New Medford BLM Timber Sales to Offer Up to 8.5 Million Board Feet in SW Oregon
The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management is offering up to 8.5 million board feet of timber across 380 public acres for sale on June 26th. BLM officials said timber produced from these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries as well as support jobs across western Oregon economies. The Salt Creek Salvage Sale will offer salvage logging on 110 acres, producing an estimated 2.2 million board feet. The Rotors Up Timber Sale will offer commercial thinning on 16 acres, selection harvest on 252 acres and right-of-way clearing on two acres, producing an estimated 6.3 million board feet of timber. BLM Medford District Manager Elizabeth Burghard said these timber sales provide jobs that improve life in local economies while also improving the health of local forests. In western Oregon, the BLM manages 2.4 million acres of some of the most productive forests in the world. The agency is committed to supplying a reliable, secure and resilient domestic supply of timber. BLM forestry supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, conserves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases costs of energy production. Each year, the BLM Oregon-Washington forestry program generates more than $1 billion for local economies and supports approximately 2,000 local jobs. ...Read more

New RCC Surgical Tech Program Launches to Meet Growing Local Healthcare Demand
Rogue Community College has announced a partnership with Linn-Benton Community College and Providence Medford Medical Center that will bring a Surgical Technology program to the Rogue Valley -- an important step toward addressing the critical need for trained surgical technologists in Southern Oregon. This collaborative effort allows students in the Rogue Valley to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology degree without leaving the region. The Linn-Benton Community College program blends online coursework with in-person labs at RCC's Table Rock Campus in White City and hands-on clinical experience at Providence Medford Medical Center. Graduates will be prepared to take the Certified Surgical Technologist exam, administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The program is fully-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, ensuring students receive industry-recognized, high-quality training. Enrollment is now open for the Fall 2025 Cohort. For more information, visit "roguecc.edu/SurgicalTech." ...Read more

Main Street Revitalization Grant Awarded to Remodel Historic Downtown GP Building
Big news for downtown Grants Pass. Main Street Grants Pass has announced that the Partake Project has been awarded a $400,000 state grant to bring the historic Shallhorn-Harmon Building back to life. With the support of local owners Patty and Scott Hillier and funding from Oregon Lottery-backed funds, this two-story brick landmark at 221 SE 6th Street will soon be home to Partake Shop, Lounge & Dine on the ground floor, and a beautiful second-floor restaurant and lounge in a space unused since the 1960s. Key project elements include reconstruction of the historic stairway from 6th Street to the second floor, full façade restoration reflecting the building's original design, activation of the upper floor space that has been vacant for over 60 years, and creation of between 15 and 20 permanent jobs plus numerous construction jobs. Seth Benham, Co-Chair and President of Main Street Grants Pass, said this project is a cornerstone of their efforts to revitalize downtown. Construction will begin this summer. ...Read more