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The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


Medford News 1963
Assassination, Mt. Ashland Ski Area Among Top Stories of Year
    The assassination of John F. Kennedy was the top news story of the year, and it left its impact in Southern Oregon.
    The sobering effect of the assassination upon the public just before Thanksgiving, the resulting memorial services throughout the area, and the period of mourning was listed as one of the top local news stories of general interest during the year.
    No one local news development during the year was listed as the top one by Mail Tribune news department personnel, however. Votes for the top local story of general interest were divided between the effect of the assassination and the development of the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.
    Each of the two events received three first-place votes. Developments in the Rogue Basin Project received two votes for the top general news story of the year.
Other First Place Votes Noted
    Other first place votes went to [the] small pear crop, which was about half the normal harvest; the effect of Oregon's tax problems locally; the dismissal of a Grants Pass police officer and the resulting reaction by Grants Pass residents; and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Peter Britt Music Festival.
    The top "spot" news story of the year was the attempted extortion earlier this month of Allan Perry, manager of the Medford Branch of the U.S. National Bank of Portland. The story received six votes for first place.
    Four first-place votes for the top "spot" news story went to the Russell Osborne case in Ashland. Osborne was found dead in his apartment, and in September Harold James Bibeau was sentenced on a manslaughter charge in connection with Osborne's death.
Fires Also Receive Votes
    Other first-place votes for the top "spot" news story of the year went to the fire which leveled radio station KDOV south of Medford and to the fire which destroyed the interior and contents of Building Materials, Inc., 944 S. Central Ave., Medford, just before Christmas.
    In the feature-type story category, the events stemming from a proposal for a bypass of Jacksonville of Oregon 238 received six of the 12 votes cast in the poll. Events in Medford's sister city program received four first-place votes as the top feature-type story.
    Other feature-type stories which received first-place votes included one of two local Boy Scouts attending an international jamboree in Greece and stories about the eclipse of the sun visible in the area.
Top Stories Are Listed
    The three top stories in each of the three categories with the number of votes are:
    General news (stories which have a continuing effect or impact on the area)
    1. The effect of John F. Kennedy's assassination and Mt. Ashland Ski Area development (three votes each)
    2. Development of Mt. Ashland (six votes)
    3. Developments in the Rogue Basin Project, highway construction in the area and effects of Oregon's tax problems (each received three votes for third place)
    Spot news (stories which make headlines at first, but which are soon replaced by other news developments)
    1. Extortion attempt (six votes)
    2. Russell Osborne case, fire at KDOV and extortion attempt (three and four votes)
    3. Fatalities on the area's highways (six votes)
List of Feature-Type Stories
    Feature-type (stories which appeal to the human aspect or are amusing, but non-violent):
    1. Jacksonville highway bypass (six votes)
    2. Eclipse of the sun visible here (six votes)
    3. Zip code numbers adopted by post office department, Jacksonville highway bypass and 50-mile hikers (each received three votes)
    Many other stories which developed during the year received votes for one or more places in the list, but those listed are judged the top ones in their category by members of the news department.   
January
    Freeway projects in Jackson County scheduled for contracting in 1963 on Interstate 5 . . . Arcade building planned in downtown Medford . . . Public Utilities Commissioner Jonel C. Hill to hear evidence on application for railroad crossing at Barnett Road . . . Government auditors discover mistakes in granted timber land to private interests in Rogue River National Forest . . . Difference in Medford Irrigation District administration resolves with discussion of procedures . . . Winter term enrollment at Southern Oregon College ahead of same date last year . . . United Crusade of Jackson County reaches goal . . . Mayor James Dunlevy makes appointments to city boards and commissions . . . Hearing in Talent held to decide whether to hold city elections second time . . . Public hearing scheduled on proposed joining of Phoenix-Talent and Medford school districts . . . Jackson County officials sworn in office . . . Medford city officials appear before Public Utilities Commissioner in Salem . . . Local skiers circle Crater Lake in record time . . . Jackson County Rural School Board meets to discuss school district reorganization . . . Part of space exhibit at Seattle World's Fair displayed in Medford . . . Critical shortage of water felt in area . . . Parks and Recreation Commission and Medford Planning Commission elect new officers . . . Departmental budget for parks and recreation development of Emigrant Lake and other areas to be discussed at meeting . . . Gifted Jackson County high school students to begin classes at Southern Oregon College . . . H. D. Christensen elected as chairman of Medford School District budget committee . . . Downtown property owners discuss parking district . . . Inadvertent veto by Mayor John W. Snider overridden by council vote . . . Fund for new Sacred Heart Hospital reaches new high . . . Election on consolidation of Phoenix-Talent and Medford school districts scheduled . . . Park commission approves bids for diving pool . . . John Snider made honorary member of Jaycees . . . Condemnation suits filed against land holders for highway right-of-way . . . Peter Britt Music Festival plans discussed . . . Oregon State Police Capt. Paul Morgan retires.
