*Josephine County Public Health Director Michael Weber and Animal Shelter Manager Laura Jensen delivered a presentation before the JoCo Commissioners Jan. 31 spelling out the reasons why the shelter needs an increased levy to continue functioning. Failing septic and drainage systems, insufficient ventilation, lack of air conditioning, and unsanitary conditions were mentioned.
*The Cougars wrestling team took fourth place at the state tourney in Portland last weekend and came home with three state champions. The most exciting news is that Mike Miller at 113 pounds became the first ever four-time state champion in Illinois Valley history. He became only the 49th four-time champion in Oregon history since 1947! Ryan Griffith, who produced one of the best records in Cougars history, as well as James Conn rounded out the wrestlers returning home with titles.
*A collective bargaining agreement between Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 737 and Josephine County was approved. It was the first agreement reached since the county public works employees changed unions a year prior, and included a 4.5% cost of living adjustment, the county paying a 6% PERS fee rather than the laborers, and the laborers foregoing their COLAs for the next two years.
*The commissioners advanced legislation to remove the requirement for landowners in forest zones to reside within a fire district or contract with a private fire protection service before constructing a dwelling on their property. Critics of the move worried it would increase fire danger posed to rural properties.
*On Feb. 21, the county tabled a contract with former Commissioner Simon Hare to facilitate regional broadband project coordination. Commissioner Dan DeYoung, who served with Hare from 2017-2019, criticized him for not meeting with him to discuss his qualifications and goals as Broadband coordinator.
*The cold cases of five Illinois Valley residents were spotlighted in recognition of National Missing Persons Day Feb. 5. Any individuals with information on the disappearances of Domingo Ramirez, Teresa Peroni, Ericka Hogg, Toby Anderson or Kevin Hill were encouraged to contact law enforcement.
*Directed by Portland Filmmaker Trip Jennings and produced by Ralph Bloemers, the critically acclaimed documentary “ELEMENTAL: Reimagine Wildfire” premiered in Cave Junction Thursday, Feb. 29. In a visually stunning manner, it distills what we’ve learned about wildland fire over the decades and provides a road-map for badly needed changes that will benefit thousands of people, particularly in fire prone communities.”
*The Illinois Valley branch of Josephine Community Library, 209 West Palmer Street, Cave Junction, closed for renovation Sunday, March 3. Temporary library services were available at the Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 E River Street.
*During their Feb. 12 meeting, CJ Council received the annual Parks & Recreation update, wherein Parks & Recreation Chair John Miles spoke at length to the council about the board’s goals for Jubilee Park moving forward, including finishing the splash pad installment and playground renovations, beginning the plan to improve the park’s restrooms, and completing the plan for a future expansion.
*A community health assessment event was held at the Josephine County Fairgrounds Feb.7 to highlight Jackson and Josephine counties’ health data collected in 2023 coordinated by a community-wide initiative called All In For Health. The data was collected to better understand health priorities and the research was conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the Southern Oregon University Research Center.
*Republican senators who participated in the longest walkout in state history in 2023 could not seek reelection in 2024 or 2026, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled. In a unanimous decision, the court rejected arguments from five Republican senators that Measure 113, a voter-approved 2022 law meant to dissuade lawmakers from walking out and shutting down the legislative process, was poorly worded and would give them another term in office.
*Governor Tina Kotek championed legislation to grant cities a one-time exemption to expand their urban growth boundaries in order to address the growing housing shortage in Oregon. The sole bill introduced by the governor during this year’s short legislative session is a sweeping housing package aiming to jumpstart home construction by tweaking the 1973 law, which essentially drew a circle around cities to protect farmland, forests and nature from urban encroachment.