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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 Since You Asked: Rogue Valley rail lines not likely to carry people or oil Get Up & Go: Dec. 18 5 Things to do This Weekend Gifts, clothes could brighten holiday for mom, 5 children Friends hope for teen's safe return Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Idaho fugitive shot by police in March sentenced to 67 months Man suspected of money laundering in Ashland mail-order drug scheme Man arrested in alleged theft of $4,000 worth of outdoor gear Matthew T. Mangino: The future of the death penalty in question? Politics and Elections State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means Education Ruch school class focuses on the natural environment Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Environment No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River State News Court upholds Clatsop LNG pipeline decision Lane County bans e-cigarette sales to minors Oregon vehicle linked to rest stop shooting Teen admits killing 2 at hunting cabin As deadline nears, Oregon's health insurance signups still low Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Bernard Eugene Krueger Joyce Elizabeth Taylor Death Notices Dolores Jean Marier Christina Lea "Mima" Jacobson Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Sports Latest Stories Mustangs race past Eagles Show goes on Chandler helps Oregon drop Northridge 79-56 49ers release McDonald amid further legal trouble SOU slams Simpson for 40-8 dual win Varsity 541 College Sports Chandler helps Oregon drop Northridge 79-56 SOU slams Simpson for 40-8 dual win Fits like a glove Southern Oregon with heavy dose of Portland-area players Johnson scores 18 in No. 3 Arizona's rout of Oakland Pro Sports Show goes on 49ers release McDonald amid further legal trouble Warriors stopped at 16 Costly triumph Saints rout Bears, take lead in South Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Falling gas prices help spur travel at Medford airport Employment in Oregon surpasses pre-recession levels Free lunchtime presentation covers business planning Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan Juke Nismo Honda’s CR-V goes uptown again Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 Transportation Falling gas prices help spur travel at Medford airport Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Opinion Latest Our View: Vaccines benefit everyone, save lives Letters to the Editor, Dec. 18 George Will: A Texas-sized dispute over a license plate Dana Milbank: Energy industry says CO2 is good for us Granlund cartoon: Christmas season Editorials Our View: Vaccines benefit everyone, save lives Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need Our View: Ashland Hospital's remarkable turnaround Our View: Councilors' criticism less troubling than secrecy Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 18 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 17 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 16 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 15 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Lifestyle Latest stories Marketta Gregory: Advent calendar Community blog: Silent Night Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Community blog: Liver pat� an easy nosh for Hanukkah and beyond How NOT to install drywall Food Community blog: Liver pat� an easy nosh for Hanukkah and beyond Local bubbly can ring in the New Year Food for Thought: How to keep your kitchen organized during the holidays Kitchen Call: Shopping for the cook Community blog: Gobble gougeres as appetizers or with light meals Home and Garden How NOT to install drywall Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate Home Help: Create a happy homemade holiday Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Health Community blog: The Promise of Hope � and Health - Fulfilled Community blog: Saving Lives Health Watch: Curb your kitchen cravings this holiday season Community blog: Unsubscribe.com Community blog: Redefining Family Hiking Biking Faith Bethel Church helps families at McLoughlin Middle School Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Milestones and Achievements Ashland celebrates 'Wild' screening with Cheryl Strayed Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances Time running out for O&C funds Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Seattle rock band Smokey Brights plays Howiee's ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' Eight Dollar Mountain and Fruition play Applegate Lodge Dance to the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra John Nilsen's holiday concerts kick off this week Theater ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Music Seattle rock band Smokey Brights plays Howiee's Eight Dollar Mountain and Fruition play Applegate Lodge