February
    Medford City Council endorses school park approach to future park development . . . Sheriff's office fills vacancy . . . State police officers promoted . . . Rogue Basin Flood Control and Water Resources Association representatives plan trip to Washington D.C. . . . Automatic vote counting expected soon for Oregon, Jackson County officials note . . . Irrigation district board of directors turns down financial participation in county flood study . . . Mother's March for the March of Dimes is scheduled . . . Former Connecticut governor speaks at Lincoln dinner . . . New pay plan for Medford employees is adopted by City Council . . . Southern Oregon water supply is reduced by lack of moisture . . . Masters' paintings on exhibit at Rogue Art Gallery . . . School district budget committee studies proposed expenditures for next year . . . Water main installed in city streets . . . Consolidation of Medford and Phoenix-Talent school districts defeated 3 to 1 . . . Police Capt. Earle Tichenor awarded plaque for outstanding work in public safety . . . Growth of Medford seen in state and federal records . . . Billboards along highways discussed by Jackson County planners . . . Zone change requests heard at public hearing by Medford City Council . . . Medford planners deny request for Biddle Road sign . . . Religious census scheduled this weekend . . . Downtown department store gets approval to expand building . . . Plans are under way to adopt new forms of teaching in local high schools . . . Election date set for vote on Medford school district budget . . . Ordinance adopted prohibits billboards along freeways in city of Medford . . . Pay increase for Jackson County employees discussed . . . John W. Snider named to Oregon State Board of Higher Education . . . Heart Fund drive nets substantial amount . . . Jackson County officials attend hearing on Oregon and California land grant funds . . . Oregon rated first in education study.
March
    Oregon-Washington Telephone Company plans rate increase . . . Sheriff's office gets delinquent tax list . . . Mrs. Robert Minear is named woman of the year . . . Jackson County youths claim national hiking record for 50-mile trek . . . Governor Mark O. Hatfield pledges fight to save state Civil Defense organization . . . Jackson County Rural School Board levies ½-mill tax to provide funds to balance budget . . . Jackson County Budget Committee holds first meeting . . . Rogue Flood Control and Water Resources Association to pursue funds for Rogue Basin Project . . . Oregon taxpayers may lose federal tax deductions . . . Program to help offenders released from prison to be tried . . . Southwest Oregon experiences warmest February on record, Weather Bureau reports . . . Immediate action on air pollution sought by Medford City Council . . . Petitions circulated requesting new classrooms at Jefferson School to relieve crowded conditions . . . SOC expansion plans reviewed by State Board of Higher Education . . . Bear Creek recreation development reviewed by Jackson County Parks and Recreation Commission . . . Medford school board authorizes classroom additions to handle increased number of students . . . Memorial student loan fund made for the late E. H. Hedrick . . . Medford school board approves budget for next school year . . . Southern Oregon law enforcement officers attend advanced training school . . . Resources association asks for fiscal allocation for Rogue Basin projects . . . Committee formulates information to attract fruit growers to area . . . Medford building safety director Oliver R. McNeel resigns post . . . Jackson County Budget Committee discusses health department funds . . . Valley orchard heaters deemed as approved type . . . Jackson County receives civil defense budget allocation . . . Oregon Public Utilities Commissioner approves extension of Barnett Road across railroad tracks . . . Two-hour limit parking meter installation approved by Medford City Council . . . Jackson County Public Health Center plans completed . . . Forest fire season begins . . . 55-mile-per-hour winds strike Ashland . . . Timber "blowdown" estimated extensive in forests following last Oct. 12 storm . . . Fire causes heavy damage at cold storage plant in Medford.
