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2014-11-11

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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 Late frost — but not the latest Texas Roadhouse offering free lunches for vets Tuesday Workshops on floods, insurance coming to Jackson County Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford Ashland ice rink opens next week Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140 Grants Pass car crash kills one Emergency Services New cable fence stops out-of-control SUV Politics and Elections Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Oregon voters narrowly reject GMO labeling measure Statewide voter turnout close to 70 percent Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races Education Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Environment Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill Navickas ordered to pay court filing fees State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Jeanne R. Martin Daniel Joseph "DJ" Drewien Donald J. Kinderman Michael Anthony Conte Robert E. (Bob) Meyers Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Nadal to receive stem cell treatment for back pain Djokovic opens in style, Wawrinka wins at Finals None of 12 free agents accept qualifying offers FSU coach addresses shaving allegations Abreu, deGrom selected rookies of the year Varsity 541 College Sports FSU coach addresses shaving allegations SEC could be down to two, and they meet Close losses agonizing for slumping Beavers Four Raiders make top three Oregon struck by injuries in victory Pro Sports Nadal to receive stem cell treatment for back pain Djokovic opens in style, Wawrinka wins at Finals None of 12 free agents accept qualifying offers Abreu, deGrom selected rookies of the year Blazers nick the Nuggets Community Sports Results / Standings LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Tax expert offers free presentation for small businesses Silvio Calabi: Does ‘FF’ mean Family Ferrari? Ride & Drive: 2015 Lincoln MKC People in Business, Nov. 8 Real Estate News Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food People In Business People in Business, Nov. 8 People in Business Transportation Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Agriculture Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Early November snow Letters to the Editor, Nov. 10 Michael Gerson: Assessing Obama's 'gifts' to the nation Our View: Dems should take it slow in Salem Letters to the Editor, Nov. 9 Editorials Our View: Dems should take it slow in Salem Trails can lead to health, recreation and jobs Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Oregon voters go their own way Our View: Well testing program is a good deal Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 10 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 9 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 7 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 6 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 4 Guest Opinions Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Getting Cold, is it time for some Dark Beer?? Blog: HAIKU MONDAY: On Big Bets and Big 'Nooks Blog: HAIKU MONDAY: On Big Bets and Big 'Nooks It Is What It Is: Traditions help make us who we are Get A Life: Let go of your baggage Food Community blog: Getting Cold, is it time for some Dark Beer?? Community blog: Squash-a-thon brings food, volunteers together Community blog: Quick pickling yields fast fall flavors Kitchen Call: Autumn is mustard season Healthy for the Holidays Home and Garden Use the hidden meaning of color to enhance your home 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Health Community blog: Don't Fall For This Dr. Murray Feingold: Children are lacking face-to-face time Dr. Jeff Hersh: Ankle injuries can be tricky Health Watch: 4 reasons to get a gym buddy Community blog: Beyond Genetics for Health Hiking Biking Faith 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Christ Unity Church shows 'Gen Silent' Religion News: American cardinal criticizes Pope Francis Religion news: Mormon church acknowledges founder’s teen bride Milestones and Achievements Wedding: Broten-Garrett Anniversary: Bucher New Arrivals Campbell given lifetime achievement award Sleep-out planned to raise funds for homeless Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists SOU partners with local arts SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Theater SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music Focus on Tanya Gabrielian as Rogue Valley Symphony evokes the Baroque SOU partners with local arts Michael Franti and Spearhead play the Historic Ashland Armory Clarinets to the forefront Book review: 'The Next Elvis,' by Barbara Barnes Sims Community Events Review: Randall Theatre's 'Secret Garden' still enchanting Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Dining Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW   Late frost — but not the latest       ...       Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford       ...       Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140       ...       Late frost — but not the latest       ...       Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford       ...       Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140       ...           