Board Approved Library Annexations and Application for Federal Block Grant Funding

The Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved annexations to the Josephine Community Library District and an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that supports local home rehabilitation projects. The Board started the meeting by holding a public hearing and then unanimously approving three annexations into the local library district. The Commissioners held a second public hearing on applying for a CDBG grant from Business Oregon. Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the County received a $500,000 grant in 2024 to fund the Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Program that helps low- to moderate-income residents in need of home repairs. Program contractor Home Bridging GP reported that $270,000 of the grant has been spent so far as they move into repairing mobile homes. The contractor called the program "a blessing to the community" and said they stand ready to continue their work with additional grant funding. The Board approved the application. Under Administrative Actions, the Commission approved the contract renewal with City-County Insurance Services, an invoice from the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Medford to assist with building inspections and electrical services, and an agreement with the Oregon Building Codes Division that streamlines the sharing of services and staff between municipalities throughout the state. ...Read more

SOU President Bailey's Pay Reduction Part of $6 Million in Campus Budget Cuts

Starting today by his own request to the Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees, SOU President Rick Bailey will take a 20% reduction to his $290,000 salary over the remainder of the fiscal year, following a unanimous virtual vote. According to Ashland.News, the reduction in Bailey's salary will be $53,000 and his pay will return to his full salary with the start of the next fiscal year in July 2026. Trustees approved SOU's budget on June 20th that called for the university to make $5 million in cuts in order to "deal with a structural deficit. Declining enrollment as well as reduced state and federal support are contributors to needed reductions to the campus. The deficit has since increased to $6 million or nearly 10% of the $66 million budget. Details of the cuts will be announced today. Bailey made the request on Wednesday in order to include his reduction in pay in the current draft plan of action. It's not the first time an SOU president has asked for a cut in pay. Seated in a board room on Wednesday, Bailey told the board of trustees over Zoom that he made the request following in the footsteps of his predecessor and former SOU President Linda Schott, who also faced financial difficulties during her time at the college in Ashland. ...Read more

Day 3 of 2025 Josephine County Fair Features Annual "4TheKids" Livestock Auction

"Buckle Up" for Day 3 of the 2025 Josephine County Fair in Grants Pass. The Fairground gates will be open between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., with free admission plus free parking and a shuttle at Rogue Community College. The Caveman Kiwanis is offering parking at the Fairgrounds for $10. Featured at the Fair today is the 4TheKids Livestock Auction in the Covered Arena at 6 p.m.. This community event is normally held on Saturday mornings during the annual summer extravaganza. "Live" on the Pavilion Stage, it's K-N Line Dancers at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Charlie Brown Squares at 6:30 and Trevor Hanks & The Black Burn Rebels at 8. Daily entertainment includes Exhibit Halls, The Selfie Fair, Rockin' Rentals, Kidz Alley, Bingo and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show plus strolling entertainers on the Midway. The new Midway of Fun carnival opens at 2 p.m.. Of course, there are numerous vendors and all those great Fair food options. For more information about the Fair, visit "josephinecountyfairgrounds.com." ...Read more