THIS YEAR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, presented by the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association, will be held on the grounds of Jacksonville’s New City Hall, on Saturday, February 15, from 10am-3pm. The event features spectacular multi-cultural performances, activities, and exhibits. This year’s event promises to be a vibrant and culturally-rich experience […]
ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2020, many of us huddled together on California Street and watched Las Palmas Restaurant burn to the ground. Not only was the community devastated by the loss of a favored eatery, but we were also equally concerned about the fate of the beloved Rodriguez family, who’d given all […]
ON FEBRUARY 23, Jacksonville OR Friends of Classical Music will present the much-anticipated world-renowned concert pianist, Thomas Pandoli, playing an all-Gershwin concert. This is somewhat of a change for JORFCM as Gershwin’s music is more popular than classical music. While the tickets for all our concerts have sold out in advance, […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—Compare how lifestyles have changed in 125 years when Historic Jacksonville, Inc. opens the C.C. Beekman House for “Daily Life Then and Now” tours! Close your eyes and try to imagine your life in 1900 without your smart phone – for […]
JANUARY 24, 2025, JACKSONVILLE, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2025 season, with three weeks of exciting outdoor programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon, June 12 – 28, 2025. Under the leadership of four guest conductors, Damon Gupton (June 12-13); Chia-Hsuan Lin (June 15-18); Roberto Kalb (June 21-23); and Normal Huynh (June 26-28) […]
The Oregon Caves are probably well-known to most Southern Oregonians as a fun day trip to visit the forest and to explore the caves underfoot. The Chateau at the Oregon Caves National Monument, completed in 1934, may be less well-known. However, a designated National Historic Landmark. it is described as a national treasure akin to […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — December 9, 2024 —Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce four extraordinary guest conductors who will lead the Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) during the 2025 classical season. Chia-Hsuan Lin, Roberto Kalb, and Norman Huynh will each conduct two performances during the festival’s renowned three-week classical series in June 2025. Damon Gupton […]
I HAVE COOL NEWS. There’s a new associate joining us at Jacksonville Chiropractic and Massage Clinic. His name is Justin Geyer. He graduated from North Medford High School, and he has deep family ties to Southern Oregon. He was a three-sport athlete and played college baseball prior to embarking on […]
WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE six years ago, someone suggested that we get involved with the Jacksonville Boosters to meet people and get involved with the community. Our thoughts first went to the typical high school booster organizations we were familiar with from other communities. But wait, there […]
FOR THE FIRST CONCERT OF OUR SECOND SEASON, we are proud to present, on Sunday, January 26, 2025, the renowned Jasper String Quartet. This ensemble is celebrated as one of the preeminent American string quartets of the twenty-first century. The second concert of our three-concert series will feature pianist Thomas Pandolfi, who is known throughout […]
THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL THINGS happening in Jacksonville these days, one of which is the return of the Bigham Knoll Campus and grounds as a cornerstone of activity and community pride. Mel and Brooke Ashland purchased the campus in 2008 at which time the School House and grounds were in […]
The firestorm that hit the Rogue Valley in 2020 upending so many lives is being emulated on a larger scale in Los Angeles. It should escape the attention of none of us that such events are exacerbated by the climate change that global warming is inducing. The trends are clear. The projections do not guarantee […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—Experience a Victorian Christmas this holiday season at the historic Beekman House Museum, located at 470 E. California Street in Jacksonville, Oregon. This early 1870s residence, home to Jacksonville’s wealthiest pioneer family, is decorated for a 19th Century Christmas celebration, and you’re invited to visit. Between 12 noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday, November […]
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR … to enjoy McKee Bridge decked out in greenery and aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. McKee Bridge Historical Society volunteers will decorate the bridge, the Depression-era community kitchen in the picnic grounds, and Star Ranger Station on November 30. The displays […]
JFOL will provide gift wrapping for holiday shoppers on Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21. People who wish to have their gifts wrapped may bring them to the Naversen Community Room at the Jacksonville Library, 340 West C Street, from noon to 4pm, each day. The service is offered […]
JACKSONVILLE GARDEN CLUB’S HOLIDAY GREENS SALE is an excellent way to bring seasonal cheer to homes and businesses in our community. This year the Holiday Greens Sale will be held Friday, December 6, 10am-2pm, in the alcove near the Jacksonville Post Office.
