Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would change the rules for rural residential zones during its weekly business session this morning. The Board will then consider the first reading of the ordinance that would amend the Josephine County Code to update the rural residential chapter to allow more construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs would be limited to 900 square feet and they must be located no more than 100 feet from the existing single-family dwelling on rural properties outside the urban growth boundary that are at least two acres in size. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider the Findings of Fact on a comprehensive plan map change on a property from Forest to Residential and a zone map change from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential-5. There will also be a presentation from Josephine County Public Health. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued 11 penalties totaling more than $1 million in April for various environmental violations, with three of the alleged violations occurring in Southern Oregon. DEQ reports fines ranged from $1,100 to $727,500. In Southern Oregon, DEQ fined Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center $4,400 for a greenhouse gas violation. The state agency alleges that Asante failed to submit a greenhouse gas emissions data report. Also in Southern Oregon, DEQ fined Jeld-Wen, Inc., in Klamath Falls $8,200 and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Roseburg $4,400 for similar greenhouse gas violations. Organizations or individuals must pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty. They may be able to offset a portion of a penalty by funding a supplemental 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.

 

Applications are now being accepted for two positions on the Grants Pass Housing Advisory Committee due to expiring terms. These are three-year appointments. The Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) explores opportunities to facilitate the provision of housing for all income levels and it makes recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council. The HAC also promotes public awareness of housing resources and promotes public participation in identifying and addressing housing issues and needs. The special qualifications for these positions includes one representative from a financial institution/lender and one representative who is a renter in the low- to moderate-income category. Applications can be found at the City Administration Building at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received before 5 p.m. on August 9th.

 

The City of Grants Pass has announced the Draft 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan is now available for public review and comment through July 8th. The draft plan -- which is part of the federal Community Development Block Grant Program -- may be viewed at "grantspassoregon.gov." Citizens are encouraged to submit their comments to Anne Ingalls, who will incorporate them into the draft plan before it is presented to the Grants Pass City Council at a public hearing scheduled for July 17th. The City Council will hold a public hearing to consider public input and -- after final review -- adopt the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP). The AAP will be submitted to US Housing and Urban Development by August 15th.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would change the rules for rural residential zones during its weekly business session tomorrow. The Board will then consider the first reading of the ordinance that would amend the Josephine County Code to update the rural residential chapter to allow more construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs would be limited to 900 square feet and they must be located no more than 100 feet from the existing single-family dwelling on rural properties outside the urban growth boundary that are at least two acres in size. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider the Findings of Fact on a comprehensive plan map change on a property from Forest to Residential and a zone map change from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential-5. There will also be a presentation from Josephine County Public Health. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

A Grants Pass man who was injured yesterday when his motorized bicycle was struck by a vehicle was later arrested on a statewide felony warrant. Grants Pass Police and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle crash in the 1400-block of NW 6th Street on Monday at 3:35 p.m.. Police said a 44-year-old man was operating an eBike on 6th Street when he was struck by a large white truck driven by another man. A witness at an automobile dealership reported the bike rider was standing and walking, but he was holding his head. It was not disclosed whether he was wearing a helmet. During the crash investigation, officers discovered that the man was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from an assault conviction. He was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation and -- after being cleared by doctors -- he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Following the investigation, the truck driver was cited for Careless Driving.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for violating terms of his post-prison supervision after he was pulled over for impaired driving on Redwood Highway west of Grants Pass yesterday. OSP reports troopers stopped a black Lincoln Navigator driven by a 22-year-old man near milepost 4 of US Highway 199 on Monday shortly after 11 a.m.. Troopers said the Lincoln was called in as a driving complaint after it struck a guard rail and continued northbound toward Grants Pass. It was reported that the driver was unable to maintain his travel lane and was going into oncoming traffic. Upon contact with the driver, he displayed signs of impairment and performed poorly in field sobriety tests. He was placed into custody when it was discovered that he was a convicted felon. The suspect motorist was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving plus Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer and his vehicle was impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested an out-of-compliance sex offender after he was found sleeping face-down near the Skate Park yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were dispatched to perform a welfare check on the 37-year-old man in the 500-block of SE Mill Street on Monday at 2:12 p.m.. Police said a passerby called 9-1-1 to report a male subject with his face in the dirt and a can of beer next to him. The caller said the man was not moving and they were concerned for his safety because he had a bunch of clothes on in the heat. Officers responded, contacted the man and recognized him as a convicted sex offender. He was found to be out-of-compliance with registration requirements and placed into custody. He said he had no good reason for sleeping face-down. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Failure to Report as a Sex Offender. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist on two local felony warrants following a traffic stop in the downtown area late last night According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old woman near the corner of SE I and 8th streets on Monday at 11:06 p.m.. Police said they stopped the female driver for illegal display of license plates and registration tags when they discovered that she was wanted on two Medford felony warrants for Probation Violation related to a burglary arrest and for failing to appear in court for Supplying Contraband to a Correctional Facility. Officers placed the suspect into custody without incident and lodged her at the Josephine County Jail. She awaits transfer to the Jackson County Jail in Medford.