Good morning, Medford.

Students at Eagle Point High School gathered at Rays Food Place this Thanksgiving season to pack 120 boxes filled with turkey, pumpkin pie, and other meal essentials for families in the Rogue Valley—community donations and school staff helped identify those in need.

On Tuesday the Salvation Army hosted its annual drive-thru turkey giveaway at its Central Avenue thrift store where hundreds of cars arrived and community service officers helped direct traffic.

The event, sponsored by the Arthur R. Dubs Foundation, private donors, and Les Schwab, lasted 30 minutes before all 450 turkeys were given away — helping families in need keep a holiday tradition.

Community members and volunteers with the McKee Bridge Historical Society transformed one of the oldest covered bridges in the area into a holiday display Tuesday—setting the stage for the 7th Annual Christmas on a Covered Bridge celebration on December 13 that features homemade baked goods, handcrafted gifts, and a painted rock hunt for kids. The event’s proceeds will fund the engineering inspections needed to keep the bridge safe and open to the public.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife delayed crab season start, leaving The Wharf and other local businesses without fresh Dungeness crab and reduced revenue for holiday dishes.

The season will open on December 16th pending Washington test results+ owners say these delays are becoming more common.

Comedians Aaron Malkin and Alastair Knowles, known as James and Jamesy, will perform O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy at the Craterian Theater in Medford on December 4.

They will complete 71 shows across the Pacific Northwest — offering immersive audience participation — and present interactive comedy that mixes British manners with absurd humor.

Rogue Community College has grown for five consecutive years with its Riverside Campus reporting a fall headcount of 5,560 students, a 7 percent increase from fall 2024.

Full-time enrollment has returned to pre-pandemic levels and officials say campus facilities are under pressure due to limited state funding and space constraints.

City crews are repainting Medford fire hydrants to improve firefighting operations using a color-coded system today.

The top of each hydrant (light blue means very high water flow, green indicates good flow, orange represents moderate flow, and red marks lower flow) is painted while the body is silver to boost night visibility.

After a short shutdown earlier this week, Jackson County Expo closed its equine facilities as the Oregon Department of Agriculture issued a Temporary Administrative Order in response to a multistate outbreak of equine herpesvirus.

Expo has set up a new check-in process for riders and group practices and said the order remains in effect until May 17, with further guidance expected soon.

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.

A Celtic Christmas Celebration

2:30 – 4:30 PM — Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience enchanting Irish stories, music, and dance this holiday season.