Bill Thorndike’s Legacy
William "Bill" Thorndike Jr., a prominent Southern Oregon business leader and dedicated community servant, passed away unexpectedly on February 15, 2025, at the age of 71. He suffered a heart attack while vacationing with his wife, Angela, at their family cabin on Whidbey Island in Washington's Puget Sound. Born in Medford, Oregon, Bill graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1972 and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lewis & Clark College in 1976. He joined his family's business, Medford Fabrication—a custom steel fabrication company founded in the...
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What's happening in Southern Oregon
Oregon joins $17 million multistate enforcement settlement with Edward Jones
Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), a member of the North American Securities...
State finalizes redo of wildfire hazard maps, prepares new rules for high-risk property owners
by Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital ChronicleJanuary 8, 2025 Oregon fire experts have finalized their redo of...
New Mission and Three-Year Strategic Plan to Shape the Future of the Oregon Coast
A New North Star for the Oregon Coast Visitors Association The tourism economy intersects with nearly...
Funding in place for wildlife crossing with key SOU role
(Ashland, Ore.) — A total of $37 million in federal and state funding has been secured to...
Klamath dam removal workshop at SOU fosters collaboration
(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University recently hosted the Klamath Dam Removal Research Collaboration Workshop, a...
Business Expansion Opportunities in 2025
With just a few short weeks of activity left in the current year, the last opportunity...
Prioritizing Safety: Preventing Injuries and Fatalities in the Logging Industry
By Paul Quandt Oregon has long been a leader in the production of softwood lumber and...
Oregon’s Broadband Deployment Program Announces Notices of Intent to Award Second Tranche out of the $141 Million to Bring High-Speed, Reliable Broadband Internet to Thousands by 2026
This second tranche of funding aims to enhance internet access 881 locations all of which are...
Child Care Infrastructure Fund Awards $10 Million to Support Oregon’s Child Care Providers
64 child care infrastructure projects were awarded in the first round of the program. DECEMBER 3,...
Grant Program Now Open to Support Advanced Manufacturing Businesses Competing for Federal Contracts
Up to $150,000 per eligible business will be awarded to cover approved costs in seeking to...
Rebuilding the Pipeline: Supply and Demand in the Skilled Trades
Many of the systems that make modern life possible and comfortable are brought to you by...
Oregon to Receive $9.9 Million in Funding to Increase Digital Inclusion Efforts
Digital equity and inclusion investments will reach all corners of the state, providing online safety and...
Business Oregon Awards $7.6 Million in Economic Equity Investment Program Grants
EEIP grants support culturally responsive organizations that provide assistance to eligible beneficiaries in an effort to...
Technology Reduces Employment in the Printing Industry
Employment in printing and related support activities has been on the decline since the late 1990s....
Oregon’s Broadband Deployment Program Announces Notices of Intent to Award $133 Million to Bring High-Speed, Reliable Broadband Internet to Thousands by 2026
This initial tranche of funding aims to enhance internet access in 12,182 locations, 10,755 of which...
Oregon’s Hazelnut Harvest
By Pat O'Connor Oregon Regional Economist Orchards are not very difficult to find in Oregon. In...
