Current news from the Jacksonville Review
MEET AMANDA ANDERSON, a clay artist who lives on a small farm in the Applegate Valley, with her husband and a mixed-species herd of alpacas and emus. Talking with her, you will detect the lilt of a mid-Western accent from the Scandinavian-based culture of her childhood in Minnesota, which explains the […]
THE JACKSONVILLE GARDEN CLUB is preparing to bring some holiday cheer to our homes and businesses! Members use their skills and creativity to make beautiful wreaths, table arrangements and swags, featuring fresh natural greens and cones, holly, bows, dried fruits and flowers, and festive decorations. […]
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Happy Alpaca Toys & Supply is bringing back a beloved holiday tradition this season with the launch of its first-ever printed holiday catalog, giving Rogue Valley families a chance to rediscover the excitement of circling favorite toys and building wish lists the old-fashioned way.
“Every toy in our store is there because we […]
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 every Saturday […]
IN MY EARLY 20s, I traveled alone to Guanajuato, Mexico. I’ll never forget that clumsy attempt at adventure. I wandered the streets of that UNESCO World Heritage city waiting for something exciting to happen to me. There was […]
A LITTLE OVER a year ago, I wrote about The Wine Lounge at the Jacksonville Inn. Well, things have changed since then, and I think it’s time for another visit!
The space is now home to The Gold Room, where craft cocktails have taken center stage. They’ve updated the […]
EVERY YEAR, dozens of caring businesses participate in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Toy Drive program to brighten the lives of families here in the Rogue Valley. Last year, the Salvation Army provided gifts for over 1500 local children (over 600 families total). This year, participating businesses will collect toys for […]
AMID GLOBAL STORIES of environmental decline, pollution, and ecosystem disruption, the revival of the Klamath River offers a remarkable story of resilience and renewal.
Once one of the West Coast’s most important salmon-producing rivers, the Klamath suffered a dramatic ecological decline after hydroelectric dams were constructed along its […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Register at https://roguevalleynursery.com/classes/
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’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 […]
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 […]