City e-News
August 14, 2026—Issue No. 26
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Community Center reservations are open
The Ashland Community Center is open for reservations! Book your next birthday, celebration or meeting in this historic building in the heart of Lithia Park.
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Fire Weather Alert System
Do you know your Fire Weather lingo? Check out all there is to know via our Fire. Water. Get Ready., public awareness campaign at ashlandoregon.gov/GetReady and on Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s get ready! Better Prepared. Better Together.
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You belong here
Ashland is committed to being a welcoming and safe community for all, regardless of immigration status. As a sanctuary city, Ashland fully complies with Oregon's Sanctuary Promise laws. Our immigration resources page connects community members to hotlines, legal aid, local advocacy organizations and information on how to report violations. Shout out to our Social Equity and Racial Justice Advisory Committee for advising City Council on policies and actions that help turn these values into practice.
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Ashland is a finalist for Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town — Vote today!
We've always known Ashland is special, but now it's time for everyone else to see it. Travel Ashland applied, and on August 14, we learned Ashland made the top twenty-five and received an official Seal of Approval.
Now it's time to be number one!
A panel of judges will evaluate all twenty-five finalist towns based on community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm and goodwill to determine Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town of 2026. Your vote matters. You can vote once a day, every day, from now until Friday, September 4.
Let's put our town's incredible holiday spirit on the map. Help Travel Ashland bring home the title, vote for Ashland today!
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Know your ZONE with Genasys Protect
Whether on the go or on a desktop, residents can use the Genasys Protect app or website to view evacuation zones. Genasys Protect is a zone-based evacuation management platform that helps residents find their zone, check zone status and stay informed during emergencies such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes. Zone information comes from local emergency services, updates every fifteen minutes and lets you know which zones are impacted, and what actions to take. Download at the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about evacuation zones at ashlandoregon.gov/EvacuationZones.
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New Evacuation Zone Map now available for Ashland Watershed trail users
Five new signboards in the Ashland Watershed help trail users find their evacuation zone, sign up for alerts and download an offline map for the Avenza app. We're grateful to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest for their collaboration on the signboards.
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It's time for an EV!
EV Rebates are back and bigger than ever! The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program reopens August 25, and you can combine it with our City EV incentive for savings up to $9,500 on a qualifying new electric vehicle.
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Fire Danger for Ashland is EXTREME
Here’s what you need to know...
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Clean grills make good neighbors
Summer BBQ season is peak bear attractant season! Make sure to clean your grill regularly and remove grease buildup — and store it in a shed or garage when not in use. And don’t forget — keep pet food inside, always. These simple steps help keep bears out of your yard, off your deck and out of trouble.
When it comes to wildlife, We are Better Apart.
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Report a Problem for a Better Ashland with SeeClickFix
Discover SeeClickFix… This platform allows you to submit non-emergency requests and reports, which are then automatically routed to the appropriate department for review and action. Report a variety of issues, including graffiti, pothole, streetlight outages, abandoned vehicles, intersection, water leaks, park facility concerns and more. You can even request a water audit through SeeClickFix.
Empowering you to help make Ashland a Better Place, Together!
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City Energy Programs: Powering Ashland
From staying cool in the summer heat to charging up your EV, Ashland has new ways to save energy, save money and live more comfortably. Learn what's new across our energy programs.
Thank you, Chad Woodward, for the work you do bringing these conservation programs to the citizens of Ashland! Chad is our Climate & Energy Analyst. Have a question? Email Chad at chad.woodward@ashlandoregon.gov.
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Water. Water. Water.
We are in a drought, and water is on everyone's mind. Here's what you need to know.
Reeder Reservoir Dashboard. View the Reeder Reservoir Dashboard and see Ashland’s water data in real-time! Also learn about the different types of data sets used on the dashboard. Complete info at ashlandoregon.gov/ReederReservoir.
Residential Backflow Prevention. Protecting Ashland's drinking water is a shared responsibility. A backflow prevention device acts as a one-way gate, keeping contaminated water, chemicals or sewage from flowing backward into your home's clean drinking water supply. Oregon Administrative Rules and Ashland Municipal Code require annual testing of these devices by a certified and licensed tester to help preserve the high water quality we all rely on. To find more information on backflow devices, testing requirements and how to keep your household protected, visit ashlandoregon.gov/ResidentialBackflowPrevention. Have questions? Email us at PublicWorksInfo@ashlandoregon.gov.
