Columnists
Poetry Corner: Another New Year
Poetry Corner: The New Year comes in many forms, dependent on one’s cultural traditions. This September’s New Year offers times for reflection and renewal.
September 24, 2025
Poetry Corner: The New Year comes in many forms, dependent on one’s cultural traditions. This September’s New Year offers times for reflection and renewal.
Murder comes with a melody this fall at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre with “Murder for Two.” The zany, high-energy, musical comedy flips the script on the classic whodunit — with just two actors playing all the roles. One is the determined cop. The other? Every suspect in the murder of a celebrated novelist.
Jim Hatton: There are countless definitions and uses of the word love…. Here is my definition: Love is what is created when God-Source sees itself within its own creation.
Ask Strider: A reader wants to bring a smile to his wife’s face, and our advice columnist tackles this puzzle by suggesting a crossword invented by puzzle editor Steve Weyer just for Strider. What could be better?
Catty Corner: Dr. Paula Backus is a veterinarian whose mobile practice focuses solely on in-home euthanasia — and she is busier than ever. Saying goodbye from the familiar comforts of home makes a difficult process easier for both humans and their beloved furry family members.
After an eight-year absence from the stage, actor Jonathan Haugen is stepping back under the lights with Rogue Theater Company’s production of “Waiting for Godot.”
Elizabeth Essex: Gardens catch our attention for various reasons. It might be a striking new plant we haven’t seen before, or the scent of a blossom wafting on the breeze, or the image of a butterfly waving its wings at us! This month, the pergola at 903 Stoneridge Ave. is compelling for its ability to create a garden room much enjoyed by the owners, Christina and David Boenitz.
Ask Strider: This column, the Dog About Town gives his perspective on what makes a great veterinarian — with an anecdote about what doesn’t. He is full of praise for veterinarians in general, as why wouldn’t he be?
Southern Oregon offers many hiking trails, many of which tell a history of the region, like the Gin Lin Trail.
This year’s Ashland Mystery Festival is scheduled to run Oct. 16 through 19, and will be headquartered at the Historic Ashland Armory.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a phishing scam involving fake emails that appear to come from the official Jackson Alerts system.
Throughout October, 12 female professionals from across the country and Australia — organized by Ashland-based nonprofit Keeping All Women Safe (KAWS) — will offer “valuable information” to help women and men cultivate safer, healthier and more empowering lives and relationships.
The Oregon Senate on Monday passed the long-awaited transportation bill to update the state’s funding sources for road maintenance and operations. The bill would raise taxes and fees, including a gas tax increase from $0.40 to $0.46, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Once a vibrant hub for local produce and community gathering, the Ashland Growers Market is now, some say, struggling with shrinking sales and dwindling attendance. Longtime vendors report drops of up to two-thirds in revenue, while people voice frustrations over pricing, location and atmosphere.
A former civil rights attorney said that the Trump administration’s lawsuit demanding that Oregon turn over voter information to investigate unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud is unprecedented.
(It’s free)