Issuu

FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026

GRANTSPASSTRIBUNE.COM | $0.00

Josephine County Commissioners Continue Administrative Review Following Public Personnel Hearing By John Oliver The Josephine County Board of Commissioners continued its administrative oversight responsibilities Monday by conducting a public due process hearing involving Human Resources Director Michelle Shaw, marking another example of the Board's ongoing work addressing county administration and personnel matters since the current commission took office. The hearing followed a brief executive session held earlier in the day. Commissioner Ron Smith did not participate in the proceedings because of a previously scheduled appointment. The public hearing was conducted at Shaw's request, allowing the matter to be discussed in an open meeting. During the proceedings, Vice Chair Colene Martin and Commissioner Gary Richardson presented a series of concerns related to Shaw's job performance and administration of the Human Resources Department. The discussion centered on multiple areas of county operations and personnel management. Among the topics reviewed were workplace investigation procedures, the administration of employee investigations, the preparation and management of investigative reports, the timely completion of assigned responsibilities, communication involving personnel policies and employee compensation information, delegation of departmental responsibilities, and the handling of confidential medical information. Each of the identified issues was presented as part of the Board's review process. The hearing

provided an opportunity for the commissioners to publicly outline the concerns that had been raised regarding the operation of the Human Resources Department while allowing Shaw to respond directly to those issues. During the proceedings, Shaw addressed the matters presented by the commissioners and answered questions regarding the concerns discussed during the hearing. The due process hearing served as the formal opportunity for both the Board and the employee to place information on the public record before any final employment decision is made. Shaw is currently on paid administrative leave while the matter remains under review. Monday's hearing represented one step in the county's established personnel process rather than a final determination regarding her employment status. County policy provides the Board with a designated period to deliberate following a due process hearing. Under those procedures, commissioners may issue a final disciplinary decision no sooner

than two hours after the conclusion of the hearing and no later than 21 days following the meeting. That timeframe allows the Board to consider the information presented before reaching a final determination. Personnel hearings of this nature are conducted under county employment policies designed to provide employees with an opportunity to respond to performance-related concerns before disciplinary action is considered. The process also establishes a public record when an employee requests an open hearing instead of keeping the proceedings confidential. This meeting illustrates the continued administrative responsibilities being carried out by the current Josephine County Board of Commissioners as it oversees county departments and evaluates management practices within county government. Personnel oversight, departmental accountability, and review of administrative performance remain among the Board's statutory responsibilities as it manages county operations.

Oregon Sees Sharp Increase in Federal Immigration Enforcement Requests

As State Sanctuary Laws Continue to Shape Response

By Ellen Ward A significant increase in communications between federal immigration authorities and Oregon public agencies is drawing attention to the state's long-standing sanctuary policies and the evolving relationship between state and federal governments on immigration enforcement. According to Oregon's latest annual reporting data, public agencies across the state documented a 246 percent increase in immigration enforcement requests from federal authorities during the most recent reporting period, reflecting a notable shift in the volume of interactions while underscoring the legal framework that continues to govern how those requests are handled. The figures come from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission's annual report tracking communications between federal immigration agencies and Oregon public bodies. The report covers activity between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, and provides one of the most compre-

hensive statewide snapshots of how federal immigration enforcement intersects with state and local government operations. During the reporting period, Oregon public agencies logged 329 communications or requests from federal immigration authorities, a substantial increase compared with the previous year. Those reports were submitted by 37 public bodies representing at least 14 counties throughout Oregon. While the increase has generated considerable attention, the report makes an important distinction: the statistic reflects communications and requests from federal agencies rather than an equivalent increase in immigration arrests, detentions or deportations within the state.

Most of the reported contacts involved county correctional facilities and local jails, which frequently serve as the primary point of communication between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local governments. These requests commonly involve inquiries regarding an individual's custody status, notifications before an inmate is released, requests to transfer custody, or immigration detainers asking local facilities to continue holding an individual after they would otherwise be released. Oregon law limits how public agencies may respond to many of those requests, but state law also requires that the communications themselves be documented and reported. Washington County Jail recorded the largest number of communications during the reporting period, while county correctional facilities collectively accounted for the overwhelming majority of reported interactions statewide. The Oregon Department of Corrections also documented a small number of communications as part of the annual reporting process. Oregon's legal approach to immigration enforcement remains rooted in the Sanctuary Promise Act, legislation that reinforces restrictions on the use of state and local resources for the pur-

•

see SHARP, page 5

Clarion Theatre Begins Work on Original Double Musical Production Invites Community to Take Part

By John Oliver As preparations continue for the fall theater season in Grants Pass, Clarion Theatre has begun development of its 2026 production, Two Great Musicals, One Great Show, a unique performance that will bring two original one-act musicals to the stage during a single evening of live theater. The production combines two distinctly different stories designed to offer audiences contrasting theatrical experiences while celebrating original musical storytelling. One production explores themes of humor and lighthearted entertainment, while the other presents a thoughtful drama centered on faith, hope and perseverance. Together, the performances are intended to showcase the creative range of local theater while highlighting the work of original playwrights and composers. Behind the scenes, members of the production team are already immersed in planning every aspect of the performances, including music, choreography, costumes, staging and set construction. During a recent readthrough, directors and crew members collaborated on creative concepts that will give each musical its own visual identity, allowing audiences to experience two separate artistic worlds within one production. The evening will feature In Time, written by Maxwell Bruhn, alongside Fairhaven, written by Clarion founder John Sleadd. Although both productions share themes rooted in enduring values and faith, each tells its story in a distinctly different way, creating an evening that moves between comedy and drama while exploring the human experience from different perspectives. For Sleadd, this year's production also represents a personal milestone. Having previously written and composed several original musicals, he will direct one of his own works for the first time as he leads Fairhaven to the stage. His

•

see CLARION, page 9