WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2025
Joseph Rice Returns to Power While Project CARRIAGE’s Failure Still Haunts Josephine County
By John Oliver
In the steep, fire-prone terrain of Josephine County—where wildfire response can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe—an ambitious firefighting innovation once offered hope. That hope, named Project CARRIAGE, promised to revolutionize aerial fire suppression through a new collapsible water tank system for military-grade Blackhawk helicopters. It was pitched as a high-priority initiative backed by both private and public investment, job creation, and future government contracts. Instead, it became a glaring symbol of squandered public funds, broken promises, and political reinvention.
At the center of it all stands Joseph Rice—a man whose resume now includes leading a failed business venture, weathering intra-party scandals, and most recently, being reappointed Chair of the Josephine County Republican Central Committee. In a stunning twist, Rice was also recently appointed to the Josephine County Budget Committee, putting him in direct proximity to the very type of public funding he misused more than a decade ago.
That appointment has raised alarms amongst the community, given Rice’s long trail of controversy—starting with the debacle that was Project CARRIAGE.
Originally launched in 2009, Project CARRIAGE was marketed as a local innovation success story by Rice and his company, Recoil Suppression Systems LLC. The project promised a revolutionary firefighting product, job creation, and economic growth for Southern Oregon. Rice claimed over $200,000 in private investment and asked for $75,000 in public support to get the product through the Department of Defense’s Air Worthiness Release (AWR) certification. Once certified, he promised full-scale production, 17 new jobs, $730,000 in payroll, and contracts already secured—including ten units supposedly ordered by the State of Utah.
The promise never materialized.
With full support from economic development bodies—including Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, and Josephine County’s own economic development budget—Recoil received $25,000 in forgivable loans, contingent on job creation and certification success. By 2015, it was clear the milestones weren’t met. SOREDI issued a formal notice of default. No tanks had been delivered. No certification had been achieved. No jobs were created.
The financial penalty? A required repayment of $50,000 plus interest, which eventually totaled over $87,000 by 2018. That money, too, was never returned. SOREDI’s internal memos reveal debates over whether to keep pursuing the debt or classify it as a loss. In the end, they quietly wrote it off—labeling the loan “unlikely to recover” and transferring it to a non-performing ledger.
Joseph Rice has since denied the nature of the transaction altogether. He’s claimed publicly
that the funds were never forgivable but rather a standard 9% loan, contradicting SOREDI’s own documents, state budget language, and internal communications. He’s also denied the existence of a $4 million federal earmark request submitted on behalf of his company, despite it appearing in public congressional records.
Documents show otherwise. Budget reports, emails, and meeting notes confirm that Project CARRIAGE was built on conditional public investment, dependent on job growth and federal certification. When it failed to meet those conditions, there were no legal consequences or enforced accountability.
Meanwhile, Rice’s behavior became more volatile. A redacted sworn affidavit from a local witness describes a 2018 altercation in which Rice reportedly grew aggressive and confrontational when asked about the failed project and his political aspirations. The complaint paints a picture of a man unwilling to accept criticism, reportedly using threats and profanity in defense of his public record.
His political activities were no less controversial. That same year, the Oregon Republican Party formally censured him for misusing official party letterhead, spreading election misinformation, and falsely portraying himself as a statewide party representative. Though stripped of his role and required to issue apologies, Rice continued pushing himself into the public spotlight, positioning himself as a fighter against corruption— even as he refused to acknowledge the failings of his own publicly funded venture.
Now, as Chair of the Josephine County Republican Central Committee and a newly seated member of the county’s Budget Committee, Rice once again holds significant influence over local political and fiscal decisions—including those involving economic development funding and oversight.
This dual position, especially given his record, poses troubling questions: How does a man who defaulted on publicly funded obligations without consequence now help decide the financial future of the county? What does his appointment signal about the integrity—or fragility—of local government checks and balances?
Recoil Suppression Systems, for its part, no longer operates in any visible capacity. Its website remains a placeholder. There are no known employees, contracts, or ongoing projects. What was once billed as a transformative firefighting technology exists today only as a historical footnote in budget reports and unpaid invoices.
