City Council Moves Forward with Taskforce Non-Bargaining Salary Schedule
The Grants Pass City Council agreed to continue forward with the process to adjust the non-bargaining salary schedule during Monday's workshop.

Actual costs won't be discussed until a further workshop. There are currently 47 non-bargaining employees and 5 vacant positions. The council chose the Taskforce salary schedule grid, which includes an increase of 4% between annual steps up to market average, and 2% between annual steps above market average. Both moves pending performance review results.

A 3.02% Cost of Living Adjustment will be applied to the grid. The council was split on the schedule taking effect either January or July of 2026, voted no on vacation accruals and a holiday adjustment for exempt employees, and will discuss phased implementation and longevity incentives at a later date.

Next, the council agreed to move a direction decision for the Comprehensive Fee Schedule to Wednesday's meeting. During the agenda review, Councilman Rob Pell brought up concerns over the ethics of The Update podcast including a Wednesday meeting agenda item.

The council agreed to move the Small Business Taskforce adoption resolution to the January 21st meeting, and approved moving a decision on the Public Safety Advisory Committee motion to increase lighting in alleyways for added security and safety to a future business meeting.

The workshop adjourned, and the council then convened for an executive session regarding real property transactions and negotiations. ...Read more

US Marshals Arrested Central Point Child Exploitation Task Force Suspect

The United States Marshals Service led Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force tracked down and arrested a wanted Central Point man hiding out in Alturas, California on November 25. The suspect had a felony warrant following a Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) investigation into possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). U.S. Marshals arrested Larry Lynn James Sr., 64, of Central Point, for six counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, and four counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. James is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Investigations led the task force from Central Point to Klamath Falls, and finally to Alturas. U.S. Marshals spotted James’ vehicle and conducted a traffic stop where he was arrested without incident. Modoc County Sheriff's Office assisted. The arrest originated from a search warrant SOCET served December 7, 2023, at a residence in the 6500 block of Blackwell Road in rural Central Point. SOCET served the warrant after discovering numerous CSAM images were uploaded from the residence. ...Read more

MPD Detectives Arrested Suspect in Shooting Case

Medford Police Department (MPD) detectives made an arrest in connection with a shooting that occurred on December 5, near the intersection of Marie Street and Stevens Street. On December 11 at approximately 4:35 p.m., MPD detectives, with assistance from the MPD SWAT Team and MADGE, apprehended 19-year-old Audrik Darling of Medford in the Medford Center parking lot. Darling was identified as a person of interest in the December 5 shooting and was also wanted in connection with a separate kidnapping, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon incident that occurred October 11. Darling was interviewed at the Medford Police Department and lodged on charges related to the October incident. On December 12, MPD detectives additionally filed charges related to the December 5 shooting. The firearm believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered. The shooting occurred at approximately 5:46 p.m., when MPD officers responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Marie Street and Stevens Street. ...Read more