April
    Medford water main to be connected to new south feeder water main . . . Bid received for development of ski lodge at Mt. Ashland . . . Temporary postmaster Al Bradford named . . . Elmo Stevenson, president of SOC, leaves on trip to UAR . . . Sanitary authority to work with city on air pollution problem . . . Budget for School District 549C approved by voters . . . Bloodmobile schedules visit [to] Medford . . . Highway relocation opposed by Jacksonville townspeople . . . Forest Service accepts bid [for] development of ski lodge for Ashland . . . Remodeling date set for post office building . . . Medford building safety director John T. Holmer appointed . . . County Budget Committee approves allocation for courthouse expenses . . . State Game Commission holds meeting for Southern Oregon hunters . . . Rogue River National Forest plans more campsites to accommodate increase in campers . . . Parks and Recreation Commission appoints committee to nominate new officers . . . Stored water expected to help in anticipated water shortages in irrigation districts . . . Hunters indicate opposition to doe hunting in Oregon . . . Jackson County Budget Committee hopes to end studies this week . . . Applications for additional land irrigation are available at district offices . . . Daylight saving time extended one month . . . Howard Prairie Recreation Area opens for season . . . Pear blossom king and queen selected . . . Distinguished citizens named by Medford Junior Chamber of Commerce . . . Proposed plan for redevelopment of Hawthorne Park presented to Parks and Recreation Commission . . . State Board of Education approves $30,000 for improving education . . . Pear Blossom Festival and Crater Lions Fun Fest held in city . . . Tentative total budget for Jackson County set . . . Girl Scout council votes against national plan . . . Jack Wilson replaces Al Bradford on city council post . . . Latter-Day Saints Church wins best theme prize in Festival parade . . . Fishermen brave inclement weather as season opens . . . Survey of frost damage to local fruit crop taken . . . College entrance fees raised by State Board of Higher Education . . . Jackson County girls vie for Miss Rogue Valley . . . Representatives from School District 549C return from school visitation to Denver.
May
    Boy Scout camporee scheduled in area . . . Jackson County Sheriff's criminal department to don white helmets during summer months . . . Medford City Council calls for hearing on air pollution problem . . . Baseball commission appointed by Jackson County court . . . Bartlett pear crop expected to be half the volume of previous year's crop . . . Elections held in all school districts in county . . . Rural school district levy passed . . . Plans to improve Willow Creek Lake made by Jackson County court . . . Medford School Board votes to increase size to seven members . . . Medford officials discuss curfew laws . . . Pear production estimated about 1½ million boxes . . . State Highway Department plans survey for alternate route for Jacksonville-Provolt Highway . . . Medford planners to study resolution for proposed Civic Center . . . Work on Jackson Park pool progressing on schedule . . . Bids are called for construction of Jackson County Health Center . . . Roosevelt PTS approves resolution to ask city about construction of sidewalks leading to school . . . Ten semi-finalists selected to compete in Miss Rogue Valley pageant . . . Equalization board asks appraisal of land parcels . . . Charles Crary elected chairman of Democratic Central Committee . . . Classroom additions approved at Wilson and Lone Pine schools . . . Public hearing held on location of Interstate 5 route over the Siskiyous . . . Formation of Jacksonville Boosters Club announced . . . Jackson County Budget Committee approves proposed 1963-64 preliminary budget . . . School Safety Patrol banquet held . . . Action taken on proposed air pollution control ordinance . . . June Callaghan chosen as Miss Rogue Valley . . . Medford Fire Department starts annual house-to-house inspection . . . Collier tunnel through Oregon Mountain to be opened in July . . . Jackson County officials to confer with federal agencies on recreational problems . . . Small forest fires started by storm passing through area . . . Parks and Recreation Commission to ask for federal aid in moving Howard Prairie boat docks to less dangerous position . . . Invitations to about 200 taxpayers in School District 549C to serve on advisory committee sent out . . . Medford Chamber officials plan trip to Southern California . . . "Through-street" plan for Medford revised . . . New post office substation planned in Medford . . . Registration for summer swim classes begins . . . Play equipment dedicated at Jackson Park.
