The snow bibs were strapped and the bindings tightened as Mt. Ashland Ski Area kicked off its 2024-25 winter season Friday morning for excited snow sports enthusiasts in the Rogue Valley. This year on the mountain, the ski area will have multiple new features including the brand-new Lithia Chair — Mt. Ashland’s first new chair lift to be installed since the 1980s — as well as other new amenities.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the rearview mirror, Ashland’s Abundance Swap on Sunday, Dec. 15, offers a refreshing reset. The event lets community members exchange three quality items for thoughtful gifts. No price tags. No stress. Just meaningful connections and a sustainable way to celebrate the season.
An enhanced law enforcement area for the south side of Ashland was approved Tuesday by Ashland City Council with one nay vote. The second ELEA for the south side, which will need a second vote before going into effect, was established under the same existing rules as the downtown ELEA.
The Mississippi-based media chain that recently bought more than three dozen newspapers in Oregon and Washington has spent the two months since its acquisition pursuing job cuts and exploring other steps to save money. Five employees of the Rogue Valley Times were told Tuesday their last day of work would be Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the newspaper’s operations.
A budget crisis didn’t stop Ashland schools Superintendent Joseph Hattrick Monday night from vowing to turn a fiscal corner within a few years with the community’s help. He spoke Monday night before an audience of about 50 parents and school staff at Ashland High School’s Mountain Avenue Theatre during the first of four public outreach sessions this week.
The sun shone on a frosty Lincoln Field early Tuesday morning as members of Ashland School Board met virtually by Zoom in a special board session to set the price value range of the 4.12 acres at a range of $1.745 million and $2.25 million, based on an appraisal of the property and compared with Medford prices.
City Corner: The Homeless Services Assessment Report … evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the current homeless response system. It identifies the most pressing needs and suggests potential opportunities for improvement.
The city of Ashland has opened a comment window seeking public input on the potential to allocate portions of federally awarded funds to renovations at 2200 Ashland St., according to a release from the city. The city of Ashland could reallocate $112,112 to support renovations at the 2200 Ashland St., such as the installation of a sprinkler system, fire egress modifications, laundry shower and additional restrooms, the release said.
Ashland’s largest social services hub has announced the hire of Dan Cano as its new executive director, according to a news release from nonprofit Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance. Cano served most recently as Vocational Services Director at Transitions-Mental Health Association in San Luis Obispo, California.
Break out the downhill and snowboards. It’s almost time to go skiing and riding. Abundant snowfall means the Mt. Ashland Ski Area will open early for the 2024/25 winter season on Friday, Dec. 6, with Season Passholder Appreciation Day. The area will open to all on Saturday, Dec. 7. Both days the Sonnet, Comer, and Windsor chairlifts will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A bright blue book locker outside the Ashland Family YMCA provides a new, more convenient way to check out materials from the library. The book locker can be accessed 24/7. Books are placed on hold through the library services website, which also has a video showing the book locker installation.
John Marciano and Leslie Dwyer: While hedge funds and rich corporate interests are buying up hospitals across the country and cutting services and staff to increase their profits, the well-being of hospital staff and patients is undermined.
KS Wild Side: With the help of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, the state of Oregon will see its first wildlife overpass built in Ashland’s backyard. The proposed wildlife overpass is located roughly at mile marker 1.7 on Interstate 5, just north of the California border.
Editor’s note: Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne covers city government, including its ongoing efforts to find ways to shape policies around homelessness. For better insight into the issue, Rothborne spent a night in early December in the shelter when it was operated by Jobs with Justice in Calvin Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Ashland.
An Ashland man was arrested after an ongoing investigation “into child exploitation and internet crimes against children” led to execution of a search warrant on Alida Street early Tuesday, according to a news release from the Ashland Police Department.
Reader Photo: Mary Piper took this photo of Emigrant Lake recently. As of Jan. 12, the lake was 39% full, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.
(It’s free)
