KMED NEWS FOR FRIDAY 2/6/26
MORE TOUGH TIMES IN THE WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AS ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES EVEN MORE JOB CUTS, 146 LAID OFF FROM THE PLYWOOD MILL IN RIDDLE, OREGON THIS IS ON TOP OF ANOTHER 250 JOBS LOST OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS THE COMPANY CLOSED THE DILLARD PLYWOOD PLANT AND THE VENEER MILL IN WEED, CALIFORNIA. AFFECTED WORKERS RECEIVE 60 DAYS SEVERANCE AND CONTINUED HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.
POLITICAL SPARKS FLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN SALEM AS DEMOCRATS UNVEIL LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD MOVE THE REFERENDUM ON BIG TRANSPORTATION TAX AND FEE INCREASES FROM THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION TO THE MAY PRIMARY ELECTION, WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY A LOWER TURNOUT RACE. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER BRUCE STARR SAYS THE GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRAT SUPERMAJORITY DON’T WANT TO SHARE THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT WITH THEIR HUGELY UNPOPULAR TAX SCHEME. REP. ED DIEHL, ONE OF THE OTHER CHIEF PETITIONERS ON THE NO TAX OREGON PROJECT EFFORT SAYS MOVING TO MAY WILL ALSO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO FOR CITIZENS TO GET ARGUMENTS INTO THE OREGON VOTERS’ PAMPHLET.
THE MEDFORD CITY COUNCIL VOTED THIS WEEK TO ADD FOUR PICKLEBALL COURTS, REPLACING TWO TENNIS COURTS AT ROOSEVELT SCHOOL PARK. THE DAILY COURIER REPORTING THE COST OF THE PROJECT AT $424,000 DOLLARS AND WILL BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER.