MEDFORD, Ore. – Hillcrest Hardware, the new Ace Hardware store, has officially broken ground on its new location in Medford, marking a significant expansion for the family-owned business. This will be the second store for the company, which has been a staple in the Rogue Valley for nearly a quarter of a century. Following the success of Ashland Hardware, which has been in operation since 1936, Hillcrest Hardware promises to bring a wide range of products and services to the Medford community. The new location will feature 15,000 square feet of indoor retail space and an additional 5,000 square feet…
Author: Sarah Prescott
WHITE CITY, Ore. – Slayden Constructors, Inc. has been selected to lead a significant upgrade project at the Regional Water Reclamation Facility in White City, managed by the City of Medford. The upgrades are being made in response to new environmental standards issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which require stricter limits on phosphorus and nitrogen discharges into the Rogue River. The project, which is estimated to cost $302 million, will play a critical role in ensuring the facility meets the new regulatory requirements. The facility serves several communities, including White City, Central Point, and Eagle Point,…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The Redwood Foundation for Education is set to distribute more than $700,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Josephine County, Rogue River, and Glendale this month. The foundation’s efforts aim to support students pursuing a wide range of educational paths, with over 200 scholarship opportunities available annually. One of the highlighted awards is the Josephine County Home Builders Association Scholarship, which offers $2,500 per year and is renewable for up to four years. This particular scholarship is geared toward students pursuing careers in the trades, providing critical financial support for those interested in hands-on…
MEDFORD, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to begin prescribed burning operations across southwest Oregon this month, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risks and promote forest health. The initiative will involve controlled burns on approximately 1,500 acres of public lands, strategically scheduled as temperatures rise and fuels begin to dry out. Al Mason, Fire Management Officer for the BLM Medford District, emphasized that these burns are critical for both public and firefighter safety during wildfire season. “This effort not only reduces the potential for catastrophic wildfires, but it also plays a vital…
Grants Pass, Ore. – May 6, 2025 — A 35-year-old man from Grants Pass was charged with starting a fire at the A Street resting site on Monday evening. The incident, which occurred around 5:10 p.m., prompted an immediate response from Grants Pass Police (GPPD) and Grants Pass Fire and Rescue. Witnesses at the scene were reportedly attempting to put out the fire by dousing a tarp that had caught flames. In addition to the tarp, the fire caused damage to about eight feet of screening attached to the fencing around the site. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. An investigation…
ASHLAND, Ore. – Ashland Little League has expressed significant concerns regarding a recent change in the field rental fee structure at Hunter Park, which could have a major impact on local youth sports programs. The changes, which were introduced by Ashland Parks and Recreation, replace the previous flat-rate seasonal rental fees with an hourly rate. This shift, the league argues, could create financial barriers for families and disrupt the flexibility needed for practices, games, and other community programming. The new hourly fee structure was officially implemented after a vote by the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, but Little League officials…
ASHLAND, Ore. – The City of Ashland’s Parks and Recreation Department is grappling with a substantial budget shortfall, forcing potential cuts to some of the city’s most cherished amenities, including the Daniel Meyer Pool, the ice rink, and various educational and senior programs. The $1.4 million in budget reductions come as part of the city’s biennial budgeting process, designed to address a general fund shortfall estimated at between $8 and $9 million. Parks and Recreation Director Rocky Houston explained that the department’s efforts to mitigate these cuts included evaluating new assets and identifying areas for potential reductions. However, these measures…
MEDFORD, Ore. – Medford held its first Council Town Hall of 2025 on April 30 at the Medford Police Headquarters, with a primary focus on emergency preparedness. The event aimed to equip residents with essential resources and provide a platform for questions about the city’s readiness for fire season and other emergencies. City Councilors Jessica Ayres, Mike Kerlinger, Kevin Stine, and Garrett West, along with Mayor Michael Zarosinski, were in attendance to host the event. The town hall provided a unique opportunity for residents to hear directly from key city leaders about the plans and measures in place for wildfire…
HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. — The Harney County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that remains discovered by volunteer searchers have been positively identified as those of Kaylee Birt, a woman who had been missing since April 4. Birt, 32, was traveling from Klamath Falls to Iowa when she was last seen leaving the Fields Store in Southern Harney County, a rural area in southeastern Oregon. Her disappearance prompted an immediate search, which led to the discovery of her vehicle in a remote part of Southern Harney County the following day. The car was found abandoned and empty, fueling concerns about her safety. Despite…
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. — A 31-year-old man was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon after he allegedly fired shots at two individuals and stole an ATV in Cave Junction. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at approximately 3:15 p.m. on the 5200 block of Dick George Road. Upon arriving, deputies learned that the suspect, identified as Blaine Case, had arrived at a private property and fired shots from a handgun toward two people. While the victims were unharmed, investigators discovered bullet holes in the home, confirming the threat of gunfire. The two victims reported that Case fled…