Board Moving Forward with Property Auction Despite Strong Showing of Citizen Opposition

Despite the testimony of more than 30 citizens who requested the cancellation or postponement of today's auction of around 1,800 acres of timber properties in the Williams area -- including Pipe Fork -- the Josephine County Board of Commissioners were still planning to move forward with the sale. The Board moved quickly through four Administrative Action items on yesterday's meeting agenda, which was followed by nearly two hours of public testimony from dozens of local residents including at least three children. The Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Oregon for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $500,000 for the 2024 Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Program. County Property Manager Helene Lulich said the program is aimed at low- and moderate-income residents who live outside the City of Grants Pass, with a maximum of $25,000 available for eligible homeowners to repair their homes. A related CDBG subrecipient agreement with Home Bridging to help administer the program was also approved by the Board. In other business, the Board approved a service contract with Push Enterprises, Inc., for a bull-riding event during the 2025 Josephine County Fair. ...Read more

Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize SRS Funding for Rural Counties Passed by US Senate

A bipartisan bill to reauthorize the US Forest Service's Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through 2026 has been unanimously approved by the US Senate. But it still must be passed by the US House and signed by President Joe Biden. US Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mike Crapo of Idaho were joined by US Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Jim Risch of Idaho in reintroducing the bill earlier this year. SRS was authored by Wyden and enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. Nearly two-thirds of Josephine County lands are federally-managed and not part of the local tax base that provides services. The US Forest Service and US Bureau of Land Management administer the funds. The totals are based on a formula including economic activity, timber harvest levels and other considerations that vary from county to county. SRS funds are critical to maintain education programs and law enforcement for many rural counties that contain federal lands that are exempt from property taxes. ...Read more

Salvation Army Requesting Donations for 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday Food Boxes

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, The Salvation Army in Southern Oregon is preparing for an unprecedented increase in requests for holiday food boxes from families in need. In light of this demand, The Salvation Army is appealing to the community for donations of turkeys and funds to help ensure that every family can experience the joy and comfort of a holiday meal this season. In Grants Pass, The Salvation Army anticipates distributing 200 Thanksgiving Food Boxes, a significant increase over previous years. Captain Yohani Ortiz, Corps Officer for Josephine County, called the need in this community "greater than ever." He said they're seeing more families who are struggling to make ends meet, and they're committed to providing hope and sustenance to as many families as possible. The Salvation Army in Medford is also witnessing a sharp rise in need, with a 40% increase in requests for services this year alone. The Medford Corps expects to provide over 475 turkeys to families who would otherwise go without a holiday meal. ...Read more