In 2017, I attended our Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet. I sat next to the leader of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) group from one of our local high schools. He told me that 25% of their high school graduates begin their freshman year in college. Of those students, only half begin their sophomore year in college. …
Time flies in the political world. We no sooner have midterm elections when suddenly it’s time to begin the quadrennial presidential election cycle. Of course, President Joe Biden has announced he is running for another term in 2024. That’s no surprise. What about on the Republican side? Who should challenge Biden? Normally, this means keeping track of presidential hopefuls, listening …
Let’s look at truth and how it is being taught to many children. In Sunday School, children learn that God created the Earth out of nothing by the word of His power. In Monday (through Friday) School, children are taught that everything evolved from nothing after the Big Bang. In Sunday School, children are taught that God created Man in …
On May 30, Attorney John DiLorenzo Jr. of the Davis Wright Tremaine law firm sent a letter to Acting Secretary of State Cheryl Myers to seek a ruling on when Measure 113 takes effect. He represents State Sen. Tim Knopp, State Sen. Brian Boquist and the Oregon’s 13 Constitutional Defense Fund. (Oregon’s 13 is a reference to the senators who’ve …
Josephine County property owners, you’ve just received a tax cut. On June 7, two Josephine County commissioners voted to defund 4-H and other OSU Extension services for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. Acting as the governing body for the OSU Extension Service District, the Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to stop charging the 4.6 cents per thousand …
Elections matter even when your side loses. In November 2022, the Republicans did not gain a majority in the Oregon Senate. By the GOP gaining just one seat, however, the Democratic Party lost its supermajority and cannot enact a new tax without at least one Republican or Independent vote. The change also means the 17 Democrat senators now need at …
The May 16 Special Election resulted in significant changes to our local school boards. Here are the official election results for races in Josephine County. Grants Pass School District Voters elected four new school board members to Grants Pass School District 7. Position 1: Challenger Dustin Smith defeated incumbent Scott Nelson. Dustin Smith: 4,102 (54.57%) Scott Nelson 3,383 (45%) Position …
4-H originally started in Oregon in 1916. It was a program that began for the purpose of educating boys and girls how to better grow crops and livestock. Here in Oregon, the 4-H programs recently have changed. Local leaders had been feeling some of these changes for the past five years but had found a way to still educate kids …
On Jan. 1, Oregon’s “Paid Leave Oregon” program went into effect. Employers and employees began contributing 1% of wages up to $132,900 into the Paid Leave Oregon fund. Employees contribute 60% of the 1% and employers contribute 40% of the 1%. Eligible employees will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave per 52-week period beginning Sep. …
In the political world it’s so much easier to simply “go along to get along.” Now and then a small group of politicians just say no to the status quo. The establishment is not happy and criticizes the minority to “stop being so political and let us get the work of the people done.” A few years ago, then Oregon …