Former Montessori School Teacher Indicted on 23 Charges of Child Exploitation So Far

A former Montessori school teacher in Ashland is now facing a total of 23 charges involving child exploitation. On Tuesday, a Jackson County grand jury convened to consider additional charges against 68-year-old Craig Albert Johnson of Ashland who allegedly exploited students at the Children's World Montessori School. The case came to light on July 19th when the Central Point Police Department received a report of potential sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old girl. The complaint led to the arrest of Johnson and the involvement of the Ashland Police Department. During the course of the investigation, Ashland Police Chief Tighe O'Meara said detectives learned additional instances of child exploitation had occurred at the Montessori school, which is fully cooperating. He said the number of known victims in the Ashland area remains six at this time. Johnson was indicted yesterday on 14 counts of Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct, six counts of Attempted Use of a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct, two counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse and one count of Invasion of Personal Privacy. Chief O'Meara said the investigation is ongoing and additional updates will be provided as deemed appropriate. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact APD Detective Lacie Six. ...Read more

Commission and Fair Board Hosting Town Hall for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Groups

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners and Josephine County Fair Board are hosting a town hall meeting tomorrow evening to hear from members of local agriculture and nutrition organizations. The town hall will take place Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Floral Building at 1451 Fairgrounds Road in Grants Pass. Josephine County Recreation Director Tamra Martin said the goal of the town hall is to provide a platform for the affected clubs and programs to discuss what is needed for support to find a path forward, which may include physical space, financial and/or educational partnerships. That path must be found after the Board of Commissioners defunded the 4-H Extension Service District this summer. Josephine is the only county in the state without services provided by the Oregon State University Extension Service. Designated speakers from area agriculture and nutrition education groups have been asked to share information with board members during the town hall meeting. While the town hall meeting is open to the public, there will not be a public comment opportunity during the town hall. ...Read more

Main Street America Program Lands in Grants Pass to Help Revitalize Downtown Area

Main Street America has arrived to help revitalize downtown Grants Pass. Main Street America leads a collaborative movement with partners and grassroots leaders that advances shared prosperity, creates resilient economies, and improves quality of life through place-based economic development and community preservation in downtowns and commercial districts across the country. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has helped to build economic power in downtowns and commercial districts through its signature Main Street Approach framework. Founded as the National Main Street Center in 1980, Main Street America has helped to generate over $101 billion in local reinvestment, rehabilitate 335,000 buildings, create 728,000 new jobs and start 175,000 new businesses in more than 2,000 communities. Grants Pass city staff attended a Main Street Grants Pass steering committee meeting last week. Main Street Grants Pass will hold a community service event on Wednesday, October 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. ...Read more