Politics

A series of recently passed bills focused on affordable housing, infrastructure and drug treatment will bring a combined $11.5 million to Jackson County for projects ranging from water system upgrades to the expansion of a new local drug withdrawal management program. Gov. Tina Kotek signed the Emergency Housing Stability and...

By Kristy Tallman, May 7, 2024 ASHLAND, Ore. — As fruits and berries begin to ripen, black bears are venturing into Ashland, searching for an easy meal. Residents are urged not to give them a free lunch. Each spring, the alluring scent of unsecured garbage, dirty grills, bird feeders, and outdoor pet food draws hungry bears into the city. This behavior not only causes property damage but also poses safety risks to humans. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Ashland Police Department (APD) are advocating for a 'BearWise' approach, emphasizing the removal of these food sources. "Bears are intelligent creatures with a remarkable memory for food sources," stated ODFW wildlife biologist Chris Shelton. "They quickly learn where to find food, and this behavior can be passed down to their offspring, posing a safety risk to both people and pets." Police Chief Tighe O'Meara echoed Shelton's sentiments, urging residents to take proactive measures such as securing garbage cans, removing bird feeders, and bringing pet food indoors. In an effort to mitigate conflicts between bears and humans, it is essential to follow these guidelines: - **Never feed bears:** Feeding bears, intentionally or unintentionally, fosters an association between humans and food, which is against the law in Oregon. - **Secure food and garbage:** Utilize bear-resistant garbage cans and fully enclosed trash storage to prevent bears from accessing food waste. - **Remove bird feeders:** Especially during times when bears are active, as bird seed can attract bears and lead to habituation. - **Never leave pet food outdoors:** This can easily attract bears and jeopardize the safety of both pets and wildlife. - **Clean up outdoor grills:** After each use, to eliminate food odors that may attract bears. - **Check yards before letting pets out at night:** Using a flashlight to ensure there are no bears present. - **Alert authorities to unusual bear activity:** Such as continued sightings during daylight hours or lack of wariness around people or pets. If encountering a bear, it's crucial to remember these safety measures: - **STOP:** Never approach a bear, especially if cubs are present. - **GIVE IT SPACE:** Provide the bear with an escape route. - **STAY CALM:** Avoid sudden movements and slowly back away. - **AVOID EYE CONTACT:** Refrain from making direct eye contact with the bear. - **DON'T RUN:** Running may provoke the bear to chase. - **FIGHT BACK:** If attacked, be aggressive and use any available means to defend yourself. Residents are encouraged to report non-emergency bear activity through the city's bear reporting website or by contacting ODFW directly. In case of immediate threats to human safety, dial 911. For additional information on coexisting with bears, visit [link]. By Kristy Tallman, May 7, 2024 The Republic News Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This May marks the 10th anniversary of successfully passing Oregon’s Measure 15-119, creating Jackson County’s GMO-free Seed Sanctuary. Jackson County is one of the only places in this country to have created and successfully defended a county-wide ban on GMO crops. Our Family Farms is hosting its first annual Save Our Seeds Day to celebrate local, GMO-Free seeds. Elise Higley, President of Our Family Farms, joins the Jefferson Exchange.

Join us on Saturday, May 18, at ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum for, “Sparking Action! Community Wildfire Education Day!”. Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative and our local organizations in forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction invite you to a FREE day of family fun and education at ScienceWorks! Discover the cultural use of fire and see live-fire demonstrations, learn about student-led service projects, and see student work, enjoy story time in the auditorium (stories will be presented in Spanish and English), say hello to Smokey Bear and Ashland Fire & Rescue responders! There will be opportunities for families to learn about Community Connect, smoke detector use, hazard preparedness, our local resources for wildfire and smoke preparation and more.

You'll be able to find results from the primary election in real time during NewsWatch 12's newscasts and on our website, kdrv.com.

The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com. ODF Southwest Oregon District — Hog Creek Fire in Josephine County. 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘, Sunday 5/12 𝟳:𝟰𝟬 𝗣𝗠: The fire has been stopped at...

Phoenix is closer to winning the war on inflation than most other cities. And its recent experience bears out what economists and the Federal Reserve have insisted for months but struggled to pin an accurate timeline on: When rents come down, overall inflation usually does, too. Consumer prices in Phoenix...

MEDFORD, Ore.- As ballots start to come in, Jackson County For All says it’s all in the people’s hands now. NBC5 News previously reported on the story of Jackson County For All and its successful petition to get measures on the May ballot. The group seeks to expand the Jackson County Board of Commissioners from three to five, decrease the Commissioners’ salaries and make the board nonpartisan.

MEDFORD, Ore. – Despite the summer-like temperatures recently, many local fire agencies are actually expecting a late start to fire season. Ashland Fire and Rescue told the Ashland City Council on Monday that the late start is due to a wet winter. The agency also said that fire season will technically begin June 1 but aren’t expecting fire danger to pick up until later this summer and they’re not the only agency expecting that. Jackson County Fire District 5 Fire Battalion Chief, Brian Bolstad said,

ASHLAND, Ore. — As spring returns to Ashland, Jackson County’s bears are waking up from their winter hibernation, eager to refuel. They’re hungry, and the Ashland Police Department (APD) is appealing to residents to help keep the bears at a distance. Bears In Ashland. While bears’ natural...

Check out these photos NewsWatch 12 viewers sent in of the northern lights last night!

MEDFORD, Ore. – The Barony of Glyn Dwfn, local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, welcomed members and the public out to Edenvale Winery in Medford Saturday for part of their annual camping weekend. The Medieval Market at Táin Bó IX opened its gates Saturday morning at 11...

MEDFORD, Ore. — A wet winter has contributed to a late start to the fire season but that must not stop Oregonians from fireproofing their homes and yards. Climate changes are responsible for the late start to this year’s wildfire season which, by now, is usually underway. June...

JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Mother’s Day is a day known for brunch, flowers, chocolate and wine – which means families go out to local businesses to fulfill their celebratory needs. According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day is expected to bring more than $33 billion to the...

The Ashland School Board last night “strongly condemned” the participation of a National Rifle Association affiliated organization in the weeklong vulnerability assessment being conducted of the city’s open campus high school. “School safety is one of our biggest priorities and we appreciate the work of school district...

UPDATE: Controlled burn completed at Horn Gap near No Candies Trail, additional burns planned. The controlled burn at Horn Gap has been successfully completed. Crews will be monitoring the area this evening and into tomorrow to ensure safety. If current weather conditions remain favorable, additional fuels reduction work is scheduled...

Local vendors take up seven blocks selling crafts, jewelry and anything made in the region.

MEDFORD, Ore. – On West Main Street in downtown Medford, some new artwork being displayed on the OnTrack building. A whole mural has been painted on the southwest parking lot wall of the non-profit building. It aims to capture Southern Oregon’s likeness with the Rogue River displayed, and the Western Meadowlark; the state bird. The artist behind the mural is Casillas Oliver. The mural is intended to inspire joy but Oliver said that it will mean different things for everyone.

When a store selling glass bottles of gold-flecked “living water” for $111 apiece opened on a busy downtown Ashland arterial in 2022, people in town started whispering. Main Street is a bustling avenue that reflects the hobbies and cultures of the small Southern Oregon city, which has a population of around 21,000. A bike shop and a running shoe store cater to the outdoorsy set. The city’s famed Oregon Shakespeare Festival — headquartered a block away from the main drag — is even reflected in business names: the Bard’s Inn, Oberon’s Restaurant, Three Penny Mercantile.