Good morning, Medford.

Ashland Middle School students donated nearly $2,000 to SoHumane Society on Table Rock Road in Medford during their Doggy Dollar Drive.

The students helped staff make cat toys (a rewarding way to support the shelter) and celebrated a class achievement with a donut party.

Local organizations teamed for the 18th annual Les Schwab NBC5 Toy Drive by loading toys and funds over $56K onto trucks on Wednesday, Dec.

17 before delivering them to Living Waters Church in Medford—ensuring children received holiday gifts.

A major merger of Rogue Valley planning and engineering firms combined CSA Planning, CEC Engineering, Marquess & Associates, and AKS Engineering and Forestry LLC into a one-stop service company that now employs 500 people — the Medford offices will consolidate into a shared space next year.

The Oregon Community Foundation announced a $903,000 investment through its Thriving Entrepreneurs program on Dec.

18, awarding 42 grants across Rogue Valley. Rusted Gate Farm in Central Point received $24,500 to expand local markets + Coalición Fortaleza in Medford got $25,000 to launch a Latino entrepreneurship network.

Rogue Community College dental students will offer free full-mouth dental X-rays from Jan.

5 to March 20 at the RCC Table Rock Campus as part of their radiology training. Patients 18 and older (with at least 24 erupted teeth and no X-ray within three years) qualify for the no-cost service.

Rogue River Jr. Sr. High School received approval to play down to Class 2 for the 2026-27 school year, giving student-athletes more chances to compete over the next four seasons.

Scientists are fitting monarch butterflies with tracking tags as western populations decline and urging residents to plant native milkweed next spring.

The butterflies will migrate from Canada through Oregon in fall while Birds Canada supports Project Monarch.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R.

845 (the Pet and Livestock Protection Act) to remove federal protection for gray wolves, giving states more control and addressing concerns from local ranchers in Oregon’s Second District. The bill now awaits Senate review.

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.

Robert Burns Night Celebration

5-8:30 p.m. — Bellview Grange — Ticket required — Celebrate Scottish tradition with haggis, poetry, and live music honoring Robert Burns.