Ashland postal workers and supporters joined Thursday in a “Day of Action” coordinated by the U.S. Postal Service workers union, gathering at the Ashland Post Office to wave signs and hand out information.
The cost of a new water treatment plant project combined with the length of time since its last water rate increase force the city’s hand, Public Works Director Scott Fleury told the Ashland City Council during its Tuesday business meeting: rates must be increased. A rate study says a customer with a ¾-inch meter using 700 cubic feet would see an increase of about $7 a month next year and $8 in the following year, moving up to around $11 per month five years out.
Members of Ashland City Council debated Monday during its study session meeting how to make the need to meet new state requirements an opportunity for improving the city’s housing stock. The city is required to be in compliance with the state’s Climate Friendly Areas rules by June 30.
Oregon is in a better financial position than other states but could see its budget devastated by federal spending cuts, a framework released Wednesday by the Legislature’s top budget writers shows. The framework, an early step toward adopting the state’s next two-year budget, comes against a backdrop of federal uncertainty.
Slated for demolition in the 1990s with its doors closed in 1986, the Holly Theatre in Medford reopened last Thursday, March 13, with opening ceremonies and a live performance by the Piano Guys to a full house. The revitalization of downtown Medford through the Holly, helped by all the volunteers, donors and people of Ashland’s Jefferson Public Radio, took more than 13 years and $13 million.
When Rebecca Goldman first attended a Southern Oregon Repertory Singers concert, it was because she had a friend in the choir. Not long after that, she assumed a leadership role for the organization as interim executive director. Taking over for Jessica Bailey, who resigned to take on another project, Goldman is excited about her new job.
Ask Strider: This column, a reader asks how Strider deals with bullies. Another reader sends good wishes and praise. And a third reader asks the burning question: Pizza with pineapple or without?
A crowdfunding effort to fund a spring play at Ashland Middle School has raised more than $1,000 — 20% of its $5,000 goal — to ensure that the show will go on, but there is still $4,000 to raise by the end of the week if fundraisers are to meet their goal. The play’s GoFundMe page had collected $1,050 as of mid-day Wednesday, March 19.
“Spotlight on Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina,” now playing at the Camelot Theatre in Talent, is an invigorating evening of their celebrated, extraordinarily fine pop-folk tunes. More often than not those tunes are energetically recreated in the spirit of the ’70s and sometimes off the charts.
A packed open house on Saturday at Jackson County Fire District 5 Station 4 outside of Ashland offered a detailed financial update on the embattled district and a chance to discuss everything from staffing struggles to an investigation that remains under review by the Oregon Department of Justice.
At just 21 years old, Ashland native Brooklyn Williams is stepping into her biggest role yet — the lead in Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s adaptation of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” playing through Dec. 31.
A women’s singing group with member from the 27 Ukrainian families now taking refuge in Ashland will perform at a benefit concert Dec. 14.
The Trump administration will require that homeless service providers force people to receive behavioral health treatment in order to access long-term, federally supported housing, a move that could mean organizations across Oregon would have to choose between receiving federal dollars or state dollars — but not both.
A local artist who arrived in Ashland three years ago is having his first solo art show at the White Rabbit gallery in downtown Ashland. Micah Blacklight has been waiting for the chance to show the personal perspective of an injustice he has witnessed over decades.
This year marks the 10th annual Thanksgiving Community Peace Meal and the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland has offered to share their space with the community. SOJWJ is lining up volunteers and cooks, as well as those who can give financial support. They are expecting to feed more than 300 people.
Ashland has been approved for a federal loan of up to $73 million to replace its 76-year-old water treatment plant, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday. The low-interest financing will allow the city to draw funds as construction progresses.
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