Project CARRIAGE should have helped firefighters. It should have brought jobs to Southern Oregon. It should have marked a local company’s rise in the aerospace industry. Instead, it stands as a cautionary tale: a failed endeavor that carried nothing but taxpayer dollars out the back door.
For the residents of Josephine County, the appointment of Joseph Rice to the Budget Committee is not just political irony—it is a troubling reminder that history, when ignored, has a tendency to repeat itself.
Senate Narrowly Approves Trump’s Sweeping Tax and Spending Package, House Vote Remains
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After weeks of tense negotiations and internal party division, Senate Republicans on Tuesday narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending reform package, marking a significant legislative victory for the administration. However, the bill’s journey is not yet complete. It must still pass the U.S. House of Representatives before it can reach the president’s desk for final approval.
The Senate vote capped a prolonged political struggle within the Republican Party, marked by sharp disagreements over key provisions in the legislation and concern over the bill’s long-term fiscal impact. Despite having majorities in both chambers of Congress, GOP leadership faced a series of setbacks in recent
weeks, with several lawmakers expressing hesitation or outright opposition.
The legislation combines major tax cuts with large-scale spending adjustments, aiming to reshape the federal government’s economic role. Supporters argue the plan will stimulate business investment, create jobs, and simplify the tax code, while critics have raised concerns about its potential to increase the national debt and disproportionately benefit corporations and high-income earners.
President Trump took an active role in the final push to secure support, reaching out directly to skeptical senators in recent days. His efforts were credited with helping break the deadlock among a handful of key Republican holdouts whose votes were critical for the bill’s passage. Ultimately, the Senate approved the
package along party lines, reflecting the deep partisan divide surrounding the legislation.
The bill includes significant changes to both corporate and individual taxes, slashing the corporate tax rate and restructuring brackets for personal income taxes. It also includes a mix of spending cuts and increases, with funding adjustments that could affect programs ranging from healthcare to education. While many Republicans have touted the legislation as a historic achievement, Democrats have criticized the bill as rushed and lacking sufficient input from bipartisan stakeholders.
With the Senate vote secured, attention now turns to the House of Representatives, which is expected to reconvene on Wednesday for a vote on the final version of the bill. Although the House had previously passed a
similar version, differences between the two chambers’ proposals required reconciliation. Some House members may raise concerns over specific changes made in the Senate, but Republican leaders remain optimistic that they will be able to deliver final passage. If approved by the House, the bill would represent a significant political and legislative
• see SENATE., page 5
Gov. Tina Kotek Points to Republicans After Legislative Failure Leaves ODOT Facing Layoffs
E. Ward
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is holding Republican lawmakers responsible for the failure of a key transportation funding bill during the recently concluded legislative session— an impasse that now threatens significant layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
The proposed legislation would have injected critical funding into the agency to help address a mounting budget shortfall, which ODOT officials have warned could result in hundreds of job losses and the scaling back of infrastructure maintenance and planning across the state. According to the department, without legislative action, it is preparing to lay off as many as 250 employees beginning this fall, with deeper cuts possible in 2025.
The governor’s comments came after negotiations over the transportation package stalled during the 2025 short session. The package aimed to stabilize the department's finances as it faces declining fuel tax revenues—a key source of road and bridge funding—exacerbated by the rise in electric and fuel-efficient vehicles. The bill would also have addressed inflation-related cost increases for construction projects and rising personnel expenses.
Governor Kotek had made the ODOT funding package a priority, warning that without a legislative solution, the department would be forced to take drastic cost-cutting
measures that could ripple throughout Oregon’s transportation system. Kotek said Republican resistance to parts of the proposal—including provisions related to climate policy and vehicle fees—prevented the bill from securing enough bipartisan support to pass.
Republicans, however, have pushed back on the governor’s characterization, stating that their caucus was not given sufficient input in crafting the final version of the bill. Several GOP lawmakers argued that the package included components they viewed as overly burdensome to rural drivers and small businesses, such as proposed increas-
es in registration fees and surcharges on non-gas vehicles. Some also criticized what they saw as excessive spending and insufficient accountability measures within the bill.
