Seventy-three organizations will share more than $2.25 million in spring 2026 grants through the Reed and Carolee Walker Fund of Oregon Community Foundation. The award list includes organizations based in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties, with funding focused largely on services for children, families and low-income residents in Jackson County.

The Ashland Police Department has introduced Cisco, a 20-month-old yellow lab donated by Dogs For Better Lives, as its new facility service dog. Cisco will support APD’s wellness program, assist in community settings and help create a calming environment during sensitive interactions.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2027 season, featuring nine productions across its Ashland stages from March through October. The lineup includes Shakespeare classics, contemporary drama, comedy, musical theater and a solo portrait of Frida Kahlo.

Memorial Day observances across Southern Oregon and Northern California include parades, cemetery services, flag displays, a river wreath ceremony, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall dedication and a statewide livestream honoring Oregon’s fallen service members.

A driver was injured Tuesday after a vehicle crashed into Stevenson Union on the Southern Oregon University campus in Ashland, rupturing a gas meter and prompting an evacuation. Ashland Fire & Rescue says the building was cleared for re-entry shortly after 2 p.m.

Southern Oregon University’s request for up to $15 million in one-time emergency state funding moved forward this week after unanimous support from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The SOU Board of Trustees also voted to begin a broader viability planning process, while leaving final decisions on specific academic and operational cuts for later review.

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission is considering a request to seek up to $15 million in emergency state funding for Southern Oregon University. The money would support SOU’s cashflow needs through fiscal year 2027 as the university faces a major budget shortfall and considers long-term restructuring options.

Asante is expected to pay the City of Ashland $4 million by June 18 as the two parties work to end a long-running affiliation agreement tied to Ashland Community Hospital. The agreement comes as Asante prepares to close inpatient services in Ashland and convert the facility into a satellite campus of Rogue Regional Medical Center.

Asante says its hospitals, emergency departments and immediate care locations will remain open as the health system moves forward with layoffs and cost-cutting efforts. The organization says 300 or more employees may be affected in fiscal year 2026 as it works to address rising expenses, lower reimbursement rates and other financial pressures.

Market of Choice has recalled its 9.5-ounce Vegan Kale Caesar Salad because sesame was included in the product but not listed on the label. The affected salads were sold at Oregon stores, including Ashland and Medford, between April 16 and May 4, 2026, with expiration dates ranging from April 20 through May 8.

The City of Ashland and Ashland Chamber of Commerce say they are working with ODOT to address concerns about downtown curb construction and its impact on small businesses. After a joint letter and meeting, ODOT agreed to adjust staging, improve signage, review work zones and increase communication during the project.

Ashland Police, the Ashland School District and Ashland Rotary partnered for the Ashland READS program, a literacy celebration for local first-grade students. The event included new books for students, a high school percussion welcome and a community BBQ served with help from Ashland Police officers.

Southern Oregon University will increase tuition and fees by nearly 5% next year for in-state undergraduate students, the maximum allowed without additional state approval. According to reporting by Jefferson Public Radio, university leaders say tuition hikes alone will not solve broader financial challenges tied to enrollment declines, rising costs, and limited public funding.

Investigators served a search warrant in Ashland after identifying child sexual abuse material linked to a residence. Digital evidence was seized, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Several Southern Oregon airports, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, and Klamath Falls, are set to receive federal funding as part of a more than $27 million statewide investment aimed at improving aviation infrastructure. Projects include runway and taxiway resurfacing, lighting upgrades, pavement rehabilitation, and safety enhancements designed to support emergency response, business travel, and regional connectivity across Southern Oregon and nearby coastal communities.

Historic trees across Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Jacksonville and other Southern Oregon communities are being highlighted as the Oregon Heritage Tree Program marks 30 years. Several locally significant trees tied to pioneers, industry, and historic events are included.

A barricade incident in Ashland escalated into a fire Saturday after authorities say a trespassing suspect threatened explosives and set a vacant home ablaze. The man, armed with an axe and claiming additional weapons, was taken into custody after SWAT negotiators and firefighters responded to the scene.

A pre-dawn explosion in Ashland prompted a large multi-agency response and led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man. Investigators say an explosive device detonated inside a parked vehicle, and a potential secondary device prompted officials to secure the area and advise nearby residents to shelter in place before bomb technicians cleared the scene.

Two 17-year-old Ashland High School students were killed and three others injured in a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning, February 22, 2026, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities have confirmed that a Eugene man reported missing in December was found deceased outside Ashland over the weekend. The discovery was made by a hiker, and investigators say the cause of death has not yet been determined.