June
    Oregon Legislature passes income tax bill . . . Shakespearean festival in Ashland starts with check-in period . . . 37th annual commencement exercise held for graduates of Southern Oregon College . . . Poor pollenization causes major fruit loss in Jackson County . . . Firearms training classes begin in area . . . Philip B. Lowry resigns as attorney for Medford Irrigation District . . . Bids for new health center opened by Jackson County Court . . . Hearing on formation of downtown Medford parking district held . . . Medford High School graduates receive diplomas . . . Medford City Council passes air pollution ordinance with some changes . . . Water supply outlook for Southern Oregon deemed as "good" . . . Mrs. Edith Updike wins sweepstakes in eleventh annual Rose Society rose show . . . Telephone company files rate request with Public Utilities Commission . . . Preliminary plans for new Sacred Heart Hospital prepared . . . City of Medford awarded safety plaque for traffic engineering for second consecutive year . . . Permits for the construction of professional building in Medford issued . . . Hearing slated on Jackson County budget for next year . . . Six applications received for post in district attorney's office . . . Lily Glen riding stable opens at Howard Prairie . . . Fire training for forest service personnel starts . . . United Crusade sets goal for annual fall drive . . . A. L. Nash appointed to Jackson County Fair Board . . . Plans for elementary team teaching workshop at Hoover School made . . . Six bids received on proposed Jacksonville sewer system . . . Jackson County Budget Committee and County Court sign revised budget for 1963-64 . . . Rural fire protection district schedules election on annexation question . . . Annual Jackson County 4-H Fair planned at county fairgrounds . . . Oregon State Sanitary Authority determines use of federal funds . . . Preliminary plans for development of Hawthorne Park presented to parks and recreation commission . . . Water carnival held at Emigrant Lake . . . Local Red Cross chapter named as semi-finalists in 1962 June Bryant awards for volunteers engaged in projects for the benefit of the community . . . Pacific Power and Light executives honored on retirement after 50 years of service . . . County post offices receive zip code numbers . . . Entries posted for Ashland Independence Day celebration parade . . . Medford Boy Scouts to attend national jamboree in Greece . . . Ashland section of freeway scheduled to open in August . . . Dinner given for Shakespearean festival actors.
July
    Roseburg's D'Ann Fullerton wins Mrs. Oregon title . . . Mrs. Margaret Stephens promoted to chief deputy in tax department of Jackson County Sheriff's office . . . Crowds watch parades, fireworks displays at Fourth of July celebrations in Jackson County . . . Sales of PP&L bonds approved by public utilities commissioner . . . Hearing on proposed Medford city budget set . . . Farm labor office set up at fairgrounds . . . Jackson County Judge Earl M. Miller breaks ground for new public health center . . . Shakespearean actors near final rehearsals . . . Counseling service in Oregon school program started at Southern Oregon College . . . Mayor James Dunlevy's committee to study capital improvements holds organization meeting . . . Plastering of inside of diving tank on Jackson Pool expected to be finished soon . . . Jackson County Classroom Teachers Association awarded plaque by the Department of Classroom Teachers of the National Education Association  . . . Funds for planning Agate Dam and reservoir project are made available . . . Biddle Road traffic signal installed . . . Slippage damages Eagle Point Irrigation District canal . . . David Brashears assumes duties as planning technician for City of Medford . . . Construction of ski lodge on Mt. Ashland gets under way . . . Possibility of incorporating a separate city in Bellview area southeast of Ashland discussed at meeting of Anti-Annexation Committee . . . Orchardists discuss ways to process below average pear crop this year . . . Redevelopment plans for Hawthorne Park accepted by parks and recreation commission . . . Formal dedication of Collier tunnel scheduled . . . Medford and vicinity watchers use "scopes" to watch eclipse . . . An estimated 1,400 attend first-night production of Shakespearean festival play in Ashland . . . Interstate 5 south of Medford opens . . . Italian visitor from Medford's sister city expected . . . Grazing rights for horses at Howard Prairie Lake being sought . . . Civic Center idea endorsed by Medford's Citizens Capital Improvement Committee.
