$3.5 Million Secured for Grants Pass, Josephine County

$3.5 million have been secured in direct investments for Grants Pass and Josephine County. In a press release, it was stated the funding was included in a package of legislation passed, and that the funds will help support economic and community development in the city and county. $2 million are being invested for the Spalding Industrial Park wastewater infrastructure upgrade in support of future job creation and industrial development. $1 million will be invested for horse racing infrastructure like track maintenance and event support at the fairgrounds. Additional funding of $500,000 will support other fairground improvements. ...Read more

Board Approves Land Use Application to Designate Farm Land as Residential

A Land Use Hearing regarding an application requesting a designation and zoning change to 8980 Monument Drive resulted in unanimous approval from the Board of Commissioners. The existing zone at the property is Farm Resource land. Rose Butte LLC was the applicant, with Rhine Cross Group LLC representing, in a request to change the Comprehensive Plan designation from Farm to Residential. The application also included a zone change from Farm Resource to Rural Residential and goal exception. Rose Butte LLC applied for an application review for an amendment to the comprehensive plan, zone change, and goal exception back on April 25th, 2025. The application was deemed complete on August 6th. The Planning Commission then concluded that the evidence provided by the applicant did demonstrate the area as non-resource, making it suitable for the development of a residential area. There were no opponents to the application during the Hearing, and the board moved unanimously to approve and move forward with the process outlined in the application. ...Read more

MPD Officers Arrested Suspect in Drive-By Shooting

Medford Police officers responded at approximately 1:50 a.m. Wednesday to a report of shots fired at an apartment complex in the 800-block of Swing Lane. Officers arrived at the scene and discovered the apartment had been struck by multiple rounds. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and officers were able to identify a possible suspect and a vehicle believed to be involved in the incident. Utilizing Automated License Plate Reader technology, investigators located the suspect vehicle around 9:45 a.m. in the parking lot of the South Walmart Supercenter. A drone was deployed to assist with surveillance and it observed the suspect exiting his vehicle and walking toward the store. The individual, 33-year-old Bryce W. Kleinhanz, was safely taken into custody before reaching the store and was arrested without incident. He was transported to the Medford Police Department for an interview while detectives executed a search warrant on his vehicle, recovering evidence in this case. Kleinhanz was later lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Recklessly Endangering another Person. ...Read more