State Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, is again championing the Climate Superfund Bill, along with several Portland and Salem-area Democrats. The bill would require some of the largest, most profitable oil and gas companies in history to pay damages for disasters fueled by climate change.
Ashland Fiber Network customers can expect a significant jump in internet speeds and reliability this summer as the city-run utility begins a long-planned infrastructure upgrade.
Oregon Democrats are working to put a repeal of the gas tax increase on the May 19 primary ballot. Lawmakers must pass a referral during the legislative session starting Feb. 2, have it signed by Gov. Tina Kotek by Feb. 25, and submit all materials to the Elections Division by March 12.
As energy costs for heating a home peak in winter months amid a recent increase in city electric rates, a local nonprofit continues to provide energy assistance while the city of Ashland launches a free Home Energy Score program. Local nonprofit ACCESS will offer energy assistance on an appointment basis from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Ashland Senior Center to help low-income renters and homeowners manage energy costs and pay utility bills.
A county hearing officer has approved a commercial-scale solar project on Medella Bison Ranch land near Ashland, despite objections from neighbors concerned about visual impacts and the preservation of farmland.
Sen. Jeff Merkley packed the Ashland High School gym Sunday for a town hall that highlighted his fight against “authoritarian” efforts by the Trump administration. About 1,200 filled the gym, while a line of people outside stretched two blocks and were too many to fit inside, according to Merkley aides. It was the largest audience of the town halls held by Merkley this year, the aides said.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek spent months cajoling the state Legislature to provide billions for transportation infrastructure, safety and jobs. Now, she’s asking them to repeal that plan and start fresh.
The Republican-led effort to refer a gas tax increase passed in September to the November 2026 ballot has prompted some Democrats to suggest repealing all or parts of the gas tax bill in next year’s legislative session.
Ashlanders could see their monthly bills rise by about $3 next year after a majority of the Ashland City Council backed a plan Wednesday, Dec. 17, to approve a 3.9% rate increase. The higher rates are intended to address declining cash reserves and pay for needed upgrades to the city’s aging electric infrastructure.
The Ashland City Council will hold a special study session Wednesday to review a study recommending annual electric rate increases of roughly 3.9% beginning in 2026. The increase, which would add about $2.99 per month to the average residential bill, is designed to prevent the city’s electric utility from dipping below recommended cash reserves and to support maintenance and upgrades to aging infrastructure.
Owen Johnson: While it may be tempting to be unproblematic in the face of threats of violence, this is the desired effect. The most effective form of counter-protest is for local communities to monitor ICE activity.
Although many large regional theaters host students on their own campuses, only a few maintain educational outreach programs like OSF’s because of the high cost of school visits.
MLK Jr.: “Malcolm was still turning and growing at the time of his brutal and meaningless assassination. . . . Like the murder of Lumumba, the murder of Malcolm X deprives the world of a potentially great leader. I could not agree with either of these men, but I could see in them a capacity for leadership which I could respect, and which was just beginning to mature in judgment and statesmanship.”
Obituary: Cheryl Rae Gilliam Minoletti passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20 following complications from heart surgery. She was 68. Infectious laughter, warmth, and compassion were felt by those who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, March 28, in Eagle Point.
The Ashland Independent Film Festival will spotlight homegrown talent Saturday, Feb. 21, during its revived Local Lens Spotlight at the Varsity Theatre. The one-night program features 13 short films by filmmakers from Jackson and Siskiyou counties, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and crew.
Evan Frost, ecologist and conservationist, passed away Dec. 12, 2025.
(It’s free)