August
    Public hearings scheduled by Medford City Council on seven zone change requests . . . Council accepts report favoring lounge in airport terminal . . . Teacher team from Lexington, Mass. arrives to start planning two-week workshop at Hoover School . . . Jackson County Judge Earl Miller returns from Association of Counties meeting in Denver . . . Harold (Red) Thomas retires as assistant staff officer of the Rogue River National Forest . . . Majority at public hearing support forming of west side water district . . . Six temporary classrooms being installed at Medford High School . . . Jackson County Republican Party schedules family picnic . . . Robert D. Hostetter, staff officer in charge of timber range and wildlife for the Bureau of Land Management, promoted to new post in Portland office . . . Total assessed valuation for the Jackson County tax roll shows increase over last year . . . Britt Music Festival in Jacksonville opens . . . Robert Duff, city manager, presents money needs for development of city resources before Capital Improvements Committee . . . Champions named at 4-H fair . . . Gov. Mark O. Hatfield gives address at Republican picnic . . . Rogue Basin Flood Control and Water Resources Association sponsors tour of three proposed dam sites . . . Special election on tax program called for by petition . . . Resolution defines boundaries of proposed civic center . . . Foremen of Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association meet in Medford . . . Auction of livestock ends 4-H FFA fair . . . Lost Creek Reservoir may be operating by 1970, group told on Rogue Basin project tour . . . Concrete pouring starts on Mt. Ashland ski lodge . . . Ashland receives $15,000 from state for hospital site . . . Portland man submits low bid on construction of three duplexes at Crater Lake National Park . . . New Safeway store under construction . . . 14 improvement needs submitted to Capital Improvements Committee.
September
    Highest taxes seen in Eagle Point, Jacksonville, Rogue River . . . Only one company bids on bleachers for Jackson County ball park . . . Numerous fires started by storm in Southern Oregon . . . California dog tops 785 entries for Best of the Show . . . Daniel W. Fry, former missile engineer, author of books on unidentified flying objects, to talk to teachers . . . Congressman Robert B. Duncan discusses action in Congress during interview . . . Distribution of Jackson County surplus food successful . . . Dudley L. Ferguson becomes administrative assistant to City Manager Bob Duff . . . Waiting period for marriage licenses extended to seven days . . . Talent Rural Fire District to select new chief . . . Residents of Jacksonville object to route of sewer . . . Temperature reaches high of 99 degrees . . . Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties allocated their share of National Forest receipts . . . Jackson County Court sends letter about wrecking yard in Talent area to Salem . . . State Democratic Party chairman to visit Medford . . . Freak blasting mishap damages nearby homes . . . St. Mary's grade school enrolls 660 . . . Grass brush fire in Little Applegate area burns 40 acres . . . Council approves fund for appraisal on Civic Center acquisitions and approves two leases for parking lots . . . Medco employees vote to retain union . . . Student enrollment in School District 549C totals 8,731 . . . Shakespeare Festival attendance passes 50,000 mark for first time . . . Medford has hottest day, 102 . . . Federal funds granted to aid storm sewer drainage study . . . Harold James Bibeau sentenced to 12 years on manslaughter charge involving Ashland theater manager . . . Pear crop suffers severe "blowdown" . . . County to consider purchase of property on Eighth Street for parking space . . . Pear pickers needed in area . . . Portland NAACP will request "welcome assurances" for Negroes in Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass . . . Immediate and future needs of airport reviewed for Medford Capital Improvements Committee . . . Increase in enrollment noted in School District 9 . . . Medford praised for its treatment of minority groups by Mark A. Smith . . . Two youths die in motorbike accident on Blackwell Road . . . National Forest timber cut sets record in 1963 . . . Agreement drafted to preserve purity of city's water . . . Legislators claim tax bill approval needed . . . Contract renewal for Lily Glen riding stables to receive more consideration . . . "Patriotic Rally" sponsored by the Freedom Center to be held here . . . George M. Roberts to receive recognition from Oregon Bar Association for practicing 50 years . . . 34,491 registered voters are listed . . . Citizens Advisory Committee hear discussion on classroom cooling . . . Oregon Veterinary Medical Association fall clinic opens in Medford . . . Planner Simon Eisner believes Medford in "fine position" for redevelopment work . . . Wrecking yard not in violation of state law, Manager M. L. Page, Salem registration division, department of motor vehicles states . . . Public hearing may be called on the proposed formation of the West Side Water District . . . Seven students in area listed as National Merit semifinalists . . . Citizens Advisory Committee asked to decide on school plan soon.
