Board of Commissioners Made BOLI Case Mediation Decision during Workshop
The Board of County Commissioners discussed Bureau of Labor and Industry case mediation during Wednesday's workshop. During the Legal Counsel Update, the board needed to make a decision on either to go through with mediation in each of the three cases, or decline. In these cases, the state through BOLI offers mediation options to the parties. The board agreed not to dissipate. For the Patrick Timothy Cross v. Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel Case, the board was told the case was litigated by the county previously. Circuit court ruled in favor of the Sheriff, and the case is now moving through the appeals process. The board agreed to settle and dismiss without objection. A board order in the matter of amending an administrative policy regarding preapproval by the board during public meetings for contracts was moved to the Weekly Business Session, and the board approved directing staff to proceed with the investigation of an alleged violation of personnel policy. ...Read more

Central Point Man Arrested by JCSO Deputies for Sexually Abusing 13-Year-Old Girl

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a man sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl Tuesday night in a truck parked on the side of Hillcrest Road in Medford. JCSO deputies and Medford Police Department officers responded at 11:54 p.m. and located the suspect’s truck driving away at a high rate of speed on McAndrews Road. JCSO and MPD stopped the vehicle and arrested the suspect, Juan Jose Ramos-Arguella, 22, of Central Point. Ramos-Arguella was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and unlawful delivery of a marijuana item. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Upon further investigation, JCSO deputies learned the suspect met the victim on Snapchat. The investigation is ongoing, and there is no further information available for release at this time. ...Read more

Thursday's Weekly Business Session to have Public Hearing for Library Annexations

Thursday's Weekly Business Session will include a public hearing in the matter of Library Annexations by petition of landowners without election. Two more public hearings will follow. One being the second reading of an ordinance amending the county code text regarding marijuana businesses, and the other, an ordinance repealing a chapter of the county code relating to marijuana business regulations. The board will then cover administrative actions concerning the 2025-26 VOCA and CFA Non-Competitive Grant, and Fee Changes and Schedules for the BCC, Surveyor, Public Works, Recreation, Animal Shelter, and Public Health. Following Requests and Comments from citizens, the board will approve the consent calendar, and pending other matters, the meeting will adjourn. Thursday's Weekly Business Session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW 6th Street, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov. All attendees must comply with the clear bag policy. ...Read more