WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2025
Baker Avionics Aims Higher with Major Expansion at Grants Pass Airport
By John Oliver
At the Grants Pass Airport in Merlin, a locally owned aviation business is charting a bold course toward the future. Baker Avionics LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran and Woman Owned Business, has already earned national recognition in the aviation world. Now, they’re preparing to launch an over a million-dollar expansion that promises to elevate both their operations and the local economy.
Founded in 2019 by Greg and Leah Baker, Baker Avionics operates as an FAA Certified Repair Station with both Airframe and Limited Powerplant certifications. Ranked among the top 3–10% of Garmin dealers worldwide, the company specializes in avionics installation, bi-annual certifications, troubleshooting, repairs, and custom aircraft panel fabrication. They also provide mobile services for clients who need on-site work. Their reputation has taken off far beyond Southern Oregon. While they serve local pilots, their client list includes firefighting and utility helicopter companies like Marble Mountain Helicopter and Lohman Helicopter, aviation clubs up and down the West Coast, and private and corporate aircraft owners from as far away as Idaho, Washington, California, Nevada, and Arizona. Roughly 90% of their customers travel from outside the
region, making each service appointment a small economic boost for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
The company’s CAD Panels Division has become an industry asset in its own right, designing and fabricating custom aircraft panels for customers nationwide. Many of these are shipped by mail order, but the in-house team also installs them on-site, blending precision engineering with handson craftsmanship.
Equally important to the Bakers is the company’s role in workforce development. They hire locally and invest in in-house training, preparing employees for FAA licensing and long-term aviation careers. Veterans and
individuals transitioning from military service are a special focus, reflecting Greg Baker’s own service background and the company’s commitment to giving others a career runway in aviation.
Now, Baker Avionics is ready for its next phase of growth. The company is pursuing a $1.2 to $1.5 million expansion to construct a new 120-by-100-foot hangar and office facility at the Grants Pass Airport. The plan includes consolidating all operations under one roof, enabling them to service larger piston and turbine aircraft as well as helicopters. The expansion would also allow their CAD Panels Division to bring powder coating and advanced manufacturing in-house,
streamlining production and adding new capabilities.
Workforce training is central to the expansion plan. The new facility will not only increase capacity for apprenticeships but also introduce a formal internship program, giving aspiring aviation technicians valuable hands-on experience. By doing so, Baker Avionics aims to generate more high-skilled, well-paying jobs in Josephine County. Currently, the average installation can take six to eight weeks, and with space for only two planes, work can quickly back up. Expanding to accommodate up to eight aircraft at once would significantly boost productivity, reduce turnaround times, and ultimately put more safe, fully equipped planes back in the air.
To help bring the project to life, the company requested $300,000 in Economic Development funding from Josephine County. They were awarded $150,000—an important contribution, but still only a fraction of the total cost. The Bakers are now pursuing additional funding sources to bridge the gap, remaining determined to see the expansion through to completion.
The community impact could be significant. By drawing more aircraft and specialized aviation work into the area, the new facility is expected to stimulate local spending
• see MAJOR, page 5
Rep. Paul Evans Takes Helm of Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus Ahead of 2026 Session
By John Oliver
The Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus, a bipartisan body dedicated to advancing policies that benefit the state’s veterans, service members, and their families, is undergoing a leadership transition. Representative Paul Evans (D–Monmouth), a U.S. Air Force veteran with decades of military and public service experience, has been appointed as the new Co-Chair.
The caucus, which brings together lawmakers from both chambers and across party lines, focuses on developing and promoting legislation aimed at improving access to health care, housing, employment, education, and other resources for Oregon’s veteran community. Evans succeeds Representative Thuy Tran (D–Portland), who is stepping back from the position to concentrate on her role as Chair of the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, as well as her continuing service in the National Guard.
Tran, who has held the co-chair role for several years, has been recognized for her work on veteran-related issues during her tenure. Under her leadership, the caucus
advanced measures to improve access to benefits, address mental health needs, and support veterans transitioning to civilian life. She will remain an active member of the caucus, continuing to contribute her expertise to veteran policy discussions. Evans, known for his long-standing advocacy for veterans’ issues, previously served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and has been involved in numerous initiatives supporting military families. In the legislature, he has championed policies aimed at strengthening behavioral health services for veterans, improving housing stability, and ensuring equitable access to education and employment opportunities.
