Good morning, Medford.

A 35-foot Deodar cedar was moved to Pear Blossom Park on Oct.

15 as the new centerpiece for Winter Lights Festival, replacing a Norway spruce that had decorated the park since 2013 — city crews managed the move. Park officials will continue caring for the tree.

Michigan-based Savvy Sliders is preparing to open its first Oregon location in northeast Medford in the former Cascades Coffee House building next to Mountain Mike’s Pizza — renovations are underway with a winter debut expected.

The Oregon Vortex House of Mystery in Gold Hill faces a delay in reopening until March 2028 after flood damage and a blocked loan, and it seeks $140,000 through a GoFundMe to fund repairs ahead of the summer construction window (June-Sept 2027).

Eagle Point School District's Student Support Services program works to remove barriers for students by addressing challenges like food insecurity and a lack of school supplies.

District manager Chris Valavala said the team partners with local groups to provide tailored help.

The West Fork Evans Creek Fire near Shady Cove in Jackson County remains at 283 acres and is 45% contained after overnight mop-up efforts (steep terrain slowed progress), while the Soda Fire near Sterling Mountain is 40% contained on 14 acres.

The crews continue to work to strengthen safety lines across both sites.