Oregon Bat Wins Fourth Consecutive BLM Bat Beauty Contest

MEDFORD, OR — Oregon has claimed its fourth consecutive victory in the Bureau of Land Management’s annual Bat Beauty Contest, with a pallid bat named Ryan GosWING taking this year’s title. The contest, held during Bat Week

Grants Pass Advances Water System Improvements as October Brings Downtown Events and Community Remembrance

The City of Grants Pass advanced construction on its drinking water system, restored treatment equipment and upgraded downtown amenities during October, completing a month of municipal projects that also included winter preparations, community events and a farewell to Police K9 Officer Jeff Craven. Construction connecting Grants Pass’s new water treatment...

Douglas County Ballot Returns Near 50% As Election Day Approaches

Nearly half of Douglas County’s registered voters have returned their ballots for the November 3 general election, with the latest county update showing 44,518 ballots received. The participation rate stands at 49.77%, putting the county 0.57 percentage points ahead of its pace at the same point in the 2022...

Medford to discuss plans for relocating Eugene Emeralds ballpark

A study evaluating the feasibility of a new Medford (Ore.) ballpark for the relocating Eugene Emeralds (High-A; Northwest League) is scheduled for discussion by the City Council on November 18. The $500,000 study–funded by Emeralds ownership and the Medford Urban Renewal Agency–will examine whether Hawthorne Park, part of the core...

Everyone Is Suddenly Talking About The Oregon Town Where Monthly Rent Is Still Only $800

Somewhere in southern Oregon, tucked between the Siskiyou Mountains and the Rogue River, there’s a town that hasn’t gotten the memo that everything is supposed to be expensive now, and its name is Grants Pass. If you’ve been quietly watching your rent climb every year while your quality...

8 Haunted Oregon Spots That’ll Send Chills Down Your Spine

Looking for haunted Oregon spots that’ll genuinely send chills down your spine?. These 8 haunted spots offer real history and seriously spine-tingling atmosphere!. 1. Golden State Heritage Site (Wolf Creek) Near the small town of Wolf Creek, the Golden State Heritage Site sits in a forested valley that feels...

Legally purchasing firearms: the protections in place

WHITE CITY, Ore. - Following the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary, a local gun shop owner is explaining the process customers go through before purchasing a firearm. Darren, who owns Bigfoot Guns and Ammo, walked through the vetting process required for gun purchases. He said customers must answer several questions on federal forms, including whether they have been convicted of a felony or committed to a mental institution.

Ashland Halloween parade draws thousands despite rainy weather

From The Witches dance in front of Treehouse Books to a Dolly Parton tribute, the city’s long-running festive parade had something for everyone. Thousands packed downtown Ashland Saturday for the city’s annual Halloween parade. Although dark clouds and the threat of rain loomed, Main Street filled with excitement...

Wind-driven grass fire burns 10 acres near home in Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — A fast-moving, wind-driven grass fire near Ladybug Lane grew quickly Sunday afternoon, prompting a second alarm as crews worked to keep flames from reaching nearby homes. Central Douglas Fire & Rescue said it was dispatched at 3:21 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, to a reported grass...

Medford Chamber prepares for its last Halloween

Douglas County joins nationwide effort to honor veterans

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Douglas County will light up the courthouse in green throughout November to honor veterans and raise awareness of challenges they face returning to civilian life. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation on Oct. 28 celebrating Nov. 11 as Veterans Day and November as Military...

YMCA of Douglas County Opens Youth Basketball Registration November 2

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The YMCA of Douglas County is preparing for another season of youth basketball, with registration opening Monday, November 2, at 8 a.m. for children ages 3 through fourth grade. The program gives young athletes an opportunity to learn basketball fundamentals, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills in...

Southern Oregon Falls Back as Standard Time Returns

Southern Oregon returned to Pacific Standard Time early Sunday, giving households an extra hour overnight and moving sunset an hour earlier on the clock as November begins. The change took effect at 2 a.m. November 1, when clocks moved back to 1 a.m. For anyone waking up to a kitchen clock, wristwatch or dashboard display that still shows Saturday’s setting, the morning comes with one remaining task: turn it back one hour.

Pass Creek Covered Bridge in Drain Added to National Register of Historic Places

DRAIN, Ore. - A piece of Douglas County history has received national recognition. The Pass Creek Covered Bridge in Drain has officially been added to the National Register of Historic Places, joining a list of properties recognized for their historical significance. The National Park Service approved the bridge's nomination in...

Ashland City Hall Tidbits 11/02/2026: Ashland’s New Election Rules In Effect This Election

With new City Council and Parks Commission majorities on the line facing severe budgetary issues, Ashland voters are casting ballots for city offices under a new election system. All 12 candidates for council are competing against one another, as are the six active candidates for three Parks Commission seats. In...

Election Day 2026: What Southern Oregon Voters Need to Know

MEDFORD, Ore. (Nov. 1, 2026) — Oregon voters have until Tuesday, Nov. 3, to return their ballots in the 2026 general election, with election officials encouraging residents to make sure their ballots are completed, signed and submitted before the deadline. The statewide election includes races for governor, U.S. Senate,...

You Won’t Believe This Dreamy Oregon Town Isn’t Actually A Hallmark Movie Set

If someone described Jacksonville, Oregon to you without showing you a picture, you’d probably assume they were making it up. A perfectly preserved gold rush town, surrounded by wine country and pine-covered hills, that hosts world-class music festivals every summer under the stars? That’s not a real place. That’s a screenplay.

Sign up for your local Turkey Trot

SOUTHERN OREGON – Thanksgiving is less than a month away, which means it’s time to sign up for a Turkey Trot. The Southern Oregon Runners are hosting their annual Thanksgiving run in Talent on Thursday, November 26th, at 300 West Valley View Road. Runners can choose from a 2-mile family run/walk, a 5K run/walk, or an 8-mile run for those feeling ambitious. A free Turkey Dash kids run for ages 8 and under starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 8-mile run at 8:15 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m., and the 2-mile family run/walk at 8:40 a.m.

Grants Pass Opens Nine-Day Fall Burn Window With Permits and Daily Air Conditions Required

Grants Pass residents can begin permitted outdoor debris burning Saturday, October 31, as the city opens its fall burn window through Sunday, November 8. Burning during the nine-day period requires a city permit and daily confirmation that ventilation conditions meet the threshold established for the local airshed. The seasonal opening...