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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 Emergency Services Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years Five teens sent to hospital after crash near Medford Susan Monica testifies she feared for her life Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years Five teens sent to hospital after crash near Medford Susan Monica testifies she feared for her life Woman who chased family with knife jailed Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Students participate in fuel reduction effort at Ruch School New funding formula awards universities for graduating more students Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Oregon lawmakers advance vaccine bill to budget committee Agency: Humpback whales' recovery is national success story Les Schwab descendant plans to close Central Oregon road popular with hunters Oregon bill would prohibit charges for filming police Woman, 98, gets birthday wish: horse-drawn carriage ride Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Betty Louise Dawson Cecil L. (Mike) Michael Eileen Rose White Nora June Shepherd Teresa Wears Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Howard, Harden propel Rockets past Mavericks Fisher takes medalist honor in SWC meet Tornado cruises to win over Willamette Panthers rally for SWC victory Sheldon joins North atop SWC Varsity 541 College Sports Marshall stays with Ducks to get better Eckert, Beavers take series from Arizona Randall drives SOU into postseason Beaver fans get first look at Andersen, Collins Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Pro Sports Howard, Harden propel Rockets past Mavericks Injuries again have a major role in playoffs We should appreciate Jabbar while he’s still with us Bucs have front-runner for draft, stay mum Vogt homer powers A's past Angels Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Jackson County's March unemployment rate returns to pre-recession level Ride & Drive: 2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country Burger joint coming to Ashland Rogue Credit Union nearing $1 billion in assets Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 Real Estate News Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Letters to the Editor, April 22 Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Landgren cartoon: Tick season Granlund cartoon: Minnesota ISIS Editorials Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Letters to the Editor, April 19 Letters to the Editor, April 17 Columns Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Dana Milbank: America's new cycle of partisan hatred George Will: Don't seize the raisins Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Dave Ramsey: Difference in debts 5 Things to Do This Weekend (April 24-26) Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Group calls for release of handsome Utah wild horse that became online sensation Season Stepp: Learn how to cook asparagus with a few easy tips Food Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Season Stepp: Learn how to cook asparagus with a few easy tips Wholesome baby foods: Chef, nutritionist team up for book of homemade recipes Food for Thought: The new place of dairy on a paleo plate Kitchen Call: Asparagus with a ‘spring’ chicken Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth Health Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Community blog: The Healing Power of Nature Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again ... Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers ... Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years ... Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again ... Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers ... Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years ... ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL Ashland High School alumnus gives $650,000 toward field Kansas City Royals pitcher's gift will help district install synthetic grass Comment By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 3, 2014 at 7:01 PM By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 3, 2014 at 7:01 PM » Social News In the wake of a $650,000 donation from Ashland High School graduate and Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, the Ashland School District appears to be stepping up efforts to outfit Walter A. Phillips Field with synthetic grass. During the most recent Ashland School Board meeting Sept. 8, Superintendent Jay Hummel told the board that an architectural design is in hand and that Guthrie has made a “solid commitment” toward the project. Now, says Hummel, the next step is to find other donors who are willing to help fund a project that the district hopes will come in at under $1 million. Southern Oregon University recently completed its own revamping of Raider Stadium. That project, which included a new synthetic playing surface as well as new track and landscaping upgrades, cost $2.3 million. “We are looking for other donors at this point and we have confidence that we’ll be able to close that gap this month,” Hummel said during the meeting. “We anticipate coming back (in October) with both the design as well as the contributions to balance out and ask for permission to go to bid.” Ultimately, Hummel added, the goal is to break ground shortly after the 2014 football season comes to an end in order to have the new field ready for the 2015 fall sports season. The Ashland High football team’s final regular season home game is Oct. 31 against Eagle Point, and if the Grizzlies qualify for the Class 5A state playoffs their last potential postseason home game would be played in mid-November. Once installed, the field can be used to stage multiple events and activities that were previously off limits at Phillips Field, where overuse combined with poor drainage quickly turns the grass into a soggy mush. The field would likely be lined for multiple sports, including football, soccer and possibly lacrosse, and may also be used for physical education classes as well as practices for other sports, such as baseball, says AHS football coach and physical education teacher Charlie Hall. “Year-round, it would be a great benefit for (students),” Hall said. Yet to be determined is the exact size of the field. There’s plenty of room to fit the football field, but soccer field dimensions vary. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the width of a high school soccer field can range from 55 to 80 yards, while the length can range from 100 to 120 yards . Ideally, Phillips Field’s soccer dimensions would be on the larger end of that spectrum — Ashland High athletic director Karl Kemper says they’re shooting for a 70-yard width — but the visitors bleachers on the south side likely pose a costly road block. “The field, as designed at this point, would be as wide as it can possibly be without moving those bleachers … substantially,” Hummel said. “We’re still looking at whether we can move them and push them back a ways. We looked at it very hard, at the idea of moving them entirely and maybe moving them to the other side, but it is really cost prohibitive and significantly changes the field.” In the past, Ashland High has allowed use of the field for events not associated with the AHS football team, but access has been limited in recent years because the grass has proven unable to withstand much use. Ashland Pop Warner teams used to host games there on Saturdays throughout the fall, but that changed after a jamboree combined with an unfortunate rainstorm to leave the field in ruins. “Clearly, Walter A. Phillips Field is one of the best venues in the state, I believe,” Hall said. “But we have to stay off of it, we have to tell people they can’t use it because we want to protect the turf.” Kemper echoed those sentiments. “Right now, we get very minimal use out of our grass football field,” he said. “There are real limitations on how much we can use it and truly, a synthetic turf field you have unlimited use, and so more kids would get to use it.” Ashland High remains the only 6A or 5A school in Southern Oregon that does not have an artificial field. Guthrie, 35, graduated from Ashland High School as valedictorian in 1997 before going on to Brigham Young and, following a mission, Stanford. After excelling at Stanford he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 2002 Major League first-year player draft. The hard-throwing right-hander played for Cleveland, Baltimore and Colorado before being traded to the Royals in July of 2012. Guthrie finished the 2012 season with a flourish and was 15-12 with a 4.03 ERA the following year. After the 2013 season, Guthrie’s eighth in a row with at least 175 innings pitched, he signed a three-year, $25-million contract. Later this week, possibly Friday, Guthrie is expected to start on the mound for the Royals in the American League Division Series against the Anaheim Angels. After 11 years in the majors, it would be his first postseason appearance. "This is a great opportunity and a tribute to the Ashland School District that one of our alumni wants to give back," Kemper said after Guthrie’s offer first became public in December of 2013. "He obviously has fond memories of his time in Ashland. He was a valedictorian, a three-sport athlete and a stellar citizen and he has an opportunity to give back and he's very selflessly offering to do that. It's a beautiful thing." Daily Tidings sports reporter Joe Zavala can be reached at 541-776-4469 or [email protected]. By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 3, 2014 at 7:01 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 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 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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