ODOT's financial troubles are not new.
The department has been warning of structural budget gaps for several years due to declining revenues from the state gas tax, which has traditionally funded road maintenance and capital projects. While Oregon’s vehicle miles traveled have rebounded since the pandemic, gas tax revenue has not kept pace, a trend that analysts say is expected to continue.
The proposed bill would have provided a
bridge of short-term funding and authorized the agency to explore new long-term revenue mechanisms, including road usage charges or mileage-based fees. Without the bill, ODOT officials say they will be forced to delay maintenance on highways, reduce planning for future construction projects, and issue layoff notices to employees in multiple divisions.
Governor Kotek’s administration said it will continue working on a transportation funding solution ahead of the 2026 long session, but warned that without immediate intervention, ODOT’s capacity to deliver essential services could be significantly diminished.
Meanwhile, labor unions representing state transportation workers have expressed frustration with the Legislature’s inaction. Union leaders said the looming layoffs threaten not only workers’ livelihoods but also the safety and reliability of Oregon’s roads.
With Oregon’s transportation infrastructure at a crossroads, and the political divide on how to fund it growing deeper, the failure to pass a compromise bill leaves a critical question unresolved: how to finance and maintain a modern, resilient transportation system amid changing economic and environmental realities.
The next opportunity for comprehensive legislative action may not come until the 2026 regular session, unless lawmakers are called back for a special session—an option Governor Kotek has not ruled out.
Southern Oregon Braces for Potential Impact of $1.5 Trillion Federal Cuts Under ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Act
By E. Ward
As the U.S. Senate continues to debate the sweeping legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Southern Oregon residents may soon feel the effects of proposed federal budget cuts that target Medicaid, food assistance programs, and green energy initiatives. The bill, a centerpiece of fiscal reform aimed at reducing the national deficit, proposes slashing $1.5 trillion from federal spending—raising serious concerns for low-income families, rural communities, and local energy programs.
The proposed spending cuts are part of an ambitious strategy to fund infrastructure upgrades, national debt payments, and tax policy revisions included in the broader bill. Supporters argue that the legislation is a necessary course correction to rein in government overreach and rebalance federal priorities. However, for many in Southern Oregon, the proposed cuts raise fears of deepening poverty, widening healthcare gaps, and slowing progress in renewable energy adoption.
One of the largest slices of the $1.5 trillion in proposed cuts is aimed at Medicaid, the federal program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals, seniors, and
people with disabilities. Southern Oregon’s rural population relies heavily on Medicaid coverage, particularly in Josephine and Jackson counties, where large segments of the population fall below the poverty line.
Local clinics, community health centers, and hospitals that serve Medicaid recipients could see substantial reductions in federal reimbursements, forcing some to limit services or shut down entirely. This would not only affect direct beneficiaries, but also strain emergency rooms, increase the burden on local governments, and diminish public health outcomes across the region.
Healthcare professionals have warned that these cuts could trigger a ripple effect— reducing preventative care access, driving up uncompensated care costs for hospitals, and worsening rural doctor shortages already present in parts of Southern Oregon.
Also on the chopping block under the proposed bill is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps. The legislation proposes tightening eligibility requirements and reducing overall funding for the program.
With thousands of households in South-
ern Oregon depending on SNAP to feed their families, advocates say these reductions could increase food insecurity, especially among children and the elderly. School districts that participate in subsidized meal programs could also be affected if families lose eligibility for benefits that supplement school lunch funding.
Food banks and nonprofit food distribution centers, already stretched by rising demand and inflation, may face greater pressure to meet basic community needs without the same level of federal support.
Southern Oregon has made modest but meaningful strides toward clean energy and sustainability in recent years, in part due to federal incentives for solar, wind, and energy-efficiency programs. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act proposes scaling back or eliminating many of these subsidies as part of its budget-cutting framework.
