Southern Oregon University, one of the region’s largest contributors, is facing a significant financial obstacle. SOU draws thousands of students to the town of Ashland every year, and even more to the surrounding areas when families move to the area or faculty move into the state for work. At the[Read More…]
News
Volunteers To Refresh Downtown Medford During Day Of Caring
More than 50 volunteers will gather in downtown Medford on Saturday, May 16, as the Downtown Medford Association partners with the United Way of Jackson County for the annual Day of Caring. The volunteer effort will focus on beautifying more than 250 downtown tree wells in an effort to improve[Read More…]
ODOT Road Construction Update For May 13, 2026
JACKSON COUNTY • INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), MP 1-163, Southern Oregon Wrong Way Driver Mitigation project ($2.5 million), https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=21699 This project improves safety along Interstate 5 by adding features that alert drivers when they enter an interchange off-ramp from the wrong direction. These enhancements include permanent signs, reflective pavement markings[Read More…]
Fire Restrictions Begin May 14 On BLM Lands
Officials warn dry conditions could lead to severe wildfire season. Fire restrictions will take effect May 14 on all lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management across Oregon and Washington as officials prepare for what could become a dangerous wildfire season throughout the Pacific Northwest. The restrictions, announced jointly[Read More…]
City To Present Resolution Supporting Bentz FEMA Bill
Rogue River City Administrator Ryan Nolan, with support from the Rogue River Rogue River City Administrator Ryan Nolan, with support from the Rogue River City Council, drafted a resolution supporting House Resolution 7862, the National Flood Insurance Program Act of 2026, during the City Council workshop on Thursday, May 7.[Read More…]
34th Annual Rogue River Clean-Up Returns
The 34th Annual Rogue River Clean-Up is set for Saturday, May 16, 2026, inviting community members from across the region to roll up their sleeves and make a lasting impact on the health of the Rogue River. Hosted by the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency and Stream Smart: A Rogue[Read More…]
Fire Season Officially Begins in Jackson & Josephine Counties
The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District has officially declared the start of the 2026 fire season beginning Friday, May 15 at 12:01 a.m. Fire danger will begin at “Low” (green), with the Industrial Fire Precaution Level set at IFPL I (one). The declaration affects approximately 1.8 million acres[Read More…]
Baker Sentenced In Wimer Hit-and-Run Case
Jason Allan Baker, the man who struck a Wimer woman and her horse with his vehicle while she was helping move horses along Queens Branch Road on a Sunday night in January 2025, was convicted in Jackson County Circuit Court on four charges and sentenced to eight years in prison[Read More…]
School District Keeps SVA Staffing
The Rogue River School District Budget Committee faced the task of cutting between $425,000 and $450,000 from its budget during its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 6. Superintendent Patrick Lee opened the meeting by explaining that the district’s budget message had already been revised before the committee convened, based on[Read More…]
Hope For Young People At Risk Of Homelessness
Communities are finding new ways to care for one another before small struggles turn into lasting hardship. One such effort is drawing attention for its simple but powerful idea: sometimes the best way to prevent homelessness is to reach out with help before a crisis takes hold. A recent study[Read More…]