Real Live News Oregon

11/17/2025

Breaking News: Numerous citizens have reported being deceived into signing a fraudulent petition at recall booths, both in person and through misleading information, targeting two Josephine County commissioners. Jim Goodwin, a former county employee who received a taxpayer-funded severance package, subsequently initiated recall efforts against only two of the three commissioners who collectively oversee county departments. Citizens were misinformed that the Josephine Community Library had been evicted, a claim that is false as the commissioners ensured its continued operation by renewing a five-year lease. This misinformation was disseminated on social media platforms and at recall booths. Furthermore, to secure signatures, petitioners associated with Mr. Goodwin informed citizens that the commissioners had eliminated and defunded the 4-H extension program, a claim disproven by a circulating video. In actuality, the commissioners reinstated these programs. If you were misled and signed a recall petition against Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett, the Secretary of State encourages you to come forward. A petition obtained through fraud can be nullified, and the petitioner may face penalties including fines and/or imprisonment. We urge any victims of fraud or deceit by recall petitioners in Josephine County to visit the provided website. The state is prepared to launch an investigation.

The Oregon Secretary of State works to maximize voter participation, is a watchdog for public spending, makes it easier to do business in Oregon, and preserves and promotes Oregon history.

11/17/2025

Questions Rise Over Motives Behind Recall Effort as Former County Employee Faces Scrutiny

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — A political storm is brewing as residents and officials question the motivations behind former county employee Jim Goodwin, the chief petitioner leading a recall effort against Josephine County Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett.

Goodwin, who previously resigned from his county position under a voluntary agreement and requested a severance financial payout and agreed to terms that included non-disparagement and non-retaliation provisions, according to county officials familiar with the agreement. The commissioners named in the recall were the same officials who approved his resignation package at his request.

Now, critics are asking why a former employee who sought a severance, accepted taxpayer-funded compensation, and separated from the county on negotiated terms would later lead an organized political effort to remove those same officials from office.

County observers say the situation has raised concerns about possible retaliatory motives, especially given that Goodwin also stands to collect PERS retirement benefits funded by county taxpayers.

Concerns Over Petition Accuracy

Complicating matters further, county officials confirm that an investigation is underway into allegations of misleading or inaccurate information being presented to the public during the recall signature-gathering process. Several citizens have reported that the petition claims do not align with verified county records, prompting calls for increased scrutiny.

The County Clerk’s office, already facing heightened public attention due to ongoing litigation in an unrelated case, is expected to closely review each submitted signature for validity once the recall packets are turned in.

Community Divided

Supporters of the commissioners argue that the recall appears political in nature and may stem from personal grievances rather than legitimate governance concerns. They say the recall effort risks draining county resources, distracting from ongoing public projects, and undermining stability in local government.

Recall supporters, meanwhile, insist their effort is justified — though critics maintain the timing and circumstances raise serious questions.

As investigations continue and the recall effort moves forward, Josephine County residents are left watching a rapidly developing political battle centered on accountability, transparency, and the appropriate use of public processes.

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

Petition Pop-Up Locations Launch Across Josephine County to Oppose Proposed Oregon Gas Tax
-Community Action

Petition stations are appearing across Josephine County as residents mobilize to oppose Oregon’s proposed gas tax, a measure many say will place a heavy financial burden on everyday Oregonians. The grassroots effort, driven by community members, business owners, and local taxpayers, continues to grow as word spreads about the potential economic impact.

Opponents argue that the tax would disproportionately affect working families, commuters, contractors, farmers, and rural residents who rely heavily on fuel for daily life and business. With inflation still hitting household budgets and fuel prices remaining high, many say another tax is simply unacceptable.

To make signing easy and accessible, volunteers are setting up pop-up petition locations throughout the county. One of the main sites is the Josephine County Republican Party Headquarters on 6th Street, directly across from the courthouse, where residents can stop by and sign the NO Gas Tax petition.

Organizers say turnout has been strong. “People feel like they’ve had enough. This petition gives them a clear way to push back,” one volunteer said.

More pop-up locations are expected to appear in the coming days as the effort expands. Volunteers encourage residents to visit, get informed, and add their signatures if they want to stand against the proposed gas tax.

11/16/2025

BREAKING: LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CHAIR UNDER FIRE AFTER CONTROVERSIAL VIDEO EMERGES

Josephine County — A newly circulated video is sparking outrage across Josephine County after Eva Doris Avery, Chair of the Josephine County Democratic Party, appeared dressed as a nun in a skit produced by Rogue Indivisible, a local branch of the national Indivisible organization. The group has been actively involved in efforts to support the recall of two sitting Josephine County Commissioners.

In the video, Avery—who frequently attends the County Commissioners’ weekly business sessions calling for “unity”—is shown mocking U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz, who represents Josephine County. Locals say the tone and imagery contradict her public calls for cooperation.

Adding to the controversy, the video also features Raleigh Smith, a known activist associated with Rogue Indivisible, along with others who have been seen working at recall petition booths, offices, and tables. Critics argue that the participants in the skit are the same individuals engaging in aggressive signature-gathering tactics across the county.

Meanwhile, a private “Support Our Commissioners” group continues to push back, saying they are educating the public with factual information and exposing the political motives behind the recall effort.

