Local News

The Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved annexations to the Josephine Community Library District and an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that supports local home rehabilitation projects. The Board started the meeting by holding a public hearing and then unanimously approving three annexations into the local library district. The Commissioners held a second public hearing on applying for a CDBG grant from Business Oregon. Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the County received a $500,000 grant in 2024 to fund the Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Program that helps low- to moderate-income residents in need of home repairs. Program contractor Home Bridging GP reported that $270,000 of the grant has been spent so far as they move into repairing mobile homes. The contractor called the program "a blessing to the community" and said they stand ready to continue their work with additional grant funding. The Board approved the application. Under Administrative Actions, the Commission approved the contract renewal with City-County Insurance Services, an invoice from the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Medford to assist with building inspections and electrical services, and an agreement with the Oregon Building Codes Division that streamlines the sharing of services and staff between municipalities throughout the state.

 

Starting today by his own request to the Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees, SOU President Rick Bailey will take a 20% reduction to his $290,000 salary over the remainder of the fiscal year, following a unanimous virtual vote. According to Ashland.News, the reduction in Bailey's salary will be $53,000 and his pay will return to his full salary with the start of the next fiscal year in July 2026. Trustees approved SOU's budget on June 20th that called for the university to make $5 million in cuts in order to "deal with a structural deficit. Declining enrollment as well as reduced state and federal support are contributors to needed reductions to the campus. The deficit has since increased to $6 million or nearly 10% of the $66 million budget. Details of the cuts will be announced today. Bailey made the request on Wednesday in order to include his reduction in pay in the current draft plan of action. It's not the first time an SOU president has asked for a cut in pay. Seated in a board room on Wednesday, Bailey told the board of trustees over Zoom that he made the request following in the footsteps of his predecessor and former SOU President Linda Schott, who also faced financial difficulties during her time at the college in Ashland.

 

"Buckle Up" for Day 3 of the 2025 Josephine County Fair in Grants Pass. The Fairground gates will be open between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., with free admission plus free parking and a shuttle at Rogue Community College. The Caveman Kiwanis is offering parking at the Fairgrounds for $10. Featured at the Fair today is the 4TheKids Livestock Auction in the Covered Arena at 6 p.m.. This community event is normally held on Saturday mornings during the annual summer extravaganza. "Live" on the Pavilion Stage, it's K-N Line Dancers at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Charlie Brown Squares at 6:30 and Trevor Hanks & The Black Burn Rebels at 8. Daily entertainment includes Exhibit Halls, The Selfie Fair, Rockin' Rentals, Kidz Alley, Bingo and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show plus strolling entertainers on the Midway. The new Midway of Fun carnival opens at 2 p.m.. Of course, there are numerous vendors and all those great Fair food options. For more information about the Fair, visit "josephinecountyfairgrounds.com."

 

The Board of Commissioners this morning approved annexations to the Josephine Community Library District and an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that supports local home rehabilitation projects. The Board started the meeting by holding a public hearing and then unanimously approving three annexations into the local library district. The three properties in the Merlin and Hugo areas increase the size of the service district by 25.56 acres. The Commissioners held a second public hearing on applying for a CDBG grant from Business Oregon. Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the County received a $500,000 grant in 2024 to fund the Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Program that helps low- to moderate-income residents in need of home repairs. Program contractor Home Bridging GP reported that $270,000 of the grant has been spent so far as they move into repairing mobile homes. The contractor called the program "a blessing to the community" and said they stand ready to continue their work with additional grant funding. The Board approved the application. Under Administrative Actions, the Commission approved the contract renewal with City-County Insurance Services, an invoice from the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Medford to assist with building inspections and electrical services, and an agreement with the Oregon Building Codes Division that streamlines the sharing of services and staff between municipalities throughout the state.

 

A Grants Pass woman was killed when she crashed her vehicle in the New Hope area late yesterday. On Wednesday at 5:45 p.m., the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover wreck in the 1100-block of Jaynes Drive. Deputies said the initial investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling on Jaynes Drive toward New Hope Road when -- for an unknown reason -- it left the road, rolled over and came to rest on its driver's side. The driver -- 23-year-old Angelina Marie Odell -- was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. First responders extend their condolences to Odell's family and friends. They also express their appreciation to witnesses and neighbors for their assistance. Those affected by the traumatic incident are encouraged to reach out if they are struggling to process the tragic event.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant at Three Rivers Medical Center yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 37-year-old Daniel Craig Hlavinka, Jr., at the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Wednesday at 11:42 a.m.. Deputies said Hlavinka was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. No other details were provided and it was unclear how deputies knew the arrestee was at the hospital. Hlavinka was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

 

A Josephine County Community Corrections client was jailed on an outstanding felony warrant yesterday. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 36-year-old A. Choy Saephan at the Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Wednesday at 3:58 p.m.. Police said Saephan was visiting his corrections officer who alerted GPPD that his client was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant containing a secret indictment for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Saephan was unaware of the warrant and he was placed into custody without incident. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for two crimes while investigating a trespassing complaint at Three Rivers Medical Center late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 45-year-old Robert Clarence Beard in front of the hospital's emergency room on Wednesday around 4:45 p.m.. Police said hospital security called 9-1-1 to report a male subject was loitering near some vending machines and he became hostile with them when they asked him to leave. The man eventually left the hospital and walked toward a nearby gas station, but he returned, refused to leave and was placed into custody by law enforcement. Officers said they initially warned Beard, but he elected to walk back onto the property in front of a patrol vehicle while disrupting traffic. Beard was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two people yesterday during a traffic stop in the southern Illinois Valley. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a vehicle containing 38-year-old James Darron Patterson and 29-year-old Breanna Marie Vineyard in the 32,400-block of Redwood Highway on Wednesday at 2:41 p.m.. Few details about the incident were disclosed, but deputies said Patterson was arrested for Methamphetamine Possession and the resulting Parole Violation while Vineyard was arrested on a local warrant for Driving While Suspended. Patterson and Vineyard were transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. Patterson was being held on a no-bail detainer. The vehicle and the trailer it was pulling were impounded and towed to Cave Junction.