vend is $60 for one space and $115 for two spaces.

Once the limit is reached, plus several on a waiting list, the portal will close. If the portal is closed after the launch date, it means a sufficient number of applicants have been received.

Apply here after 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 5th: bit.ly/GPTLC2026

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners opened the application period for the 4-H/Extension Service District Agricultural Education Grant Program Monday.

According to a release, the Board approved $30,000 in funding for the program on October 15th. The money will be used to help fund agricultural education projects or facility projects related to an agricultural education program.

While the Board anticipates funding three to four projects, it may award the entire sum to one worthy project. The deadline for applications is November 30th. Applicants may find more information and the application form on the County’s website, www.josephinecounty.gov.