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. …
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. …
By Richard Emmons I met with Don Scott on Sept. 16. He wanted to show me one of his $350 pine caskets, which he sells to individuals and local funeral homes. You can see his ad on page 20. I told him that folks should buy a casket now and use it to store firewood or grandkids’ toys until needed …
By Richard Emmons As the editor of the Josephine County Eagle, people often seek me out to share story ideas, complain about local problems, or ask me to do a major journalistic investigation into something that affects only a handful of people in Josephine County. Sometimes an idea seems too good to be true yet intrigues me enough to sit …
By Karen D. Austin I have owned a small business that serves children in Grants Pass for 32 years; the first three decades as All That Jazz Dance Studio, and since 2020, rebranded as Southern Oregon Dance Center. We had been planning to relocate downtown, remodel and rebrand right before COVID and the lockdowns hit. Our long history and great …
Today, The Flying Lark’s application for horse racing machines was blocked by the Oregon Racing Commission. The ORC members voted this way due to pressure by Gov. Kate Brown. Here are excerpts from the Oregonian’s report with my comments in brackets: === Oregon Racing Commission, under pressure from governor, moves to block Travis Boersma’s Grants Pass gambling center The Oregon …
By Jay Meredith Most in Grants Pass are excited about the new entertainment venue called The Flying Lark, which is on the verge of opening soon right next to the county fairgrounds. That’s because we know that one of our locals, Travis Boersma, successful co-founder of the famous Dutch Bros, will bring the same “Dutch Luv” to this venture, and …