Good morning, Medford.

The Rogue Valley Transportation District finished its 'Stuff the Bus' food drive last week, collecting 1,726 pounds of non-perishable food for ACCESS Food Programs.

Volunteers at grocery stores in Medford and Ashland helped fill the bus to support local families in need—this strong community effort may become an annual holiday tradition.

The Medford Rotary Club turned its meeting into a holiday service project yesterday by packing over 50 shoeboxes filled with gifts and resource information for vulnerable older adults in the Rogue Valley — ACCESS will soon distribute the boxes in Jackson County.

Southern Oregon high school students competed in the inaugural Kitchen Klash competition in Phoenix on Saturday where teams had to cook a dish from a set list and a mystery ingredient.

The contest—part of the Career and Technical Education program—saw Ashland High School win both first and second place with local sponsors donating food to keep costs low.

Rogue River School District superintendent Patrick Lee announced he is resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year after 18 years in administration—he will continue his duties until then and help the board find a replacement while he prepares to spend more time with family.

An HBO documentary titled 'Thoughts & Prayers' highlights school safety efforts by featuring the Medford School District's large emergency drill on June 22 with over 450 participants from 30 local agencies.

The film shows how schools planned to boost emergency preparedness and features insights from Ron Havniear—who led the drill as the district's former safety director.

Jacksonville’s Firewise program is ramping up home safety efforts this winter—local experts say risk assessments and neighborhood events help reduce wildfire damage from embers.

The program provides clear guidance on removing hazardous vegetation and adding protective measures to keep homes safe.

The Medford Fire Department held live fire training last week at Jackson County Fire District 3 training grounds+ firefighters practiced key tactics such as attack, search, and ventilation.

The exercises helped crews remain skilled and ready to respond to emergencies+ ensuring public safety.

Providence Cancer Center in Medford is set to begin using its new $2M HDR brachytherapy suite this week—funded entirely by philanthropy—to boost access to specialized cancer care.

The dedicated suite will reduce scheduling delays by separating internal radiation from linear accelerator treatments, allowing for more timely patient care.

2025 Clayfolk Pottery Show and Sale

11 a.m.-7 p.m. — Medford Armory — Admission varies — Explore unique pottery by over 70 local artists, plus hands-on clay activities for kids.

Holiday Craft Bazaar

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Central Point Grange No 698 — Free entry — Explore unique holiday crafts and support local artisans.

Southern Oregon Runners Turkey Trot

8:15-11:00 AM — Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC — Registration required — Participate in a Thanksgiving run supporting local food drives and student runners programs.

Merry Market & Christmas Faire

10 AM-4 PM — Rogue X - Medford Parks & Recreation — Family-friendly festivities — Shop local artisan crafts and enjoy holiday activities with Santa.

Andre Nickatina Live at Grape Street Bar & Grill

8-11 p.m. — Grape Street Bar & Grill — Tickets from $45 — Experience a night of hip hop as Andre Nickatina takes the stage in Medford.

Home For The Holidays

3:00 – 4:30 PM — Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday season with live performances at this festive event.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights

5-9 p.m. — Hanley Farm — $5 per car — Experience a magical stroll through over 20,000 dazzling holiday lights with drinks and snacks.

The Nutcracker Ballet

7 p.m. — Crater Performing Arts Center — Ticketed event — Experience the enchanting tale of The Nutcracker featuring delightful dance and holiday cheer.

Lithia Artisans Holiday Market

Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4 — Medford Armory Rental Venue — Free entry — Explore a wide array of original, handcrafted items from over 60 local artists amidst live music and food trucks.