The leadership change comes as the caucus prepares for the 2026 legislative session. One of its primary legislative priorities will be the Veterans Supplemental Services Omnibus Bill, a comprehensive package designed to address multiple aspects of veteran well-being. Provisions in the bill include expanded behavioral health services, enhanced transition programs for service members reentering civilian life, housing stability initiatives, and measures to ensure equal access to benefits across Oregon’s diverse veteran population.
Evans has emphasized that the caucus’s mission extends beyond symbolic gestures, stating that the work ahead will be measured in tangible outcomes. His approach focuses on collaborative policymaking that draws input from veterans, service organizations, and community members to ensure proposed solutions reflect real-world needs.
Looking forward, the caucus also plans to strengthen its operational capacity by hiring a dedicated caucus administrator before the 2026 session. This move is intended to streamline communication, coordinate legislative efforts, and ensure that veteran-related bills receive consistent ad-
vocacy throughout the legislative process.
The Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus, composed of members from both political parties, has long served as a platform for developing consensus-based policies that transcend partisan divides. Its work covers a broad range of issues, from mental health and medical care to housing assistance and workforce development, with the overarching goal of helping veterans thrive in civilian life.
Community members, veterans, and their families are encouraged to share ideas and experiences with the caucus in the coming months. According to caucus leaders, these contributions are vital in crafting policies that accurately address the challenges facing Oregon’s veteran population.
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Ukraine Peace Talks Stir Controversy as Trump-Putin Meeting Nears
By John Oliver
Diplomatic sources indicate that Ukraine may be weighing a peace proposal that could involve halting hostilities and ceding some territory currently under Russian control, as part of an initiative reportedly supported by several European leaders. While no agreement has been finalized, the possibility of such concessions is already drawing strong reactions in Kyiv and beyond.
According to officials familiar with recent discussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has privately urged European counterparts to resist any settlement that would compel Ukraine to give up more land than it has already lost since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Reports suggest Zelensky remains firm that any negotiated settlement should not reward territorial aggression, but he may be willing to consider limited compromises if they result in a lasting cessation of hostilities.
The timing of these developments comes as
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for a summit in Anchorage, Alaska—without European participation. The meeting is expected to address multiple international security concerns, with Ukraine likely to feature prominently, though it may not be the primary topic on the agenda.
Analysts believe Trump and Putin could focus on areas where their positions potentially align, such as arms control and nuclear security. One area under discussion is the possibility of persuading Moscow to rejoin the New START treaty, the last major nuclear arms reduction agreement between Russia and the United States. Russia withdrew from the treaty in 2023, shortly after escalating its military operations in Ukraine. Renewed participation could serve as a symbolic step toward restoring strategic trust between Washington and Moscow.
Another point of potential cooperation is the Arctic. With vast mineral reserves and emerging
shipping routes due to receding ice, the region has grown in geopolitical importance. Trump and Putin may explore frameworks for dividing access and resource rights, potentially easing competition and reducing the risk of militarization in the high north.
However, the prospect of a Ukraine settlement shaped by Washington and Moscow, without European involvement, is raising concerns among EU leaders. Europe has borne much of the economic and humanitarian cost of the conflict, and many officials are wary of an agreement that sidelines
their influence while determining Ukraine’s future.
For Ukraine, the stakes remain high. Any territorial concessions could be deeply unpopular domestically, particularly after years of sacrifice on the battlefield. At the same time, prolonged conflict has strained the country’s economy, infrastructure, and military capacity, leading some observers to argue that Kyiv may need to balance ideals with pragmatic survival.
While neither Trump nor Putin has made public statements detailing their positions ahead of the Anchorage summit, the outcome of their talks could signal a significant shift in the trajectory of the war. Whether that shift results in peace, renewed confrontation, or a recalibration of alliances will depend on how much ground—literal and diplomatic—each side is willing to give.
For now, Europe watches from the sidelines, uncertain whether the next chapter in the conflict will be written in Kyiv, Moscow, Washington—or in a closed room in Alaska.
By: Jay Meredith, CPA Investigative Journalist
A Story of Corruption – Revisited THE BCC
As stated last year when we printed the original corruption story, the word corruption is a word that is scary to Americans, especially when stated in relation to government officials. But as you think about what the word means to you, just think abuse of power.
