Local News

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 For Approval Authority Thresholds and Criteria, the policy will be repealed and replaced, with the main change being the lack of a liaison system.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.

 

The Board of County Commissioner held public hearings regarding meeting rules and budgets, and approved administrative actions for a property transfer and change of assignment for Southern Oregon Sanitation at today's Weekly Business Session.

Legal Counsel presented three sections of a rule pertaining to Non Routine and Executive Sessions considered for deletion in order to maintain flexibility and legality. The ordinance amending the County Code relating to meetings of the board was moved to the second reading of July 2026.

The board then held public hearings regarding budgets for the Josephine County 4-H/Extension Service District and Josephine County Law Enforcement District. Both budgets will be formally adopted June 24th.

Administrative actions approved by the board included an order in the matter of transferring county property at 710 Upper Powell Creek to ARFG Metals Trading Bonanza, LLC, and a resolution consenting to the change in assignment of Southern Oregon Sanitation. It was reiterated that rates would not increase with the change.

 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in each of the first five months of 2026, reports the Oregon Employment Department.

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,600 jobs in May, following a gain of 600 jobs, as revised, in April. May’s gains were largest in other services (+2,000 jobs) and professional and business services (+1,800). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,100 jobs).

Although nonfarm payroll employment rose by a total of 4,200 jobs during April and May, this broad measure of Oregon’s employment was still 9,100 jobs, or 0.5%, below its May 2025 level. Over the past 12 months, nine of the major industries have cut jobs, while only five industries have added jobs.

The rapid expansion during the prior three years within health care and social assistance is slowing. Since October, nursing and residential care facilities added 1,500 jobs, while social assistance added 4,600.

Manufacturing employment dropped 1,100 jobs in May, following steep losses over the prior three years. In the past 12 months, durable goods manufacturing cut 5,900 jobs, or 4.7%, while nondurable goods manufacturing cut 2,200 jobs, or 4.0%.

 

Firefighters continued to make strong progress overnight on the Spencer Gulch Fire, bringing containment to 30 percent this morning.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews worked hard through the night to strengthen lines and secure additional depth along the perimeter. Today’s operations are focused on building off the momentum gained overnight continuing to deepen mop‑up and improving line security.

Aircraft are available and are ready to support any needs that may arise. Beginning tonight, crews plan to start thermal imaging operations to ensure there are no hidden hotspots within the perimeter.

 

A man was caught trespassing at Resting Site 6 North by the same police officer that arrested him for trespassing at the same location last week.

Joseph Hislip was observed by Grants Pass Police Tuesday in the 714 NW 6th Street site. Upon contact, Hislip was cooperative with the officer and was promptly taken into custody at the scene around 7:40 a.m.

He had been issued a 90 day trespass order during his previous contact with officers, and law enforcement proceeded to issue Hislip a 180 day exclusion order. He was transported to jail where he was lodged on a charge of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

 

The Board of Commissioners moved to rescind the former Tobacco Retail Enforcement Resolution and replace it with a new one. During the board's 1:30 p.m. County Administration Workshop, the new resolution, in the matter of the board affirming the enforcement as a way to Protect Legal Consumer and Support a Regulated Market Place, passed 3-0, with no conflicts reported from Legal Counsel. Also approved 3-0 was a Juvenile Justice Provider Agreement with Restorative Solutions in the amount of $20,000, and Forestry's Timber Sale Contracts for Pumpchance, Butte, and Winona-Orofino. Regarding Public Work's request for Access to Josephine County Property to Devils Slide by way of a throughway, the department will collaborate with Legal Counsel on a formal document for the process. The board approved all requisitions and actions from Human Resources for July 1st. Next, the Oregon Groundwater Association asked the board to provide public comment, due by June 26th, during a rulemaking process focusing on waste of water, violations and penalties, enforcement, exempt use, and water master regulations.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman wandering through Walmart and becoming increasingly disorderly.

The manager of the 135 NE Terry Lane store called 911 Monday at 11:58 a.m., saying the suspect was vaping throughout the building. Despite being asked to leave, she would not respond. It was requested the suspect be trespassed, so officers responded to the scene.

The suspect, Kristina McCollum, was identified by law enforcement and told she needed to leave. According to the police report, McCollum became increasingly hostile, started screaming, and continued to refuse commands to vacate the property.

She ultimately cooperated after a taser was displayed, and officers took her into custody without further incident. After being transported to the Josephine County Jail, McCollum was lodged for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree

 

A man wanted on two warrants out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was apprehended by Grants Pass Police under the Caveman Bridge.

Monday morning around 7:49 a.m., officers were conducting an area check of Riverside Park when they contacted Steven Robison under the bridge. He was confirmed to be wanted on two valid warrants charging him with Probation Violation.

Officers took Robison into custody at the scene. He was then transported to and lodged in jail for his warrants.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man that was in violation of a restraining order against him Monday evening.

Dispatch was notified at 7:10 p.m. that the suspect, Donald Gregg, was at the caller's residence in the 300 block of Murphy Creek Road. She told dispatch she had a restraining order against Gregg, and that he was in the restroom at the time of the call.

Deputies arrived to take him into custody for a charge of Restraining Order Violation. His parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was requested.

Gregg was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility and lodged on his charge and detainer. According to jail logs, Gregg's Restraining Order charge was not filed by the District Attorney.