Club members use their creativity and artistic skills to […]
THE JACKSONVILLE GARDEN CLUB is preparing for its annual holiday greens sale in December. This year the arrangements will feature handmade boxes in several sizes to showcase the creativity of Club members, who use their skills to make beautiful wreaths, arrangements and swags, featuring natural greens and cones, holly, bows, and […]
THIS WINTER, on January 26, the beautiful Assembly Room at Jacksonville City Hall will once again become a concert hall when Jasper String Quartet, a remarkably talented, internationally known string quartet takes the stage. A little less than a month later, on February 23, renown pianist, Thomas Pandolfi, will perform the […]
Medford, OR – October 25, 2024 The Builders Association of Southern Oregon (BASO) is excited to announce the appointment of Brad Hicks, former President and CEO of The Chamber of Medford and Jackson County, as Interim Executive Officer. Hicks brings nearly 30 years of experience in association management and legislative relations, making him an ideal […]
Tuesday, September 3, 2024: Britt Music & Arts Festival is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the historic U.S. Hotel building, a landmark in downtown Jacksonville, Oregon. This significant purchase underscores Britt’s ongoing commitment to preserving local heritage while enhancing cultural and artistic experiences for the community.
The U.S. Hotel building, constructed in 1880, has been […]
THE FIRST THING you may notice when you meet Hamish Jackson is the lilt in his voice, nurtured in the English Midlands, where he grew up and learned to love clay. But it wasn’t easy, he says. At the beginning of his try-out in clay at the legendary Winchcombe Pottery, he […]
Herbert Dean Beavers was born on Christmas Day in 1935 and grew up in Indio, CA and Winfield, KS. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at 19 after graduating from Winfield High School in 1953. During his three-year service, he married Judy S. Rexroad and started a family. Herb […]
REBEL HEART BOOKS PRESENTS the 1st-Annual Local Author Book Fair, Saturday, November 16, 1-3pm, at Jacksonville Library Naversen Room.
The perfect opportunity to meet over twenty of the best local authors in one convenient place! Writers like Megan Crane, Stephanie Cotta, Frank DeLuca, Peggy Dover, Leslie Ghiglieri, Ken Gregg, Gates McKibbin, Sandra […]
Ashland, OR – This November, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) will mark its 12th year of passionate climate advocacy and education with “Sips for Sustainability,“ a social and fundraising event. Unless we acknowledge and address the climate crisis, sustainable living will not be possible. This inspiring evening brings the community together to champion climate […]
Elections always have consequences. This is especially the case for our potential to address the climate crisis when some candidates for office accept the science of global warming and it climate change consequences while others display something between skepticism and outright rejection of science. From the local to the national level the outcomes from the […]
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, 10/15/2024:
Police Now Fully Staffed—Chief Dave Towe reported that his department is now fully staffed and that the contract for night patrols with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department was no longer in effect. Councilors commended Towe on working with city staff, council and citizens to rebuild the department after suffering personnel losses […]
MY WIFE, KANDEE, and I attended the Britt Festival annual meeting on September 30 which included the election of new members to the Board of Directors and a “State of Britt” presentation by Britt CEO, Abby McKee. The highlight for me was an outline for the renovation of the US […]
October 1, 2024—The following is 2024 election information from Chris Walker, Jackson County Clerk.
Voter Registration Deadline
The voter registration deadline for the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election is Tuesday, October 15, 2024, for people registering to vote for the first time in Oregon.
If you are currently registered to vote in the state of Oregon, but […]
October 1, 2024 — JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — Now through Sunday, Oct. 27, Windermere Real Estate in Jacksonville will help keep children warm this winter by collecting donations of winter necessities. Windermere real estate brokers will deliver these essential donations to local schools, ensuring that those children have the warmth […]
Southern Oregon farmers exist on the frontlines of climate change. This is because the variables of seasonal temperature and water availability are both dominant factors influencing crop viability and success and are also the primary variables influenced by global warming and its climate change consequences.
Maud Powell, with OSU Extension’s Southern Oregon Office in Central Points […]
Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12, will be Historic Jacksonville, Inc.’s final Haunted History walking tours of 2024. This will be the last chance this year for guests to hear about revengeful women, philandering husbands, playful children, “cherished possessions,” arson for profit, an art critic, a Chinese miner seeking to have his bones returned […]
JACKSONVILLE IS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO WILDFIRES due to so many homes being in close proximity to woodlands and forests. Jacksonville is holding a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, October 19, from 9am-1pm, in the D Street parking lot. Residents may bring branches, leaves and other vegetation to be chipped and disposed of.