Supplemental water. We started supplementing our water supply with TAP (Talent-Ashland-Phoenix) on June 16. We also started using TID (Talent Irrigation District) water to supplement our drinking water on June 25. We are currently using approximately 2.1 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) from TAP, 0.8 MGD, and 2.8 MGD from Reeder Reservoir. Using TAP and TID water helps us preserve our local reservoir for later in the summer.
Get a free water audit. Want to lower your water bill or water your landscape more efficiently? Our Water Resource Specialist, offers free water efficiency checkups year-round — covering sprinkler systems, indoor fixtures or both. Schedule yours through SeeClickFix, our non-emergency reporting tool.
Keep your water meter clear. Spring growth can creep over water meters fast. Water meters need at least one foot of clearance behind the box and two feet on each side. Fire hydrants need three feet on all sides. A quick trim now helps utility workers — and keeps your neighborhood safe. Questions? Contact Water Quality/Distribution Supervisor at 541-552-2326 or dean.lebret@ashlandoregon.gov.
Questions about TID ditch water? The City maintains the TID (Talent Irrigation District) canal within city limits but does not operate the system. For water availability, outages and delivery questions, contact TID directly at talentid-or.gov or visit ashlandoregon.gov/TID.
We are in a drought. Every drop counts. Let's work together. Better Prepared. Better Together. More at ashlandoregon.gov/GetReady.
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Facilities crew gives mausoleums a fresh look
Shout out to our Facilities crew: Robert Halbritter, Dave Arnold and Bobby Cope! They recently pressure washed the exterior walls of the mausoleums at Mountain View Cemetery, spackled and sealed cracks, caulked seams and painted the buildings. Watch for more painting projects to come!
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Storytown Community Calendar
Have you checked it out yet?
Discover theatre, live music, foodie festivals, Mt. Ashland adventures and more – all for free. Visit Storytownashland.com, or download on Apple or Google Play, and start exploring or sharing Ashland events!
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Building Better Together
Major project highlights - All project pages are updated monthly
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More at ashlandoregon.gov/MajorProjects.
The North Mountain Avenue Overlay project enters its final phase with work continuing August 10-21. As part of this phase, green bike lane markings will be installed. Expect road closures, parking restrictions and delays. Learn more.
ODOT Projects
Looking ahead, the week of August 24 through 27, ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) will be grinding and patching asphalt downtown and on Lithia Way. Details will be posted at ashlandoregon.gov/MajorProjects.
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Ashland City Council, Park & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and City Budget meetings take place in Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street in Ashland. You can attend in person, stream live or watch on demand! More info below.
| | UPCOMING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS | | |
August 17, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Study Session:
- Annual report from Ashland Police Department
- Fee structure for the Building Department; dedicated Building Fund
- Proposal for the use of the Asante payment
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August 18, 2026, 6 p.m., Regular Business Meeting:
- Public hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 3307, updating residential development review rules to comply with new state mandates (PA-L-2026-0019)
- Resolution to define a class of small, non-developable surplus properties, allowing future disposal by the City Manager in the public interest
- Resolution authorizing a Property Line Adjustment to resolve setback and utility easement issues at the Community Development building
- Resolution authorizing a CWSRF (Clean Water State Revolving Fund) loan from Oregon DEQ to fund design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Upgrade Project
- Draft ordinance for Council discussion on a formal protocol for creating new or above-inflation utility billing fees
- Council to give direction on removing the sunset date and continuing the Parks fee, per Park Commission's August 12 request
- Ad hoc Committee on Affordable Childcare recommends sunsetting at end of FY26/27 and transitioning remaining funds to a named fund with Ashland Community Health Foundation
- Amendments for Chapter 18 Land Use Code to reduce housing development barrier and ensure State law compliance
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Did you know RVTV (Rogue Valley Television at Southern Oregon University) has an APP? Stream meetings live or watch on demand anywhere, anytime on your device. Enjoy fast access, captions and keyword search capability! More at ashlandoregon.gov/WatchMeeting.