October
    Norwegian official touring valley on exchange program . . . Immediate projected needs of police, fire department noted . . . Rep. Robert B. Duncan says sign not seen by JFK on flyover . . . Jackson County Court will consider request for checking of books at Howard Prairie concession . . . Independent audit of MID books voted . . . Most successful season reported at Howard Prairie . . . County receives $148,320.99 as share of the former reserve lands received from the state land board from timber receipts . . . Former Mayor John Snider assists in opening truffle festival in Alba . . . Council against name City of Medford Memorial Park . . . County seeks federal assistance in solving the Biddle Road problem . . . Tentative date for sewer election set in Talent . . . Welfare district meeting held in Medford . . . Industrial shop training for mentally retarded high school pupils possible in area . . . Ashland City Council recommends turning down an offer from PP&L for electric system . . . Dr. Elliott B. MacCracken, SOC, elected president of Ashland Shakespeare Festival . . . Bear Creek park name selected for area . . . David M. Franklin, Grants Pass and Medford business man, dies unexpectedly . . . Voters turn out in large numbers for tax referendum vote . . . John H. Rous, Scio, western states district governor of John Birch Society, speaks in Medford . . . Rogue Basin Flood Control and Water Resources Association board in discussion by representatives of federal, state, county and city governments on pollution of Bear Creek . . . Jackson County Park and Recreation Commission recommends five-year contract for Lily Glen stables and development of Elk Creek hatchery site as a recreation area . . . Park ranger interrupts men urging bear out of Crater Lake National Park to kill . . . Advantage of 2-2 plan on secondary level reviewed . . . Voters reject tax measure 5 to 1 . . . Possibility of teenage center to be presented to meeting of park and recreation commission . . . Construction of Jackson County's new health building ahead of schedule . . . 66.2 percent of voters cast ballots in tax election . . . James Wilson appointed Central Point municipal court judge . . . Asa Hanamoto arrives to present preliminary designs for Bear Creek Park . . . Medford Air Force Days in honor of Kingsley Field set . . . Talent's new water system to be completed soon . . . Pilot program for advisory jury of youth to start in Ashland . . . Ashland businessmen indicate sales tax favor . . . Results of Mail Tribune poll indicates voters want taxes revised, economy, cigarette tax and sales tax favored . . . Jacksonville's federal grant request receives partial approval by officials . . . First freeze of fall recorded in Medford . . . Priority list is adopted by Medford Capital Improvements Committee and submitted to city . . . New Safeway store opens on West Main Street . . . Jackson County Court to purchase Eighth Street lot for courthouse parking . . . Duncan schedules visit to Medford.
