Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Northwest's spotted owls declining at a faster rate ... Oregon lawmakers consider 20 percent tax on retail marijuana ... Log truck driver cited after three-vehicle crash on Highway 42 ... Northwest's spotted owls declining at a faster rate ... Oregon lawmakers consider 20 percent tax on retail marijuana ... Log truck driver cited after three-vehicle crash on Highway 42 ... Grants Pass hopes to open sobering center by January Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Local supporters of a proposed sobering center in Grants Pass have set January as their goal for opening the facility. Grants Pass Public Safety Chief Bill Landis, a driving force in the effort, announced the target date Wednesday during a presentation to the City Council. Landis provided the update prior to the council's approval of $130,000 to be used toward the cost of land, construction or maintenance of the facility. The money comes from revenue paid to the Department of Public Safety from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Landis said the Sobering Center also has raised $140,000 from several other sources. The proposed center is intended to be a place where intoxicated people can be lodged until they are sober. It is not a comprehensive detox center, although guests will be advised on treatment options. Supporters already have identified a 4,700-square-foot warehouse on Southwest Foundry Street as a possible location. Landis said the group anticipates obtaining building permits sometime this month in order to start work. Landis also told the council that a bill in the state Legislature extending civil and criminal immunity protections to sobering facilities similar to the protection afforded detox and treatment centers is making progress. "I'm more than optimistic this will make it to a vote," Landis said. The bill originated last session with former Rep. Wally Hicks, now the Josephine County legal counsel, and since has been carried on by Hicks' successor, Carl Wilson, and fellow Rep. Duane Stark. The estimated annual operational cost is estimated to be $260,000 after start-up costs estimated at $1 million. Casting the votes were Council President Dan DeYoung and Councilors Dennis Roler, Ken Hannum, Jim Goodwin, Mark Gatlin and Roy Lindsay. Councilors Lily Morgan and Rick Riker were absent.   By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501