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1 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 Pot gardens may fail the sniff test Medford man arrested for growing marijuana Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift Company apologizes for snafu at Expo monster truck event DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford man arrested for growing marijuana Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Woman allegedly tried to kidnap baby from Medford hospital Emergency Services, March 9 Ashland police confirm Hannah Thomas-Garner is safe with her father Politics and Elections Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process Environment Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides State News Bill takes aim at Oregon's 'fifth-year' high school programs Federal judge orders speedier Klamath wildlife refuge management plan Former Josephine County students sue school district over alleged abuse Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Nation - World Obituaries Jaime Winston Tucker Death Notices Joseph Elsworth William "Les" Mason Irene Meredith Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Marlins confident Stanton is fully recovered RESULTS / STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Mushers embark on new route across Alaska Mail Tribune All-Star Basketball Classic starters ballot Varsity 541 College Sports No. 5 Arizona looking to win elusive Pac-12 tournament title Oregon's Young, Altman, OSU's Payton garner top Pac-12 awards No. 19 Stanford scores Pac-12 title No. 6 Badgers keep up hot pace OSU pitching holds off Fresno State Pro Sports Marlins confident Stanton is fully recovered Mushers embark on new route across Alaska Manfred: Too early to evaluate pace changes Here are answers to five free-agency questions Fantasy Sports: There are plenty of quality producers at third Community Sports Business Latest Stories Disruptive forces: Coming to a business near you Four Rogue Valley companies make business magazine's top-100 list Blog: Cash deals for homes remains in decline Ride & Drive: 2015 Honda Civic sedan Silvio Calabi: Mercedes-Benz ML250 raises the diesel 4×4 stakes Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Wry & Ginger: Cable news of future a different breed Letters to the Editor, March 9 Kathleen Parker: 'Just look at him' Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Editorials Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 9 Letters to the Editor, March 8 Letters to the Editor, March 7 Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Columns Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Kathleen Parker: 'Just look at him' George Will: Obama needs GOP to approve the TPP Dana Milbank: Hillary vs. Hillary Charles Krauthammer: Netanyahu's Churchillian warning Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Lifestyle Latest stories Blog: HAIKU MONDAY: On Hot Steelhead and Hotter Weather Community blog: Chocolate festival winners came from near and far Blog: Artists, unsung Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Food Community blog: Chocolate festival winners came from near and far Prudence Hilburn: Cookbook compiler finds best of the best in Southern recipes Gail Ciampa: Garlicky mushrooms star in fresh layered sandwich Kitchen Call: Some bits of sage wisdom Community blog: Airy mousse rivals ease of pudding from a box Home and Garden Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Home Help: 4 ways to redefine your outdoor space Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Health Community blog: The Future is Now Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Bill takes aim at Oregon's 'fifth-year' high school programs ... Pot gardens may fail the sniff test ... Medford man arrested for growing marijuana ... Bill takes aim at Oregon's 'fifth-year' high school programs ... Pot gardens may fail the sniff test ... Medford man arrested for growing marijuana ... SOU star Yates signs with 49ers By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN MailTribune.com By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Posted Apr. 17, 2000 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2010 at 4:21 AM By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Posted Apr. 17, 2000 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 17, 2010 at 4:21 AM » Social News TALENT-- Southern Oregon University running back Griff Yates signed a two-year free-agent contract with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers Sunday. Yates, 23, a three-year NAIA All-American who rushed for 4,757 yards and scored 57 touchdowns in four seasons for Southern Oregon, was not selected Sunday during the final four rounds of the NFL draft. He received what he called a substantial signing bonus from the 49ers. I'm very excited, said Yates.I'm a pro football player now. I think I'll go out and buy a truck, or maybe a suburban. I don't know what I'll buy, yet. Yates was surrounded by a large group of family members and SOU football coach Jeff Olson in his Talent apartment as he signed the contract. He will receive the NFL minimum salary of $193,000, if he makes the 49ers' final 53-player roster. He will attend a series of 49ers' mini-camps at San Francisco's training site at Santa Clara. The first one starts April 27. Mike Williams of the 49ers' Player Personnel Department flew to Medford Sunday and watched Yates sign the contract. He says the organization, particularly general manager Bill Walsh, likes Yates' physical style of running and his competitive personality. Walsh twice watched Yates play against Menlo College. He will have a battle on his hands, but we think he can do it, Williams said. Bill (Walsh) saw him on film. He really liked his competitive personality. He's a hard worker and we think he's somebody who could help us on special teams. With only 53 roster spots, everybody has to play special teams but the quarterbacks. We think Yates will also help us by example with his work ethic. San Francisco drafted two running backs, Paul Smith of Texas-El Paso and Rondell Mealey of Louisiana State. The Niners have veterans Charlie Garner and Garrison Hearst on contract as running backs. But with Hearst struggling with a leg injury, the team felt the need to load up on backs, Williams said. Bill (Walsh) likes Yates' toughness and size, said Williams. A lot of it comes down to speed. People tell you they run the 40 (40-yard dash) in 4.5 (seconds) and they run it in 4.8 of 4.9. We think Griff is a 4.5 guy looking at film. Now, he will have to show it in mini-camp. Williams and Walsh talked by telephone during the afternoon. Then, Williams and Bill Heck, Yates' agent, talked. Before an agreement could be reached, the Seattle Seahawks called and offered Yates a contract. Griff's agent (Heck) said to go ahead and sign with the 49ers, said Olson. A few minutes later, Yates signed the contract. It was a pretty good feeling, said Yates. This has been my dream. Now, it's up to me to make the team, he said. I'm planning to do that. A release from Southern Oregon's sports information office said the signing bonus was $3,500. It feels pretty neat, said Yates. I'm on cloud nine. I can't think of anything else to say. I want to go celebrate with my family. Yates is the first SOU player to receive an offer from the NFL since 1990 when linebacker Andy Katoa was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round. 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