Good day Grants Pass! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Pregnancy Care Center 2026 Gala and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Park-related projects' design and construction honored by ORPA – Daily Journal of Commerce (djcoregon.com) — Grants Pass' Dollar Mountain Trail System has just earned a statewide design and construction award, highlighting the successful conversion of a former goat farm into 12 miles of nonmotorized trails. The roughly $2.4 million project, finished in 2025, now draws hikers and mountain bikers and could grow further as the city explores expanding trails onto neighboring lands.
2. Federal Retirement Match Proposal Could Double Savings Incentive as 2027 Program Nears Launch (grantspasstribune.com) — Grants Pass residents planning for retirement could see significantly more federal help starting in 2027 if a new proposal to expand the Saver's Match becomes law. The plan would double the maximum federal match, raise income limits, and shift contributions to Roth-style treatment, changes that could mean thousands of extra dollars in long-term savings for local workers and near-retirees.
3. Colene Martin and John West disagree on what Josephine County needs next (ijpr.org) — Josephine County Commissioner Colene Martin and challenger John West laid out sharply different visions that directly affect Grants Pass, from county spending and taxes to emergency radio upgrades and homelessness policy. Martin highlighted her long experience running a Grants Pass business and working with the local chamber, while West pushed for smaller government and said Grants Pass should lead on homelessness with county support through public health services.
4. Oregon's $200 Million Road Budget Gap Puts Maintenance and Travel Services at Risk (grantspasstribune.com) — State transportation officials warn a $200 million budget gap could slow highway maintenance, emergency response and DMV services statewide, with particular concern for Southern Oregon routes serving Grants Pass. While no county-specific cuts are listed yet, ODOT notes that slower incident response on I-5 and other key corridors, plus uncertain staffing, could affect local travel even as planned Grants Pass intersection and signal projects remain on a separate track.
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Ok Grants Pass! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
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