This move could jeopardize local renewable energy projects, delay infrastructure improvements, and discourage homeowners and small businesses from investing in green upgrades. For a region facing increasingly extreme wildfire seasons and climate instability,
these cuts may be seen as a step backward in environmental resilience and long-term energy planning.
The bill remains under debate in the Senate, and its final form is far from certain. Lawmakers from both parties are proposing amendments and alternatives to blunt the most controversial aspects of the proposed cuts. Still, the legislation has gained traction among fiscal conservatives who see it as a long-overdue attempt to restrain government growth.
Southern Oregon residents, especially those dependent on social safety nets or engaged in clean energy work, will be watching closely. While supporters tout the bill as a bold plan for national renewal, critics argue that it risks unraveling the social and economic fabric of rural communities already struggling to recover from inflation, healthcare shortages, and economic inequality.
As the Senate moves toward a possible vote later this summer, the stakes for Southern Oregon remain high. The outcome will likely determine not only the future of federal budgeting but also the well-being of thousands of families across the Rogue Valley and beyond.
A Complicated Life of Redemption and Ruin
Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90
News Desk
Jimmy Swaggart, the fiery televangelist whose powerful sermons, tearful confessions, and gospel music once captivated millions of Americans, passed away Tuesday, July 1, at the age of 90. His death marks the end of one of the most dramatic and tumultuous careers in the history of American evangelicalism—a legacy defined by equal parts faith, scandal, and endurance.
Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognizable faces in Christian broadcasting. Preaching with unmatched fervor and a deep Southern cadence, Swaggart built a religious empire during the 1970s and 1980s. His ministry reached across continents, broadcasting sermons to homes around the globe and drawing tens of
thousands to revival meetings. He was also an accomplished gospel pianist and singer, releasing dozens of albums that underscored his deep connection to the music of the church.
Swaggart’s rise, however, came crashing down in 1988 when allegations of sexual misconduct involving prostitutes surfaced. The revelations shocked his massive following and caused a ripple effect throughout the world of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity. Despite his tear-streaked public apology that year, the scandal had irreversibly damaged his standing. He was defrocked by the Assemblies of God, and his viewership plummeted.
The years that followed were marked by a steady decline in influence, but not in faith. Swaggart refused to step away from the pulpit. He continued preaching at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where a loyal base of followers still tuned in to hear his messages. For them, Swaggart remained a man of conviction who had stum-
bled, but never stopped seeking to fulfill what he believed was God’s calling on his life.
Swaggart’s story is inextricably linked with the broader narrative of televangelism in America. His rise paralleled that of fellow Southern evangelists like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, but his downfall helped expose the fragility of spiritual empires built on television and charisma. He became both a cautionary tale and a symbol of stubborn perseverance.
While critics often pointed to his scandals and his refusal to relinquish the spotlight, supporters saw a man deeply flawed, yet deeply devoted. He may never have regained the prominence of his heyday, but he never disappeared either. His ministry adapted to changing times, even launching a 24-hour cable and satellite network, SonLife Broadcasting Network, to reach a new generation of viewers.
In his final years, Swaggart’s health began to decline, but his presence remained a fixture for his remaining congregation. To many, he represented the complexity of modern faith—a reminder that
Eva LaRue Departs ‘General Hospital’ Following Brief but Impactful Role
News Desk
After a brief but memorable stint on General Hospital, veteran soap actress Eva LaRue is exiting the long-running daytime drama. Her departure follows a dramatic turn in the June 30 episode, in which her character, Natalia Rogers-Ramirez, was seen engaging in erratic behavior, including consuming alcohol and prescription pills—a plot point that signaled an imminent exit for the character.
LaRue, best known to soap opera fans for her iconic role as Dr. Maria Santos Grey on All My Children, joined General Hospital in February 2024. She portrayed Natalia, the mother of Blaze (Alma Garcia), a rising music star in Port Charles. While LaRue’s appearance on the show was relatively short-lived, her character played a pivotal role in the development of Blaze’s storyline, especially in exploring themes of identity, family conflict, and acceptance.
