Commissioner Recall Election Authorized by Clerk Following Validated Signatures
A special election was announced Wednesday for January 6, 2026, by the County Clerk following validated signatures for the recall campaign against Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett. According to the Daily Courier, notifications sent from the Clerk's office to the Commissioners and chief recall petitioner Jim Goodwin Wednesday said the petition for Commissioner Blech had 6,711 valid signatures. The petition for Commissioner Barnett had 6,728 valid signatures. Both were more than the 6,445 signatures required under state law. The two Commissioners have until Monday to submit a written resignation, or submit a "statement of justification." Also on Wednesday, Barnett filed suit against Goodwin, and County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels in her capacity as clerk, saying the petition was "legally insufficient," and asking the court to halt the recall process. In his lawsuit, Commissioner Barnett alleges the recall effort violates a separation agreement Goodwin signed when he left the county. Barnett is seeking an injunction blocking the election.
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BCC Approved Staff Direction to Fill Any Board Vacancy, 2025-26 Budget
In a brief County Administration Workshop at 9 a.m. this morning in the BCC Conference Room, the Board of County Commissioners motioned to allow staff to move forward with the process of filling any vacancy on the BCC. The direction is to allow staff to continue advertising for this position, to require applications to be due at 9 a.m. and interviews at 1 p.m. Monday. The motion carried 3-0. The Weekly Business Session then commenced at 10 a.m. with a Public Hearing regarding a resolution to the Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Commissioner Chris Barnett was excused. The budget increase is just over $1.4 million, and two full time equivalents as approved by the budget committee. The only affect to the general fund is the addition of one prosecutor for the DA's office. A motion to approve the budget passed 2-0.
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SOCET Serves Child Sexual Abuse Material Search Warrant
The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant Tuesday morning in rural Central Point. Investigators served the search warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the address. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. SOCET served the search warrant December 2 at a mobile home park in the 300 block of West Gregory Road in Central Point. SOCET began the investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force for further evidence of child exploitation. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.
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