Grants Pass to Welcome Delegation from New Sister City in Mexico June 19th
The Grants Pass Sister City Committee will welcome its first official delegation from Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico, from June 16th through the 22nd. This will mark an exciting new chapter in the city's long tradition of international friendship and cultural exchange. The visit follows the establishment of a new Sister City partnership between Grants Pass and Autlán. Nine delegates will spend a week in Southern Oregon experiencing local attractions, meeting community members and sharing their own culture and traditions with residents of the Rogue Valley. Community members are invited to meet the visiting delegates during a fundraiser dinner June 19th at Cartwright's Taprock Northwest Grill. Tickets may be purchased at https://givebutter.com/grants-pass-sister-city-fundraiser. Proceeds will support future cultural exchange programs and the continued growth of the Grants Pass Sister City Program. The Grants Pass Sister City Program was established in 1990 through the international Sister Cities movement founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Medford Police Department Investigating Animal Neglect Case
Medford Police, in coordination with Jackson County Mental Health and the Mobile Crisis Team, responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place Thursday to conduct a welfare check. Officers were unable to make contact with the resident and observed a deceased cat in plain view within the residence. Based on those observations and information gathered during the initial investigation, a search warrant was obtained. Officers later located and contacted the resident prior to the execution of the warrant, which was subsequently served at the property. As the investigation developed, the Medford Police Livability Team, Code Enforcement, and Jackson County Animal Control responded to assist. Investigators located multiple live and deceased cats on the property. Wendy Diamond, 65, is facing seven counts of Animal Neglect in the First Degree, a felony. Additional charges may be pending. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has been consulted as part of the investigation. Jackson County Animal Control is taking custody of the live cats located on the property and will oversee their care and evaluation. The investigation remains ongoing.
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GPCC Passes City Budget & Modifies Ordinances Helping Law Enforcement
The Grants Pass City Council's business session Wednesday night began with a public hearing to approve the fiscal year '27' budget, followed by various actions related to the budget, amended many sections of the municipal code and approved commercial activity in Riverside Park. The City's fiscal year 2027-28 budget is $297,247,088 as presented by the budget committee was passed along with a resolution to receive state shared revenues in the amount of $390,800. A Resolution to impose taxes and categorizing taxes, at the same level as passed years, for FY '27 passed. All vote were unanimous. The City Council passed an ordinance amending several sections of the city's municipal code including public decency, sleeping on sidewalks, obstructing traffic, over 10 sections, as a sample of all that was dealt with. The move is the first step deal with anticipated situations as the low barrier Shelton opens and the current resting sites are closed. The ordinance passed unanimously. Councilors also approved commercial activity in Riverside Park and a fee waiver for the 2026 Cruise the Rogue event scheduled to begin July 23rd. The City Council, acting as the Urban Renewal Agency, approved the agencies FY'27 budget. Council adjourned and went into executive session.
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