A six-acre, 1.4 megawatt (MW) solar energy development proposal just outside the north end of Ashland on the east side of Highway 99 is set for public hearing at the county on Monday, Dec. 1. The proposed project on one parcel of a much larger area owned by Medella Bison Ranch, was initially denied approval by county planning staff based primarily on impacts to agricultural lands.
A $1.5 million grant will provide the final dollars to roughly double the size of the popular downtown Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon. MURA board members, made up of city councilors, debated whether the grant was appropriate for an organization that provides preschool and other activities for children in the Medford area.
Jackson County commissioners declared a state of emergency in response to growing food scarcity following the suspension of SNAP benefits. Around 47,000 in the county receive the food benefits — including nearly 14,000 children or those living with disabilities.
Jackson County residents join millions worldwide for the “Great ShakeOut” earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Jackson County Fire District 5’s financial crisis deepened this week with the discovery of a previously unknown $1.4 million FEMA loan, pushing the district’s total debt to $9.6 million. The district is exploring options, including possible loan forgiveness.
A water conservation order that went out Tuesday morning to residents of the city of Talent and other Rogue Valley cities using water from the Medford Water Commission (MWC) system due to a power outage at its water treatment plant will remain in effect “until further notice,” MWC announced Wednesday afternoon. Not affected are the city of Ashland, which has its own water supply system, and those on private wells or on private water systems.
Expect steep declines in bus service in the Rogue Valley come Sept. 2. That’s what the city of Ashland’s Transportation Advisory Committee was told at its monthly meeting Thursday where they received updates from Rogue Valley Transportation District Associate Planner Edem Gomez about the funding situation at RVTD and what it will mean for changes to bus routes in Ashland and the Rogue Valley.
As layoffs were ordered July 7 for nearly 500 Oregon Department of Transportation workers, effective July 31 with a second round likely by early 2026, local government officials were taking stock of the impacts the loss of state transportation dollars would mean for Southern Oregon.
Rogue Valley Transportation District might eliminate two-thirds of its 15 bus routes and lay off up to 82 employees because of a freeze in federal funds. While no routes have been cut yet, RVTD will be looking at routes with low ridership, such as the relatively new Route 17 in Ashland, which was funded by a grant.
Jackson County officials say careful budgeting and sound financial management have ensured fiscal stability at a time when most counties around the state are grappling with shortfalls. Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan said the county is in good financial shape and able to fund needed capital improvements thanks to a healthy reserve fund.
Review: “Hansel and Gretel” offers surprises for children and the young at heart.
Southern Oregon University’s Small Business Development Center will cease operations Dec. 31 after helping some 11,000 individuals over 41 years, but the state plans to offer virtual services in the new year and hopes to find a subcontractor to offer personal service in the Rogue Valley.
Oregon State Sen. Jeff Golden announced on Monday, Dec. 1, that he will seek another term and that the political climate under Trump’s second term demands stronger state-level resistance.
An estimated 15,000 people came out for Ashland’s 33rd annual Festival of Light on Friday to kick off the holiday season. There were people walking around dressed in Santa hats, Christmas tree outfits, green and red tinsel pom poms in hair, glitter sparkly as snow dusting eyes and rosy cheeks, candy cane stripe stockings, Christmas light necklaces, antler headbands, a few Grinches — and, of course, Santa’s reindeer moseying about.
Oregon has expanded access to birth workers, shown to improve the wellbeing of parents, opening up Medicaid to doulas in 2014 and to lactation consultants in 2020. But years into that effort, professionals say their inability to get paid remains one of the most persistent obstacles to providing care to low-income families
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