A new Oregon law aimed at reducing youth nicotine addiction took effect June 5, expanding the state’s definition of tobacco products to include oral nicotine pouches, lozenges, gum and other nicotine products. Under Senate Bill 1571, retailers must now treat these products the same as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes and[Read More…]
News
Commission Honing Down, Mixed-Use Zoning
The Rogue River Planning Commission, in its first meeting in about a month, continued its discussion on forming a Commercial district within the city and forming legislation to create a commercial-residential mixed-use district at its Tuesday, June 9 workshop. Onnie Heater, a city planner with the Rogue Valley Council of[Read More…]
RR Fire Plans To Begin Hiring
Though it will defer the vote until its official meeting on Wed., June 10, the Jackson County Fire District 1 Board of Directors will vote on the timeline, means, and criteria for hiring its new chief, in time for a Jan. 1, 2027 start. At a workshop in the afternoon[Read More…]
Small Town, Big Heart: Gold Dust Day Returns
Gold Hill’s annual Gold Dust Day once again proved that a small town doesn’t need a giant festival to create lasting memories. It simply needs neighbors willing to show up for one another. Unlike last year’s blazing sunshine, this year’s celebration unfolded beneath cool, overcast skies. The weather may have[Read More…]
SVA Honors Largest Graduating Class, Resilience
With its largest graduating class and its second-largest group of graduates crossing the stage to receive their diplomas, South Valley Academy’s Class of 2026 was ushered into its future with the familiar sense of celebration as the cheering crowd at the end of a marathon. “Behind every graduate is a[Read More…]
RRJSHS’s Class Of ’26 Leaves An Impact
Rogue River Junior Senior High School’s Class of 2026 was small-ish, at 44 graduates, four more than in 2025, but it had impact. “All of our classes are special, but this is a very special class,” Commencement speaker Brian Pannell said. “There’s joy, but there’s tears. This is a tough[Read More…]