Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team Efforts Slowed Illegal Cannabis Trade in 2024

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) put a significant local dent in the illegal cannabis trade in 2024. From January 1st-December 31st last year, JMET served a total of 40 search warrants on alleged illegal marijuana cultivation operations in Josephine County -- with many of the operations conducted in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. The JMET operations were assisted by Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety, Josephine County Water Master, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. In 2024, JMET seized 41,673 marijuana plants, 57 firearms, $250,193 in cash, and multiple vehicles, generators and heavy machinery, plus the agency destroyed over 8,000 pounds of illegally processed marijuana. Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel said his office is committed to protecting with courage and serving with compassion as they work to rid the community of illegal marijuana operations. Sheriff Daniel encourages citizens to utilize the JMET Tip Line at (541)-474-5252 to report any suspected illicit marijuana activity within Josephine County. If you call the tip line, please leave your name and contact information. All information will remain confidential. ...Read more

GPPD is Committed to Helping All Community Members with New Campsite Rules

With the upcoming permanent closure of the SE J Street homeless campsite and new resting rules at the NE 7th Street site, the Grants Pass Police Department says it's committed to helping all community members. On January 7th, the Grants Pass City Council held a special meeting when it voted to close the J Street camp and limit use of the 7th Street camp from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. The closure of the J Street camp goes into effect at midnight tonight. In preparation to meet the Council's adopted resolution, GPPD Chief Warren Hensman said his officers have been working with community partners to ensure the transition was fairly implemented and that those impacted had access to local resources. Hensman said these efforts included working behind the scenes with stakeholders such as MINT, PATH, U-Turn for Christ, HWAM, Mid Rogue Foundation, UCAN, ADAPT, Options for Southern Oregon, Grants Pass Sobering Center, Maslow Project, WCST, Gospel Rescue Mission, Dove Ministries, On-Track and Veterans Affairs. Grants Pass police officers communicated the upcoming changes repeatedly over the past two weeks so that those utilizing the resting sites had ample awareness of the resolution. ...Read more

Board of Commissioners Rejects Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners yesterday rejected a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing hundreds of county employees. The Board voted 2-1 against the agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that was nine months in the making. Board Vice-Chair Chris Barnett made a motion to approve the agreement, but he was outvoted by his colleagues who said they were very concerned about the budget implications of increasing salaries and benefit packages in tough economic times. In other business, the Commissioners unanimously approved personal service contracts with M&M Services, LLC, and Wally Schmidt Electric, Inc., for the installation of a new fuel station at Josephine County Public Works. The contract with M&M is for just over $191,000 and the contract with Wally Schmidt is for just under $63,000. Public Works Director Rob Brandes said the transition will occur under state Department of Environmental Quality and federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. ...Read more