City e-News
February 27, 2026—Issue No. 15
| | Ashland Fire & Rescue Staff: Todd Stubbs, Deputy Chief of Operations (left) and Ty Haggard, Captain. Photo courtesy Bob Palermini-Palermini.com | |
A special message from Ashland Fire & Rescue regarding outdoor burning
Outdoor Burn Season starts March 1 in Ashland and the Rogue Valley. Before you burn, check City rules, confirm a Burn Day and submit your same-day online application. If dry conditions return, we may close burning at any point. Updates will be posted via the link below.
Learn more - Apply on the day you burn
| | | |
The State of City Hall:
A long-standing conversation reaches a turning point
Facing urgent repairs, legal complexities and long-term planning decisions, Ashland City Hall has reached a pivotal moment. More at ashlandoregon.gov/CityHall.
| | |
Building Better Together
Major Project Highlights - Our project pages are updated monthly
| | | |
Welcome Dr. John Lohrfink
The Ashland Police Department (APD) welcomed a new Deputy Police Chief, Dr. John Lohrfink, who comes to APD from another local agency, bringing with him an impressive educational background as well as vast experience in community-oriented policing, patrol supervision, SWAT operations, major crimes investigations and more. Lohrfink will oversee APD’s Operations Division, which includes uniformed patrol, traffic, community services and the Concentrated Area Patrol Team.
Please join us in welcoming Deputy Chief Lohrfink!
| | | | | |
"If I were Mayor..."
Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged by Mayor Tonya Graham to enter the Oregon Mayors Association’s “If I Were Mayor…” CONTEST and share their ideas for the Ashland community.
Deadline to apply is
March 13, 2026.
Artwork by Ember Richards, 2024 (4th grade at the time of entry.)
| | |
Thank you to the City Streets Crew who kept the city running smoothly during the recent snowstorm! Please remember, non-emergency issues can be reported to the LIVE Citizen Reporting Tool, SeeClickFix.
Information about City streets can be found at ashlandoregon.gov/Streets.
| |  | |
Check out our LIVE Citizen Reporting TooI, SeeClickFix! Issues such as downed trees or power outages, often seen during a storm, can be routed to the appropriate staff and citizens can monitor the progress!
Learn more about SeeClickFix at ashlandoregon.gov/SeeClickFix.
| | | |
STUDY SESSION - 5:30 p.m.
March 2, 2026:
- Jay Tapp, President of the Amigos Club in Ashland, will share an update on the Sister City program with Guanajuato, Mexico
- Mathew Vargas, Wildlife Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, will present on the deer population in Ashland
| | |
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING - 6 p.m.
February 17, 2026:
- Update from the 2200 Ashland Street Ad hoc Committee
- Consideration of an electric rate increase (resolution)
- Process for disposing of City-owned property (public hearing)
- Changes to Utility Customer Account Policies (public hearing)
- Various recommended code clean-ups (public hearing & second readings)
- Consideration of the proposed sale of 380 Clay Street
| | Stay informed and engaged with Ashland’s local government. The 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! | | |
Did you know RVTV (Rogue Valley Television) has an APP? Stream meetings LIVE or watch on-demand anywhere, anytime! Get the RVTV App on your desktop, mobile or TV streaming device. Enjoy fast access, captions and keyword search capability! More at ashlandoregon.gov/WatchMeeting.
| | |
Watch City Council, Parks Commission, Planning Commission & Budget/Finance meetings on RVTV...
LIVE or on-demand.
| | |
Interested in contacting a Commission or Committee?
| | | | |
Office Hours - NEW LOCATION
Meet your City Councilors during regular office hours now at The Grove. Office hours for the City Manager are by appointment.
| | | | |
Curious about Something?
Just Ask!
Let curiosity be your guide! Submit your question and see what others in the community are curious about.
| | | | |
Get Involved:
Serve on a Committee
Want to make a difference? We have openings on several Committees, from the Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee to the Housing and Human Service Advisory Committee and more. Apply today!
| | | |
In case you missed it...
Check out our Accomplishment Video
This short film showcases some of our key accomplishments from 2023–2025. We’re grateful to PostScript Strategy and the SOU Digital Media Center for bringing this story to life.
| | | We also extend our thanks to our community partners for sharing their time and perspectives: Ashland School District, Community Wildfire Preparedness Volunteers, Trusted Homes, Epic Ashland and Ashland Folk Collective. We are Better Together! | | | |
Free Home Energy Scores
Free Home Energy Scores are now available to Ashland Electric customers, helping residents understand energy use, lower utility bills, improve comfort and cut emissions.
This pilot program will run through
May 7, 2026.
| | | Expressing gratitude for our City volunteers! | |
Awards Celebration for our CERT and WRAP volunteers
The CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and WRAP (Wildfire Risk Assessment Program) volunteers were acknowledged at the annual awards celebration.
CERT and WRAP need more volunteers. Are you interested in making a difference? Additional information at ashlandoregon.gov/CERT.
| | | | |
Do you need help with your utility bill?
Apply for a 30% discount on electric, water and sewer bills for income-qualified households. Apply at ashlandoregon.gov/Utilities30.
| | | |
Bike Donations Needed!
Do you have a gently used bike—maybe one your kids outgrew or one that just needs a tune-up? We’ll take it! Your donation will support PedalPower, a local youth bike safety program. Donations are tax deductible.
Drop off: The Grove, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Questions? Call 541-488-5340
Mark your calendar for event day on Saturday, April 18! More at rvtd.org/bikeswap.
| | Storytown’s new Community Calendar App is here! Discover theatre, live music, foodie festivals, Mt. Ashland adventures and more – all for free. Download on iOS (Apple) and start exploring or sharing Ashland events! (Android capability coming soon.) More information at storytownashland.com. | | |
Thank you for reading our e-News!
If you know of a friend or family member who would like to receive it, they can sign up on our website, ashlandoregon.gov/CityeNews.
Stay Connected with the City
From the City Manager’s Report or videos to live streams to emergency alerts, stay connected to all things Ashland, because we’re always Better Together, ashlandoregon.gov/StayConnected.
Looking for more City updates?
Stay Connected with:
| | | | |
