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.

High-stakes state elections in both Jackson, Lane counties and rural infrastructure challenges

Republican Brad Hicks and Democrat Denise Krause are competing to succeed retiring Sen. Jeff Golden in Oregon’s most expensive legislative race. Hicks has raised more than $1.4 million; Krause, about $776,000. The outcome could determine whether Democrats retain the Senate supermajority needed to pass tax increases without Republican votes.

Ashland to test emergency warning sirens tomorrow, October 28th

ASHLAND, Ore. – The City of Ashland is reminding residents that officials will be testing the emergency warning system tomorrow, October 28th. People in downtown Ashland, as well as on the north end of town, should expect to hear a test siren followed by a verbal message. The test is expected to happen in the late morning or early afternoon.

Election 2026 Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission Candidate Viewpoint: Brian Long

Long looks to bring 23 years of federal public service and recreation management experience to the parks commission, along with a desire to give back to the community. Hi, my name is Brian Long, and I decided to run for the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission primarily for three reasons.

Beyond Party Lines: Finding Common Ground and Building a Stronger Josephine County

Over the last two articles, I’ve shared some thoughts about the Republicans I have known throughout my life and why I have remained a Democrat. I’ve talked about the values I admire in my Republican friends, family members and colleagues, and the experiences that shaped my own political beliefs.

Oregon Adds 17 Ballot Drop Boxes as November Election Nears

Oregon has added 17 official ballot drop boxes before the November 3 election. Here are the newest locations, deadlines and ways to track a ballot.

What Does It Mean to Be a Republican in Josephine County?

My name is Susan Fischer-Maki. I grew up in Southern Oregon and have built my life here in Josephine County. In that time, I have known many Republicans. They have been members of my family, friends, coworkers, business owners, public servants and community leaders. Some have been people I have worked alongside for decades. I’m not a registered Republican, so we haven’t always agreed about politics, and sometimes we have disagreed quite a bit. But when I think about the Republicans I have known and respected, I don’t first think about a particular policy position or something written by a party platform. I think about how they carried themselves.

Ashland slated to test Hosler Dam emergency sirens in citywide drill Wednesday

Hosler Dam drill will activate warning sirens between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday across downtown Ashland and Lithia Park. Ashland officials will test its Hosler Dam emergency plan Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the event the dam were to fail. Hosler Dam, located above Lithia Park at Reeder Reservoir, Ashland’s...

Notice of Public Hearing: Eagle Point Mixed Use

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Eagle Point Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 17 South Buchanan Avenue, to consider an application requesting Site Plan & Landscape Approval and a Conditional Use Permit for a mixed commercial/residential development on the mostly-vacant downtown land commonly referred to as “the old fire station property” at Jackson County Tax Assessor Map 361W03AC/ Taxlots 9700, 10000, and 10100.

Halloween Events Across Douglas County: Your Guide to Celebrations, Trick-or-Treating and More

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Halloween is approaching, and communities across Douglas County are preparing for a busy week of celebrations, with activities planned in Roseburg, Sutherlin, Winston, and surrounding areas. From free trunk-or-treat events and costume contests to haunted houses, live music, and community gatherings, residents have a variety of ways...

Douglas County Ballot Returns Reach 26.76%, Ahead of 2022 Pace

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Douglas County has received 23,923 ballots for the Nov. 3 general election, bringing voter participation to 26.76%, according to the county’s latest election update. The return rate is 3.03 percentage points ahead of participation at the same point in the 2022 gubernatorial general election. With Election...

Fire season to end in Jackson, Josephine counties: Effective Oct. 28

JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is ending the 2026 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties effective Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and a shift toward consistent fall weather allowed all fire season regulations and...

Veteran laid to rest after 80 years MIA

EAGLE POINT, Ore.- After almost 81 years the remains of Major Harry Conrad Hoffmeyer have been identified and laid to rest by his next of kin. Major Hoffmeyer was assigned to the medical department in the Philippines, where he was captured and held prisoner, only to be killed by an Allied strike on a prison boat.

Ashland Wants To Be Known as ‘Storytown.’ The Rogue Valley Already Has Plenty of Material.

A homecoming filmmaker is pushing Oregon’s Shakespeare town past its summer season.