Sources close to the production confirmed that LaRue’s character will be written out of the show by the end of the week. While no formal announcement has been made by the show’s producers, industry insiders suggest that her character's downward spiral in the recent episode was designed as a transition point to facilitate her exit. The episode’s depiction of substance use served as a narrative cue to viewers that Natalia’s storyline was coming to an end.
Eva LaRue’s career in daytime television spans over three decades. She spent nearly two decades on All My Children, where she earned a
Daytime Emmy Award nomination and became one of the show’s most beloved characters. Her return to the soap opera genre earlier this year was met with excitement by longtime fans, who had hoped to see her character grow within the GH universe. However, it appears that the show’s creative direction had different plans.
During her tenure on General Hospital, Natalia was introduced as a glamorous, strongwilled mother navigating the complexities of her daughter’s public career and personal life. The character added both depth and generational contrast to the show’s musical subplot. Her relationships with Blaze and other residents of Port Charles helped create moments of tension and reconciliation, contributing emotional gravity to several key episodes.
LaRue’s exit comes amid ongoing cast changes at General Hospital, which has seen several notable departures and returns in recent months. The soap opera, which first aired in 1963, continues to adapt to evolving audience expectations while maintaining its signature blend of family drama, medical intrigue, and romantic entanglements.
While her time on General Hospital was short, LaRue’s presence on the show reignited fan interest and highlighted her enduring screen charisma. As of now, there is no confirmation whether Natalia’s exit will be permanent or if the door will remain open for a possible return down the line.
LaRue has not publicly commented on her departure, and it remains unclear whether the decision was storyline-driven or based on scheduling or personal preferences. She has previously balanced daytime roles with appearances in primetime dramas, including CSI: Miami and Criminal Minds, as well as various hosting and advocacy work.
As fans speculate about what’s next for both the actress and the show, LaRue’s departure serves as another reminder of the fluid nature of soap storytelling—where characters come and go, but the drama never stops. Whether this marks the end of Natalia’s arc or simply a pause in her journey remains to be seen. For now, Eva LaRue bids farewell once more to daytime television, leaving behind another layered performance in her storied career.
Senate Narrowly Approves Trump’s Tax Bill
From page 1
spiritual leaders are human, capable of both profound inspiration and heartbreaking mistakes.
Jimmy Swaggart leaves behind a complicated legacy, one woven with both redemption and regret. His passing closes the chapter on a life lived in the pulsing spotlight of public ministry, where triumph and tragedy played out on national television. His voice may be silenced now, but his impact—however one views it—will remain part of America’s religious and cultural history.
www.grantspassmag.com
win for President Trump, one of the largest overhauls of the tax system in decades. It would also fulfill a major campaign promise by delivering tax relief and regulatory reform. Still, questions remain about the longterm effects of the legislation. Independent analysts and budget watchdogs have warned that the proposed cuts could add trillions to the federal deficit over the next decade unless paired with future spending reductions or revenue offsets. Some state and local governments may also face challenges adapting to the federal changes, particularly in areas related to tax deduction limits and funding shifts.
For now, Republican lawmakers are focused on clearing the final hurdle and deliv-
ering the bill to the president. With the House poised to vote within the next day, the outcome will determine whether this ambitious legislative effort becomes law—or stalls at the finish line. Either way, the result is likely to shape the political landscape heading into the next election cycle and redefine economic policy for years to come.
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The BCC Weekly - Taking the “Blind” out of the BCC
Josephine County Civic Pride Is On Life Support
By: Jay Meredith, CPA Investigative Journalist
There are pockets of civic pride in Josephine County, however generally speaking those pockets of pride tend to be within the two incorporated cities in Josephine County. For example, kudos to the City of Grants Pass for keeping the 4th of July celebration going again this year. This Friday the 4th the Classic Car Show is from 11am to 4:30pm, while most celebration activities happen in Reinhart Volunteer Park after 4pm with fireworks around 9:30.
The Grants Pass Daily Courier runs surveys throughout the year on their website. These surveys are single questions that rotate throughout the year and often are politically themed. I was surprised by the results of one survey that closed last week.
