Grants Pass open burn window starts Oct. 31: get your permit

GRANTS PASS, Ore. - Fire season in the city of Grants Pass ended Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., lifting all public regulated-use restrictions. The Fall 2026 Open Burn Window will run from Saturday through Nov. 8. According to the city, residents can now apply for burn permits online or in person starting Wednesday.

Grants Pass Photo Contest Puts Southern Oregon Water in Focus

Southern Oregon photographers have until December 31 to submit images for Grants Pass’ annual Water Quality Report photo contest, which offers cash prizes and an opportunity for winning work to appear in city publications. The competition includes categories for kindergarten through 12th grade students, amateur photographers and professionals. Under...

Eagle Point council reestablishes police sergeant role

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Police chief position still vacant after Hamilton resigned in August, citing ‘philosophical differences’ with city administration. The Eagle Point City Council is aiming to establish a job description and wage scale to hire a new police sergeant for the Eagle Point Police...

Jail Levy Renewal on Josephine County Ballot

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore.- Josephine County voters are being asked to renew a 5-year levy to fund the county jail on the November ballot. If passed, the measure will keep the current tax of $0.93 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in place. Originally passed by voters in 2021, it...

NBC5 Halloween Special: A Haunting at the Chateau & Caves Pt. 1

CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. – Anyone that finds themselves around Cave Junction in Josephine County has surely heard of the Oregon Caves and Chateau. What might not be so widespread knowledge are the paranormal allegations attached to the on-site Chateau lodge. For the first part of this Halloween Special, NBC5 is diving deeper into the history of the iconic building.

Fire season to end Oct. 28 for Jackson, Josephine counties

Since fire season was declared on May 15, ODF firefighters responded to 210 fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, totaling about 17,220 acres burned.

Ashland issues code violation to downtown parking lot owner

Pacific Rental Properties implemented a payment system without approval, according to city officials; the $6 minimum charge has caused frustration among local businesses as downtown parking dispute persists. Ashland officials issued a 10-day warning to the owner of the downtown Ashland Plaza Mall to remove signage of its pay-to-park system//

Three So. Oregon GOP State Reps not facing challengers

MEDFORD, Ore. –Several southern Oregon Republican state representatives don’t have challengers in next week’s election. Representative Virgle Osborne from Roseburg will head back for his 3rd term. Representative Emily McIntire, whose district runs from Klamath Falls to Eagle Point, is also going back to the Capitol for...

Josephine County Shelter Waives Dog Adoption Fees Through October

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — If you’re looking to adopt a new family member this Halloween, the Josephine County Animal Shelter may be the place to start. The shelter says it is full right now. To help all of its dogs find loving new homes, Shelter Friends is sponsoring all dog adoption fees through the end of October.

Jackson County Vector Control asks voters for new levy

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. –Jackson County Vector Control is asking voters to approve a new 5-year levy to maintain and expand mosquito and vector-control services. The proposed levy would cost $.05 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a home assessed at $300,000, that’s $15 a year. Since its...

VOTE 2026: Jackson County measures and races

Measure 15-243: Requiring Voter Approval for New or Increased Fee or Tax. Voting YES on this measure will allow Ashland City Council to propose new fees, taxes, or increase existing fees or taxes on a utility bill unrelated to the operation of the utilities. To read more on this measure,...

Remains of World War II POW laid to rest at Eagle Point National Cemetery

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Army Maj. Harry Conrad Hoffmeyer, known as ‘Uncle Henry’ to Rogue River grand-niece, interred eight decades after his presumed death in 1945. Sunshine and a cool breeze washed over the hillside of the Eagle Point National Cemetery on Saturday as nearly 100...

Ashland, Oregon Is the Size of a Small Town and Has One of the Best Theater Festivals in North America

Ashland, Oregon has a population of about 20,000 people, sits in the Siskiyou Mountains 15...

Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Set for November 29

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Douglas County’s 43rd annual Christmas tree lighting will take place Sunday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse. The free event will mark the first lighting of the county’s Heritage Christmas Tree and courthouse for the holiday season. This year’s program will also recognize the 250th anniversary of American independence, with patriotic music included alongside traditional holiday activities.

‘Going Places’ Gala to honor Southern Oregon youth leaders and support local schools

Ticket sales end this week; all proceeds benefit Ashland, Talent and Phoenix schools. The “Going Places” Honoring Youth Leaders Gala Dinner and Ceremony brings together community members, educators, civic leaders, and K-12 students for an evening celebrating Southern Oregon’s next generation of changemakers. Hosted at the Ashland...

McKenzie Reed Receives Tom Findlay Sr. Outstanding 4-H Member Award

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Douglas County 4-H member McKenzie Reed has been recognized with the Tom Findlay Sr. Outstanding 4-H Member Award for her leadership, community service and dedication to the 4-H program. The award, presented by the Douglas County Pomona Grange, honors the memory of Tom Findlay Sr., a longtime...

Budget could cause school changes in Medford

This Walkable Oregon River Town Feels Like Stepping Into the 1890s Every Time You Park the Car

Park the car in Jacksonville, Oregon, and the clock seems to run backward. This small Southern Oregon town was once the busy center of the region during the gold rush years, and a surprising number of its old buildings are still standing. Many carry small plaques telling you what they were long ago, and dozens of signs share stories on nearly every block.

Douglas, Coos, Curry counties end fire season restrictions today

OREGON - Fire season and regulated use restrictions ended Monday in Douglas, Coos and Curry counties. Debris burning is now allowed, according to the Coos Forest Protective Association. People should keep their burns limited to wood and paper products. Paper products should be burned in an enclosed area with a...

Jackson County Fire District 5 shifts operations to District 3

Jackson County Fire District 5 will transfer all its employees to Fire District 3 at the end of the year under an agreement that expands their shared services. District 5, which serves Phoenix, Talent and rural areas outside Ashland, has struggled with millions of dollars in debt, board resignations and staffing shortages. Fire Chief Mike Hussey, who leads both districts, said combining personnel will make it easier to staff District 5’s three stations.