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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 Annual fundraiser aimed at filling Empty Bowls A scoop from the ocean: Reviews of four festival films What was your favorite film? 'Western,' 'Imperial Dreams' win top film jury awards 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Education Bracing for Common Core Ashland Kiwanis recognize Lillian Huang Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. 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Hugo III Death Notices Gordon Geeseman Shareable Sports Latest Stories Westbrook burns Blazers Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Fantasy Sports: Injuries piling up to start season Ashland High School cycling squad ready to roll, with help from South State Cycling nonprofit group Grizzlies blow away Eagles High school Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Grizzlies blow away Eagles Hits just keep on coming Baldrica sets pace for AHS girls Ashland High events postponed to today Southern Oregon University Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Grizzlies blow away Eagles Baldrica sets pace for AHS girls SOU women's hoops coach Kennedy leaves to take Portland State job SOU-OIT softball games moved to Wednesday Voices Latest Stories Our View: Ashland High benefits as cycle racing club gets rolling Council Corner: Ashland deserves respect, not a just a rest stop Letters to the Editor, April 14 Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Granlund cartoon: Hillary 2016 bid Editorial Our View: Ashland High benefits as cycle racing club gets rolling Our View: Ashland is prepared, Firewise Our View: Council should stop stalling on welcome center Our View: AIFF does Ashland proud Our View: One tree vs. the Ashland community Letters Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Letters to the Editor, April 11 Letters to the Editor, April 8 Letters to the Editor, April 7 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Fremont cottonwood is not a hazard Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Columns Council Corner: Ashland deserves respect, not a just a rest stop Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Chris Honoré: The penalty phase of the bombing trial Herb Rothschild Jr.: How we get along Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Rabbi David Zaslow teaches poetry Community blog: Submit a poem Best Bets, April 9-16 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Community blog: Get a poem a day Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Ticket availability in Ashland theaters, April 7 Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Music The Farr Side: Is Kelly Clarkson’s weight truly news?  Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival The Farr Side: No Zayn Malik? One Direction stays the course A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Visual Art More films, excitement than ever for AIFF Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies A scoop from the ocean: Reviews of four festival films What was your favorite film? 'Western,' 'Imperial Dreams' win top film jury awards Ashland Independent Film Festival movie review: 'A River Between Us' tells compelling story of 'the largest environmental restoration project in American history' Movie review: ‘The Longest Ride’ is a sweet ride Food and Drink Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: In touch with feelings through stories Episode 2.7: Dawn gets into going undercover Cars We Remember: 1964 Olds F-85 owner seeks information Wry & Ginger: Commencement-speech gigs have a hold on academia Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Oregon lawmakers begin minimum wage debate ... Episode 2.7: Dawn gets into going undercover ... Ticket Availability ... Oregon lawmakers begin minimum wage debate ... Episode 2.7: Dawn gets into going undercover ... Ticket Availability ... CRIME Police allege Ashland pizza parlor owner tried to blow up building Little Caesars franchise owner faces conspiracy charges Comment By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Dec. 9, 2014 at 6:23 PM By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Dec. 9, 2014 at 6:23 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Quarter thief makes off with $866 • Community Notes » Social News The owner of a Little Caesars franchise in Ashland is accused of working with another man in an attempt to blow up the building on Walker Avenue. Mark Alan McAlister, 51, of Medford is charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree arson. A trial this week was canceled and McAlister now has a pre-trial conference scheduled for January, Jackson County Circuit Court records show. Police believe McAlister conspired with Brian Vernon Morris, 47, of Jacksonville, to destroy the building housing Little Caesars at 561 Walker Ave., according to affidavits filed with the court. The pizza parlor is located behind the PC Market of Choice grocery store and is about three blocks uphill from Walker Elementary School. Little Caesars is also near the Southern Oregon University campus. According to police affidavits, McAlister gave Morris access to the building on Feb. 13. Morris broke an Avista natural gas line inside the building, lit a candle and left the flame burning "in close proximity to the gas leak in an attempt to destroy the building," police allege in the affidavits. "It certainly isn't every day someone tries to blow up a business in Ashland, Oregon," said Ashland police Deputy Chief Tighe O'Meara. Morris was arrested by Ashland police on July 29. McAlister was arrested a day later. Morris faces three counts of attempted first-degree arson. He was scheduled to enter a guilty plea on Monday, but his hearing was canceled. He now has a plea hearing in March 2015, court records show. O'Meara said he could not speculate on why the two wanted to destroy the Little Caesars. Reached by phone, McAlister said he is trying to sell the Little Caesars franchise. He would provide no further comment. McAlister has listed the franchise for sale on the Internet for $140,000. He listed his reason for selling as "medical/health issues" and said he needed to retire permanently. He notes its proximity to the grocery store and SOU in the listing, stating it has "great exposure across from the college campus." Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached 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. 9, 2014 at 6:23 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. 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