Solar power plays a key role in Ashland’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050 — but right now, it generates just 5% of Ashland’s electricity. The local nonprofit Ashland Solar Cooperative aims to increase access to this renewable energy source by installing community solar projects.
In time for the cooling of temperatures, the city of Ashland has announced a return of its assistance program for low-income resident’s utility bills, according to a release from the city. The Ashland Low Income Energy Assistance Program (ALIEP) program is open to residents whose income is at or below 65 percent of Oregon’s median income, determined by household income and size.
Oregon’s energy landscape is charging into the future, and Southern Oregon PBS is capturing every watt of it with “Energy Horizons,” a new six-part documentary series premiering this fall. Directed by Keegan Van Hook (“Us As We Are”) and filmed by longtime collaborator Tripp White, both Ashland residents, the series takes viewers on a powerful journey across the state, spotlighting Oregon’s renewable energy breakthroughs, cutting-edge technologies, and the challenges of storage and transmission.
Electric Department Head Tom McBartlett presented a master plan to keep the city of Ashland’s electric department safe, reliable and capable of meeting future demand at the Ashland City Council study session Monday. The plan projected that, with a few changes, the city’s electric system would be capable of handling the projected population growth and with a few potential upgrades and alterations — such as an expansion of the Mountain Avenue substation and a potential upgrade to its transformer.
Southern Oregon University is one step closer to reaching its goal of generating 100% of its own electricity by 2033. The Oregon Department of Energy awarded SOU $1 million in a third round of state funding to help accelerate the university’s goal of becoming the nation’s first public university to generate 100% of its daytime electricity.
Facing an end-of-year deadline to choose and zone specific Ashland areas where mixed-use, pedestrian friendly development is encouraged, the city of Ashland will host a public open house and presentation from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development Building at 51 Winburn Way to receive public feedback.
Talent residents packed the meeting room in Talent Library beyond capacity Wednesday evening, filling every chair, lining walls and halls and peering through doorways, all for the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Ryan Flynn, president of Pacific Power.
Pacific Power has organized a meeting in Talent to discuss power outages that have plagued the city this summer. The meeting is 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Talent library, 101 Home St. It will include an opportunity to hear from Pacific Power President Ryan Flynn, who will discuss the outages and also explain what is being done to improve the power grid system.
The Ashland Food Co-op recently made a big change to its back line in the kitchen, where food prep for the deli happens. It removed the last of its gas range appliances, installing three new induction ranges. The highly efficient electric appliances heat pots and pans directly using magnets. In making this switch, the co-op is moving one step closer to its goal of “carbon neutrality” (net-zero carbon emissions) by 2030.
More than 60 people gathered in the shadow of Talent City Hall on Tuesday to speak their minds about long and frequent power outages in the area. Many shared elaborate systems of generators, batteries and extension cords they feel compelled to leave strung up around their homes.
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.
Wanda Petzold Olsrud, known for her quiet but steadfast generosity and the decades she and her late husband Sherm spent supporting community organizations from medical facilities to youth programs, died on Monday at the age of 100.
The likelihood of rain and the already low snowpack have resulted in the Mt. Ashland Ski Area pausing ski operations indefinitely as of Thursday, New Year’s Day. In a press release Wednesday afternoon, ski area officials said the New Year’s Day forecast calls for rain with a high near 38 degrees and south-southeast winds around 18 mph with gusts as high as 28 mph.
(It’s free)
