Illinois Valley News

02/10/2025

CJ Aglow at Bridgeview Church is canceled for February, because of the weather. Next meeting will be March 10 at 10:30 a.m.

02/09/2025

READ-IN RALLY PLANNED AT JOSEPHINE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

The Grants Pass Friends of the Library will hold a Read-In Rally in protest of the Josephine County Commissioners' termination of the lease for the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library. The Read-In will be held during the commissioners' meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Board of County Commissioners Office (on the second floor of the courthouse at 500 NW 6th St. in Grants Pass).

County commissioners terminated the library's lease on January 6, 2025, with only 30 days' notice, though the lease was not scheduled to expire until December 2025. To date, the library has received no official notification of the decision to terminate the lease.

After slow-walking negotiations for weeks, the commissioners have finally scheduled a meeting time with legal representation.

The Grants Pass Friends of the Library hopes to have as many supporters as possible at the meeting. The group's goal is to remind the commissioners of their duty to uphold the charter, which stipulates that the County must provide support and funding for the library.

If supporters are denied entry due to lack of space in the conference room, they will be encouraged to sit and read in the courthouse or go outside with signs to protest.

For questions, please contact Jennifer Roberts, president of Grants Pass Friends of the Library, at 541-441-3295; Teresa Stover at 541-659-1850; or email [email protected]

READ-IN RALLY PLANNED AT JOSEPHINE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

The Grants Pass Friends of the Library will hold a Read-In Rally in protest of the Josephine County Commissioners' termination of the lease for the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library. The Read-In will be held during the commissioners' meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Board of County Commissioners Office (on the second floor of the courthouse at 500 NW 6th St. in Grants Pass).

County commissioners terminated the library's lease on January 6, 2025, with only 30 days' notice, though the lease was not scheduled to expire until December 2025. To date, the library has received no official notification of the decision to terminate the lease.

After slow-walking negotiations for weeks, the commissioners have finally scheduled a meeting time with legal representation.

The Grants Pass Friends of the Library hopes to have as many supporters as possible at the meeting. The group's goal is to remind the commissioners of their duty to uphold the charter, which stipulates that the County must provide support and funding for the library.

If supporters are denied entry due to lack of space in the conference room, they will be encouraged to sit and read in the courthouse or go outside with signs to protest.

For questions, please contact Jennifer Roberts, president of Grants Pass Friends of the Library, at 541-441-3295; Teresa Stover at 541-659-1850; or email [email protected]

02/09/2025

Josephine County Schedules Meeting on Library Lease Termination
Grants Pass, February 5, 2025— With only one day remaining until the threatened cancellation of a lease between Josephine County and the Josephine Community Library District—and after slow-walking negotiations for weeks—the County has set a meeting date to talk about the lease.
The meeting is set for February 11, 2025 at 1:30 pm. The agenda item is titled "Consideration of lease termination for County-Owned Real Property at 200 NW C Street (Library)."
In a move that shocked the community, commissioners voted on January 6, 2025, to terminate the County's lease with the Josephine Community Library District with 30 days' notice.
Further, the County has yet to officially notify the library of the termination of the lease. A press release from the County issued January 8 simply noted that the County and the library had a "framework" for renegotiation.
"We are encouraged that the county has finally scheduled a meeting, and we look forward to having an opportunity to negotiate in good faith," said JCLD Board Chair Gina Marie Agosta. "This process should have begun weeks ago, but we remain committed to finding a solution that keeps the library open for the thousands of patrons who rely on it."
For over a month, the county delayed meaningful discussions with the library. Attorneys for the district reached out to county commissioners on January 22 to schedule a meeting, followed by a second request on January 31. Until now, the county had provided no guidance on when negotiations would take place.
Meanwhile, community members have expressed widespread concern about the future of the library. Public outcry following the commissioners' January 6 vote played a key role in preventing the county from following through with formal lease termination. Advocacy efforts—including letters, rallies, and statements from organizations like the Oregon Library Association and the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce—have reinforced the importance of the library and helped push the county toward scheduling a meeting.
"This library has been at the heart of our community for decades, and the support from our patrons, volunteers, and local organizations has been incredible," said Library Director Kate Lasky. "The overwhelming public response has made it clear that residents expect a fair and transparent process, and we hope the county will engage in good-faith negotiations."
Library leadership is eager to begin negotiations with an eye towards extending the current lease for another ten years or until such time as the library moves into its own building.
Community members are encouraged to attend the February 11 meeting or continue making their voices heard by contacting the County Commissioners at [email protected].

