Oregon DEQ Fined Federal Express of Medford for Environmental Violation in June

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued eight penalties totaling more than $154,000 in June for various violations -- including one fine in Jackson County. DEQ said fines ranged from $5,200 to $57,348 for environmental violations last month. Locally, DEQ issued a $6,400 civil penalty to Federal Express Corporation of Medford for a stormwater violation. The state agency alleges the local company failed to monitor stormwater discharge, which can harm fish and aquatic life. GTE Wireless LLC, was levied a statewide penalty of $31,800 for not following air pollution regulations. Recipients of DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice. They may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon's environment. DEQ works with thousands of organizations and individuals to help them comply with laws that protect Oregon's air, land and water. The agency uses education, technical assistance, warnings and penalties to change behavior and deter future violations. ...Read more

Local Contractors Invited to Submit Bids for New Grants Pass Water Treatment Facility

The City of Grants Pass and Slayden Constructors recently announced that local contractors will be used to the greatest extent possible in the construction of a new Water Treatment Plant. If you want to take part in building the next water treatment facility in Grants Pass, here is your opportunity. It will be the largest municipal project in city history. Slayden Constructors is requesting subcontractor bids for numerous scopes of work. They include -- in alphabetical order -- coatings, commercial building contractor, control room console, concrete finishing, concrete flatwork, concrete pumping, dewatering, electrical, fencing, fire suppression, hoisting, HVAC, joint sealant, landscaping and irrigation, paving, pipe insulation, pipeline subcontractor, lagoon liner, pre-engineered building, pre-stressed concrete tank, rebar, sawcutting, site services, street sweeping, surveying, trucking, vactor truck and welding. All bids are due by Tuesday, August 20th, at 2 p.m.. E-mailed copies of the bids shall be submitted before the deadline to "slayden.bids@mwhconstructors.com." ...Read more

Oregon Community Trees Honors Jackson County Arborist with 2024 President's Award

Oregon Community Trees (OCT) has honored a certified arborist from Talent with the organization's President's Award. The award recognizes Michael Oxendine's exceptional contributions to urban and community forestry including his work as president of the nonprofit OCT in 2022-23. This accolade follows closely on the heels of Oxendine's recognition in April when he received the Oregon Heritage Tree Program's 2024 "Tree Hero Award" during Oregon's Arbor Month celebrations. Both awards are in addition to his work with the City of Talent to restore tree canopy after the devastating Almeda Fire, which led to the Oregon Department of Forestry naming Talent as Oregon's "Tree City of the Year" in 2023. Oxendine is the first person in Oregon to receive both the President's Award and Tree Hero Award in the same year. His work with Our Community Forestry -- the nonprofit organization he founded last year -- is transforming Southern Oregon and positioning the region as a leader in equitable urban forestry. ...Read more