Three dumpsters will […]
Monday, October 7, 2024: Britt Music and Arts Festival is excited to announce a special discount for students in the community. The Britt season typically lasts from June to September, but the 2024 season is wrapping up a little later than usual with the final concert happening on October 14 featuring soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka […]
THE JACKSONVILLE WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION (JWA) and the City of Jacksonville have had a long-held goal of installing a modern pit toilet in the Woodlands to meet the needs of local hikers and the many tourists who daily use the trails. A location has been determined at the beginning of the Rich […]
The Rogue Valley Lions Club proudly announces the 2nd Annual Harvest Wine Walk on Friday September 27th, 2024. Twelve local wineries plus twelve motivated merchants add up to an unforgettable evening of memory-making with family and friends. Stroll the historic downtown Central Point streets […]
On Sept 28th, 2024, The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Public Lands, are hosting the 1851 Gold Rush Run/Walk. This trail run/walk will take place in Jacksonville Woodlands Park promoting the gold rush history of Jacksonville. This is a family event; all ages are welcome. We offer 2K (Walk or Run), 5K (Walk or Run), […]
Enjoy live music at Yale Creek Ranch, Art in the Vineyard at Wooldridge Creek Winery, a “Glass Off” party celebrating free flight (paragliding) at LongSword Vineyard, and other activities scheduled throughout the week.
Kick-Off […]
ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, the City Council held a public hearing regarding a land partition application for the Touvelle House that would create two building lots at the lower SE section of the property where Cemetery Road and N. Oregon Street meet. After hearing from the owner’s land use representative and […]
Name: Donna Bowen
Running For: Mayor – Incumbent
How long resided in Jacksonville: 18 years
As incumbent Mayor for the City of Jacksonville, I had to think seriously this last year, about whether I was going to run for the office of Mayor again. I wanted to be sure I had it in me to devote the time, […]
Name: John Jorgenson
Running For: City Councilor
How long resided in Jacksonville: 7 years
You may not recognize my name, but you might recognize me as the guy who has been walking his beagle, Riley, all around Jacksonville for the past seven years. If we have not met, here is a brief introduction with points to consider as […]
Name: Michelle Erwin
Running For: City Councilor
How long resided in Jacksonville: 25 years
Occupation: Film Production-Marketing & Branding – Board Member: The Quester Community – Barista
Education: University of Life, Serial Entrepreneur
Government Experience: Taxpayer
We fell in love with Southern Oregon during a location scout for our independent film company. Our family moved here in 1999; our children attended […]
Name: Steve Casaleggio
Running For: City Councilor – Incumbent
How long resided in Jacksonville: 19 years
I’m running for City Council to: replace our 100-year old water reservoir; help complete our new, interactive history museum; finish sorely needed updates to Jacksonville’s Municipal Code; and grapple with increasing state law mandates, while providing for our police and fire services, […]
Name: Andrea Lerner Thompson
Running For: City Councilor – Incumbent
How long resided in Jacksonville: 8 years
My husband and I, along with our dogs, Jasmine and Violet, have called Jacksonville home for almost a decade. Four years ago, I was elected to the City Council, where I believe I have made a positive contribution. In 2020, I […]
IT IS MOSTLY common knowledge that I am not running again for the Jacksonville City Council. It has been a distinct pleasure to serve as a councilor these past 5 ½ years, but, as I turn 80 in two weeks and as Kandee and I desire to spend more time at our vacation home in […]
WHEN MY SON RADEK was 2 ½ years old, he would refuse to get dressed to take his older brothers to school. Everyone in the Sacred Heart halls knew his daily uniform—ridiculously big Spider man gloves, pajamas, a wooden sword, and a plastic silver knight helmet […]
WARNING! This article is scary. If you’re faint of heart, better not read it!
Linear—Many things in life are somewhat linear (or “monotonic” to be strictly technical), meaning if you put more in, you get more out. Put less in, you get less out. Imagine a graph of output versus […]
Judith Lynn Lyon passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication. Judie was the beloved wife of the late Stanley W. Lyon. Loving mother of Jennifer L. Lyon and Kathryn K. Lyon. Devoted sister of Charles W. “Chip” […]
WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL TOWN HALL meeting in July, and things are changing for the BETTER here in Jacksonville with regard to overall safety and enforcement issues.
You may have noticed white striping on feeder streets into downtown, as well as new, yellow center striping on our streets! Also “SLOW” signs […]