OR Ethics Commission Dismisses Complaints against Josephine County Commissioners

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has dismissed a set of complaints made against members of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. During its regularly scheduled meeting on September 13th, the state ethics commission heard details of complaints made by Josephine County's former Human Resources Director JJ Scofield regarding an April 30th meeting. That meeting was led by Board Chair John West and attended by Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger as well as former Commissioner Dan DeYoung who resigned from the Board in July. The complaint involved possible violations of ORS 192.660(2), which outlines policies and procedures relating to meetings held in executive session. During the ethics commission meeting, Investigator Andrew McIntyre provided details of his preliminary review. Following feedback from West, Baertschiger and DeYoung plus brief deliberations among commission members, a motion was made to dismiss each complaint and end the preliminary investigation. Each motion passed 5-3 and all three matters were dismissed. ...Read more

Local Forest Supervisor Temporarily Cancels Secret Creek Timber Sale Due to Mistakes

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will re-mark, re-cruise and re-advertise the Secret Creek Timber Sale after a recent comprehensive review of the sale was conducted by Forest Supervisor Molly Juillerat. The Secret Creek Timber Sale -- located on the Wild Rivers Ranger District -- was originally scheduled for August 27th, but was extended to September 19th, to provide time for the Forest Supervisor to make the review. An on-the-ground review was conducted with District Ranger Scott Blower, timber management personnel and marking crew members. The review was conducted to ensure that the implementation and marking of the timber sale matched the original intent of the Upper Briggs Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA was developed to enhance fire resiliency in mixed conifer stands by strategically removing certain trees and improving forest health. The EA allowed for the removal of trees up to 120 years of age and generally not larger than 40 inches in diameter. Some trees marked for removal were found to be older than 120 years old. ...Read more

Local Organizations Get Financial Support Grants from Oregon Arts Commission

Awards totaling nearly $1.4 million will be distributed to 181 Oregon arts organizations through the Oregon Arts Commission's Operating Support Program for Fiscal Year 2025. Ranging from $3,300 to $20,000, the unrestricted rewards are available to nonprofit arts organizations with annual budgets of more than $150,000. The Arts Commission determines awards based on the number of applications and available grant funds. Here in Southern Oregon, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and the Peter Britt Gardens Arts & Music Festival Association in Jacksonville will each receive $20,000 in the current fiscal year. Other local arts organizations receiving grant awards include the Grants Pass Museum of Art, Southern Oregon Film Society, Camelot Theatre Company, Rogue Valley Art Association, Rogue Valley Chorale Association, Rogue World Music, Southern Oregon University Chamber Music Concerts, Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon and Collaborative Theatre Project. ...Read more