LOCAL CITIES Some small-town races still close MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 4, 2014 @ 8:54 pm Updated Nov 4, 2014 at 10:54 PM Posted Nov. 4, 2014 @ 8:54 pm Updated Nov 4, 2014 at 10:54 PM »  Social News GOLD HILL A small voter pool and ballots nearly evenly split between two candidates for the Gold Hill mayor's seat made for one of the county's closest races in Tuesday's election results. Mayor Jan Fish took the lead according to numbers released at 10 p.m., with 168 votes to challenger Mike Stanley's 130. Stanley, a former council member and construction inspector for the city of Medford, declined to comment except to say he would accept the nomination by voters should election results shift in his favor. Stanley, in recent weeks, declined to discuss city politics or campaign for his seat over concerns with issues at City Hall. Both Stanley and Fish have been largely unavailable for comment in recent weeks. Fish, co-owner of the Laurel Hill Golf Course and a council member for the past decade, did not return calls seeking comment on Tuesday's election results. — Buffy Pollock JACKSONVILLE Two newcomers to elective office and a political veteran had greater than 100-vote margins over two other challengers in early returns for three at-large, four-year City Council seats. Ken Gregg led the field with 850 votes, or 25.8 percent. Incumbent councilman and former mayor Jim Lewis had 739 (22.5 percent), and Brad Bennington garnered 647 (19.7 percent). Political newcomer Ted Trujillo had 511 votes (15.5 percent) and former mayor Clara Wendt polled 511 (15.5 percent). “However I did it, I must have struck a chord,” said Gregg, who was the only candidate in the voter’s pamphlet. “My big thing was to do meet-and-greets.” Gregg said he wants to determine the feasibility of moving City Hall into the courthouse building and look at other large projects. Bennington said he appreciated that the contest was non-partisan. He noted that candidates and citizens gathered at the Bella Union for pizza following the council meeting earlier in the evening. Lewis, who served as Jacksonville's mayor for 22 years, said, “I’m honored that the voters saw fit to return me.” Wendt said she will continue to question the council at meetings. “You always get answers, ‘Don’t worry about that, that's being taken care of,'” said Wendt. “I just wanted another woman on the council.” Trujillo said he didn’t do a lot of campaigning. "Realistically, the most qualified guys did win,” said Trujillo, who plans to seek a council seat in 2016. — Tony Boom TALENT Darby Stricker appeared headed to the mayor’s seat in election returns. Stricker had 911 votes, or 53.9 percent, to incumbent Mayor Bill Cecil’s 769 votes, or 45.5 percent, in unofficial 10 p.m. tallies. Cecil defeated Stricker for the mayor’s post by 62 votes in 2010. “I feel pretty excited about the result. I want to wait for the next count, but it looks pretty good to me,” said Stricker. “I had a good team and we had a very comprehensive strategy and my team kept me on track throughout the entire campaign.” “Whatever way it goes, that’s the process,” said Cecil, who was waiting for more complete returns before commenting on the result. Stricker resigned from her City Council seat Oct. 15 when she learned a city charter provision required candidates already in an elected position to resign if they sought a different elected post. The City Council will appoint a replacement for Stricker. Incumbent Councilwoman Joan Dean was handily leading her opponent, Meadowsweet Levi, in the race for Council Position 3, the only contested City Council seat. Dean had 960 votes, or 69.6 percent, to Levi’s 414 votes, or 30 percent. “I’m very pleased and I’m anxious to serve another four years,” said Dean. “There will be new people on the council. We’ll have to see how we will all work together.” — Tony Boom CENTRAL POINT Despite close numbers in a race for the city's only contested council seat, both candidates agreed moments after preliminary results that voters will get a candidate who cares about the city whatever the outcome. Former Councilwoman Kay Harrison was trailing 112 votes behind newcomer Brandon Thueson in her bid to return to office as of 10 p.m. Tuesday. Theuson had 1,698 votes, or 51.3 percent, and Harrison had 1,586 votes, or 47.9 percent. Thueson, 33, a lawyer for the Jackson County District Attorney's Office, said he was humbled by the amount of voter support he received. "I've been telling my friends, win or lose, I just don't want to get blown out. I think I owe a big thanks to a lot of friends and supporters that helped me get out to about 2,000 Central Point voters," Thueson said. "I felt like I started out at quite a disadvantage being a newcomer to Central Point politics. ... Whoever ends up winning, the voters will be getting a councilor that really cares about this community. That's the most important thing." Having faced close election counts before, Harrison conceded soon after the first results, congratulating Thueson. The 62-year-old community volunteer and Harry and David employee said her only disappointment was that she wouldn't get to use her decade-plus experience on the council to benefit the city. "Everything I hear from Brandon he's a really nice guy. Obviously, I had really hoped to get back in office and use some of my experience to help with all the things the city has coming down the pipe right now. That's the main reason I ran," Harrison said. "Brandon and I obviously both had a substantial amount of support in the community, so either way the people get a good person."  — Buffy Pollock MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 4, 2014 @ 8:54 pm Updated Nov 4, 2014 at 10:54 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. 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