The survey question was, “Do you think Josephine County or Jackson County is better at managing its county business?” The final tally was 92% Jackson County and only 8% Josephine County. A total of 409 votes were cast, which is enough to show a good representation of at least those that read the Courier.
At first I thought…of course. Trust has been low in Josephine County government for a very long time. I know this from volunteering to help many law enforcement and justice system funding campaigns over the last 15 years.
But then I thought more about this. Most that took this survey are likely residents of Grants Pass and Josephine County given the Courier is largely focused on reporting activities of Josephine County and Grants Pass. Only about 8% of us locals think our own County is better at managing its business than our next-door neighbor Jackson County. This is a downright scary low amount of support.
While it may not be statistically significant, I’ve observed Courier polls tend to be in the ballpark of actual sentiment out there. And if total voting results are in the 300-600 range, it’s probably a mostly valid poll. Much higher vote numbers in the thousands may mean the poll was rigged. Courier polls have come close to predicting ballot measure results such as the landslide recall vote for the recall of Josephine County Commissioner John West last December.
I tend to think this County trust challenge is decades in the making. We lost much of our “timber” revenue decades ago, replaced by dwindling Federal SRS revenues which for a while took place of timber revenue sharing with the 18 Counties of Western Oregon. The counties of SW Oregon once received large federal SRS payments, in Josephine County almost $12 million per year before we hit the wall on SRS payments in 2012.
But in the 1990s an Oregon constitutional measure about how property taxes work was passed by the voters of the state and permanent property tax rates were frozen close to where they were at the time. At the time they were frozen, Jackson County had a property
tax rate close to three times higher than Josephine County, as JoCo was mostly reliant on timber revenues at that time. In fact, the majority of the small total permanent tax rate in Josephine County at the time was due to a Josephine County Library services levy that was in place when rates were frozen. And since the County stopped funding library services in 2007, the County has reallocated to other county services over $40 million in total property tax revenues from what was originally designated to the library.
It's hard to effectively manage an organization the size of Josephine County when you are running from one financial crisis to another. And it’s especially hard to govern when the citizenry is upset about government regulations curtailing one of our main industries and then you ask that same citizenry to pay higher taxes to make up for it.
Prior to 2023 we were in a financial crisis for so long that even the members of the Josephine County Budget Committee this year took actions as if we were still in the middle of the crisis. I’ve harped on this over and over again in recent weeks, but we’re actually in great financial shape now as it relates to programs that rely on the County’s general fund. We have a strong surplus next fiscal year, a General Fund balance millions higher than where it needs to be, and major General Fund revenues don’t seem to be at risk in the foreseeable future.
Current members of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in Josephine County even think that we’re in poor financial shape, perhaps due in part to misstatements and misunderstanding by last year’s BCC. And when you base your decisions on incorrect information and/or on a narrow-minded politi-
cal agenda, people are going to question your managerial capabilities.
This BCC Weekly column has covered countless issues in recent months which also shake our confidence in the managerial capabilities of the BCC, our top elected County officials on the decision-making chain. Decisions such as the early termination of the Library lease and threatening the potential of eviction, firing several department heads and other County staff for no apparent reason, appointing unqualified political cronies to certain jobs, and in the case of at least one BCC member being caught making several false statements all chip away at trust and confidence in leadership.
Budget cuts and/or defunding popular voter-approved programs also hurt. I’ve observed far too many elected officials in Grants Pass and Josephine County forget that on top of the org chart of each organization is the citizens, not the elected officials.
There has also been a noticeable increase in partisanship in the elections of local government officials in the last couple years. All local government elected positions are supposed to be nonpartisan by their respective government charters. A danger presents itself when local government officials are elected because of partisan issues rather than by their qualifications and experience for the job. Look no further than the elected County Treasurer who ran on a partisan slate and just resigned from his position in less than six months from when he was sworn into office.
