In a world seemingly becoming more and more disconnected, with polarized camps retreating to hostile corners, Marla Estes wants to be one of those building bridges — and is working to make it so many others are, too. Most recently, she’s launched a monthly presentation and conversation on the second Wednesdays of the month at Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library on Ashland Street in Ashland.
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now has joined a coalition that seeks to add an environmental rights amendment to the state constitution through a vote of the people. The coalition aims to get the measure on the November 2026 general election ballot.
Local high school students relished their deep dive into navigating some of the thorniest political issues of our time at the first-ever Southern Oregon Law Day on Thursday at Southern Oregon University. The half-day event, held at Stevenson Union on the SOU campus, featured a number of experts in their respective fields, as well as opening remarks by Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, and closing remarks by Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland.
In the primary race between a pair of Ashland Republicans competing for the chance to unseat state House District 5 Rep. Pam Marsh — an Ashland Democrat — in the November election, Katherine Green garnered nearly twice as many votes as Sandra Abercrombie.
Oregon voters decided to give a slate of state legislators a chance to prove themselves worthy of a promotion to statewide office in the November elections. Three statewide races — for attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer — are open.
A Tuesday primary election ballot measure to cut Jackson County commissioners salaries to $75,000 received overwhelming support from voters, according to unofficial results at 8 p.m. But two other ballot measures — one that would have made the commissioner position nonpartisan, another increasing the size of the board from three to five — appear to be rejected, according to the first round of ballot results released by the Jackson County Elections Office.
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, appears to be on his way to a third term in Congress after easily defeating Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe in Oregon’s primary election to be his party’s candidate to represent the sprawling, heavily Republican 2nd Congressional District that takes in Jackson and Josephine counties, according to unofficial election returns at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Initial results after polls closed Tuesday showed Ashland voters in strong support of two measures on the primary ballot Tuesday with both receiving more than three-quarters of votes in support. A proposed change to the city recorder’s office from an elected official to an appointed position received 4,030 votes, or 79%, of the total 5,038 votes cast.
Oregon voters have had their ballots for several weeks now, but relatively few seem to be motivated to pop them in a ballot box or in the mail. Turnout among Oregon’s more than 3 million registered voters has been slow this primary, but it picked up a bit Monday.
Ashland voters will decide whether the city recorder will continue to be elected or instead become an appointed position and whether the chief of police must be the one serving as sergeant at arms, keeping the peace during city council meetings. Ballots must be mailed and postmarked by Tuesday, May 21, or dropped into an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Mt. Ashland Ski Area’s first new chairlift in more than three decades will open this weekend. The Lithia Chair will open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, giving skiers and snowboarders greater access to easy and intermediate slopes, according to a release issued Tuesday from the nonprofit ski area.
Review: This year’s production of “A Christmas Carol,” playing at the CTP and directed by Tommy Statler, is original, imaginative and lighter than last year’s production of the same. The story of the miserly curmudgeon who finds redemption in the meaning of Christmas keeps with the spirit of the season.
The Salvation Army in Jackson and Josephine counties is pleading for volunteers to help ring in the holidays during the annual Red Kettle donations campaign as the organization faces a critical shortage of staff. “We are sounding the alarm,” said Capt. Yohani Ortiz with The Salvation Army Grants Pass.
Obituary: It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia “Patti” Ann Metz (Seely), a devoted mother, friend, and pillar of the Rogue Valley community in Southern Oregon for the past 44 years. On Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, Patti left us at the age of 86, after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to those she cherished.
Real Estate Corner: I’ve been noticing an interesting trend. There’s movement both ways — people discovering Ashland as their dream destination and others leaving for the next chapter in their lives. So, what’s driving these shifts? Let’s examine why people are moving to (and from) our fantastic town.
Ashland’s TC Chevy has shifted into high gear on sustainability, becoming a shining example of clean energy innovation with the addition of three new Stracker solar arrays to its existing five units. The dealership now is in a position to run entirely on sun power, achieving net-zero status and proving that the road to a greener future starts at home.
(It’s free)