In September of 2024, we shined the light on part of the corruption that existed with the Josephine County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and a crony political hire Michael Sellers who was hired in 2023 to be the Director of both IT and Emergency Management (despite not having any boots on the ground experience working in Emergency Management at the time of hire).
Former Commissioners West and Baertschiger passed on a well-qualified candidate while interviewing for the position of Emergency Management Director and according to a statement by County employees who participated in that hiring process, at the last minute these two Commissioners held an illegal meeting and decided to combine the director of IT and director of Emergency Management into one Director position so they could give their political buddy Michael Sellers a higher rate of pay. In fact, former Commissioner Dan DeYoung has stated the other two Commissioners cut him out of this decision and key hiring process entirely.
And a higher rate of pay is exactly what he got. In fact, according to budget documents the IT/Emergency Management Director position recently had a higher rate of pay than just about any other elected or appointed official in Josephine County government, with the exception of those positions that require the employee to be an attorney. The rate of pay was and is significantly higher than what most of our peer Counties provide for similar positions.
But what really caught our attention was a public records request fulfilled by the State of Oregon legislative offices that showed that during about the first 18 months Michael Sellers worked for Josephine County as the Director of both IT and Emergency Management, he was also working a second full-time job with the State of Oregon. In his state job, he worked 50% of his full-time pay for one state senator and 50% for another state senator.
And making matters worse, Commissioners West and Baertschiger claimed they didn’t know he was also working for the state. This is either a lie, or it proves that he was a crony political hire, because he had listed one of those two Senator legislative jobs on his Josephine County Application/Resume.
We have spoken with several current and former Josephine County employees in our ongoing effort to uncover the truth about county operations. Over the past couple of months, we have heard accounts describing periods last year when Michael Sellers was reportedly not seen in the Josephine County office for weeks at a time. When we sought further details, these absences appeared to coincide with the State Legislature’s short session. This year, similar rumors have surfaced, suggesting he has again been absent for several weeks, including during the timeline of the Board Shanty Fire.
The scary corruption story turned into a nightmare earlier in 2025 when Michael Sellers was briefly promoted by Commissioner Andreas Blech to a newly created position called “Interim
The BCC Weekly - Taking the “Blind” out of the BCC
Director of Operations.” When the County’s former Finance/HR Director took advantage of the ill-advised voluntary employee resignation program earlier this year, Michael Sellers was also assigned to oversee Finance and HR despite having no professional qualifications to be in charge of these areas. And he was paid a significantly higher salary than the former HR/Finance Director who had many years of professional experience in these areas.
Around the time the former HR/Finance Director resigned, Commissioners Barnett and Smith gave BCC Chair Andreas Blech sole personnel authority for 90 days to carry out whatever personnel actions or department restructuring actions he deemed appropriate without having to consult the other two commissioners on any of these decisions.
Commissioner Blech quickly promoted Michael Sellers to the newly created position of Interim Director of Operations. Just a few weeks later, according to the Daily Courier, Michael Sellers’ signature was on the termination letters of two department directors, the Public Health Director and the Community Development Director. To this day, no BCC members or other county officials have explained why the County terminated these two directors, the Public Works Director, demoted the Juvenile Justice Director (who then quit in protest), and fired the entire staff of the Code Enforcement division. When Commissioners are asked about these personnel and restructuring actions, they have to date refused to explain them.
Of course, the whole Michael Sellers crony promotion actions blew up when former contract County Budget Officer Simon Hare resigned his position in a very public way, due in large part to protesting the proposed salary and benefits of Michael Sellers in his new position of Interim Director of Operations. When Simon Hare discovered in budget documents for the Fiscal 2026
for these new responsibilities (something that Simon Hare also said in his very public resignation letter).
Well, it took almost three months plus an appeal to the County’s District Attorney just to get my records request fulfilled. However, even after the county sent additional information per the recent appeal order of the DA, the numbers still are not adding up and I’m not yet convinced the county provided me with everything I asked for in my original public records requests. And guess who oversaw the public records requests until recently? Michael Sellers himself…more on that later.
Simon Hare claimed in his resignation letter that the $388,000 compensation package “was negotiated and approved by Chairman Blech as the result of weeks of closed door, backroom meetings with Sellers.” Hare went on to claim that the salary was about 25% higher than the salary of the County Manager position in our most affluent comparative county, Yamhill County. Hare also claimed that Sellers had “next to zero experience” in many of the areas he was now supervising.
