Preliminary Injunction Modified in Disability Rights Lawsuit against City of Grants Pass

Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Sarah McGlaughlin on Thursday signed an order modifying the preliminary injunction related to the lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Oregon. The court order allows the City of Grants Pass to begin enforcing ordinances related to overnight resting in several city parks. The City may now enforce its ordinances against overnight camping at Eckstein, Fruitdale, Lawnridge, Morrison Centennial, Tussing, Redwood and Westholm parks. Riverside and Reinhart Volunteer parks were already exempted from the preliminary injunction. Legal counsel for the City of Grants Pass and Disability Rights Oregon filed a stipulated motion last week, asking the court to issue an order modifying the judge's opinion of March 28th. The motion dated May 23rd, notes that "the City has made several changes including, but not limited to, improving the surfaces at existing locations and increasing the overall capacity." Grants Pass officials said the parties are engaged in meaningful and substantial discussions with the goal of reaching a mutually agreed upon final resolution of this matter. The process is expected to take at least a couple more weeks to finalize. Officials said the City continues to explore options to alleviate the need to allow overnight resting on public property as required under Oregon House Bill 3115. ...Read more

No Changes This Week in May 20th Special Election Results for Josephine County

The results of the May 20th Special District Election in Josephine County remain the same as they were last week following the latest returns. As of Thursday, the winners of three seats on the Grants Pass School Board were unchanged, with Gary Richardson retaining Position #3 over Judy Christensen, Quin Collins Pehrson defeating Marjie Wilkie and Cassie Wilkins victorious over Tom Sheckells. The closest race of the special election was for Three Rivers School Board Zone 5 where Rick Nelson maintained a narrow advantage over Carinn Godfrey. Only 110 votes separated the two candidates in the latest returns. Cameron Camp won Zone 1 over Neigel Von Hruska and Mariah Rossi claimed Zone 3 over Bill Ertel. Ralph Weidling defeated Michael Grant for Position #5 on the Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District Board while Jim Krois was victorious over Claudia Pratt for Position #3 on the Williams Rural Fire Protection District Board. The Josephine County Clerk's Office reported an 18.6% voter turnout on Thursday. County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels said the next election update will be provided by 5 p.m. on June 16th. That is when the results will be certified. ...Read more

Jackson County to Close Off-Pavement Areas of Bear Creek Greenway on Sunday

With the local fire season going into effect on Sunday, Jackson County has begun closing all off-pavement areas of the Bear Creek Greenway to lower the wildfire risk in the urban areas of Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford and Central Point. Jackson County Roads and Parks officials remind all Bear Creek Greenway users that they will need to remain on the paved path in county-maintained portions of the trail. Steve Lambert, Jackson County Roads and Parks Director, said they want people to use the trail for biking, walking, running and other recreational uses that allow them to remain on the paved portion of the trail. He said they maintain vegetation within 10 feet of the paved path to lower fire risk and if people venture off the paved surface in an area under their jurisdiction, they are at risk of potential enforcement measures. The off-pavement closure will go into effect from June 1st until the Oregon Department of Forestry declares an end to the 2025 fire season later this year. ...Read more