Black Alliance & Social Empowerment member Kim McKandes describes the organization, founded in 2019 by Executive Director Vance Beach in conjunction with a Juneteenth celebration, as “existing to make sure Oregon is a safe place for African Americans to live.”
A full house gathered Monday night at Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to better understand current changes to federal immigration policy and to hear how they might support immigrants in the local community.
SOU recognized the importance of providing a diverse perspective with its recent rededication of the Drs. Roy and Barbara Saigo Multicultural Alcove in SOU’s Hannon Library. The collection was originally established during Roy Saigo’s tenure as SOU’s interim president and then president, from 2014 through August 2016.
Last week’s extended stretch of snowy weather tested Ashland’s capacity to offer the unhoused shelter out of the storm. With just 14 sleeping spots available at the city’s shelter, other organizations opened additional spaces, and the city temporarily raised its capacity due to emergency conditions.
The Ashland Sunrise Project is hosting an opportunity for community members to learn about current immigration issues and how to be in solidarity with those potentially impacted by the changing political climate on immigration. The event, titled “How To Do No Harm and Be a Good Neighbor,” is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (RVUUF), 87 4th St., Ashland.
This week’s crossword: local movements and biases. Solve it directly in the article or download a PDF to print. Next week’s crossword: “Peak Performances.” More crosswords under the Culture menu.
For five days, Ashland elementary and middle-schoolers had the chance to “make art” in a theater workshop presented by the Empowered Arts Ensemble, which trains children in theater. In devised theater, no one knows what the end product will look like — not the performers nor the creative team. The work is collaborative and experimental.
A stretch of approximately 2,000 acres of privately owned land in the Rogue Valley with historical significance, including the likely location of a treaty signing and near the site of a massacre, is returning to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
How to collectively think about big problems and discuss them across lines of difference — a lot to learn in 50 minutes, but that’s what students, faculty, and staff at Southern Oregon University, along with Ashland community members, did Wednesday afternoon.
Oregon is preparing for what could be sweeping changes to its immigration landscape with President Donald Trump back in office. The state is home to about 120,000 undocumented immigrants. There are also tens of thousands more people living in Oregon under other designations, including those fleeing violence and persecution, workers who are here on the H-1B visa, or international students enrolled in Oregon universities. The state also has one of the broadest sanctuary laws in the U.S.
A Medford teen was reported missing Friday, Jan. 16, and is believed to possibly have left with an unknown adult. The teen was last seen in the Coleman Creek Road area between 8:20 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. Friday.
Criminal charges will not be filed against a Talent resident reported to police for watching videos of naked children on three separate days in December at the Talent library. The Jackson County District Attorney’s office announced Thursday afternoon that it found no evidence of illegal conduct after reviewing the incident involving 33-year-old Nicholas Johnson, a Talent resident who identified himself to police as a registered sex offender.
Ashland City Council debated whether to consolidate city services into a single civic campus, potentially including the sale or lease of City Hall, during a special study session Wednesday.
A South Ashland retail space that has sat vacant since 2020 has new life again, returning to its roots as a grocery store with the opening of Grocery Outlet next week, adding 20 full-time jobs to Ashland’s economy.
For 37 years, people in Ashland have gathered to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of justice, service and community. This year’s celebration, themed “The time is always right to do right,” features music, dance, spoken word and a call to action, urging people to not only to remember Dr. King’s legacy, but to carry it forward throughout the year.
Dennis Kendig: Give away tickets to Native individuals if you wish, but don’t make me sit through your self-serving announcements.
(It’s free)
