When a recent poll by travel industry expert Exoticca named two Rogue Valley towns as Oregon’s most Hallmark-movie-worthy of locations, locals were far from surprised. Participants offered up Jacksonville as Oregon’s best, with Ashland coming in second and Cannon Beach ranked third.
Asante’s announcement that it plans to close the Asante Ashland Community Hospital birth center and inpatient surgery in May 2026 has sparked pushback in a number of ways, including an online petition to appeal the decision started by a staff member that’s gaining traction with more than 2,750 signatures as of publication.
A library patron in Talent is permanently forbidden from using the library’s internet after he was seen looking at images and videos of nude children. Meanwhile, Talent police and the Jackson County District Attorney are investigating the incident.
Ashland’s historic Pioneer Hall will reopen Jan. 2 after being closed for more than five years for renovations, with a new fee schedule and online booking system implemented by Ashland Parks & Recreation. The city has ended a decades-old exclusive-use agreement with American Legion Post 14, clarifying that Ashland is the sole owner and that all groups, including the legion and Ashland Scout Troop 112, must now work with the parks department under standard city policies.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Ashland, with gusts up to 60 mph beginning Tuesday night and potentially lasting through Christmas Day. Meanwhile, a shelter has opened in Ashland, with a second opening its doors Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Over at First Presbyterian Church in Ashland on Saturday, people were busy breaking bread together at a free holiday party. Southern Oregon Jobs With Justice (SOJWJ), Ashland Red Lions Club, and Mountain Meadows Community Foundation joined forces for the 10th annual party and community meal.
Ashland’s We Keep Dancing, a group of dancers in their 60s through 80s, perform their second flash mob dance of the season on the Plaza in Ashland on Saturday.
Jackson County library officials issued a statement of regret this past weekend over the handling of a 32-year-old man’s suspension of library privileges after he was witnessed watching videos and viewing photos of naked children on at least three separate days in one week at the Talent branch library.
Peace House in Ashland is honoring its longtime Executive Director Elizabeth Hallett and welcoming Meg Wade as its new leader. After running the local nonprofit for a decade, Hallett reflected on her legacy of peace activism and community service.
Talent Library employees and patrons are speaking out after multiple incidents at the Home Street branch within the past two weeks in which a man using a library computer station was observed watching what they believed to be child pornography.
Recent federal policy changes have weakened fair housing protections nationwide that disproportionately impact minorities, immigrants and rural residents, according to advocates. Oregon has moved to add protections.
Dr. John Maurer: It is my profound sense of community loss that prompts me to pen this article. Please let me know how the loss of our hospital impacts you…. I’m sure it’s a lot more than the inconvenience of driving 12 miles to Medford for your care.
Federal immigration agents arrested at least 1,100 people in Oregon this year, immigration experts estimate — a surge from the 113 arrests recorded in all of 2024. In August, the Trump administration said it would “come after” states like Oregon with laws preventing local law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration officials
The Historic Ashland Armory is setting up an end-of-year celebration, Elevation New Year’s Eve, to remember with eight local DJs from across the state and Washington performing on two different stages on two different floors and bringing electronic music into the new year.
A suspect was still on the run early Monday afternoon after stealing two vehicles during a chase through Jackson County. Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara said the individual was last seen in Talent shortly before 1 p.m.
Diane Williams: It seems like a significant tragedy to suddenly potentially terminate the careers of some providers and staff as well as to leave two-thirds of the hospital empty.
(It’s free)
