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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford gardens to be showcased Saturday Mail Tribune 100 Comcast moves to replace Charter in Southern Oregon Emergency Services Former Medford gymnastics teacher arrested again on child pornography charges Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Former Medford gymnastics teacher arrested again on child pornography charges California women sentenced in travelers check scheme UPDATED: Five vehicles involved in Monday evening crash Emergency services Politics and Elections Mark L. Hopkins: What the next election should be about Senate race could be expensive Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana Candidate files false statements Just one seat will be contested for Central Point council Education Students flock to Ashland schools Central Point launches language immersion program UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Bear spotted near Central Point school Environment New disease strikes Roseburg deer herds Dredgers might return to the Rogue next year Dubs' auction preview draws bidders and gawkers OR-7's pups are true wolves ODFW director Elicker will step down State news Nation - World Obituaries Arlene Louise Kornstad Donald Chester Erickson Norma Jean Snow Marcia L Allen Jerilyn J. 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Pleasant weather, stable interest rates spurred summer home sales Sustainable Valley receives $50,000 SBA grant Blog: And the Award Goes to... Real Estate News Historic building owners get lessons in restoration Pleasant weather, stable interest rates spurred summer home sales People In Business Transportation Agriculture 1-800-Flowers.com buying Harry & David for $142.5 million Earlier than normal pear harvest coming up short of expectations Weisinger's Winery has earliest crush on record Amy's Kitchen begins expansion in White City Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Sept. 10 Catherine Rampell: Only college graduates need apply Fighting back against domestic violence Letters to the Editor, Sept. 9 Kent Bush: Law enforcement’s routine acts of bravery taken for granted Editorials Fighting back against domestic violence Tablet computers are a tool, not a frill Other Views: The time is now to start disaster planning Harry & David: the next chapter An unresolved conflict; A judge declines to say if county laws trump city laws Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Sept. 10 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 9 We march for mental health on Saturday. Who’s watching? Letters to the Editor, Sept. 8 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 7 Guest Opinions Hazardous fuel treatments vital to protection from severe wildfires Wilderness for Kalmiopsis has served us well The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch The power of local philanthropy Lifestyle Latest stories Medford gardens to be showcased Saturday Community blog: What's Wrong With This Picture? Community blog: Middle East's 'peanut butter' on the rise in U.S. Community blog: We Need to Talk Oregon's Top 5 wilderness areas Food Community blog: Middle East's 'peanut butter' on the rise in U.S. Community blog: 'Crispy Treats' a cut above rice-cereal originals The peace potential of cobblers and crisps Lunchbox recipes Community blog: Try this sweet treat for back-to-school snacking Home and Garden Medford gardens to be showcased Saturday Trees aren't always the best companions for plants Hot tips for a cool (shade) garden An August checklist for your garden Green Scene: Diagnosing common tomato troubles Health Community blog: What's Wrong With This Picture? Community blog: We Need to Talk Down-size is the right size Oregon Health Policy Board to meet in Medford Community blog: Health is More than Meets the Eye Hiking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Milestones and Achievements Grange memberships going like hot cakes New Arrivals Engagement Wedding: Gibson-Hodnefield New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Musical 'Backwards in High Heels' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Kathleen Madigan to perform at the Craterian Ashland Contemporary Theatre gets dialectic with "Freud's Last Session" Live Music in Local Clubs Rodney Carrington at Britt Theater CultureFest at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Musical 'Backwards in High Heels' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Ashland Contemporary Theatre gets dialectic with "Freud's Last Session" 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre OSF presents 'The Alchemy of Gender' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Rob Zombie plays Lithia Amphitheater Jennifer Nettles plays Britt Keith Greeninger and Matt Hill at the Rogue Theatre Britt Festivals adds to indoor fall concert lineup Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 5 Things to Do This Weekend From business professor to artist Shady Cove Tie Days Swap Meet 'Prints From the Plateau' at the Rogue Gallery Dining Ami Sushi serves up Asian dishes Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Jackson County crow found to be infected with West Nile virus ... California women sentenced in travelers check scheme ... UPDATED: Five vehicles involved in Monday evening crash ... Jackson County crow found to be infected with West Nile virus ... California women sentenced in travelers check scheme ... UPDATED: Five vehicles involved in Monday evening crash ... RAILS TO TRAILS Medford-Jacksonville bike path becomes part of larger effort By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 31, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 31, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News A Jacksonville effort to create a path along the route of a railroad that once ran to Medford has become part of a larger, countywide planning process involving biking, walking, skateboarding and other self-propelled transit. In April 2013, Jacksonville City Council approved $8,250 as a match for a $75,000 grant to study the idea. But as others in the region learned of the proposal and considered their own efforts for similar connections, a combined approach was developed by Jackson County and local municipalities. Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization awarded Jackson County a $179,460 grant of federal Surface Transportation Program money this spring for planning. “We’ll develop a binder full of plans that will be used to shop around for federal and state grants,” said Jacksonville Councilman Criss Garica, who proposed the five-mile long project to the council. “We are going to be looking at the connecting of destinations. Clearly the connection between Medford and Jacksonville is a key one,” said Jenna Stanke, county bicycle and pedestrian program manager, who will lead what’s called the Regional Active Transportation Plan. Eagle Point and White City to Medford pathways will also be researched, along with connections to other communities and within them, said Stanke. The Bear Creek Greenway, which now runs 20 miles from Ashland to Central Point, will be a spine for links. “It made more sense to look at projects throughout the region as well as extending the Bear Creek Greenway,” said Stanke, who wrote the grant. Jacksonville had completed a pre-application for the grant it considered. More than one-fourth of all trips are less than a mile and could easily be walked in 20 minutes, while nearly one-half of all trips are shorter than three miles, an easy 20-minute bike ride, Stanke said, but 78 percent of these trips are now made by car. A network of safe, comfortable and convenient facilities that connect people is a goal of the plan. “It’s also looking at what each community is doing with their own bicycle and pedestrian plans and how best to work together for the best product,” said Stanke. Oregon Department of Transportation will pay half of a $20,540 match, with cities, the county and Rogue Valley Transit District funding the rest. The funds will be available at the start of the federal fiscal year on Oct., 15, 2015. “In the meantime we’ll be thinking about how to approach the planning,” said Stanke. A consultant will be hired for planning according to the grant application. Both a policy committee and technical committees will be established, said Stanke. Garcia hopes to be appointed to serve on one of the groups. Links to other forms of transit, barriers to connection and low-stress bike options away from motorized traffic will be investigated. “The county hasn’t always been flush with funds,” said Garcia. “This is a well needed boost to plan for the future.” Garcia said the plan should allow determination of how much old railroad line right of way may still exist. The line was created in 1891 but ceased operation in 1925. “They’ll have the time to really study potential routes and provide a recommendation as to what the best routes will be,” said Garcia. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 31, 2014 @ 2:00 am » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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