Ashland will face another shift in its local pharmacy landscape as Rite Aid closes its doors on Sept. 22. Ashland Drug will remain the town’s only locally-owned pharmacy as ongoing pressures from insurance companies and rising costs threaten the profitability of small pharmacies.
John Compton Schweiger, a former Ashland businessman who built a chain of movie theaters across small and mid-sized towns in the West, bringing big-screen entertainment to communities far from the multiplex sprawl, died on July 30 at his home in La Fayette, Georgia. He was 81.
After fulfilling a long-held dream of leading sales and marketing reins at a regional theater by serving in upper sales and marketing management at Oregon Shakespeare Festival for the past three years, Javier “Javi” Dubon’s appointment by OSF’s Board of Directors to interim executive director on June 23 launched him into an expanded role and then some as he became the sixth person in less than seven years to take on responsibility for operations, finance, IT and human resources and more.
Oregon’s landmark recycling program faces legal challenges weeks after taking effect, as wholesale distributors push back against the 2021 legislation.
The Rogue Valley has poured itself into the No. 2 spot on USA Today’s “10Best” list, earning high praise from wine lovers and experts alike.
Two Ashland restaurants — Alchemy Restaurant and Bar and Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine — have earned national recognition for their exceptional wine programs.
Four Ashland farms welcomed visitors for an annual event aimed at educating the public about local food and those who produce it.
Weary hikers traveling the Pacific Crest Trail can now hitch a ride into Ashland thanks to a new shuttle service from the trailhead.
Southern Oregon Public Broadcasting is on the brink of losing nearly $1 million in federal funding if the U.S. Senate votes to strip previously approved public media funding. Jefferson Public Radio stands to lose more than $500,000.
Two Oregon lawmakers have launched a bipartisan caucus to promote trade, business development and international economic policy. Legislative caucuses are groups of lawmakers who share similar policy interests.
One of Southern Oregon University’s most elite programs – its Honors College – is on its way out as part of $10 million in cost cuts detailed in the Resiliency Plan approved by the Board of Trustees in September.
Trisha Vigil: While closing the government may seem a national rather than a local issue, to Rogue Valley residents, it is clearly a local issue.
A proposed ballot initiative to eliminate Oregon’s estate tax is moving forward, even as the state braces for a massive loss in federal funding due to cuts related to Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. The estate tax generated $423 million for Oregon in 2024-25, a critical revenue stream as the state faces an estimated $15.1 billion in federal cuts, primarily from two programs that benefit low-income Oregonians: Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The art exhibition of a renowned American artist living in Ashland has opened at the Langford Art Gallery in Phoenix. The exhibition “Beneath the Surface” features dozens of paintings by artist Abby Lazerow. The artist describes her work as “the search for human connection.”
Ashland’s 15th annual SOPride Festival brought together students, educators, activists and dozens of local groups on Saturday, Oct. 4 for the event’s parade in downtown Ashland.
Saying the Trump administration directly contravened her Saturday order blocking the federal government from mobilizing National Guard troops in Portland, a federal judge on Sunday evening issued a broader order barring the federal government from relocating National Guard members to Oregon from any state.
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