March 28, 2024

Grants Pass mayor vetoes ordinance that would make it harder to help homeless

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Grants Pass mayor Sara Bristol announced today that she would veto an ordinance passed by the Grants Pass City Council last week. The ordinance would have placed requirements on organizations that provide humanitarian aid and assistance to the homeless in public areas. https://www.kdrv.com/news/housing-crisis/grants-pass-mayor-vetoes-ordinance-that-would-make-it-harder-to-help-homeless/article_297e06da-e0c9-11ee-a445-2b82c4d3ec93.html

Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice Endorses Just Cause Campaign

SOJWJ Calls Upon Their Network To Join The Campaign To End At-Will Employment SALEM, OR – Early evening Valentine’s day, the Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice unanimously endorsed prospective ballot initiative 2024-049 for Just Cause. SOJWJ brings together labor unions, religious congregations, student groups and community organizations to improve working peoples’ standard of living, job […]

Incoming Winter Storm Prompts Severe Weather Shelter Opening

MedfordAlert February 28 Medford, Oregon- In response to anticipated severe weather conditions, ACCESS will be opening the Severe Weather Shelter located at 332 W. 6th St. on Thursday, February 29. The shelter will remain operational until Sunday, March 3, offering services to those in need during the extreme weather event. Medford City Manager Brian Sjothun […]

Management problems cause staff exodus from Rogue Valley fire district, records show

According to lawyers with the union IAFF 2596, Fire Chief Charles Hanley is to blame for a staffing shortage in Jackson County Fire District 5 which serves over 20,000 residents in Phoenix, Talent and unincorporated areas of Ashland. They claimed the district has lost five union employees in the last two years, with at least […]

Grants Pass Shelter

The Grants Pass Warming Shelter will be activating Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights pending volunteer coverage. 1990 NW Washington Blvd. 541.900.5818 gpwarmingshelter@gmail.com If you are interested in becoming a volunteer let us know! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BABAA2CA0FAC34-48196762-volunteer?fbclid=IwAR1LLE3bbdRlPFHQZLTiKCG9wt2EkvdihjKV7-kUiLMfxkzGn6VN0nowvOs#/

Three Medford city attorneys resign over past 2 months as workload demands rise’It’s a very high-stress office’; one position has been filled while search is on to fill two other positions — By DAMIAN MANN for the Rogue Valley Times Feb 7, 2024 Updated Feb 7, 2024

A majority of the attorneys working for the city of Medford have abruptly resigned, with increased workload cited as one of the reasons. “Over the course of the last two months, the City has received resignations from the deputy city attorney and two senior assistant city attorney positions,” Kristina Wilson, the city’s communications manager, said […]

Gov. Tina Kotek testifies Thursday morning to the Senate housing committee in favor of her $500 million proposal to accelerate creation of new homes in Oregon.

Lawmakers return to the Capitol Monday to start their second week of work focused largely on housing and homelessness, adjustments to the state’s landmark drug decriminalization bill and sorting out which of many spending priorities will make the cut. So far, no bills have reached the House or Senate for a floor vote. As expected, […]

From Oct. 2023: Oregon sees record-high unionization

Last year, unions won some hard-fought victories. Will that continue in 2024? By Lillian Karabaic (OPB) In just the past month, strippers, vegan donut makers and thrift shop workers have all won union elections in Oregon. In a year of notable national union activity — from the WGA and SAF-AFTRA strikes shutting down Hollywood to […]