Author Archive
Phil Busse

Autumn, And The Steelhead Are Jumping: The Messenger’s Starting Guide and Fishing Report
Salmon fishing ended more than a month ago, and there are conservation reasons to let the spawning fish be. But there is also the practical reason not to fish salmon right now; that is, salmon who are spawning simply do not eat. Oh sure, points out “Pritch,” who identified himself

Grown Up, But Still Crazy After All These Years: Cyclecross Kicks Into High Gear
The cyclocross races hosted by the Southern Oregon Outlaws are rarely quiet. At a recent event, a few people line a muddy course; they whistle and hoot, and bang on cow bells. Riders swing around a hairpin turn, and, without slowing any forward momentum, swing a leg off their bikes,

It’s Getting Hot In Here: A regional conference hopes to kick greenhouse gas reduction into high gear
“The good news is they didn’t go up,” says Angus Duncan, speaking about greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon over the past decade. But, he adds, “the bad news is they didn’t go down.” For the past eight years, Duncan has chaired the Oregon Global Warming Commission, a group that makes

PUBLIC PROFILE: Pam Marsh
In a new series, the Rogue Valley Messenger catches up with public officials in the region, and asks for their insights into local issues—and solutions. Pam Marsh is a member of the Ashland City Council and the liaison to the Housing & Human Services Commission as well as the executive

These Boots Are Made for Protesting: Hiking To Stop A Pipeline in Its Tracks
Under sunny skies on Labor Day weekend, some of the “hikers” arrived in Shady Cove by raft, pushing across the Rogue River at a point where a proposed gas pipeline would cross the river—that is, if the activists don’t stop it first. About 200 people were there to greet them.

Learning By Doing
With traditional curriculum failing some students, a new wilderness program grows in the woods Lorenzo Mussell did not have an orthodox childhood. He grew up in Kenya. He talks about walking around barefoot, squatting around an open fire, eating food with his hands, and making toys out of bits and

High Expectations and High Grades
Entering his second year, Superintendent Brian Shumate counts his victories and stares down challenges In early February 2014, teachers from the Medford School District went on strike. For months prior, teachers had expressed concerns about middling salaries and what they complained were poor working conditions. In a press statement

DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER: Sailing Through Transition
Somewhat quietly, and with little public attention, the newly enacted Board of Trustees for Southern Oregon University unanimously voted to extend the contract for interim President Roy Saigo beyond its expiration date of next June. Saigo has served as president for one complete academic year, and entere his second full

DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER: Duck Disgrace
With school returning, it is often a time for renewed school pride. But over the past 18 months, a story has been unfolding at the University of Oregon that casts a dark shadow over the state’s largest school—and, more directly, questions the importance placed on sports that has overwhelmed decency and morality. A year and half ago, a female student
DRINK LOCAL: Climate City Brewing – New, But Already Classic
Climate City Brewing is not quite a year old and already has found its footing. The third contemporary brewery in Grants Pass, Climate City is actually drawing from the city’s turn-of-the-century history (as in, 1900s, not 2000s) to bring something new to the area—and the results are wonderful. Not only