Andy Hellenthal
ANDY HELLENTHAL
Jacksonville City Council • Incumbent
I am honored to seek re-election to the Jacksonville City Council and continue serving the community that my wife and I have proudly called home for several years. My education, professional experience, and […]
I’M PART OF a very loose coalition of people who take daily walks in Jacksonville. You might have seen me; I’m the guy with the big headphones. Until recently, the best part of any walk was running into Belita Palu-ay, the “coolest person in town,” per my wife and […]
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Sept. 19th, 10-noon- Deer Resistant Plants with Christie at OSU Extension—One of the most common challenges of gardening in the Rogue Valley is the plentiful deer population. For the past 21 years, Shooting Star Nursery has gained expertise working with customers […]
JACKSONVILLE HAS plenty of places for a great meal, but sometimes what you really want is a giant slice of pizza, a cold drink, and a 25-cent game of pool.
That is exactly what we found at Brickline Pizza Co.
More than a few of our friends had told us […]
THERE MAY BE no better time to discover Southern Oregon wine country than fall. The vineyards are coming alive with the excitement of harvest, the hillsides begin turning brilliant shades of gold and red, and the crisp autumn air makes a day of wine tasting especially inviting. […]
WE HAD VISITED Daisy Creek Vineyard once nearly five years ago, but somehow never made it back. That’s especially embarrassing considering how many times I’ve run or biked right past it over the years. Recently, we decided to change that, hopping on our bikes on a Friday afternoon […]
JACKSONVILLE’S WILDFIRE Community Preparedness Day is back this October—with a new self-serve format. The event will take place on Saturday, October 3, from 9am-noon in the D Street Parking Lot.
Please note: This year’s event will not include a chipper and no assistance will be provided for unloading materials. Residents are invited […]
September 23, 2026—Southern Oregon Climate Action Now is delighted to announce that Dan Ruby will be joining our team as Executive Director, beginning October 1, 2026. Dan brings a deep understanding of climate and environmental issues, Southern Oregon and non-profits throughout the region. Southern Oregonians may recall Dan from his days as CEO of ScienceWorks […]
I THOUGHT I KNEW the names of most of the wineries within an hour of Jacksonville.
As it turns out, I was wrong.
One short ride with Robbie Ross, co-owner of Wine Hopper, introduced us to Dwell, put Wanderlust on our must-visit list, and reminded me that Southern Oregon’s wine […]
THERE ARE PLACES you visit once, and then there are places that quietly become part of your family’s traditions. Tucked high in the Cascade Mountains just 40 miles east of the Rogue Valley, Lake of the Woods Resort is one of those destinations that has been bringing […]
JOHN AND JANE HOWELL are a living example of a local family dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. As John notes, it’s proven to be a struggle and a blessing all at once. In the case of the Howell family, “it has brought us closer together.” About 11 years ago, the family […]
WHEN MY 10 YEARS with Art Presence Art Center ended, it enabled me to return to my Studio/Gallery to provide classes in Life Drawing, Beginning Drawing, Watercolor, Calligraphy and Colored Pencil—just doing what I have loved doing for forty years.
Three years ago, I approached Britt Festivals’ Abby McKee about providing art […]
AS THE Citywide Yard Sale date approaches, it is important to remember that the City of Jacksonville does not sponsor this event and that there are public safety issues associated with it. When our town is full of bargain hunters and treasure seekers, parking becomes an issue in some areas. Here […]
THE SMELL OF FRESH-BAKED sourdough drifting across a sun-drenched lawn. A glass of estate wine that tastes unmistakably of this valley’s soil. A farmer handing you an heirloom tomato still warm from the vine, and telling you how it grew. This is what Saturday, September 5 looks like at the inaugural […]
YOU MAY HAVE driven past the orchards a hundred times. Picked up a bottle of local wine on your way home from work. Grabbed a loaf of sourdough at the Saturday market without thinking twice about the hands that made it. For those who live here, the Rogue Valley’s remarkable bounty […]
THERE ARE FEW PLACES in Southern Oregon where you can truly grasp the scale and beauty of the land quite like standing on the launch site at Woodrat Mountain.
