Council Hears Redevelopment Plan, Sign Presentations, City Manager Salary Motion Passed
Grants Pass City Council held two interviews for the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, then heard presentations for the Washington Midland Redevelopment Plan and Interstate 5 Sign Code overlay. Council was presented the preferred redevelopment framework and potential steps recommended to implement the plan. The project has moved from concepts to a preferred plan and development strategy. This includes improved streets and utilities on Franklin and Bunnel Avenues, improved pedestrian accessibility, commercial uses, and housing options with a range of townhomes and apartments as rentals or to own. Potential costs could be $1.9 million for the city and public, $190K in Private property and Frontage costs, with a combined investment of $2.09 million. A draft plan will be prepared for final review by council before potential adoption. Next for consideration was the potential I-5 Sign Code overlay following a previous appeal for a 100 foot Dutch Bros. and Les Schwab sign. Current regulation permits one freestanding sign per street frontage up to 25-foot height and 100-square-foot sign area. ...Read more

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Respond to Two Crashes, Both Fatal

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to two fatal crashes early in the weekend. Friday at 8:18 p.m., a vehicle vs pedestrian crash was reported near the 2600 block of Merlin Road. A Geo Metro car was traveling east on Merlin Road when the vehicle hit a male pedestrian. The driver of the Geo Metro stayed on scene. The pedestrian was identified as Scott Starke, 88, who was transported to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified. This case is still an active investigation and pending results of evidence, charges will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office. No further information in this case will be released at this time. Saturday afternoon at 12:15 p.m., deputies, American Medical Response, and fire personnel responded to Monument Drive near Mary Harris Way for a report of an ATV crash. Once on scene, a male, Barry Fell, 58, was found with serious injuries after crashing an ATV. He was transported by AMR to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin have been notified. No further information will be released. ...Read more

Body Located in Rogue River at Baker Park, JoCo Medical Examiner Investigating

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was notified of a body located in the Rogue River at Baker Park Friday at 1:23 p.m. Deputies and fire personnel arrived on scene and made contact with the individuals who originally made the call to 911. The body was located in the main channel of the Rogue River at Baker Park. The Jackson County dive team was activated to assist with the recovery of the body. The individual has not been identified and next of kin has not been notified. The Josephine County Medical Examiner will be continuing their investigation to identify the individual. ...Read more