Pell Elected City Council President
Rob Pell was elected President of the City Council for the calendar year 2026 on a 4 to 3 vote. Rick Riker voted in as vice-president. The Grants Pass City Council approved an ordinance amending the city’s development code. The amendment allows new residential developments with alley-facing garages to reduce the front setback to a minimum of 10 feet, reducing the minimum of 20 feet. The amendment was passed with the goal of encourages developers to build more housing units. A second ordinance was passed amending the municipal code to better address public safety risks associated with open flames and flammabl3e materials in parks and exclusion orders. The amendment effectively clarifies the definitions of flammable material and cooking devices, allow the seizure and destruction of flammable materials and devices plus allow officers to designate a first offense a violation and the City Attorney to designate any subsequent offenses a violation. Judith Basker, Robyn Forbes, Amy Keller, Calvin Kenny and Eva Shaw were appointed to the committee on public art. Daniel Edwards was reappointed to the Bikeway and Walkways Committee. Council Adjourned and immediately reconvened as the Urban Renewal Agency and adopted a resolution designating the City Manager as the Budget Officers.Council the officially adjourned and moved into Executive Session. ...Read more

Hicks States 30-Day Timeline Expired, Authority Transferred

With the 30-day timeline now expired, a temporary board will fill the vacant Commissioner position. During an afternoon Administration Workshop, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks told the Board of Commissioners that when schedules with the other elected officials lined up, he recommended a meeting of the temporary board, without the Commissioners inclusion. Commissioner Chris Barnett had given Hicks a memorandum, and argued there was a quorum present, notwithstanding a commissioner's recusal. He said a recusal doesn't eliminate quorum nor divest the remaining commissioner of any authority. Commissioner Ron Smith disagreed, arguing there isn't anything to strip him of his discretionary rights, and that there's no point in having an elected official if they don't have said rights. Hicks said, regarding the vacancy filling, the safest route to take would be when the second vacancy occurs. ...Read more

Eagle Point PD Serve Search Warrant for Animal Abuse, Neglect Case, Arrest One

The Eagle Point Police Department served a search warrant in the 400 block of Crystal Drive following a two-year investigation into allegations of animal neglect and animal abuse at the residence, as well as numerous City Ordinance violations. On Tuesday, officers attempted to serve the warrant, but the resident was uncooperative. After negotiations, the resident, identified as Jana Tepper, exited the residence and was detained. A second male occupant then refused to leave the residence. Due to the large number of dogs believed to be inside, officers attempted to remove the occupants without entering the home. When the male occupant continued to refuse to exit, officers entered and safely escorted him outside. Officers from the Eagle Point Police Department, along with Jackson County Animal Control, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Mental Health, and Rogue Valley Emergency Veterinary Hospital, began processing the scene. Investigators estimated that more than 30 dogs were living inside the residence. ...Read more