Community Corner

🌱 Why Dollar Mountain’s award matters for Grants Pass trail lovers

Coming up on the Grants Pass Patch calendar: Boo to the Flu Clinic in Grants Pass

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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:

  • Why Dollar Mountain's award matters for Grants Pass trail lovers
  • How a new federal match could boost Grants Pass retirees' savings
  • What Martin and West's plans could mean for Grants Pass residents

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!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 91 and low of 56 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Turning sunny and hot, temps: high: 93, low: 59.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and very hot, with a high of 100 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Grants Pass

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grants Pass

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📣 Grants Pass Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I do love coffee!
    Tell me when the comments where is your favorite vocal place to grab a Cou of Joe from? (Nextdoor Kinsington Court)
  • There is a black and white large dog maybe a great pyrenees that is loose up riverbanks near marcy loop area.
    I couldn't get close enough to get any pictures of the dog. (Nextdoor Limpy Creek Rd)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Asset Protection Specialist in Grants Pass. Apply here.
  • Sizzler USA Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Dishwasher -Engineer in Grants Pass. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grants Pass here.

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!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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