Mailing Address:

1630 Williams Hwy., #400
Grants Pass, OR 97527

Our Mission

Launched in 2014, the Rogue Valley Messenger started at a time when people said that newspapers are dead.

We are proud to prove them wrong.

We appreciate the interest and enthusiasm that Rogue Valley residents have expressed in what we have to say, and to write.

We see ourselves as community-builders—providing important information and insights about the people and politics, and culture and curiosity of Southern Oregon.

We strive to publish fun, smart and engaging articles, from music and food reviews, to investigative stories that ask tough questions, and consider the successes and failures of local government agencies.

We try to provide as much news, entertainment and information that we can pack into each issue, and address the many aspects that make life in southern Oregon exciting, with regular columns like:

“Rogue Sounds,” a listen to local bands;

“Drink Local” sampling local beers, wines and cocktails;

“Public Profile,” a Q&A with civic leaders;

“Go Here,” suggestions for nearby outdoor activities; and,

“Art Watch,” a consideration of a gallery or artist.

And, of course, every issue hosts the region’s most comprehensive listing of events and cultural happenings, to point you in whatever direction.

We distribute our newspapers every other week throughout the Rogue Valley, from Ashland to Grants Pass, and many points in-between. Click here for all of our locations.

Who We Are

Editorial Staff

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Phil Busse has done his tour of duty in alt-weeklies, starting his career as the first environmental reporter for San Francisco Weekly, and covering a crime beat for Eugene Weekly while in law school at University of Oregon. He helped start up the Portland Mercury in 2000, and served for three years as the Editor for Bend Source before helping launch the Rogue Valley Messenger.

MANAGING EDITOR

Sara Jane Wiltermood manages the Food, Wellness, Culture, Sound, Screen, and Sports & Outdoors. She also is responsible for selecting our Picks for each issue. A native from near Grants Pass, she received her B.A. in Journalism/Mass Communications from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, in 2007 before hustling back to southern Oregon, where she now lives on a farm with her husband and darling daughter, where they raise pigs, rabbits, chickens and goats.

CALENDAR EDITOR

Alan Armstong – Having been primarily raised in Southern California, Alan kept moving northward to eleven different Californian towns before finally landing in Southern Oregon. Alan received a BA in music and theater arts and then a graduate degree in counseling/ psychology. Alan agrees with what Donna Brosh says below about the human mind being too scary, but he hasn’t had the guts yet to leave psychology and follow it up with a graphic design career like she did.  On weekends you might find Alan in attendance at any of our area’s live music venues as he is also our local sound review guy. Alan enjoys being settled here raising two precocious mogwai with his wife, Sasha.

Production & Business Staff

SALES MANAGER & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Sasha Armstrong, Sales Manager – Sasha’s advertising experience started on the beautiful Oregon Coast with the Newport News Times. While enjoying ‘beach life’ she took on several projects in Lincoln City such as joining the Visitors & Convention Bureau’s task committee to brainstorm on how to bring visitors to the Oregon Coast.  One of the successful events born was the Finders Keepers’ Glass Float event still going strong today! She also co-chaired the annual Community Days Festival as well as served on the Events and Ambassador Committees for the Chamber of Commerce. Further experience includes working for KDRV-TV and the San Francisco Chronicle as well as Spotzer Media, an international online advertising agency. Sasha spent parts of her upbringing in Southern Oregon and is happy to be back in the area since 2014.  She is now settled here with her husband and two precocious mogwai.

DISTRIBUTION

Coleman Antonucci

WEBSITE MANAGER

Tammy Wilder uses magic to turn our print paper into this modern, functional website and makes sure it’s safe from Russian hackers.