GOVERNOR KOTEK SIGNED SB1501 INTO LAW YESTERDAY, WHICH WILL LEAD TO A 600 MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION OF PORTLAND’S MODA CENTER. THE MOVE BEING DONE TO KEEP THE TRAILBLAZERS IN PORTLAND. ESSENTIALLY THE STATE, MEANING WE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING TO BE PARTIAL OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF THE AGING FACILITY.
ASANTE IS ASKING THE STATE FOR EMERGENCY PERMISSION TO BUY THE SOUTHERN OREGON SURGERY CENTER, WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM RRMC. ASANTE ALREADY OWNS A PIECE OF THE SURGERY CENTER, WHICH HAS BEEN IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE LATELY. ACCORDING TO THE ASHLAND CHRONICLE, THE OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY HAS BEEN DRAGGING ITS FEET TO GIVING APPROVAL FOR THE SALE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY SAY IS ASANTE’S NON-COOPERATION REGARDING PROVIDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF ASANTE’S ASHLAND HOSPITAL OPERATION.
IRAN WAR TENSIONS LEADING TO ANOTHER SPIKE IN OIL AND FUEL COSTS. TRIPLE AAA REPORTING IN JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES YOU’LL PAY AN AVERAGE OF AROUND 5.23 FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS WITH DIESEL ABOUT SIX AND A QUARTER.
IF YOU’RE TRAVELING I-5 AROUND ASHLAND AND SEE SMOKE IN THE HILLS, NO WORRIES. THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS RANGER DISTRICT IS CONDUCTING A COUPLE OF PRESCRIBED BURNS NEAR THE ASHLAND WATERSHED. A TOTAL OF 40 ACRES WILL BE TREATED TODAY.
ANOTHER PROGRAM TO HELP MEDFORD RESIDENTS REDUCE WILDFIRES IS COMING SOON. IT’S WOOD CHIPPER DAYS. RESIDENTS CAN TAKE BRANCHES AND LIMBS UP TO 8 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND GET THEM CHIPPED FOR FREE. THAT’S GOING ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 9 TO 2 AT FICHTNER MAINWARING PARK AND DONAHUE FROHNMAYER PARK.