As this corruption story update continues, let’s keep in mind two things. For one, Commissioner Blech has never publicly denied that he was attempting to pay Michael Sellers a total rate of $254k salary, $134k taxes/benefits, for a total compensation package of $388,000 per year.
Commissioner Blech has denied that there was an employment contract drafted for this amount but has never denied that he was attempting to pay Sellers this amount. And two, according to the budget schedule pictured here, the proposed hourly rate of pay was $113.00 per hour. Also, having served as the Finance Director of the City of Grants Pass for 10 years from 2010 to 2020, I can say the budget schedule pictured here that came from Simon Hare looks like a legitimate budget schedule used to project total salary and
certain pages. But the County refused to provide records as to salaries and benefits that were in place as of April last year and April this year. I appealed both to the DA, and the DA granted both of my appeals.
According to records received, Sellers had an hourly rate of pay of $53.24 per hour on April 1, 2024 and a rate of pay of only $68.82 per hour in the two-week pay period that began on April 20, 2025 (when he was still the Interim Director of Operations for the first part of that pay period). However, per one of the PAFs I received in the other records request, Sellers was promoted to an hourly rate of $82.87 per year on March 10, 2025, when he took over additional interim duties as the interim director of both Finance and Human Resources. According to this PAF, Sellers should have been receiving a rate of pay of $82.87 per hour on April 20, 2025, but the first records request showed only $68.82 on April 20, 2025. The two separate records show a 20% difference in pay on the same date.
Sellers himself was on the Bill Meyer radio show on Friday, April 25th defending himself from the Hare allegations and claimed a rate of pay on the radio show of closer to that $82 per hour figure that was shown in the PAF forms. However, one of the PAF forms also says that on Monday April 28th, Sellers went back to his old job of Director of IT and Emergency Management without additional interim responsibilities and back to the old rate of $68.82 per hour. So, the information that I received in one of the two public records requests is either inaccurate or is incomplete. I will have to follow up with the DA yet again.
The entirety of this fiasco feels and is very wrong, especially given that Michael Sellers was also in charge of overseeing public records requests until recently. Why was Sellers on a radio program on Friday April 25th defending his salary and record, and then all of a sudden on the
year that Commissioner Andreas Blech was attempting to pay Michael Sellers a combined salary and benefit package of about $388,000 per year per the schedule Simon Hare disclosed below, Simon Hare approached both Commissioners Smith and Barnett. Hare claimed he had a long discussion with Barnett. According to Hare, both failed to act to make this situation right.
Coincidentally, the day before Simon Hare resigned his position of budget officer in a blaze of glory, so to speak, I had put in a public records request for all the salary and benefit details of Michael Sellers because I was curious what the salary was of this newly created position of Interim Director of Operations. I was especially curious about new salary arrangements given Sellers did not appear to have professional qualifications
benefit costs for the next fiscal year.
Now let’s go back to the public records requests that I submitted over 3 months ago and took appeals to the DA just to get fulfilled. There were two public records requests. In one request, I asked for all the “Personnel Action Forms” (PAFs) that were on file for Michael Sellers. These are the forms that are filled out any time there is a promotion, change in rate of pay, etc. In the second public records request, I requested all of Michael Sellers’ salary and benefit details as of April 1, 2024, and April 23, 2025. Simon Hare sent out his elaborate budget officer resignation letter on the evening of April 22, 2025.
The County did send me most of the PAFs that were on file but redacted a significant amount of information on them and completely redacted
following Monday one business day later he is effectively back at his old job with no additional interim duties? I heard his interview on the Bill Meyer radio show, and he certainly did not sound like someone that was ready to voluntarily give up his promotion.
And yet on Monday April 28th in the BCC’s administration workshop Chair Andreas Blech mentioned that Michael Sellers “voluntarily” resigned from his additional interim duties and Blech stated, “I feel like it needs to be said that Director Sellers has not done anything wrong… he and I have always been following policy and state statute, and I just feel that it was really wrong for those people who out there on the internet, specifically social media…[Blech said • CONTINUED >>
Shooter Blames COVID Vaccine Before Firing 180 Rounds at CDC Headquarters
By Ellen Ward
A heavily armed gunman unleashed more than 180 rounds into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Friday, shattering approximately 150 windows and forcing the federal health agency into emergency lockdown. The assailant, identified as 30-yearold Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia, died at the scene after a standoff with law enforcement that also claimed the life of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old Marine veteran and father of two.
