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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 10 things to know for Monday 'Game changer' for heart patients Emergency services, April 27 Parents upset that Schneider Children's Center at SOU will close Orchard fans cause stir with neighbors Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 27 Pair who escaped North Bend prison includes Jackson County man Emergency services, April 26 Garcia sculpture reported stolen from Medford yard Emergency services Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Needs improvement SWAT students track progress of stream restoration efforts Students participate in fuel reduction effort at Ruch School New funding formula awards universities for graduating more students Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Environment Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" State News What's left of Oregon battleship stands in Portland Police identify armed man killed in Salem RV standoff Bill under debate in Oregon would limit livestock antibiotics US Rep. Newhouse proposes ending protection for wolves Judge proposes Oregon bakery pay $135,000 to lesbian couple Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries James Bortvit Eike Judy Flanagan (Parish) John R. Winkler Sr. (Wink) Alice Marie Thomas George Loal Barnett Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Portland goes timber Paul, Clippers even up series Challengers picks up wins Donahue, Beavers down USC at home Rose seals victory in New Orleans Varsity 541 College Sports Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Addison gets back into rhythm with Ducks Oregon wins distance medley relay at Penn Relays Pro Sports Portland goes timber Paul, Clippers even up series Rose seals victory in New Orleans Cavaliers sweep, but Love hurt Conley to miss Game 4 Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Hill named to state marketing board Fermentation Fest highlights Southern Oregon growth in craft brewing Travel boosting Oregon economy more than ever Blog: Weekend Impossible Real Estate News New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, April 27 With a song in prisoners' hearts Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Letters to the Editor, April 26 George Will: A Graham candidacy's fun factor Editorials Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Our View: Public's right to film police should be protected Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 26 Letters to the Editor, April 25 Letters to the Editor, April 24 Letters to the Editor, April 23 Columns With a song in prisoners' hearts George Will: A Graham candidacy's fun factor Dana Milbank: The TPP is an abomination Charles Krauthammer: Obama's Nixon doctrine: anointing Iran Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Loretta Laroche: Time to end the search for Prince Charming Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 'Game changer' for heart patients DAY TRIPPIN': Castle Lake for stress-free family adventure Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Food Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Community blog: Oregon Breweries to grow or seriously to grow? The joy of true wasabi Season Stepp: Veggie treat hidden deep inside artichokes Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Home and Garden Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Health 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Moment in Time presents 'Viejo con Nuevo' Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Reader Review: 'Birdman' for the birds Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Dining Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Parents upset that Schneider Children's Center at SOU will close ... Pair who escaped North Bend prison includes Jackson County man ... Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act ... Parents upset that Schneider Children's Center at SOU will close ... Pair who escaped North Bend prison includes Jackson County man ... Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act ... OUR VIEW Our View: Well testing program is a good deal Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 5, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Nov. 5, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Rural residents concerned about possible contaminants in their well water should apply to participate in a study being conducted by the state Department of Environmental Quality. Those selected for the study will get their wells tested for free, not to mention helping state officials protect public health in the future. The Rogue Valley has some naturally occurring contaminants such as arsenic, but officials also are concerned about bacteria and nitrates, which can result from fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals used years ago. State health officials maintain a record of well water tests conducted since 1989, but those tests are required only when a property changes hands. Those records show clusters of high nitrate levels near the Rogue River and Bear Creek. Testing more wells could help determine the source of the contamination, but it also alerts residents that their water is unhealthy and should be treated before drinking. Unlike huge aquifers — essentially underground lakes — in other parts of the country, groundwater in Southern Oregon is found in fissures and cracks in the basalt that underlies much of the region. Water and contaminants can travel from one well to another, but not necessarily. That makes it difficult to predict where water will be found and whether it will be safe drink. Requiring regular tests would help that situation, but many rural residents would balk at the government telling them they must pay for tests of their own wells. However, choosing to remain ignorant of what's in one's own drinking water can be risky. As a DEQ hydrogeologist explained, good-tasting water is no guarantee it's not contaminated. DEQ officials plan to test 60 wells next spring and fall. Participants will get a detailed analysis of what's in their water, and their personal information will remain anonymous. The state benefits because geologists can add to the well database without the considerable expense of drilling test wells. Not everyone who applies will be included, because researchers are looking for wells in specific locations and with particular characteristics. Applying is easy — just send an email to [email protected]. There's no reason not to. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 5, 2014 at 12:01 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 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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