And then we have Wally Hicks, one of only a couple elected County attorneys throughout the entire country. Most cities and counties have appointed attorneys, not elected attorneys (other than the DA). This presents an
inherent conflict of interest between the BCC, the elected legal counsel, and the citizenry. An elected county attorney is theoretically answerable to the public and by extension representing the public. Except in countless cases, our elected county attorney only represents the county and not the voters who put him into the office.
When a BCC member goes “rogue” legally, so to speak, as certain BCC members have done many times over the last two years, the elected county attorney does not effectively have the power to keep the BCC in line. The decision-making authority of the BCC is higher than any other elected or appointed county official. And I also know of at least one time where the BCC ignored the advice of their inhouse attorney. After several controversial and arguably illegal actions or decisions made by certain BCC members in the last year, I found myself saying, “Where’s Wally?”
So how do we restore civic pride in Josephine County this Independence Day week? Eventually there should be a menu of some structural charter changes presented to voters for their consideration. One of a few of those voter menu options could be making our county attorney an appointed position rather than an elected position as it is in most cities and counties across the country. Another voter charter change measure could be any county law approved by a vote of the people cannot be changed by the BCC without another vote of the people. And there are several others that should be considered.
But above all, our County Commissioners and other elected officials must remember in each and every decision they make that all voters are their bosses and not the other way around.
COMMUNITY
Grants Pass Gears Up for an Explosive Fourth of July Celebration at Reinhart Volunteer Park
City of Grants Pass
This year’s Fourth of July celebration in Grants Pass promises a full day of excitement, family-friendly fun, and community spirit as Reinhart Volunteer Park transforms into the heart of patriotic festivities on Friday, July 4.
The celebration kicks off late morning and rolls through the evening with activities designed for all ages. Classic cars, food trucks, bounce houses, live music, and a grand fireworks finale are all part of the City’s official holiday event lineup.
The day begins with the return of the beloved Classic Car Show, showcasing a collection of vintage and specialty vehicles from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Automotive enthusiasts can expect polished chrome, unique paint jobs, and plenty of nostalgia as local car owners display their prized rides.
As the afternoon heats up, food lovers can dive into the Food Truck Festival, running from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring a curated collection of local and regional food trucks serving everything from barbecue to frozen treats. The lineup was organized by Patrick Hoadley of Blaze-NMonkey’s, who also spearheaded a food drive in partnership with the Josephine County Food Bank, giving the festival a charitable edge.
Children and families can enjoy Bouncy Fest 3.0, a massive inflatable playground also open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering a safe and entertaining space for kids to burn off en-
ergy before the evening’s main events.
At 5 p.m., the A-Rae of Light Dance Group takes the stage, bringing rhythmic energy and local talent into the spotlight. Their performance sets the tone for a festive evening of live entertainment.
As the sun sets, the music continues with a concert by The Paper Flyers, a live band taking the main stage at 8 p.m. Their energetic performance will lead directly into the highlight of the evening.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., the skies over Reinhart Volunteer Park will light up with a spectacular fireworks show, thanks to a launch setup provided by the Grants Pass School District at nearby Parkside Elementary’s field. Residents are encouraged to arrive early and bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the dazzling aerial display.
Parking near Reinhart Park will be limited,
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GRANTS PASS WEATHER
5 DAY OUTLOOK
SOURCE: WEATHER.COM
WEDNESDAY
and the City encourages attendees to carpool and utilize the Grasshopper Parking Lot located at 5th and F Streets to ease traffic congestion.
The celebration is made possible through the support and collaboration of many local individuals and organizations. Special thanks go to the student volunteers with the American Exchange Project, who are helping manage the event, and to the City’s Streets Division and Parks & Recreation Division, along with Republic Services, for maintaining the park and facilities throughout the day.
This year’s Independence Day event stands as a testament to the community’s unity, dedication, and enduring spirit. Whether you’re there for the cars, the food, the music, or the fireworks, Grants Pass invites everyone to celebrate freedom, fun, and fellowship in the heart of Southern Oregon.
THURSDAY FRIDAY
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TAKE A BREAK
June 30, 2025
Posting Date June 30, 2025 Posting