John Nilsen's holiday concerts kick off this week Ashland Blues Society hosts open jam Rating old-timers’ albums from 2014 Community Events Dance to the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Rogue Valley Christmas light displays It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House 4 Things to do this Week Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Dining Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Rogue Valley rail lines not likely to carry people or oil ... Our View: Vaccines benefit everyone, save lives ... Idaho fugitive shot by police in March sentenced to 67 months ... Since You Asked: Rogue Valley rail lines not likely to carry people or oil ... Our View: Vaccines benefit everyone, save lives ... Idaho fugitive shot by police in March sentenced to 67 months ... NFL THIS WEEK Division matchups spice NFL openers By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 6, 2014 @ 8:03 pm Updated Sep 6, 2014 at 8:13 PM By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 6, 2014 @ 8:03 pm Updated Sep 6, 2014 at 8:13 PM » Social News The NFL has spiced up the end of the regular season with a steady diet of division matchups. It hasn’t done a bad job of juicing the opening weekend with just that, too. New England is at Miami in a very early AFC East showdown, while the entire AFC North faces off, with Cincinnati at Baltimore and Cleveland at Pittsburgh. The NFC South has the same setup, with New Orleans at Atlanta and Carolina at Tampa Bay. “It’s a great opportunity for us to have another growing step,” Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth said of visiting Baltimore, where Cincinnati has dropped its past three games. “We’ve talked about it over the years. We’ve had this little step here or that little step there where this team’s continued to improve. But we haven’t won in Baltimore. “So what a great opportunity for us to go and try to get that milestone out of the way.” It’s also a critical game in what could be the tightest three-team race in the league. Of course, Pittsburgh would need to avoid stumbling against Cleveland to validate its place in that race. Yet the main focal point at Heinz Field could be whether Johnny Football gets to play any football. Will first-round pick Johnny Manziel, a backup to Brian Hoyer, get some snaps at quarterback for Cleveland? “I said that I expect them to utilize him in some way during the course of the game,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I didn’t say they were going to start him.” The season kicked off Thursday night when defending champion Seattle ran around, over and through Green Bay, 36-16. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Russell Wilson threw a pair of touchdown passes, and the Seahawks kept Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense off-balance much of the night. Rodgers threw for only 189 yards. Also today, it’s Indianapolis at Denver in the only matchup of 2013 division winners; San Francisco at Dallas; Jacksonville at Philadelphia; Buffalo at Chicago; Washington at Houston; Minnesota at St. Louis; Tennessee at Kansas City; and Oakland at the New York Jets. The Monday night doubleheader has the New York Giants at Detroit, followed by San Diego at Arizona. New England at Miami Tom Brady remembers the Patriots’ trip to Miami last December, although he’d prefer to forget it: a 24-20 defeat. “We put a lot of work in over the course of the offseason and the summer to put ourselves in a position to capitalize on this game,” Brady said. “There’s not much more you could ask for than to have such a great opportunity.” Miami’s revamped offensive line, coming off the bullying scandal, will be a focal point. New Orleans at Atlanta Here’s an immediate chance for the Falcons to show 2013 was a fluke. They’ll have to come up with a running game, better blocking and certainly a stingier defense, beginning with this meeting against their archrivals. It’s a tough assignment, particularly trying to slow the Drew Brees-to-Jimmy Graham combination. Carolina at Tampa Bay There’s a school of thought that the Panthers are headed downward after a surprise division title, and the Bucs under new coach Lovie Smith are ascending. This opener could reveal plenty, and Panthers QB Cam Newton is on the mend from a rib injury. Two of the league’s best linebackers will be on display, 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly for Carolina and Lavonte David for Tampa. Indianapolis at Denver No question that Peyton Manning vs. Andrew Luck belongs in the Sunday night game. Spotlighting the Broncos always makes sense, particularly coming off that shellacking in the Super Bowl. Ignoring Indy’s chances would be unwise, though. Since Luck replaced Manning, the Colts have been on the rise. “To be honest, even since Day 1 here, it hasn’t been an issue. I never came in saying, ‘Oh, I have to