FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024
WWW.GRANTSPASSTRIBUNE.COM
Greetings and a warm welcome
to the inaugural edition of the Grants Pass Tribune! By John Oliver | Founder I am John Oliver, the founder of this newspaper, and I have called Grants Pass home for the past eight years. Originally hailing from the Midwest, I bring a straightforward and easy-going approach to both print and personal interactions. As a US Marine veteran and a seasoned print publisher with over twenty-five years of experience, my vision for the Grants Pass Tribune is to provide our community with unbiased, common-sense local and national news – all completely free of charge to read! Our newspaper stands as a beacon where the editor isn’t entwined with our town’s mayor, and everyone is encouraged to share their opinions, concerns, and stories without the fear of reprisal or being overlooked. For those familiar with the town, you understand the nuances, so let’s address the issues directly. We’ve given ample time for course correction, but considering the community’s unmet needs, we have stepped in to fill the void left by others. This message is specifically directed towards your Daily Courier, which seems to have lost sight of the core tenets of real journalism – facts, unbiased reporting, integrity, community support, and relationships. Call me old-fashioned, but I firmly believe that news should be freely accessible, much like it was when I was growing up. While I support the idea of paying for printed papers and delivery, online news, especially stories of critical importance, should always be freely available. In the Grants Pass Tribune, you can expect common-sense reporting with an unbiased style, and I em-
phasize that we have absolutely zero Associated Press News (AP). Why? Because accessing AP News is readily available elsewhere, and you shouldn’t have to pay your local paper for information that’s freely accessible online. Currently, we publish Grants Pass Magazine, Senior Planner, and the satire paper, Radish. We are committed to serving you, and I encourage you to share your stories, ideas, and feedback. With our new website now live, you can soon place classified ads for rummage sales, cars & trucks, and even barter. Help us grow and better serve you by sharing ideas on how we can enhance the website. Bookmark our website’s URL to your phone’s home screen for a user-friendly mobile app version that provides daily headlines and updates. Subscribers can choose to receive the Sunday paper directly to their email every week. Additionally, subscribers will receive GP Media E-News, outlining updates on all our publications, including stories, reviews, spotlights on new businesses, and more. Look for our qr code at participating businesses to access all four of our publications for free. Thank you for being a part of the Grants Pass Tribune community. We are here to inform, engage, and serve you. Feel free to reach out with your thoughts and ideas – we look forward to growing together.
U.S. Supreme Court to review Grants Pass appeal in landmark homelessness case GPT News Desk SALEM, OR – In a significant development, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear the City of Grants Pass’s appeal challenging a federal court injunction that mandated the city to permit homeless individuals to reside in its park system. The case, known as Johnson vs. Grants Pass, has sparked legal and social debates, and the Supreme Court’s decision to grant certiorari adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discourse. Grants Pass officials, in a concise midday press release, confirmed that the U.S. Supreme Court has accepted the city’s petition for certiorari in response to the federal court injunction. However, the officials opted not to provide additional comments on the matter and directed all inquiries related to the case to their external legal counsel, Capitol Legal Services in Salem. The Johnson vs. Grants Pass case originated from a federal court injunction ordering the City of Grants Pass to allow homeless individuals to reside in its park system. The implications of this case extend beyond the local jurisdiction, touching on broader issues related to homelessness, public space usage, and the balance between individual rights and municipal regulations. As the City of Grants Pass refrains from commenting di-
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see GRANTS PASS, page 2
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Mt. Ashland kicks off successful opening week GPT News Desk In a thrilling start to the winter season, Mt. Ashland Ski Resort in Oregon experienced a successful opening week, delighting snow enthusiasts with a substantial 42-inch base. Skiers and snowboarders alike reveled in the excellent conditions, setting the stage for a promising season ahead. Excitement filled the air as skiers carved through the freshly fallen snow, taking advantage of the well-
groomed trails and diverse terrain offered by Mt. Ashland. The successful opening week was a testament to the resort’s commitment to providing an exceptional winter sports experience for visitors. Weather forecasts suggest that more snowfall is on the horizon, promising even better conditions in the coming weeks. This bodes well for the ski mountain and its patrons, offering the prospect of an extended season filled
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see THE START, page 2
National Park Service
Martin Luther King Jr’s story is told at the national park site that includes his childhood home and in the church where he moved hearts and changed minds. see NATION, page 2
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