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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Mayor proposes quality-of-life development efforts 10 things to know for Wednesday Police reports 10 things to know for Tuesday Students send heartfelt message to missing Ashland girl Education A connection between Charlie Hebdo, MLK and the classroom Crunching the numbers Chickenpox in rear-view mirror? Ashland schools expand chicken pox exclusion rules Students go behind the scenes at hospital Environment Grant will help restore 'legacy' oak habitat in Southern Oregon and Northern California Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Mt. Ashland Ski Area announces layoffs The top five conservation success of 2014 Protestors want Keystone pipeline plans stopped Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi Q5 Silvio Calabi: Chrysler 200S — hey, who is that? Ashland Fiber Network wants to be able to keep trade secrets The heart of Brammo will remain Silvio Calabi: Ford Escape Still a Solid Player Politics and elections Ashland Fiber Network wants to be able to keep trade secrets Volunteer award, State of City address presentations Tuesday City's policy, efforts aim for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Chief Holderness retiring, wants to help find successor State News Two new wolves confirmed in Southern Oregon, state reviewing status of northeastern packs State records show number of big marijuana farms has increased New wandering wolf arrives in Southern Oregon Nation - World Obituaries Barbara Jean (Ton) Grover Death Notices May E. Harrison James Bernard Death Notices Shareable Looking back: Do you remember 2014’s biggest stories? In memoriam: 2014’s notable deaths Sports Latest Stories Grizzly spirit Howard named NAIA coach of the year Sacks, Gooding claim Century title Sacks, Gooding claim Century Tourney title Ashland girls remain winless in MWL High school Grizzly spirit Ashland girls remain winless in MWL Springfield takes advantage of Ashland letdown A Grizz sweep Comets press past Grizzlies Southern Oregon University Howard named NAIA coach of the year Ashland girls remain winless in MWL Fourteen Raiders earn CCC academic honors Four Raiders up for SOSC honors Springfield takes advantage of Ashland letdown Opinion Latest Stories Our View: Honor well deserved Letters to the Editor, Jan. 28 Guest Opinion: A New Year’s resolution you can keep: starting “the conversation” Our View: Whole lotta shakin' ... Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27 Editorial Our View: Honor well deserved Our View: Whole lotta shakin' ... Other Views: Managing wild horses Our View: Adjusting the lines Our View: City gets high marks Letters Letters to the Editor, Jan. 28 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 26 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 23 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 22 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: A New Year’s resolution you can keep: starting “the conversation” Chris Honoré: Modern media: the unreliable narrator Guest Opinion: The relevance of socialism in the U.S. Herb Rothschild Jr.: Support single-payer Guest Opinion: We're Oregonians, but we're not stupid Revels Latest Stories Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Brian Freeman presents 'An Evening of Scottish Music' Best Bets: Jan. 22-29 Ballyhoo! brings reggae and rock to Brickroom 'Sniper' reveals the total cost of war Theater Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Insights into the gifts theater offers off the stage Theater is an act of co-creation Music The Farr Side: Trainor building a music niche A laid-back chat with Marilyn Manson Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Jeff Kloetzel at Belle Fiore The Farr Side: Top 10 album count-up for 2014 Visual Art Schneider winter exhibits on tap: 'Baker's Dozen' and 'New Works' First Friday kicks off a new year Movies Movie review: ‘Mortdecai’ majorly misses the mark Movie review: Aniston’s performance is the icing on ‘Cake’ Movie review: ‘Cake’ showcases Jennifer Aniston at her best Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas 'Sniper' reveals the total cost of war Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Community Blog: The Price of Peace Lost in Suburbia: The art of the perfect squeegee HealthStyle: Are you in an unhealthy relationship? Gail Ciampa: Marcona almonds make this a salad with substance Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business NEWS NOW Mayor proposes quality-of-life development efforts ... Our View: Honor well deserved ... Guest Opinion: A New Year’s resolution you can keep: starting “the conversation” ... Mayor proposes quality-of-life development efforts ... Our View: Honor well deserved ... Guest Opinion: A New Year’s resolution you can keep: starting “the conversation” ... Jackson County waits for court ruling on GMO ban Comment By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Posted Dec. 18, 2014 @ 5:34 pm By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Posted Dec. 18, 2014 @ 5:34 pm » Social News Jackson County won't enforce a voter-approved ban on the growing of genetically modified crops while the issue is being litigated in U.S. District Court. In a court document filed earlier this week, Jackson County agreed not to enforce the ban before the court issues a ruling. Two-thirds of county voters approved the ban during a May election. The county was sued in November by two local farm operations that grow alfalfa genetically engineered to withstand the application of Roundup, an herbicide used to kill weeds. The alfalfa farmers argued the ban violates Oregon's Right to Farm Act. If they were forced to tear out their GMO alfalfa, the farmers said they would lose $4.2 million. The county agreed not to enforce the ban to give the court adequate time to rule on the case and to save money for the county and the alfalfa farmers during the legal process, according to a court document. The county has presented initial arguments that the ban does not violate Oregon's Right to Farm Act and the alfalfa farmers are not entitled to payment of monetary damages or attorneys' fees by the county. Any harm to the alfalfa farmers is outweighed by the "social utility" of the ban, the county argued in a court document. On Dec. 10, the Our Family Farms Coalition — which spearheaded efforts to pass the GMO ban — asked Jackson County officials to fight the alfalfa farmers' lawsuit. The coalition of farmers who don't grow GMO crops also asked the county to enforce the ban while litigation is ongoing. Elise Higley of Our Family Farms Coalition said the group is disappointed in the county's decision. "We had hoped they would enforce the measure during this time because of the impacts to non-GMO farmers both locally and internationally," she said. "It's important to be protected. That's what the people voted to do." Farmers who don't use genetically modified seeds fear their crops could be contaminated via cross-pollination. Some consumers object to GMO products, and numerous countries have blocked imports of GMO crops or traditional crops grown in areas where GMO plants are also grown. Under provisions of the voter-approved ban, Higley said, non-GMO farmers could still take action against GMO farmers, thereby enforcing the ban themselves. The lawsuit was first filed in Jackson County Circuit Court but was moved to U.S. District Court in Medford. Reach reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous. By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Posted Dec. 18, 2014 @ 5:34 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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