Courier Investigation Shows Public Meeting Law Violation by City

Following an investigation by the Daily Courier and a series of public records requests, the city of Grants Pass admitted it violated public meeting law with behind-the-scenes emails about hiring a facilitator to finish the city manager's performance evaluation. The facilitator would then issue a "report suitable for public release." According to the Courier, such a report would thwart the ability of the press and public to view individual performance evaluations of City Manager Aaron Cubic written by the eight members of City Council. The Courier's request for the performance evaluations is pending. The evaluations will be released after a vote to finalize and adopt them is made at the City Council meeting Wednesday, according to the city recorder. This week, in response to an Oregon Public Meets Law violation grievance filed by the Courier with the city, City Attorney Stephanie Nuttall sent a response to the Courier. ...Read more

BCC Meeting Continues despite Commissioner Smith Absence

Commissioner Ron Smith wasn't present for this morning's General Discussion. In a statement, Commissioner Chris Barnett read that the meeting was properly noticed, but a quorum wasn't present as required by the Josephine County Charter. No official meeting could occur, nor any deliberation. No decisions or votes could be made. The statement continued that only information would be provided for transparency and public awareness. Any items requiring board action will be addressed at a future meeting when a quorum is present. Commissioner Barnett, with Assistant County Legal Counsel Leah Harper present via Zoom for further clarification in regard to the full board, endeavored to bring clarity to any potential confusion regarding the recusal process, governor involvement, and a potential temporary board of elected officials appointing a new commissioner, pending no quorum due to vacancies on the board. Applications for the one vacancy are available at www.josephinecounty.gov. ...Read more

Adult in Custody Found Dead During Cell Checks, OSP to Investigate Per Protocol

The Oregon State Police are investigating an in custody death. On Wednesday at approximately 11:45 p.m., during regular cell checks, a Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Corrections deputy discovered Nathan Adams, a 50-year-old adult in custody, unresponsive in his cell. The deputy immediately began life saving measures with the assistance of other staff until American Medical Response arrived. AMR continued life saving measures, but Nathan was pronounced deceased. Next of kin has been notified. Per standard protocol, the Oregon State Police was contacted to investigate the death. There were no indications of foul play. No further details are being released at this time. ...Read more