Authorities say the attack began in the afternoon when White attempted to gain entry to the CDC campus. Unable to breach the facility’s security, he moved to the second floor of a nearby CVS pharmacy, positioning himself to fire into the CDC complex from across the street. Witnesses reported hearing sustained bursts of gunfire as employees sheltered in place.
According to investigators, White held strong anti-vaccine beliefs and had recently told family members that he blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for causing him depression and suicidal thoughts. His father, concerned for his son’s well-being, had
contacted authorities in the days before the shooting to report White’s deteriorating mental state and fixation on vaccine-related conspiracy theories. Law enforcement later recovered writings from White’s home expressing his anger toward the CDC and the federal vaccine program, though officials say there were no explicit threats in those documents.
Officer Rose was struck by gunfire during the confrontation and later died from his injuries. White’s fatal wound has not yet been
confirmed as self-inflicted or the result of return fire from police. No CDC staff were physically injured, though officials said many employees experienced acute stress and anxiety as the attack unfolded.
The assault caused extensive damage to CDC property, including the destruction of bullet-resistant glass. Agency officials estimate that repairs will take weeks, if not months. In response, the CDC has tightened security measures, expanding telework options for employees, advising staff
to remove decals identifying their vehicles as CDC property, and increasing on-site protective protocols.
On Monday, CDC Director Mandy Cohen and Labor Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the Atlanta campus, meeting with Rose’s widow and assuring employees that the agency would do everything possible to safeguard their workplace.
The American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, which represents CDC workers, condemned the attack and renewed calls for stronger security at federal health facilities. The union also urged national leaders to address what it described as a dangerous rise in vaccine misinformation and public hostility toward public health professionals.
White’s assault marks one of the most violent incidents against a U.S. federal health institution in recent history, underscoring the risks faced by those working in disease prevention amid a climate of polarized public health debate. For many CDC employees, the incident was more than an attack on a building — it was a stark reminder that misinformation, when mixed with desperation and personal grievance, can have deadly consequences.
Major Expansion at Grants Pass Airport
From page 1
on lodging, dining, and fuel. Over the next decade, the increased aviation traffic could also encourage other aviation-related businesses to invest in Josephine County, further developing the airport as a regional hub.
In an industry where many small shops struggle to survive, Baker Avionics has managed not only to hold its ground but to climb steadily higher. With a national reputation for precision work, a local workforce trained for tomorrow’s aviation needs, and an ambitious vision for growth, they’re proving that big things can happen in small-town hangars—especially when those hangars are about to get a lot bigger.
I’m not on any social media] but I’ve heard some really ugly nasty things and I want to just set the record straight that Mr. Sellers is a standup citizen, he has worked hard for this County, he continues to work hard for this County….and I want to make sure everyone knows that and that we really appreciate all the work that he has done and is doing.”
So, if nothing was done wrong, and Sellers and BCC Chair Blech have always followed policy and state statute, and if he has done a fabulous job as stated by both Blech and Barnett in the meeting of April 28, then why did he go
back to his old job just one business day after defending himself and his record on a public radio program? Something is very wrong in this whole scenario and/or the public records I received are either wrong or incomplete.
I have submitted another couple public records requests to try to get to the bottom of all of this because I know from my sources even the records received after the DA appeal order were partially incomplete based on the specific records I requested. …stay tuned.
But there was one other significant anomaly that presented itself when these public records
requests were fulfilled. In March of 2025, Michael Sellers was given a large unexplained retroactive paycheck going all the way back to July of 2023 around when he first started working for the County. According to that PAF, he was given retroactive pay for the difference between Step 6 of the D10 pay grade and Step 2 of the D10 pay grade. If that step differential was indeed applied for the entirety of the time Sellers was serving as IT/EM Director from July 1, 2023, to March of 2025, Michael Sellers would have received a one-time retro salary payment of over $49,000 for this action. There was
nothing that I could see in the public records I received that would justify this large retroactive salary payment.
There are lots of things that don’t add up in this whole scenario. And now it looks like I’ll have to wait a significant amount of time for a new batch of public records requests to be processed to tell the rest of the story. There are other scary parts to the story that I haven’t even discussed yet as I’m waiting on additional facts. The only thing I know for sure at this time, is the information I’ve seen and heard to date is not adding up as it should.
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ABBA Tribute Show ