Ask Strider: Our canine correspondent shares his favorite ways to celebrate the festive season — his and everyone else’s, too! And there’s mail from someone who’s a bit of a Scrooge. Strider wonders if it’s only a joke, but just in case, he leaps to the defense of the village being impugned. Strider hopes no one is impugned at this festive season. Merry Everything from Strider the Dog!
Ask Strider: For Christmas, a reader would rather have pizza in her pajamas than Beef Wellington in her dressing up clothes, but family members feel differently. What to do? And another reader makes Strider wag his tail and think of pancakes.
Ask Strider: A reader asks whatever happened to Woody the Puppy Intern? Strider has news! Woody has landed on all four paws with a new gig. And Steve, the Ashland.news crossword editor, has a new canine crossword up for solving. The excitement is pupable!
Ask Strider: Our advice columnist has soothing counsel for an activist worried they’re not doing all they can. And he finds similarity between a wife’s problem with her husband and his own with a puppy who doesn’t want to bother finding his own bone.
Ask Strider: There’s a tough question this column about compromise in a marriage, as well as praise from another reader for crossword editor Steve Weyer’s Canine Crossword created just for Strider and his friends. For our advice columnist, it’s all good.
Ask Strider: A worried older brother asks our advice columnist’s advice. And a dog’s guardian wants to know if there is any hope getting their hat-hating dog to calm down. As always, Strider tries to give words that help!
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?
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?
Ask Strider: A reader is “tired and discouraged,” but Strider is there with a small suggestion. His own happy memories really relieve stress, and he’s so pleased another reader asked him about it.
Ask Strider: A reader is feeling really sad and is looking for some heartening words. Another reader is happy the way she is and wonders if that means she’s selfish. As always, Strider strives to do his best in supporting joy whenever possible.
Carrie Dahle: More ADUs could gently expand our housing options while staying aligned with the look and feel of our existing neighborhoods. A homeowner on a fixed income might finally be able to stay because rental income helps keep them afloat.
As 2025 turns the corner into 2026, the time between three Ashland murder cases and solving the mysteries of who’s responsible keeps getting longer. Will the killing of Matthew “Oostburg” Vandersande in September join those of David Grubbs and Dave Lewis as cold cases?
Picture This: A reflection of the year through Ashland.news photographer Bob Palermini’s camera.
In state and national news, many Oregonians stood out for standing up. From protests and marches against Trump and his administration’s policies, to dozens of lawsuits against the federal government. Massive spending and tax cut packages that passed in Washington D.C. and Salem dominated this year’s political coverage
Obituary: Vincent Paul Shubat died on Dec. 19, 2025, at the age of 90, leaving behind a wide circle of family, friends, and acquaintances. Vince lived a life defined by curiosity, courage, and connection.
Black Alliance & Social Empowerment (BASE) Southern Oregon hosted a Kwanzaa celebration Sunday at the Historic Ashland Armory, featuring music, dancing, youth presentations and a candle lighting ceremony.
(It’s free)
