A former high-ranking Josephine County employee is suing County Commissioner Ron Smith for defamation over statements he made about her at a public meeting last month.

Sandy Novak, who served as the county’s finance director from 2020 to 2025, is asking for $1 million.

In her lawsuit, Novak identifies herself as the unnamed county employee who was the subject of a public apology by Smith last spring.

Roseburg handed the Grants Pass boys their first Southwest Conference wrestling dual meet loss of the season, 46-27, on Wednesday in Roseburg.

The Cavemen jumped ahead 15-0 in the conference finale.

Alexander Pepe got Grants Pass off to a strong start at 106 pounds with a fall. Patrick Murphy followed with a pin at 113 and Adonis Donald (120) won a decision.

But the Indians scored 15 straight points to tie the meet at 15-15.

Nearly 50 trees along the Grants Pass Parkway will be removed starting on Monday to make way for the construction of a new water pipeline, the city said.

The pipeline will carry untreated water from the Rogue River to a new water treatment plant under construction near the parkway.

In a press release, the city said every effort is being made to minimize the impact and maintain the beauty of the community.

Director Tricia Drevets wants to make one thing very clear about “Rabbit Hole,” the play opening Friday at Barnstormers Theatre:

“It’s not a play about a child that dies. It’s about a family living with grief,” she says. “It’s actually very life affirming, very hopeful.”