OnTrack Expands Services with Emergency Lodging & Outpatient Facilities in Grants Pass
OnTrack Rogue Valley is pleased to announce the opening of its Emergency Lodging Program and the relocation and expansion of its Outpatient Treatment Facility in Grants Pass. OnTrack officials said these new facilities represent a significant step toward addressing the urgent need for substance abuse treatment and temporary housing, offering hope and healing to individuals and families in Southern Oregon. The new Emergency Lodging Program is designed to serve as a critical bridge for individuals who are unhoused and waiting for residential treatment. Currently, 398 individuals are on the waitlist for one of OnTrack's residential treatment beds and many lack stable housing to support their recovery journey. The Grants Pass Emergency Lodging Facility will provide 12 single-occupancy rooms with keypad locks for privacy and safety, ADA-accessible units to ensure inclusivity for all individuals, shared amenities designed to foster community and dignity, and on-site case management to connect residents with treatment and resources. This program builds on the success of OnTrack's Emergency Lodging Program in Medford, which has already helped 173 individuals move from the streets to treatment and long-term recovery. ...Read more

ODOT Announces Major Project on Highway 99 Rogue River Bridge in Gold Hill
The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced a major construction project on the Highway 99 Rogue River Bridge in Gold Hill will start next year. ODOT will be improving the historic 1927 bridge that crosses the Rogue just east of Gold Hill. This bridge receives heavy pedestrian traffic as it also provides access between the city and a mobile home park. It needs repairs to stay open. An ODOT contractor will widen the existing 20-foot-wide bridge deck to 24 feet and upgrade the existing timber walkway for pedestrians to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The goal is to remove the posted weight restriction, improve safety and mobility for all modes of transportation on this critical crossing into Gold Hill and the Sams Valley area. The new bridge deck will be wider and stronger to accommodate freight, transit, emergency vehicles and the traveling public. ODOT crews performed a bridge inspection last night in preparation for the work. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026 and run through Summer 2027. Motorists can expect a full bridge closure throughout most of the project. ...Read more

City of GP Calling for Artists for 22nd Annual Art Along the Rogue Festival in October
The 22nd Annual Art Along the Rogue Chalk-Painting and Music Festival will happen the first weekend of October, but the City of Grants Pass is searching for artists right now. Join other chalk artists and turn the area of 5th and H streets into an outdoor display of art. This year's theme is "Time Warp: When Past Meets Future." The Art Along the Rogue Committee will review artist applications to determine who might receive a modest stipend. One or two "premier" artists will be chosen to work on a 12-by-12-foot square. Up to 10 "featured" artists and amateur youth teams will be picked to work on 10-by-10-foot squares. All other artists will work on 8-by-8-foot squares at the "volunteer" level. Since its inception in 2003, Art Along the Rogue has become one of Grants Pass' premier community events and one of the leading street chalk and music festivals in Oregon, attracting thousands of people to the city every fall. For more information, please contact Mike Zacchino at (541)-450-6511 or by email at "mzacchino@grantspassoregon.gov." ...Read more