Council, Park Commission, Planning Commission and Budget Committee Meetings are viewable on the City's YouTube Channel. The meetings can be viewed on demand within 48 hours of the meeting by selecting the appropriate playlist.
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Stay informed and engaged with our local government
Our Public Meetings page, ashlandoregon.gov/PublicMeetings, provides easy access to City Council agendas and minutes, meeting schedules, public comment options, and information about commissions and committees. Explore archived City records, learn about Oregon’s public meeting laws and more!
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Office Hours at The Grove
Meet your City Councilors during regular office hours now at The Grove. Office hours for the City Manager are by appointment. (Please note: September office hours for Councilor Bob Kaplan have been canceled.)
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Curious about something? Just ask!
Let curiosity be your guide! Submit your question and see what others in the community are curious about.
Check out one of our latest questions...
Q: How can I check the air quality in my home and be aware of the Air Quality Index?
A: Monitoring Air Quality at Home
It’s difficult to know the air quality inside your home without an indoor air quality sensor. During a significant smoke event (e.g., PM2.5 levels of 150 or higher), if your home is very leaky, you might notice visible smoke or haze indoors. This could indicate that smoke is entering and that your HVAC system or air cleaning setup isn't adequate—but it won’t give you an exact air quality reading.
Fortunately, there are affordable indoor air quality monitors available online that are easy to install and use. Search online to find one that fits your needs.
Stay Informed About Outdoor Air Quality
It's just as important to stay updated on outdoor air conditions. Here are a few ways to stay informed:
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Text Alerts: Sign up for non-emergency notifications about controlled burns and wildfire smoke. Join our Watershed group by texting WATERSHED to 888777.
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EnviroFlash: Sign up for air quality alerts at EnviroFlash.
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AirNow App: Download the AirNow app for iOS or Android. Enable alerts and set them to the MODERATE threshold for timely smoke response.
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AirNow Website: Check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) at AirNow.gov.
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Stay Alert: Keep up with smoke-related news coverage and subscribe to public health advisories for real-time updates.
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Public input on proposed Lithia Bike Trail
Public Input on the proposed Lithia Park East Hillside Mt. Bike Trail will be taken through Thursday, September 3. More information on how to give public input and review the proposal at ashlandoregon.gov/Parks.
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Ashland Fiber Network node upgrade project is underway
AFN has begun its node upgrade project, starting with node 21 near Ashland Mine Road. By mid-September, over 60 percent of Ashland will have access to symmetrical gigabit speeds!
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The Daniel Meyer Pool is open for the season!
More at ashlandoregon.gov/Swim. Please check the online schedule before heading out.
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Coffee & Conversation — 2026 Schedule
Stop by, say hello, and chat with elected officials and City leadership at one of our upcoming gatherings:
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Tuesday, August 25, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at North Mountain Park Pavilion (Mayor Graham and Park Commissioner Mike Gardiner will be in attendance)
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Wednesday, September 23, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Enders Shelter in Lithia Park (Councilor Bob Kaplan will be in attendance)
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Tuesday, October 13, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Knoll Golf Course Clubhouse (Mayor Graham and Councilor Bob Kaplan will be in attendance)
We hope to see you there!
| | Together around Town - Events & more! | | |
Community Concerts in Lithia Park
This short film celebrates community concerts in Lithia Park through collaboration with Epic Ashland, Ashland Folk Collective and the Parks and Recreation Department. We are Better Together!
The video was made possible through the dedication and expertise of Postscript Strategy and the SOU Digital Media Center, who helped capture interviews with City leaders and community partners over four days of filming in Ashland. From more than five hours of interviews, this high-level piece was crafted to intentionally showcase the breadth of work underway across the City.
We are deeply grateful to David Sommers and Brandon Dowling of Postscript Strategy, and Brandon Givens and Jack Hannon of the SOU Digital Media Center, for producing, filming and bringing this project to life.
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Stay Connected with the City
From the City Manager’s Report to live streams to emergency alerts, stay connected to all things Ashland, because we’re always Better Together, ashlandoregon.gov/StayConnected.
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