Good morning, Medford.

This weekend, several fall events are planned in the region—such as a hot air balloon fair in Montague starting on September 19, a dachshund race at Walkabout Brewing in Medford on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a volunteer cleanup along Bear Creek on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additional events in Ashland, Phoenix, and Central Point offer time capsule celebrations, yard sales, and a scarecrow festival for families to enjoy.

The Phoenix-Talent School District will launch an on-campus recovery program after receiving a $500K grant from the Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust to help students with opioid prevention, support on-site counseling, and link families with community services.

Stage one of the three-phase plan has shown early success—removing barriers to care that may serve as a blueprint for other districts.

Firefighters working on the Kelsey Peak Fire along the Lower Rogue River Corridor, about 26 miles northwest of Grants Pass, reached 90% containment after rounding the corner on mop-up operations—extinguishing hotspots 300 feet into the fire perimeter.

They will continue removing equipment and repairing fire lines as a new management team takes command at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow.

The Ward's Creek Restoration Initiative will launch its first major project this fall—removing invasive blackberry thickets that threaten fire safety and stream health in Rogue River.

Officials confirmed that emerald ash borer has been found at several new sites near Medford and experts warn the tiny green beetle from eastern Asia is damaging ash trees across the region — its larvae have already killed many ash trees nationwide.

Future tests will determine if additional measures are needed to protect local trees.

Jackson County Fire District #5 is facing significant financial strain after an audit revealed a $1.4 million FEMA Community Disaster Loan and an $8.2 million debt load.

Board members met yesterday and warned that if audits are not completed by February, the loan—which was taken after the Almeda Fire in 2021—may lose its forgivable status and be due in June.

71Five Ministries, a Medford Christian nonprofit, has appealed to the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to review its lawsuit that alleges a state rule change disqualified it from receiving $400,000 in grant funding — a bias it says violates its First Amendment rights. Its legal team requested an en banc review after a three-judge panel upheld the earlier dismissal of its claims.

The Bureau of Land Management will offer six timber sales in September from 3,470 public acres in western Oregon—yielding a total of 39.7 million board feet, with the timber scheduled for harvest.

Erica Rochel Duo Performance at Padigan

5-11 p.m. — Padigan Winery — Ticket info not specified — Enjoy live acoustic country originals and classic favorites in a scenic vineyard setting.

Volunteer Information Day at Hopeful Secondhand Thrift Shop

1-3 p.m. — Hopeful Secondhand Thrift Shop — Free entry — Learn how volunteering can support homeless families and bring joy to the community.

Game Night: The Price is Right - Vacation Edition

6-8 p.m. — Medford Cowork Collective — Free entry — Enjoy a fun night of games, prizes, and team competition with a vacation theme.

Giant Fall Book Clearance Event

12-4 p.m. — Friends of Medford Library Book Shop — Free with optional donation — Dive into a sea of free books suitable for every reader at this exciting clearance event.

Public Run Day at Medford Railroad Park

11 AM – 12 PM — Medford Railroad Park — Free admission — Experience fun train rides and explore railroad history in a family-friendly environment.

Electric Elton - A Tribute to Elton John

7:30-10:00 p.m. — Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts — Tickets available — Experience an unforgettable tribute to Elton John in Medford for the first time.

51st Annual Fall Enduro

Friday to Sunday — Jackson County Sports Park — $70 for members, $80 for non-members — Experience an exciting weekend of cars and competition at the Fall Enduro race.

Noam Pikelny & Friends Concert

7-9 p.m. — Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts — Tickets available — Experience a night of exceptional banjo music and creativity with Noam Pikelny and his talented ensemble.

The Rogue Marathon

7 a.m.–12 p.m. — Downtown Medford Visitor Center — Registration required — Experience a scenic marathon course through Southern Oregon’s stunning Rogue Valley.

Ranch Riding & Ranch Trail Clinics

October 11-12, 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. — 11910 Blackwell Rd, Central Point, OR — Ticket prices vary — Enhance your riding skills with expert JoLinn Hoover in this transformative clinic experience.