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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 City may aid homeless program Stalking the elusive fisher 'Big Data Revolution' discussed at Tap House Talks 10 things to know for Tuesday Since You Asked: Styrofoam ban raises questions Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, Feb. 17 Emergency services, Feb. 16 Medford porch fire appears intentional, investigators say Emergency services, Feb. 15 Emergency services, Feb. 14 Politics and Elections Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Community leaders saddened by governor's departure Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Education A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Medford School Board OKs full-day kindergarten Former superintendent sues district, board member Sharing black culture Environment Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City Solar pavilion going up at Coyote Trails GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban State News Oregon Senate advances low-carbon fuel law Brown says inauguration speech will focus on restoring trust in government Oregon chub first fish to be officially taken off endangered list Day of transition in Oregon Legislature as Kitzhaber's exit nears Federal investigation of Kitzhaber to focus on potential financial crimes Nation - World Obituaries Lynn Ann Latham McCoy Lane Itol A. Downing Grant Edward Cochran Ruth Hoover Kaye Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories LOCAL REPORT Pitchers, catchers will report this week Questions surround top quarterback prospects Teams mull options as trade deadline nears W. Virginia squeaks by Kansas, 62-61 Varsity 541 College Sports W. Virginia squeaks by Kansas, 62-61 Senior's swan song Afengus, Champion to coach soccer, women's wrestling Harrison, Hendrix homer in OSU loss Raiders end trip with losses at Chico Pro Sports Pitchers, catchers will report this week Questions surround top quarterback prospects Teams mull options as trade deadline nears Blazers content at the halfway point West Side Story Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Blog: An empire built on a plastic-block foundation Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan GT-R Oregon Retina Specialists will expand into new building Blog: Once Upon A Valentine's Day Medford airport flies past January record Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Michael Gerson: A call for 'patient pluralism' Landgren cartoon: Snow trouble Landgren cartoon: 50 shades of white Editorials Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Our View: Time to end the vaccine exemption Our View: Hemp hemp, hooray — old crop is new again Our View: Maintaining a major community asset Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 13 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 12 Columns Michael Gerson: A call for 'patient pluralism' Kathleen Parker: No excuse for juicing the story Dana Milbank: Remembering the remarkable Kayla Mueller George Will: Curb your pessimism about terrorism Charles Krauthammer: Crusaders and appeasers Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches In Good Faith: Lent Madness 2015: Who will win the Golden Halo? Community blog: It's time to lavish love on heart-healthy lentils 9 new cookbooks prove Southern cooking never goes out of style Food for Thought: Say yes to soy Food Community blog: It's time to lavish love on heart-healthy lentils 9 new cookbooks prove Southern cooking never goes out of style Food for Thought: Say yes to soy Prudence Hilburn: Warm up for winter with soup, chili Kitchen Call: Let winter citrus brighten your meals Home and Garden Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Now’s a good time to plant a tree Repair or replace your garage door panel? Dear Monty: Hot markets change agent behavior Health Community blog: Your Brain on Love Health Watch: The rise of wearable fitness tech Community blog: Are You Losing or Gaining on Your Investment in Health? Community blog: Simple Solutions Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra 'Broadway's Next Hit Musical' SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Theater SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Music Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra 'Broadway's Next Hit Musical' Live Music in Local Clubs Roy Zimmerman's 'The Faucet's on Fire" Community Events Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Dining The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW City may aid homeless program ... Get Up & Go: Tuesday, Feb. 17 ... Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles ... City may aid homeless program ... Get Up & Go: Tuesday, Feb. 17 ... Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles ... NBA Blazers content at the halfway point They have same record as last year despite assorted injuries Comment By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Feb. 16, 2015 @ 7:59 pm By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Feb. 16, 2015 @ 7:59 pm » Social News PORTLAND — The Trail Blazers are 36-17, the same record they had at last year's All-Star break. But the feeling this time is more of relief than congratulation. After a fast start, with just four losses in the first 21 games, Portland was hit by injuries. Its starters have missed a combined 35 games. Still, the Blazers lead the Northwest Division and are tied for third in the Western Conference. "I like what we've done. We've had more adversity this year than last year and we've done a good job of fighting through it," coach Terry Stotts said. "We still have a lot of games to go and by no means is it over, but at this point last year we stayed healthy and were the surprise team. This has a different feel to it." Last season, the Blazers had the same starting lineup in every game going into the All-Star break. Portland went on to win 54 games and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2000. This season they've played 13 different starting lineups. Center Robin Lopez was out for 23 games after he fractured his right hand Dec. 15 against San Antonio. The 7-footers' absence was felt; the Blazers went 13-10 without him. But more than his rebounding and defense, Lopez is a steadying force. LaMarcus Aldridge is more creative on the floor when Lopez takes the pressure off him. Aldridge, who started in Sunday's All-Star game, is averaging 23.6 points and 10.3 rebounds. He has 27 double-doubles this season, ninth in the league. There was injury drama surrounding Aldridge, too. In a span of just 48 hours late in January, Aldridge resigned himself to thumb surgery that would sideline him for up to six weeks. Then he reversed himself and decided to play through the pain. Aldridge hurt his thumb when his hand came down on the knee of Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins in the second quarter of a victory over the Kings on Jan. 19. Aldridge said the injury to his nonshooting hand still causes him discomfort. "It feels OK," Aldridge said last week before heading off to his fourth All-Star appearance. "I've had it hit a few times and it hasn't been too bad." The front court has struggled because of Nicolas Batum's sore right wrist, which has caused him to miss six games. Backup center Joel Freeland has missed 20 games and counting with a right shoulder sprain. Portland's stability has been its backcourt. Although Damian Lillard has struggled at times with uncharacteristic inconsistency, especially from 3-point range, he's averaging 21.5 points and 6.3 assists. Matthews has 161 3-pointers this season, tying him with Golden State's Steph Curry and Atlanta's Kyle Korver for the most in the league. Matthews is riding a career-best streak of 13 games with multiple 3-pointers. Matthews said that Portland's ability to overcome injuries is a "testament to us getting better." "We're just going to continue to get healthier — hopefully. We already hit the injury bug. It's over, so out of sight, out of mind," he said. "But our bench has developed and guys have played minutes that maybe they wouldn't have if guys were healthy. That just strengthens our team." Meanwhile, talk persists that the Blazers will make a move before Thursday's trade deadline. Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo are some of the names connected to Portland. The Blazers don't return to the court until Friday at Utah. "It's nice to have this break just to relax, take care of our bodies and to do something else," Batum said. "And come back stronger." By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Anne M. 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