replace a legend, one of the greatest of all time,’” Luck said. “Professional sports people, they come and they go. Someone’s going to replace me eventually, hopefully later rather than sooner.” San Francisco at Dallas For once, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn’t talking Super Bowl. He could be talking first pick in the draft after this season, especially if Dallas is as weak defensively as many project. San Francisco’s defense has been hit hard at linebacker by injuries (All-Pro NaVorro Bowman) and suspension (Aldon Smith). There’s a sense the 49ers have taken a step back, so a top-level performance today would temporarily silence some critics. Jacksonville at Philadelphia We’re already gasping for air in anticipation of the pace the Eagles play in Chip Kelly’s second season as coach. Most intriguing is how much Philly gets from Darren Sproles, a perfect fit for this offense and a great partner for All-Pro RB LeSean McCoy. The big question with the Jaguars: How soon does No. 3 overall draft pick QB Blake Bortles play? Buffalo at Chicago An awful offseason for Buffalo, including the death of owner Ralph Wilson, a Hall of Famer, couldn’t end soon enough. The regular season doesn’t show a lot of promise, either. Also, and a meeting with the seemingly vastly improved Bears doesn’t bode well. The Bills’ new prize, wideout Sammy Watkins has rib issues. If Chicago’s defense, with the additions of Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston, can complement the strong offense featuring Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte, the Bears could make lots of noise in the NFC. Washington at Houston Bounce-back themes rule for two teams that plummeted last season and made coaching changes. The Redskins’ offense under Jay Gruden will be designed to keep Robert Griffin III in the pocket more often, but without completely constricting his running skills. Houston needs its talented defense, led by star end J.J. Watt and top overall draft choice Jadeveon Clowney, to revitalize the franchise in Bill O’Brien’s first year at the helm. Minnesota at St. Louis With Rams QB Sam Bradford (knee) gone for the season, a conservative attack is likely for St. Louis. When opponents have the ball, the Rams will unleash what could be a tenacious pass rush led by Robert Quinn. To combat that, the Vikings need Adrian Peterson to perform as he did in his 2012 MVP year. That certainly could happen. Tennessee at Kansas City The Chiefs began last season 9-0 before slumping, and they did little to the roster in the offseason because of salary cap constraints. They do have some dangerous difference makers in RB Jamaal Charles and LB Justin Houston, and coach Andy Reid re-established his excellent credentials last year. Ken Whisenhunt takes over in Tennessee with a young team featuring plenty of changes. One constant: strong safeties in Michael Griffin and Bernard Pollard. Oakland at New York Jets The Raiders have lost 13 straight games in the Eastern time zone. Second-round pick Derek Carr gets the start at quarterback over Matt Schaub, and he’ll face a Rex Ryan defense that figures to make him uncomfortable and perplexed. But the Jets have deficiencies in the secondary, so if Carr gets some time, he could have a successful debut. New York needs to unleash its three-pronged running game behind Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell to prosper. New York Giants at Detroit, Monday night Eli Manning and the Giants are adjusting slowly to the West Coast offense installed by new coordinator Ben McAdoo. Even though the Giants won all five preseason games, their starters did little with the ball. Under new coach Jim Caldwell, Detroit needs to be more disciplined. The talent is there to be a contender. San Diego at Arizona, Monday night. A nice way to finish off the opening weekend. The Chargers closed with four wins to make last season’s playoffs and then won a wild-card game at Cincinnati. If their pass defense has improved, they could reach the postseason again. The Cardinals won 10 games and it got them only a quick trip home in the tough NFC West. Another 10-win season might not be enough again. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 6, 2014 @ 8:03 pm Updated Sep 6, 2014 at 8:13 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. fantasy football Projecting Fantasy Winners, Losers for Week 16 Dec. 17, 2014 at 2:43 pm Best Advice in 60 Seconds for Fantasy Football Championships Dec. 17, 2014 at 1:30 pm Rankings and Top Sleepers for Key Playoff Matchups Dec. 17, 2014 at 12:27 pm Week 16 Fantasy QB Rankings Dec. 17, 2014 at 11:43 am Week 16 RB Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Dec. 17, 2014 at 10:26 am Updated Fantasy Rankings for Week 16 Dec. 17, 2014 at 10:00 am 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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