The recall’s chief petitioner, Jim Goodwin, has also come under scrutiny. Goodwin, a former county employee who resigned just four months into the new commissioners’ term, left with what many describe as a “handsome retirement severance package.” He now can collect a taxpayer-funded PERS retirement for life. Opponents of the recall say voters are beginning to recognize that the effort is purely political rather than performance-based.

Locals point to the leadership of Rogue Indivisible’s chair, Matt Spurlock, who has openly declared the group’s involvement in the recall and participation in national “No Kings” demonstrations. Members have frequently appeared at the courthouse dressed in theatrical costumes to protest county leadership.

Residents watching the circulating video have expressed disgust, calling it “a disgrace” and accusing the group of hypocrisy. “They claim they want unity,” one resident noted, “but their actions and their videos show the opposite.”

As the Josephine County Commissioners continue to conduct county business, supporters say the Rogue Indivisible faction is working to disrupt local government for political gain and pave the way for their own preferred candidates.

The video remains publicly accessible on Rogue Indivisible’s social media pages and YouTube, with many urging community members to watch it and judge for themselves.

11/16/2025

Restore Josephine County Recall petitoner Jim Goodwin and supporters under fire for false information to the public. They said Library was Evicted....was not, in-fact secured 5 year new lease. 4H and Extension programs were gone.....they were restored. The more they deceive the public, the more documentation for a false fake petition is evident.

Under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 260.555, no person may knowingly make any false statement or misrepresentation about the petition's contents, purpose, or effect while attempting to obtain signatures or circulating it. This applies to recall petitions specifically, as well as initiatives and referendums. Violations can result in criminal penalties, including fines or imprisonment, and may lead to the rejection of petition sheets. Videos, social posts and witnesses have come forward saying they were deceived.

11/15/2025

Here until 6 come on down and sign !

-Jordan Mortenson

11/15/2025

11/15/2025

Scoops and More Foodie Review on 6415 Rogue River Hwy Grants Pass. Smashburgers, Ice Cream, Cakes, American food!
By Contributor Chris Barnett and Dustin Kelley

11/15/2025

Defamation Crackdown: Media, Social Platforms, and Political Recall Groups Face Growing Legal Risks

Across the nation, lawsuits targeting defamation and libel are rising sharply, putting newspapers, radio hosts, bloggers, social media users, and political organizers under growing scrutiny. While the First Amendment protects free speech, it does not protect knowingly false statements that cause harm.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized that “defamation is not OK,” calling for stronger accountability across all forms of media and public communication. His stance reflects a broader movement: people are fighting back when misinformation damages reputations, careers, or livelihoods.

Locally, attorneys report that politicians and public officials are preparing for multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuits against individuals and groups who use false narratives or targeted attacks to harm reputations—particularly in politically heated environments.

Recall Groups Using Fake Petitions Also Under Fire

Growing concerns have also surfaced about certain recall groups allegedly circulating fake or misleading petitions to trick community members into signing. Legal experts warn that intentionally misrepresenting a petition's purpose—or using deception to obtain signatures—can lead not only to civil liability but also potential criminal consequences, depending on state law.

Individuals or groups that mislead voters, create false documents, or falsely present the intent of a recall effort may face claims for:

Fraud

Defamation (if reputational harm is part of the tactic)

Civil damages for harm caused to targeted individuals

Liens, wage garnishment, and asset seizure if a judgment is awarded

Courts Are Taking Harm More Seriously

A successful defamation or fraud judgment can result in:

Liens placed on homes

Garnished wages

Frozen or seized bank accounts

Long-term credit and financial impacts

A judgment that follows the defendant until fully paid

With social media accelerating the spread of misinformation, a single false post or deceptive petition can cause more damage today than entire newspapers once could.

Attorneys warn the public and political activists alike: “Watch what you post—and what you ask others to sign.” When individuals suffer financial harm, job loss, or community damage because of falsehoods, accountability often arrives through the legal system.

The message remains clear:
Free speech is a right.
Defamation, fraud, and deception are liabilities.

11/15/2025

The Fall of Old-School Newspapers: Real-Time Reporters Are Replacing a Dying Industry
By contributor

Across the nation, traditional newspapers are fighting for survival as real-time, on-the-ground reporters transform how communities receive information. The era of ink-stained pages, slow publication cycles, and expensive print ads has been steadily disappearing as technology delivers instant updates directly to the public.

For decades, newspapers held a monopoly on local information. Editors controlled the narrative, deciding what stories mattered, when they would be released, and—more importantly—how they would be framed. Over time, many editors shifted from reporting the news to writing their own narratives and opinions, drifting further away from true community representation. That disconnect has driven even more readers toward real-time reporters who deliver events as they happen, without editorial spin.

Today, newspapers face undeniable decline: subscriptions are falling, readership continues to drop, and communities have little patience for stories that break days late or come filtered through editorial agendas. Many papers are now publicly asking for donations to “save local journalism,” an admission that the traditional newspaper model is failing. Journalism isn’t dying — the old newspaper format is.

Legacy newspapers do not always welcome this new reality. Some respond with resentment toward modern reporters who deliver fast, factual, unfiltered content. In many towns, these papers resort to vengeful tactics, attempting to discredit or silence the very journalists providing the timely information communities rely on.

The truth is clear: the media landscape has evolved. Newspapers are no longer the gatekeepers. People want accuracy, transparency, and immediacy — and real-time reporters have stepped in to meet that demand. The age of slow, costly, editor-driven newspaper journalism is ending, replaced by a more responsive, community-focused form of reporting.