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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 Free guided day hikes planned at TouVelle, Valley of the Rogue 10 things to know for Wednesday Since You Asked: Birders disagree on the species of large black birds spotted near Roxy Ann Get Up & Go: Dec. 17 Emergency services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Man pleads guilty to gang-fight charges Emergency Services Police utilize social media to track down sex offender Man dies in early morning crash near Prospect 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 Logos may offer students 'fifth year' at RCC or SOU St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up 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 As deadline nears, Oregon's health insurance signups still low Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Dolores Jean Marier Christina Lea "Mima" Jacobson Donna Jeanne Brawn DeCamp Joan E. 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Dunbar Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Sports Latest Stories North Medford hands Comets first loss Warriors stopped at 16 Johnson scores 18 in No. 3 Arizona's rout of Oakland Four Raiders selected to All-American teams SOU offense, Marian defense form dream matchup Varsity 541 College Sports Johnson scores 18 in No. 3 Arizona's rout of Oakland Four Raiders selected to All-American teams SOU offense, Marian defense form dream matchup Raider for life In Eugene, focus returns to football Pro Sports Warriors stopped at 16 Costly triumph Saints rout Bears, take lead in South Griffin, Jordan lead Clippers over Pistons Deal puts Headley at third for Yanks, not A-Rod Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories 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 Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate 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 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 Transportation 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 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Christmas season Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need Letters to the Editor, Dec. 17 Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon Granlund cartoon: Cheney and waterboarding Editorials 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 Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 17 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 16 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 15 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 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 Community blog: Liver pat� an easy nosh for Hanukkah and beyond How NOT to install drywall 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Dec. 19-21) Dave Ramsey: When children steal money Dear Monty: Siblings dispute inherited real estate 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 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 Watch SOU championship on big screen at HEC in Medford ... Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need ... Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon ... Watch SOU championship on big screen at HEC in Medford ... Our View: Celebrate by helping those in need ... Guest Opinion: Loved one chose death with dignity in Oregon ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL In Eugene, focus returns to football Minus Mariota, Ducks practice for first time since winning Pac-12 title By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Dec. 16, 2014 @ 6:19 pm By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Dec. 16, 2014 @ 6:19 pm » Social News EUGENE — While Marcus Mariota was stiff-arming the paparazzi in New York, the show went on for the rest of the Ducks. Oregon returned to practice on Monday for the first time since winning the Pac-12 championship on Dec. 5. Backup quarterback Jeff Lockie did his best to set the tone for the offense in the Heisman Trophy winner’s absence. “It has kind of been bittersweet with him being gone. I’m getting a little more reps, but at the same time one of my good friends is gone and he’s not out there,” Lockie said. “It’s been strange, but I guess if he decides to move on it will be something I’ll have to get used to.” Mariota, a fourth-year junior, won’t officially announce if he’s leaving for the NFL draft until after Oregon’s season is finished. The focus is understandably on the Ducks’ looming showdown with defending national champion Florida State in the College Football Playoff on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl (2 p.m., ESPN). While the coaching staff was on the recruiting trail and/or the award circuit with Mariota last week, many of the players began studying the Seminoles (13-0) on their own. “A team like Florida State, you can’t sleep on them,” defensive end DeForest Buckner said. “I’m really glad that everyone started watching film early and not waiting until everyone could come back in the building and watch it together. It just shows how much our team has grown over the season.” The Ducks (12-1) have also used the extra down time to get healthier, especially on the offensive line. All-American center Hroniss Grasu, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-leg injury on Nov. 8 at Utah, has ditched his medical scooter and walked out of practice without a noticeable limp. “I’m getting better every single day. I’m doing whatever they tell me to do,” Grasu said. “I promise, I’m doing whatever I can to get better.” Right tackle Andre Yruretagoyena, who appeared to re-injure his leg and was carted off the field during the 51-13 victory over Arizona, walked out of practice wearing a small ankle brace instead of the protective boot he celebrated in after the conference title game. “I think we’ll have more depth than we’ve had in a long time on the front line. We should have just about everybody back,” offensive coordinator Scott Frost said. “At this point, we have a bunch of guys that have played and a lot of guys with experience. Hopefully we can roll some different guys in.” Royce Freeman averaged 118 yards rushing and Oregon averaged 254.7 total yards rushing during the last three victories, which Thomas Tyner missed due to injury. “We’ve got a couple more weeks to get ready for this thing,” Frost said. “It should be all hands on deck.” After making an appearance on “The Late Show with Dave Letterman” and attending the Heisman gala on Monday night in New York, Mariota arrived back in Eugene. His teammates were glued to the television on Saturday night when the star quarterback became the first player in the program’s history to win the prestigious award. “I was nervous for him giving that speech. It’s nerve racking. I definitely would have gotten emotional just like him. It’s the best award you can win in college football,” Buckner said. “We saw that potential in him for a while, and this year we were kind of like, ‘If he doesn’t win it, then I don’t know what’s wrong with America.’ “Everybody on the team, we’re all just proud of him. It’s well deserved.” Mariota announced a year ago that he would put the NFL on hold to return to Oregon for the 2014 season. Grasu and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu did the same with this kind of Hollywood ending in mind. “It was probably the proudest moment that I’ve ever had in my whole life,” Grasu said of watching his friend win the Heisman. “He’s someone I look up to and he deserves it more than anyone.” Like athletic director Rob Mullens, coach Mark Helfrich and the rest of the Oregon contingent that made the trip to New York, the players said it was emotional to watch their humble leader get choked up during his inspiring acceptance speech. “If you know Marcus the way we know Marcus and you didn’t tear up, you’ve got something wrong with you,” Grasu said. By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Ryan Thorburn Eugene Register-Guard Posted Dec. 16, 2014 @ 6:19 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 Week 16 RB Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Dec. 17, 2014 at 10:26 am Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings: Updated Overview for All Positions Dec. 17, 2014 at 10:00 am Must-Start Fantasy Players for Week 16 Dec. 17, 2014 at 9:02 am Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups: 5 Sleepers Who May Still Be Available Dec. 17, 2014 at 9:00 am Week 16 Sleepers to Start in a Pinch Dec. 17, 2014 at 8:10 am Week 16 Fantasy Big Board Dec. 17, 2014 at 7:15 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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