Chamber Urges Commissioners to Fully Fund Sheriff's Budget and Honor Voters
The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to adopt a final budget that fully funds the Sheriff's Office -- not the reduced version approved by the Budget Committee this week. Voters overwhelmingly approved the formation of the Josephine County Law Enforcement District in 2023 with a clear expectation that their increased tax investment would finally provide 24/7 patrol coverage and restore public safety services to full capacity. The Sheriff's proposed budget reflected that commitment -- requesting nearly $2 million less in general fund support than previous years, thanks to the passage of the district. On Monday, the Josephine County Budget Committee voted unanimously to approve a countywide budget that included a 12% cut to general fund allocations for most departments -- excluding the Sheriff's Office -- but did not adopt the full Sheriff's budget as requested. Instead, the committee approved a version presented by the Budget Officer, which falls short of the staffing and service levels necessary to meet voter expectations. The Chamber contends public safety is no just a line item -- it's the backbone of a thriving, economically resilient community. The Chamber is calling on the Board of Commissioners to make the needed corrections before adopting the final county budget next week and to fully fund the Sheriff's budget as originally submitted. ...Read more

Major General Greg Day from GP Retires from US Army Service in Salem Ceremony
Major General Gregory Day of Grants Pass retired from the Oregon National Guard in a ceremony held last week at the Elks Lodge in Salem. A soldier for more than 38 years, Day has served in both the Army National Guard and in the active duty Army. Day enlisted in the US Army in 1986 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1989. He left active duty and joined the Oregon Army National Guard in 1992, where he served as the Executive Officer for A Company, 1st Battalion, 162 Infantry in Eugene. Since then, Day has served with many units across the state including the 3rd Battalion 116th Cavalry, the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 1st Battalion 186th Infantry and the 82nd Brigade. He was deployed overseas to Afghanistan, Iraq and Egypt, and worked statewide as an executive officer during Operation Katrina Relief in Louisiana. Day was most recently assigned as the Special Assistant to the Combatant Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command of the United States Northern Command. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Day can now settle into his job as a Grants Pass attorney. ...Read more

Porchfest Grants Pass Returns to Historic NW City Neighborhood This Saturday
Porchfest Grants Pass returns on Saturday. Porchfest is a fun, free family-friendly music festival taking place on the front porches of vintage homes in the historic NW Washington Boulevard neighborhood. Tomorrow's event -- which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- also features food vendors, arts & craft sales, and benefit programs for Josephine County youth. Rogue Gateway Rotary Club organizes Porchfest Grants Pass and uses funds raised from the event to underwrite its own youth programs. Rogue Gateway also shares a portion of those funds with several nonprofit groups that support youth in Josephine County. This year, CASA of Josephine County, Family Nurturing Center, Family Solutions, Maslow Project, Our Foster Kids and others will benefit from Porchfest 2025. For more information, please visit "porchestgrantspass.org." ...Read more