November
    Mary Jo Batzer, Medford student, homecoming queen at Southern Oregon College . . . Bids called for paving Lake of the Woods highway . . . Quiet Halloween noted in area . . . Two new branches of First National Bank planned in Medford . . . Laurance Espey reelected head of Jackson County Park Association . . . Parks Commission to ask County Court for youth work plan . . . Medford firemen seek toys for holiday program . . . Administrators of School District 549C make nine recommendations to Citizens Advisory Committee on Education . . . Internal conflict of MID still unresolved . . . Storm brings .68 inch of moisture . . . James Frake, Medford student at the University of Oregon, ties for third place in Sigma Delta Chi national contest . . . Parade, speakers' stand dedication highlight Veterans Day activities . . . Albert Hueners reelected to MID board of directors . . . Natural gas to start in area . . . Proposed closure of Rogue River to chinook salmon angling to be discussed at Izaak Walton League meeting . . . MID board to consider letter of protest regarding directors' election . . . Medford Police Capt. Clyde C. Fichtner appointed acting chief during the absence of Charles P. Champlin . . . Altrusa Club to conduct survey of housing needs for elderly . . . Two U.S. engineers arrive to study proposed Jacksonville restoration . . . Local Izaak Walton League not in favor of closing Rogue River above Elk Creek to chinook salmon . . . Hueners declared officially reelected as director in MID election . . . Ashland City Council discusses problem of Bellview area, still undecided . . . Local pharmacists verify anger over welfare drug cutback . . . Mayor James Dunlevy turns valve bringing natural gas into area . . . Medford shares in world's shocking grief as President Kennedy assassinated . . . Union Thanksgiving services be held in Medford, Ashland and Talent . . . Mayor James Dunlevy receives telegram from Alba, Italy officials extending their condolences over the death of President Kennedy . . . Jackson County Judge Earl Miller believes reevaluation of local welfare program is in order . . . Santa Claus arrives Nov. 29 in Medford . . . Daniel L. Ferguson named manager of Medford municipal airport . . . Largest single grading contract in the history of the Oregon Highway Department scheduled for the Siskiyou Summit-California state line . . . Jack Sutton presents an outline of the Jacksonville community development program under the federal urban renewal program to the Jackson County Court.
December
    Santa Claus arrives by helicopter for Medford merchants' opening . . . Many foggy days seen in the Rogue River Valley . . . Taxes for schools may be raised an average of 5 mills . . . Hearing held on South Talent interim zoning . . . Election set in four irrigation districts for directors . . . Director of Medford Irrigation District, Paul Culbertson, resigns . . . Dry ice disperses fog over airport . . . Jacksonville sewer completed . . . Grants Pass police officer dismissed . . . Dellenback, four others decline special session pay . . . County Court calls for vote on zoning in South Talent area . . . City officials open off-street parking lot at Sixth Street and [Riverside] Avenue . . . Medford High School men's debate team places first at Pacific University debate tournament . . . Jackson and Josephine Parks and Recreation Commission discuss possible youth work plan . . .Voters of South Talent Sanitary District defeat proposed bond issue . . . Five-man Jackson County Trade Commission selected by court . . . United Crusade drive reaches 84 percent goal . . . Jury determines evidence not sufficient to find anyone guilty of crime in the fatal accident of two Central Point boys on motorbike-automobile accident . . . Jackson County Secondary Principals' Association asks for more information on youth work plan . . . Southern Oregon College athletic contract violation to be searched out . . . State population up 5 percent, Medford increases 607 to total 26,526 . . . Christmas Eve service planned in downtown Medford . . . Grants Pass City Council supports firing of police officer . . . Jackson County population up 4.1 percent over last year . . . Next freeway link set to open Jan. 15 . . . Dr. Leo Van Dijk elected president of Ashland Chamber of Commerce . . . Radio station KDOV destroyed by fire . . . Bureau of the Budget approves Merlin project bill . . . Two-year Bear Creek Basin Study on water and sewage planned . . . County charity program estimated to cost $400,000 yearly . . . New Jacksonville sewer system goes into operation . . . 36 days of fog recorded since November 1 . . . Grants Pass council presented petition requesting inquiry into city personnel practices . . . Limited skiing may start on Mt. Ashland . . . Extortion attempt of Allan Perry, manager of Medford Branch of First National Bank . . . Crackdown of "wigwam" burners started by state authorities . . . Three men charged with extortion to appear in Jackson County District Court . . . U.S. National Bank of Portland to establish branch in Jacksonville . . . Fire extensively damages Building Materials shop in Medford . . . Jacksonville notes 50 percent increased mailing . . . $1 million mark passed by Medford post office . . . 2,775 Christmas trees taken from Rogue River National Forest . . . 200 citizens take part in downtown Christmas Eve service . . . Four Christmas babies born in Jackson County . . . Sheriff's Deputy Buford Johnson appointed part-time Jackson County Civil Defense director . . . David Lowry resigns from Jackson County Planning Commission.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 29, 1963, page B1



Last revised July 31, 2012