Obituary: Kathleen Newcomb, who passed away on Nov. 14, was a fearless champion of the environment and public health. She earned degrees in psychology and business administration, worked as a senior auditor, and was active in civic causes with the League of Women Voters. Kathy and her husband, Bob Newcomb, had three children and two grandsons.
Obituary: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Janet Ligon, after a brief illness. She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her. Janet had lived in Ashland since 1970.
Obituary: Carol Rae Tracy passed away on Sept. 27. She was 90. Carol had lived in Ashland since 2019. She was a clerk, law librarian and Shasta County’s first jury coordinator.
Obituary: Alice Aleen Mooers Bessonette, who died Nov. 3, attended Southern Oregon University. She was a third-grade teacher (with distinction) at Phoenix Elementary School for 26 years. An accomplished pianist, she performed in many churches and schools.
Obituary: Nancy R. Zufich died at at Maple Ridge Senior Living on Oct. 14. She was 89. A longtime Ashland resident and artist, her work graced homes and businesses throughout the Rogue Valley.
Obituary: Harriet L. Williams passed away on Sept. 19, 2025. She was 97. Harriet had lived in Ashland for five years, having lived in Chicago, Skokie and Scottsdale before.
Obituary: On Oct. 14, 2025, Marc J. Valens, 76, longtime resident of Moondance Ranch in Beatty, Oregon, as well as Ashland, Oregon, passed away peacefully after an extensive journey battling prostate cancer.
Obituary: Heriberto Petschek’s long, eventful life spanned three continents. Born in Prague, he and his family fled ahead of the Nazi regime, settling in Argentina, and then the U.S. A chemical engineer and businessman, he was active in education and community volunteer work in Ashland.
Obituary: Retired Lt. Hector Meletich, who passed away on Oct. 15, was a 13-year veteran of the Ashland Police Department where he “wore the badge with honor and brought professionalism and compassion to all he encountered.”
Sept. 15, 1938 — Sept. 11, 2025 Barbara Ann Bear, of Ashland, Oregon, passed away on Sept. 11, 2025, just four days shy of her 87th birthday. Barbara was the
At just 21 years old, Ashland native Brooklyn Williams is stepping into her biggest role yet — the lead in Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s adaptation of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” playing through Dec. 31.
A women’s singing group with member from the 27 Ukrainian families now taking refuge in Ashland will perform at a benefit concert Dec. 14.
The Trump administration will require that homeless service providers force people to receive behavioral health treatment in order to access long-term, federally supported housing, a move that could mean organizations across Oregon would have to choose between receiving federal dollars or state dollars — but not both.
A local artist who arrived in Ashland three years ago is having his first solo art show at the White Rabbit gallery in downtown Ashland. Micah Blacklight has been waiting for the chance to show the personal perspective of an injustice he has witnessed over decades.
his bonus “variety” puzzle is an acrostic with a quote about newspapers and journalism — in support of year-end fundraising efforts. Solve it in your browser or download and print; how to solve acrostics. Next Friday’s crossword: Yule Be Puzzled #01. Check out the Mini crossword on Tuesdays.
This year marks the 10th annual Thanksgiving Community Peace Meal and the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland has offered to share their space with the community. SOJWJ is lining up volunteers and cooks, as well as those who can give financial support. They are expecting to feed more than 300 people.
(It’s free)
