Local News

Proposed Grants Pass Homeless Car Camp
City Politics / County Politics / Homeless / Local News

Proposed Grants Pass Homeless Car Camp

City and county leaders in Grants Pass, Oregon, recently met to explore a joint proposal for a managed car camping site on the city's outskirts to address local vehicle residency. Below is a breakdown of the core proposal and the potential risks discussed. Car Camping Zone Idea: Local leaders discussed establishing a designated lot on the city's outskirts for approximately 30 to 40 vehicles housing unhoused residents. Proposed Structure: The county would supply the land,…

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September 24, 2026
Housing First: A More Accurate Description of What It Measures and What It Doesn’t
Homeless / Local News / State Politics

Housing First: A More Accurate Description of What It Measures and What It Doesn’t

With Oregon having the second highest rate of homelessness and with drug and alcohol addiction being significant issues in the Grants Pass area, it is worth taking a closer look at the differences between the “Housing First” and “Treatment First” models. The information below is intended to provide a fair and factual overview of both approaches, particularly for people who may not be familiar with how these models work or how they differ. Under the…

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September 18, 2026
How Appointed Commissioner Colene Martin’s Record Hits Local Families and Seniors
County Politics / Election / Local News / Local Politics

How Appointed Commissioner Colene Martin’s Record Hits Local Families and Seniors

For working families stretching paychecks to cover groceries, utilities, and rising property taxes, and retirees relying on fixed monthly budgets - living in Josephine County requires sharp attention to every dollar. Yet, the policy choices unfolding on the Board of Commissioners reflect a governing approach that prioritizes expanding county operations and pursuing new revenue sources - leaving everyday taxpayers to absorb the cost. A close examination of appointed Commissioner Colene Martin’s voting history and public…

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September 15, 2026
Susan Fischer-Maki’s Democratic Policy Alignment and the Case for Conservative Governance in House District 3
County Politics / Local News / Local Politics / State Politics

Susan Fischer-Maki’s Democratic Policy Alignment and the Case for Conservative Governance in House District 3

IntroductionSusan Fischer-Maki is the Democratic candidate running against Republican incumbent State Representative Dwayne Yunker. When evaluating candidates for Oregon House District 3, voters benefit from looking beyond campaign speeches to review a candidate's long-term public record, statements, and policy engagements. A closer look at Susan Fischer-Maki’s work spanning her tenure on the Three Rivers School Board, her consulting practice, state committee involvement, and current platform reveals a consistent alignment with the framework prioritized by Oregon’s…

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September 9, 2026
Behind the “Nonpartisan” Label: Leadership Records at Citizens for Responsible Government
City Politics / County Politics / Election / Local News / Local Politics

Behind the “Nonpartisan” Label: Leadership Records at Citizens for Responsible Government

When a civic organization steps into local political discussions hosting candidate forums, issuing voter guides, or weighing in on county ballot measures voters rely on transparency to understand who is shaping that work. Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG) presents itself to Josephine County residents as a nonpartisan group. However, public records and party disclosures show that three of its five board members (60%) have held formal roles within the Josephine County Democratic Party. Given the…

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September 7, 2026
Judge Bain’s Rebuttal on SB 48 and Josephine County “Catch and Release” Claims
City Politics / County Politics / Homeless / Local News / State Politics

Judge Bain’s Rebuttal on SB 48 and Josephine County “Catch and Release” Claims

A recent article appeared in the Daily Courier that delved into the "catch and release" issues surrounding SB 48, written from Judge Bain's perspective. This is a summary of the article, but I urge everyone to read the actual article in the Daily Courier. Judge Robert S. Bain refutes recent local claims that Oregon’s SB 48 pre-trial release law creates a dangerous "catch and release" cycle, arguing that public perception clashes with court data. Key…

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September 6, 2026
Beyond the John West Recall: What the Court Records Really Show
County Politics / Election / Lawsuit / Local News / Recall

Beyond the John West Recall: What the Court Records Really Show

In the defamation lawsuit filed by former Josephine County Commissioner John West against Jay Meredith (author of the John West recall allegations), the early court proceedings followed a distinct path before reaching a procedural conclusion. The Early Rulings: Establishing Legitimacy During the initial phase of litigation, the defense filed an Anti-SLAPP motion in an attempt to dismiss the lawsuit early on the grounds that it targeted protected public speech. Presiding over the case, Judge Galli…

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September 4, 2026
Homelessness, Lawlessness, Fiscal Responsibility and Appointed Commissioner Colene Martin
City Politics / County Politics / Election / Homeless / Local News / State Politics

Homelessness, Lawlessness, Fiscal Responsibility and Appointed Commissioner Colene Martin

There are two completely different groups of people living on our streets. The first group wants help they’ve fallen on hard times or are actively working to break an addiction, and Grants Pass already has the resources to support them. The second group doesn't want help; they choose to live in public spaces, use drugs, and reject any assistance offered. Local leadership is failing to address the lawlessness of this second group. Without accountability, crime…

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September 1, 2026
Oregon’s Big Tent: The Battle Over the State’s Political Mainstream
Local News / Local Politics / National Politics / State Politics

Oregon’s Big Tent: The Battle Over the State’s Political Mainstream

A political “big tent” wins elections by aggregating diverse voter blocs into a governing majority. But in Oregon, where metro progressives heavily influence the state’s Democratic supermajorities, the tent has stretched to its absolute limits. What began as electoral pragmatism has triggered a severe friction point between urban ideological experimentation and traditional community standards. At what point does a political party cross the line from adhering to the standards and integrity it is known for,…

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August 20, 2026
Grants Pass, Homelessness, and the Lawlessness Question
City Politics / Homeless / Local News / Local Politics

Grants Pass, Homelessness, and the Lawlessness Question

Parkers Place Village didn’t come out of nowhere. The idea was first brought forward under the previous city council during Mayor Bristol’s tenure. At the time, it faced strong public pushback and was voted down. One of the biggest concerns raised then still resonates today - the location. Many residents felt it was too close to Riverside Park, one of Grants Pass’ most valued community and tourism areas, and too close to downtown. When the…

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August 16, 2026