City of Grants Pass Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 2025
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on 5th and G streets is today! The tree was delivered on Monday, placed in its usual spot, and decorated throughout the week. Today, G Street between 4th and 6th streets will be closed from noon to 11 pm, as will 5th Street between G and H streets, to allow the festivities. This year's festivities include 30 vendors selling crafts on the north side of G Street, horse-drawn carriage rides, music from the stage at G and 5th streets, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Across the street at the Children's Museum will be a sock rink where children can "skate" in their socks around a wooden rink. For more information and the full schedule, check the community calendar at www.grantspasschamber.org.
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Commissioner Recall Election Authorized by Clerk Following Validated Signatures
A special election was announced Wednesday for January 6, 2026, by the County Clerk following validated signatures for the recall campaign against Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett. According to the Daily Courier, notifications sent from the Clerk's office to the Commissioners and chief recall petitioner Jim Goodwin Wednesday said the petition for Commissioner Blech had 6,711 valid signatures. The petition for Commissioner Barnett had 6,728 valid signatures. Both were more than the 6,445 signatures required under state law. The two Commissioners have until Monday to submit a written resignation, or submit a "statement of justification." Also on Wednesday, Barnett filed suit against Goodwin, and County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels in her capacity as clerk, saying the petition was "legally insufficient," and asking the court to halt the recall process. In his lawsuit, Commissioner Barnett alleges the recall effort violates a separation agreement Goodwin signed when he left the county. Barnett is seeking an injunction blocking the election.
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BCC Approved Staff Direction to Fill Any Board Vacancy, 2025-26 Budget
In a brief County Administration Workshop at 9 a.m. this morning in the BCC Conference Room, the Board of County Commissioners motioned to allow staff to move forward with the process of filling any vacancy on the BCC. The direction is to allow staff to continue advertising for this position, to require applications to be due at 9 a.m. and interviews at 1 p.m. Monday. The motion carried 3-0. The Weekly Business Session then commenced at 10 a.m. with a Public Hearing regarding a resolution to the Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Commissioner Chris Barnett was excused. The budget increase is just over $1.4 million, and two full time equivalents as approved by the budget committee. The only affect to the general fund is the addition of one prosecutor for the DA's office. A motion to approve the budget passed 2-0.
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