Perched high above the Applegate Valley near Ruch, Woodrat is a place where the earth seems to fall away […]
IT’S A frustrating reality that we have to once again consider the insidious occurrence of vandalism in our local woodlands (Jacksonville Woodlands and Forest Park). Since the first of the year, some illicit activities have been a reminder that park patrons, especially our citizenry (who indeed are the “owners” of our […]
IF YOU’VE SEEN Nick Garrett-Powell this year—chances are you have, since he plays more than 200 shows per year—you’ve probably assumed that what you’re seeing, either as half (with Andy Casad) of the Fret Drifters, with Shae Celine as Nick & Shae, doing his mesmerizing solo […]
IT WAS A BIG NIGHT of announcements from Police Chief Matt Hannum at the 07/07/26 Jacksonville City Council Meeting! Our police department welcomes new Officer Emily Kaselonis, Officer Nick Nelson is promoted to Sergeant, and Officer Cody Fuhrman received a Special Certification after extensive hours of training. Congratulations all!
Featured image l-r: […]
THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT is excited to announce its participation in the 39th-Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, marking the first time Jacksonville has hosted this nationwide event.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong partnerships between law enforcement, first responders, and the communities they […]
FOR GENERATIONS of Applegate Valley residents, Ryan’s Outpost has been more than a collection of buildings along Upper Applegate Road. It has been a grocery store, gas station, hardware store, restaurant, repair shop, gathering place, and community landmark. Few properties in the valley have played such a significant role in the […]
IF THIS HOUSE COULD TALK, it would have a lot to say…. According to a copper plaque on a wall inside the house, Chester R. Pursell built the home for Alphonse and Gertrude Boone (reportedly related to Daniel Boone). However, not long after completion, Chester married Boone’s daughter, Virginia, and the […]
WHERE’S THE MUSEUM? People have been asking that question ever since the Southern Oregon Historical Society was forced to close its Jacksonville museum in 2010 due to loss of county funding. Well, by the end of summer, Jacksonville will have an answer!
You may not realize it, but Jacksonville has had […]
SUMMER GREETINGS to one and all, as one of the busiest times of the year gets underway! As with every season, but especially now, we must prepare for fire season, lots of little fawns running around, and many more visitors who may not pay attention to our well- enforced speed limits, […]
TO SEE John and Jean Mazzei play music is to experience pure joy—wrapped in a whirlwind of jazzy numbers, torch songs, pop tunes, witty banter, boas, faux fur, soul patches, and blazing red sport coats. It’s the embodiment of a good time, Jean out front commanding […]
AFTER SITTING DOWN with Andrea Breault last month, I realized I learned a lot more than I expected. So much so that it felt like too much for one article. So, we are making this a two-part series.
If you missed Part 1, Andrea is my now go-to “wine […]
THE SIX FARMS of the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail open their gates over the weekend of July 10-12. Guests will discover a wide variety of lavender plants, hand-crafted goods, and u-pick opportunities at most of the participating farms. From fresh bundles to culinary products and artisan creations, lavender appears in countless […]
ONCE UPON A TIME, 60 years ago, on Britt hill, a group of moms got together to create an outdoor festival where children could celebrate their imaginations through stories, and creativity. What began as a small, community event has grown into Southern Oregon’s most cherished family tradition.
This summer, the Children’s Festival […]
WITH THE 4TH OF JULY rapidly approaching, the Jacksonville Fire Department and city staff would like to remind the public that Jacksonville prohibits the use of Fireworks within the City limits and also discourages the use of fireworks outside of City limits for the following reasons:
Wildfire Risk: We are surrounded by forests and grassy areas […]
SUMMER IN SOUTHERN OREGON is all about long, warm days, cool rivers and lakes, outdoor music, mountain scenery, wine country, and small towns that come alive in the evenings. Get your shorts, sandals, sunscreen and sunglasses on, uncover your boats and boards, and enjoy our favorite Summer […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—Jacksonville’s “Walk through History” tours are back! At 10 a.m. every Saturday from May 30th through September 5th, Historic Jacksonville, Inc. will be offering one-hour guided walks through Jacksonville’s National Historic Landmark District, the first on the West Coast! Participants will take a stroll through history, visiting government and commercial buildings, fraternal lodges, and […]
AN ANTEBELLUM Mississippi cotton and indigo slave plantation is the opening setting for Jacksonville resident Tom Withenbury’s recent debut novel of historical fiction: The Color of Indigo. The protagonists are Indigo, a young slave laundress, and her budding love interest, Major, a slave man who works tirelessly as the plantation blacksmith.
Indigo […]
EACH SUMMER, the six farms of the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail open their gates for two memorable weekends celebrating lavender in full bloom. This beloved annual festival invites visitors to slow down, explore the countryside, and experience the fragrance, beauty, and creativity inspired by lavender.
During the festival weekends, guests will discover […]
WE KNOW SOUTHERN OREGON is a great place for wine, hiking, mountain biking, food and a vibrant cultural scene, but did you know that it’s home to one of the best free-flight sites in the country?
