Task Force Busted Black-Market Marijuana Grow Hidden In Pear Orchard
Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Tuesday at a black-market cannabis grow in the 1000 block of Old Stage Road in rural Central Point.

IMET detectives seized approximately 25,000 marijuana plants hidden in pear orchards, 16,000 lbs. of usable cannabis, and 1,470 plants in five “hoop-style” greenhouses.

One suspect, Jorge Alexander Ruiz, 35, of Central Point, was arrested in connection to the property and is charged with three felony counts of unlawful production, manufacture, and possession of a marijuana item.

There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. The farm applied for an Oregon Department of Agriculture license for growing hemp while concealing cannabis starter plants in the pear orchard. ...Read more

Council Approved Resolution Supplementing Budget, Residential Development Agreement

City Council began their 6 p.m. meeting with unanimous approval of a resolution supplementing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The resolution would change appropriations to the water fund for the creation of the special payments category. This used for returning previous Urban Renewal contributions. Council then approved a resolution for the City Manager to enter an agreement with Allenwood Homes, LLC, to construct a residential development on Allenwood Drive. The closing date for the sale set in the agreement is on or before July 1st, with the option for an extension. Revenue for the site comes from surplus property sales. A resolution consenting to the change in assignment of Southern Oregon Sanitation to Waste Connections passed unanimously, as did approval of a real property purchase at 124 NW Midland Avenue, Suite M. The City Manager was authorized to adjust the salary schedules on a 7-1 vote, implement the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) of 2.71% for the Non-Bargaining Cost of Living Adjustment affecting about 52 employees. Councilwoman Indra Nicholas was the lone dissenting vote. Council was unanimous in approving the consent agenda, and a motion passed to amend the downtown public restrooms hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ...Read more

Board Approved Proposed Administrative Policy Changes at WBS

Legal Counsel presented orders of Administrative Policies and Procedures, and their proposed changes, to the Board of Commissioners. For Approval Authority Thresholds and Criteria, the policy will be repealed and replaced, with the main change being the lack of a liaison system. Changes to Advisory Bodies included removal of a line saying the board, when practicable, would be expected to communicate with the person no longer involved with the Advisory Committee. A line saying all appointments and removals to said committee prior to the end of the term shall be effectuated by board resolution was added. For Position Requisitions, if the position is budgeted, it will be considered approved. Personnel Actions will be delegated to department heads, Travel will be delegated to the finance director, and Animals in the Workplace will be approved on a discretionary basis. Motions in favor of all actions passed 3-0. The consent calendar was approved, and Commissioner Richardson gave a 5 Year Budget Projection Plan presentation. A graph showed Recurring Revenue and Operating Expenditures balanced for Fiscal Year 2027, but expenditures rose about 5% more each fiscal year than revenue, which showed 2.5% yearly growth. ...Read more