GP City Council Approves Measures to Expand Resting Sites & Camping Restrictions

The Grants Pass City Council last night passed a resolution and an ordinance amendment that are aimed at halting the preliminary injunction the city is under that currently prohibits it from restricting resting in most public spaces. The City Council first dealt with the ordinance amendment that was passed twice. It unanimously declared a state of emergency and consolidated the restrictions on prohibiting camping in all city parks as well as sleeping on sidewalks, streets or in doorways. The amendment will go into effect as soon as the injunction is lifted. The Council followed that with the resolution that delineated portions of 712 NE 7th Street, 704 NW 6th Street, 711 NW 5th Street and 714 NW 6th Street where a person may live, sleep, or leave personal property overnight within those locations for up to 96 hours before they must relocate. Those sites bring the total number of resting spaces available to more than 150. In other business, an ordinance was approved to annex property at 535 Lincoln Road for development of a five-lot residential subdivision. The property is zoned for medium-density development. Councilors also approved an ordinance amending the Urban Growth Boundary and the Comprehensive Plan Map. The ordinance affects approximately 40 acres. It is basically a land swap with some property being added to the UGB and an equal amount taken out. ...Read more

BCC Seeks Individuals to Fill Vacancies on Jo Co Budget & Compensation Committees

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is seeking qualified individuals to apply for the Budget and Elected Officials Compensation committees. The Josephine County Budget Committee is composed of three Board members and three members of the public. It is responsible for reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The Josephine County Elected Officials Compensation Committee is composed of three members of the public. This committee will review comparable counties' elected officials' compensation within Oregon and make a recommendation to the Budget Committee regarding Josephine County's elected officials. There is one vacancy on the Budget Committee and three vacancies on the Elected Officials Compensation Committee. Applications can be found online at "josephinecounty.gov" under "Government, Committees and Advisory Boards," or individuals may pick up an application from the Board of Commissioners Office at the Courthouse in Grants Pass. ...Read more

Mass Casualty Drill to Close Ringuette Street near Grants Pass Hospital Early Friday

Asante Health Systems is holding a mass casualty drill near Three Rivers Medical Center that will temporarily shut down a Grants Pass street early tomorrow. On Friday from 7 to 10 a.m., Ringuette Street from Grandview Avenue to the Southgate Cinema driveway will be closed to through traffic to accommodate a Mass Casualty Incident Drill. Numerous emergency vehicles will be deployed in the area, but this is only a drill. Grants Pass Deputy Fire Chief Joe Hyatt said Asante's mass casualty drill will be similar to the one conducted in October 2023. A medical helicopter is scheduled to land in a field during the drill. The Ringuette Street closure is for safety reasons. Emergency vehicles will be utilized to ensure the roadway is closed and there will be ground spotters during the helicopter's landing and takeoff. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes during the drill. ...Read more