Free-flight is non-motorized aviation that relies on paragliding and hang gliding wings. Instead of gasoline, the […]
May 21, 2026 — MEDFORD, Ore. — Today local real estate brokers from Jackson County are kicking off a summer clothing drive for children in need across Jackson County, running now through Friday, June 30. The effort is in partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Jackson County, a nonprofit serving as the voice […]
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Jacksonville-Applegate Rotary Club is bringing back one of the Rogue Valley’s most beloved fundraising evenings, Fork & Cork, on Sunday, May 31, from 4:30-7:30pm at Rellik Winery, 970 Old Stage Road, in Central Point.
Fork & Cork guests can expect live music, a delicious tri-tip dinner, and a […]
Jacksonville, OR – Monday, April 27, 2026: This summer, Britt will host a special community event, Honoring Britt’s Founder: A Dedication and Picnic Celebration, recognizing the life and legacy of founder and longtime music director John Trudeau, whose vision helped establish Britt as a cultural cornerstone of Southern Oregon.
The celebratory evening will take place on […]
IN APRIL, a Wind Phone was installed in the Jacksonville Cemetery, thanks to the efforts of local, John Howell. John is no stranger to community projects—he spearheaded the restoration of the large Catholic cross in the cemetery about four years ago.
After completing that project, he saw a story about wind phones […]
A SMALL TOWN with hidden history and secrets is one of the settings of Michelle St. Romain Wilson’s debut novel, Song of Belonging, which was released in April. For fans of Kate Morton, Amy Harmon, and Sally Page, the book is a dual timeline story set in a rural town in […]
ODDS ARE GOOD that you saw Bryan Oliver play music in 2025. After all, if you add up solo performances, gigs with his “Bryan Oliver Trio” and the weekly open mic he hosts, Oliver played 127 times last year—none of which would’ve been possible, he says, […]
THERE WILL BE A TOWN HALL on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:30-6:30pm, in the Naversen Meeting Room at the Public Library, at 340 W. C Street.
Organizers expect a good turnout with our new Police Chief, Matt Hannum, who will be on hand to answer any questions about the new changes to […]
THE JACKSONVILLE Fire Department, Police Department, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) invite you to join us for an important Community Evacuation Forum on Wednesday, May 13, from 6-7pm, at the Jacksonville Fire Station, 180 N. 3rd Street.
The one-hour session is designed to provide critical information and open discussion on […]
SPRINGTIME’S JOY and promise is reflected in the beautiful work of the members of the Jacksonville Garden Club at their annual Spring Sale. Using fresh-cut flowers, they create arrangements in a mix of sizes and prices—for a sweet Mother’s Day surprise or a gift to yourself or a friend. The sale […]
JACKSONVILLE’S WILDFIRE Community Preparedness Day returns in May—with the new self-serve format. The event will take place on Saturday, May 2, from 9am-noon, in the D Street parking lot.
Please note: This year’s event will not include a chipper, and no assistance will be provided for unloading materials. Residents are invited to […]
IN THE ROGUE VALLEY, we are surrounded by beauty as springtime unfolds in our hills, forests, and gardens. Jacksonville Garden Club members are well known for making interesting and creative arrangements from the array of beautiful spring flowers, which they then offer at their annual spring sale, to be held this […]
ON MAY 15 & 16, the public is invited to attend the Southern Oregon True Crime Summit at the Bigham Knoll Campus, founded and produced by local Melynda Cordes. The event features professionals and experienced voices in forensic science, investigative journalism, law enforcement, victim advocacy, and ethical true crime media. This […]
Jacksonville, OR – Friday, April 10, 2026: Britt is unveiling its last multi-show lineup announcement for the 2026 summer season, adding a fresh mix of rock legends, hip-hop favorites, and genre-blending artists. This latest wave of performances builds on an already dynamic season, while also inviting the community to kick things off with a beloved […]
LIVE MUSIC fills the air in Jacksonville six nights a week. For a small historic town with only a few thousand residents, the amount of music flowing through our streets is remarkable. From a hillside amphitheater that hosts internationally known artists to cozy wine bars, saloons, inns, […]
IN JACKSONVILLE, I’m always on the lookout for two things: a spot with bubbles at brunch and a place where I can grab a really good deli sandwich. So, I was pretty excited to discover Black Barn Kitchen & Deli at the Bigham Knoll campus. It checks both […]
EVIE KALINA, a 5th-grader at Jacksonville Elementary School, is the winner of this year’s Art Poster Contest! Her piece is titled, “A Different View,” and based upon the theme for the contest, “Kindness Grows.” Evie’s favorite projects so far have been clay animals from 2nd-grade and this year’s Chinese watercolor koi […]