Southern Oregon & Northern California News
Latest local news from Southern Oregon and Northern California, covering Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Jackson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Siskiyou County, Del Norte County, and communities throughout the region.
A Leap of Taste Expanding to Klamath Community College Campus
Downtown Klamath Falls café A Leap of Taste is expanding to Klamath Community College, with a tentative soft opening November 17. The new location in Building 4 will serve sandwiches, breakfast items, baked goods, and specialty coffee Monday through Friday, with plans for a comfortable seating area in early 2027.
Klamath Coffee Business Earns SBA Honor
A Klamath Falls coffee business has been named the Portland District SBA Rural Business of the Year, marking the first time the award has been presented to a rural business in Oregon. Owners Carly and Ryan Lynch were honored during a ceremony at their Spring Street location and credited the Klamath Community College Small Business Development Center for helping them build and grow the business.
Ashland, ODOT Address Downtown Construction Concerns
The City of Ashland and Ashland Chamber of Commerce say they are working with ODOT to address concerns about downtown curb construction and its impact on small businesses. After a joint letter and meeting, ODOT agreed to adjust staging, improve signage, review work zones and increase communication during the project.
Medford Contractor Fined $128,345 for Exposing Workers to Fall and Ladder Hazards
Oregon OSHA has fined Medford-based Shrader Homes Inc. more than $128,000 after an inspection found workers exposed to multiple hazards on a White City jobsite, including fall risks and unsafe ladder use.
Soul Beauty Salon Opens With Community Support
Soul Beauty Salon has officially opened its doors in downtown Klamath Falls, where new owner Ana Mendez celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event supported by family, community members, and KCC’s Small Business Development Center.
Longtime acupuncture clinic under new ownership with help from KCC’s SBDC
Shasta Acupuncture, a trusted holistic wellness clinic in the Klamath Basin for nearly two decades, has entered a new era under the ownership of longtime local practitioner Lian Xue. With guidance from Klamath Community College’s Small Business Development Center, Xue successfully navigated the purchase process and is now expanding the clinic’s commitment to community-centered healing.
SOU’s Small Business Development Center to Close After 41 Years
Southern Oregon University’s Small Business Development Center in Medford will close after 41 years of service, following a state decision to reject a joint proposal with Rogue Community College to maintain funding. The closure ends decades of support for local entrepreneurs and marks the last university-run SBDC in Oregon.