Oregon trees are in for another difficult year due to climate change. Conditions this spring are already similar to those in 2015, when we experienced peak high temperatures and drought. That’s on top of a winter that tied 1934 for the warmest since accurate records were kept beginning in 1896,[Read More…]
Outdoors
Archery In The Schools Program Growing
Thousands of participants and spectators took part in the 2026 Eastern National Archery in the Schools Program this past weekend in Kentucky. It was much the same in the Western NASP event in Utah last month, and included many Oregon students. Oregon’s Archery in the Schools Program is an in-school[Read More…]
Forest Service Advances Major Disaster Recovery Efforts
The United States Forest Service announced this week that major disaster recovery projects are continuing across national forests and grasslands following years of damage caused by hurricanes, wildfires and flooding. The recovery work is being funded through $6.35 billion provided by the American Relief Act of 2025. The funding supports[Read More…]
Harmful Algae Bloom Season Begins
Officials urge caution around lakes and rivers during warmer weather. State health and environmental agencies are warning Oregonians to be cautious around lakes, rivers and reservoirs as harmful algae bloom season begins across the state. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality have started their annual monitoring[Read More…]
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…]
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…]