Local News

As Christmas quickly approaches, Rural Metro firefighters urge everyone to be fire-smart.

A Facebook post from the department says ignition sources are abundant. These include heating devices, candles, increased power cord usage, flammable decorations, cooking and baking, and drying Christmas trees.

Depending on how long a real tree has been cut and sitting inside a warm and dry home, it is likely becoming more flammable each day. Keeping it watered slows this process, but water intake is limited.

Rural Metro reminds everyone to be sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, especially near sleeping areas.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to a reported vehicle accident on Takilma Road in Cave Junction this morning.

Upon arrival around 7:51 a.m., a vehicle was discovered off the roadway and on its side. The driver had self-extricated and declined medical attention.

The driver arranged for independent towing services, and emergency units subsequently cleared the scene.

 

On Tuesday, the promotion was announced of Community Service Officer Arianna Donovan to the position of Police Officer with the Grants Pass Police Department. Arianna was joined by her family and friends to celebrate the occasion. Born and raised in Grants Pass and Murphy, Arianna began her journey in law enforcement as a Grants Pass Police Cadet in 2022. Her dedication and strong work ethic quickly stood out, leading to her promotion to Community Service Officer in July 2023. Arianna’s tenacity and passion for serving her community was evident throughout her time in both roles. After successfully completing a rigorous testing process, Arianna was offered a position as a Police Officer with GPPD.

 

With only Commissioner Chris Barnett present, the 10 a.m. board meeting was used for informational purposes only, with no deliberation, discussions, or actions taken due to a lack of quorum.

Members of Legal Counsel were not present due to a scheduling conflict and an undisclosed reason. In a memo sent to the board, questions from yesterday's meeting were answered regarding a temporary board.

If there is no quorum of the board during the 30-day period following former Commissioner Andreas Blech's resignation on December 5th, all authority to appoint and fill the vacancy will be transferred to a temporary board.

According to the County website, the board has meetings scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday, as well as an 11 a.m. Commissioner and Elected Officials Meeting Friday, all taking place in the BCC Conference Room.

The meetings can be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wishing to attend in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

 

Tuesday at 5:56 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, were dispatched to a traffic accident.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Redwood Highway and W Hanby Lane in Cave Junction.

Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, vehicles involved in the incident were present, but one of the drivers had left the scene before the arrival of Fire and EMS units. One person was transported with non-life-threatening injuries to a nearby hospital.

The scene was subsequently transferred to the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department.

 

The Grants Pass City Council's 6 p.m. meeting agenda includes a public hearing on a property lines ordinance, and a resolution amending the Comprehensive Fee Schedule.

The Council will also consider resolutions and an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Water Revenue Bonds during Council Action, followed by a motion to appoint one member to the Urban Area Planning Commission.

The Consent Agenda includes resolutions giving authorizations to the City Manager and motions acknowledging minutes. Matters from the Mayor, Council, and Staff will be covered, then the meeting will adjourn.

An Urban Renewal Agency Meeting will follow, covering resolutions authorizing indebtedness for the Water Treatment Plant, and authorization to enter a contract with First Forty Feet to prepare the Midland-Washington Redevelopment Opportunity Plan.

Tonight's meeting will commence in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street at 6 p.m.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man riding a bike on a public roadway for two warrants early Tuesday morning.

At 12:22 a.m., the suspect, Corey Names, was observed operating the bicycle without required lighting at the corner of Galice Road and Azalea Drive.

Deputies conducted a stop, and found Names to be wanted on two valid, no-bail, Sheriff's Office warrants for Criminal Trespass in the First and Second Degrees. He was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail without incident.

 

Commissioner Ron Smith read his public record regarding his position on the filling of the Commissioner Position 1 vacancy and his reasoning for recusing himself from recent meetings as a statement during today's workshop. He then reiterated at the end of the workshop he would not participate in upcoming meetings. During the Legal Counsel Update, the board had no objections to the preparation of adopting an administrative policy, and approved 2-0 the Oregon Department of Energy ECAPP application for a county owned building at 1000 Redwood Avenue. A motion passed to accept the recommendation to move forward with the offer to purchase County property on Winona Road. Department Business followed, with approval of invoices for the Treasurer, Public Works, and Facilities, as well as Human Resources Requisitions and Actions. The District Attorney's request for a subgrant to cover half of an attorney position with Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center, with the County paying the other half, was approved. A revision to a Community Justice IGA between Oregon Youth Authority and Juvenile Justice, reducing liability insurance from $5 million to $1 million, was also approved. The board approved a 3-year-contract with Command Cloud for the Sheriff's Office to provide a tracking program for added accountability, pending vetting from the IT Department.

 

Applications are being accepted for one open position on the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency Budget Committee.

The purpose of the committee is to receive and review the proposed budget and recommend a budget for approval to the Agency.

Qualifications to serve on the committee include being a resident within Josephine County and being a registered voter. Experience in evaluation and analysis of the delivery of services is beneficial, as well as a background in civic and community volunteer programs.

Applications are available in the City of Grants Pass Public Works Office at 101 NW A Street, Room 205, or online at grantspassoregon.gov. Applications need to be returned by January 31. Call (541) 450-6110 for more information.