02/05/2025

We are at Jubilee Park for food pantry and a warm meal. Dog food available today. 12 1:30 at Julilee Park

02/03/2025

Downtown Cave Junction the official Illinois Valley News snow accumulation at 3 p.m. was 4"

Send a message to learn more

01/28/2025

01/15/2025

Thank you Meadow Martell for your service to Cave Junction. Congratulations and best of luck to Jesse Dugas our new mayor.

01/15/2025

Warm Up Your New Year by Helping Others! ❄️

The cold season is here, and a FREE Pop-Up Public Health Wednesdays are making a difference for those in need. Each week, volunteers provide essential resources, a hot meal served until it's gone or 2 p.m., and warm clothing to help keep our neighbors safe and comfortable during the chilly months. If your New Year’s resolution includes clearing out clothes or bedding you no longer use, this is the perfect opportunity to donate and make a difference!

✨ What We’re Collecting:

Hats and beanies
Scarves
Gloves and mittens
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Tarps

🌟 Weekly Highlights Include:

JoCo Public Health Nurse
Food Pantry
Lunch in the Park
HIV Alliance
DHS Eligibility Assistance
Max’s Mission

📍 How to Donate:
Bring your clean, gently used, or new items—including clothes and bedding—to 315 Caves Hwy Suite "C" on Thursdays or Fridays between 10 AM–4 PM.

Your donations will go directly to those who need them most, helping to spread warmth and care throughout our community. Start your year by making a difference—thank you for your generosity! ❤️

For information about I.V. Living Solutions you can go to ivlivingsolutions.org.

01/07/2025

The following is a press release from the Josephine County Library: (Be sure to read the front page article by publisher Daniel J. Mancuso in this week's edition (Jan. 8, 2025) about the Josephine County Commissioner's 3-0 approved motion about the library's lease.)

Josephine County Board of Commissioners Terminates Library's Lease

Grants Pass, January 7, 2025—In a shocking turn of events, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously to terminate the lease on the Grants Pass branch of the Josephine Community Library.

Claiming that the change from being a "county" to a "community" library in 2017 negates the county's charter mandate for "the support and maintenance" of libraries in Josephine County, Commissioner John West urged his fellow commissioners to terminate the lease with 30 days' notice. The lease, which has been in place since 2008, runs until Dec. 31, 2025.
The discussion preceding the vote failed to consider that in the late 1990s, citing Measure 50, the Board of Commissioners shifted a 33-cent library levy to the general fund to pay for public safety — an increase in the county's property tax of 57 percent. The County then absorbed that levy into the permanent tax rate, raising it from 25 cents to 58 cents. Except for maintenance of the Grants Pass branch, none of that money goes towards supporting the library.
"This abrupt decision undermines community trust and investment," said Library Director Kate Lasky. "Terminating the lease with just 30 days' notice disregards these contributions and the essential services the library provides to thousands. We deserve a fair and respectful process."
As it stands, the library's lease will end Feb. 6, leaving no recourse if the commissioners choose to evict the library from the building.
For more information about library programs and services, visit josephinelibrary.org, email [email protected] or call 541-476-0571.

Send a message to learn more

12/26/2024

Pop up warm meal at Jubilee Park at noon 12/26

12/23/2024

JoCo Food Bank has a pop up food pantry at I.V. Family Coalition now until food runs out or 2 P.M. (12/23/24)

12/22/2024

Fun Photos from Santa's visit and the Christmas Tree Lighting at the Visitor's Center with the Chamber and friends Saturday, Dec. 21.

12/18/2024

It appears that John West has been recalled.

