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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 Council considers end to prohibition in city parks Mushroom hunter rescued after rainy night in Merlin woods Get Up & Go: Dec. 2 Since You Asked: How low will it go? For now, just the 30s Emergency Services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Woman admits role in ID theft, bank fraud ring Community blog: The Hug-Let's Hope it Happens in Furgeson Too. Community blog: Ernie Whiteman Sr. The Definition of a SRO Emergency services Politics and Elections East Medford's the charm Pot, GMOs unite south Jackson County Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Education Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten Building audits will help district save energy, and money Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em State News Fishermen say Newport helo base may have saved their lives Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Eugene considers train 'quiet zones' Jesse Jackson calls for peace at Portland rally Bend retirement community brews for charity Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Lester Ray Stephens Freda Lee Davidson Edna �Alice� Soballe Morrie Dean Harvester Carla Louise Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Sans stars, Spurs deal Sixers yet another loss Dolphins overtake run-happy Jets Winston’s conduct hearing slated today at FSU Exam will look at brain of Ohio State player Browns' Hoyer: 'I've gotten us to this point' Varsity 541 College Sports Winston’s conduct hearing slated today at FSU Exam will look at brain of Ohio State player Riley to take ‘good, hard look’ at program Frost might be in line for Nebraska job Marked Man Pro Sports Sans stars, Spurs deal Sixers yet another loss Dolphins overtake run-happy Jets Browns' Hoyer: 'I've gotten us to this point' Mariners, slugger Cruz nearing contract agreement Warriors win 9th straight, beat Pistons Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Ride & Drive: The 2015 Toyota Camry Greg Zyla: Gift suggestions for car and motorsport enthusiasts Silvio Calabi: The 2015 Jetta returns to its VW roots Blog: 'Twas the 12 Days of Deals... Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Michael Gerson: Shrinking the global AIDS epidemic map Granlund cartoon: Charitable donations down Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Editorials Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Our View: What's in a name? Not that much, really Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Our View: Day of abundance, season of sharing Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 30 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 27 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: The emotions of the holidays Food for Thought: Sugar cookies offer holiday nostalgia Ride & Drive: The 2015 Toyota Camry Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape Jeff Vrabel: Unhappy accidents are hard to predict Food Food for Thought: Sugar cookies offer holiday nostalgia Kitchen Call: A change from turkey leftovers Community blog: In soup or salad, savor pumpkin with leeks Be a gravy-making star on Thanksgiving Food for Thought: Add new twists on Thanksgiving favorites Home and Garden Home Help: Luxurious upgrades don’t have to break the bank 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Mortgage insurance: Your questions answered Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Community blog: Appreciating Clouds: Year-Round Gratitude Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn New Arrivals ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Brunch at Loft Brasserie 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas Theater OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' Music Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love The Farr Side: Different artists, common songs Community Events 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas New exhibits highlight Third Fridays Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Council considers end to prohibition in city parks ... Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up ... Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten ... Council considers end to prohibition in city parks ... Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up ... Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten ... Merkley rides the trail for electric vehicles Nobody heard U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley's ultra-quiet Nissan Leaf and the convoy of electric vehicles surrounding him pull off Interstate 5 into Ashland Tuesday. By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Jul. 4, 2012 @ 12:01 am Updated Jul 4, 2012 at 2:45 AM By Sam Wheeler Posted Jul. 4, 2012 @ 12:01 am Updated Jul 4, 2012 at 2:45 AM » Social News Nobody heard U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley's ultra-quiet Nissan Leaf and the convoy of electric vehicles surrounding him pull off Interstate 5 into Ashland Tuesday. It was his last recharge spot before cresting the Siskiyou Mountains into California and completing a 340-mile, electric-propelled road trip from Oregon's northern border. Merkley made nine stops to plug in the Nissan over the two-day trip, he said, a part of his "border-to-border, oil-free" campaign to support U.S. efforts to lessen dependence on foreign oil. The all-electric Nissan "handles just like a regular car," Merkley said. It recharges in as little as 30 minutes, has a battery range of 80 to 120 miles, and costs about $17,500, not including state and federal tax incentives for purchasing electric vehicles. Merkley has wanted to take an electric-vehicle trip across Oregon since the cars started to emerge in the U.S. market, he said after a press conference at Brammo headquarters on Ashland's Clover Lane. "I thought, the moment the infrastructure is completed, let's do it," Merkley said, standing beside the Nissan. "This puts zero exhaust out "… that's a huge positive feature, and now there is affordability." Merkley has a record of pushing for sustainable energy alternatives. In 2010 he introduced the Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act with U.S. senators Tom Carper of Delaware, Tom Udall of New Mexico and Michael Bennet of Colorado. The act would eliminate the need to import oil outside North America, he said, and ramping up the production of electric vehicles plays a major role in the plan. Nissan currently has about 15,000 Leafs on the road, said Richard Weber, fleet and lease manager for Lithia Nissan of Medford, because not many more were made, but in December the manufacturer plans to crank out 200,000 of its all-electric model, he said. "Availability has been a problem," said Weber, "They are coming, though, and they are just a smart buy." Ashland Mayor John Stromberg, State Sen. Alan Bates and Ashland State Rep. Peter Buckley, among others, spoke at a ceremony for Merkley's effort. "This is a visionary trip that Senator Merkley has made," Bates said. "Frankly, my next car is going to be an electric car." "Somebody has to take the first step, and that's what Senator Merkley is about," Stromberg said. "If our country could get to energy independence, think about what that could mean," Buckley said. Merkley mostly used chargers installed through the federally funded West Coast Green Highway initiative, which received a $1.32 million grant last year to construct charging stations every 40 to 60 miles along I-5 in Washington and Southern Oregon. ECOtality, a San Francisco-based electric transportation research and development firm, which has teamed with the city of Ashland for two downtown charging stations, also has dozens of chargers along the I-5 corridor. The company was awarded about $230 million in grant money, partly from the U.S. Department of Energy, to manage a three-year project to promote electric-vehicle support infrastructure, which started in October 2009. "This project is about independence," Merkley said, "charting a course to oil independence." After jetting back down the Siskiyous from California behind the wheel of his leased Nissan, Merkley left for his home in Portland, but he didn't go electric. He drove a gas-powered model. "We have to get back tonight," he said, smiling. "It's the Fourth of July." Reach Ashland Daily Tidings reporter Sam Wheeler at 541-499-1470 or [email protected]. By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Jul. 4, 2012 @ 12:01 am Updated Jul 4, 2012 at 2:45 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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