JoCo Sheriff's Office Searching for Runaway Teen
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is searching for a runaway teenager. A report was received by law enforcement Tuesday that Blaine Campbell, 13, left his home in the Merlin area on Thursday, April 23rd around 6 p.m. It is unknown what he is currently wearing but usually dresses in all black. Blaine is described as a white male, 5'7" tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing 100 pounds. If anyone has information on his whereabouts, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123. ...Read more

GP Budget Committee Moves in Favor of Tentative Budget Item Approval
The Grants Pass Budget Committee met and gave tentative approval of the budget items discussed during their 6 p.m. meeting last night. To start the Tuesday meeting, the committee voted Terry Hopkins as Budget Chair, and Tom Bradbeer as Vice Chair. After the Budget Committee Ground Rules were adopted, City Manager Aaron Cubic presented the Budget message, starting with an overview of the Budget Process. Following yesterday's meeting, two more are scheduled for April 30th and May 5th for the proposal of the budget, followed by approval and adoption of the budget, with changes possible after the adoption. City Council will set policy direction and define levels of service for programs and services, while the committee will ensure the budget allocates resources accordingly. Additions to the 2027 budget include six police and six fire positions, with minor staffing adjustments. The total Fiscal Year 2027 budget was presented to be $297,247,088, with part of the increase over last year's budget coming from the Water Treatment Plant. Next years proposed operating budget is $61.9 million. Potential challenges include city expansion, Caveman Pool, the Water Treatment Plant, health care costs, and continuing in the third year of the five year Public Safety Levy. ...Read more

Emergency Management Director Position Filling to Move Forward

The Board of Commissioners gave staff direction to move forward with a job offer for the new Emergency Management Director Position, pending the results of further background investigations. Sheriff Dave Daniel told the board that a qualified candidate had been identified for the position, and staff was instructed to move forward without objection. The board then approved the refilling of a recently vacated Department Specialist position in the District Attorney's Office. It was unanimous to appoint Trent Carpenter to the Fair Board. The Commissioners then tabled a JB Steel Change Order pending Legal Counsel review, and directed staff to apply for a 60 day extension on an Oregon Department of Aviation Planning Grant. The board continued by approving 3-0 a Rogue Community College Student and Staff Pass Program Agreement with Josephine Community Transit, as well as a FleetNet Digital Radio Annual Service Agreement. Both incur no cost from the county, and the Service agreement covering 39 handheld radio units. ...Read more