11/26/2024

Reminder: The Pop Up Event at Jubilee Park will be Today (Nov. 26) instead of Wednesday and then Thursday is the Thankful Hearts meal. Both at noon!

11/22/2024

Still looking for dishes for the Thankful Hearts meal for Thanksgiving day! We have enough turkeys but are looking for Hams
lg pans stuffing
mashed potatoes
gravy
rolls
sweet potato casserole
bean green casserole.
See poster for contact info.
Drivers still needed too

11/20/2024

Don't forget about Tuekey Bingo!

11/20/2024

Illinois Valley Wellness Resources: Facebook.com/ivwellnessresources
🌧️🌬️ 𝖶𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖴𝗉𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾: 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗒 𝖲𝖺𝖿𝖾 & 𝖯𝗋𝖾𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖽! 🌬️🌧️
𝖧𝗂 𝖭𝖾𝗂𝗀𝗁𝖻𝗈𝗋𝗌,
𝖶𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗇 𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗎𝗉𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗆𝗒 𝗐𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗁𝖾𝖺𝖽. 𝖶𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾’𝗌 𝗇𝗈 𝗇𝖾𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗉𝖺𝗇𝗂𝖼, 𝗂𝗍’𝗌 𝖺 𝗀𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗂𝗆𝗉𝖺𝖼𝗍𝗌. 𝖧𝖾𝗋𝖾’𝗌 𝖺 𝗊𝗎𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝗌𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗒:
🌬️ 𝖶𝖨𝖭𝖣 𝖠𝖣𝖵𝖨𝖲𝖮𝖱𝖸
𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇: 𝖳𝗈𝖽𝖺𝗒, 𝟣 𝖯𝖬 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝖶𝖾𝖽𝗇𝖾𝗌𝖽𝖺𝗒, 𝟩 𝖠𝖬
𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝖤𝗑𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍:
𝖶𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝟤𝟧–𝟥𝟧 𝗆𝗉𝗁, 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗀𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗌 𝗎𝗉 𝗍𝗈 𝟨𝟢 𝗆𝗉𝗁.
𝖯𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝖺𝗅 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗋𝖾𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗆𝖻𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖿𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗉𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗎𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌.
𝖳𝗂𝗉𝗌:
✅ 𝖲𝖾𝖼𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗈𝗎𝗍𝖽𝗈𝗈𝗋 𝗈𝖻𝗃𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗌 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝖿𝗎𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗈𝗋 𝗁𝗈𝗅𝗂𝖽𝖺𝗒 𝖽𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌.
✅ 𝖣𝗋𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗒, 𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗂𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗂𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖺 𝗁𝗂𝗀𝗁-𝗉𝗋𝗈𝖿𝗂𝗅𝖾 𝗏𝖾𝗁𝗂𝖼𝗅𝖾.
🌊 𝖥𝖫𝖮𝖮𝖣 𝖶𝖠𝖳𝖢𝖧
𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇: 𝖭𝗈𝗐 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝖥𝗋𝗂𝖽𝖺𝗒 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀
𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝖤𝗑𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍:
𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗏𝗒 𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗇 𝗆𝖺𝗒 𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖿𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗐-𝗅𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗌, 𝗋𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗌.
𝖨𝗇𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗋𝗂𝗌𝗄 𝗈𝖿 𝗋𝗈𝖼𝗄 𝖿𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗌𝗅𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗌 𝗂𝗇 𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗉 𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗌.
𝖳𝗂𝗉𝗌:
✅ 𝖠𝗏𝗈𝗂𝖽 𝖽𝗋𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝖿𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗌
✅ 𝖢𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝖾𝖻𝗋𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝖽𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌 𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗁𝗈𝗆𝖾.
𝖨𝗆𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖺𝖼𝗍𝗌
⚡ 𝖱𝖾𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍 𝗉𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗎𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗋 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝖼𝗄 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗌 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾: 𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖼 𝖯𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋 𝖮𝗎𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝖱𝖾𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖳𝗈𝗈𝗅: https://csapps.pacificpower.net/.../outages.../report-outage
⚠️ 𝖱𝖾𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗉𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗋 𝖽𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌: 𝟣-𝟪𝟩𝟩-𝟧𝟢𝟪-𝟧𝟢𝟪𝟪.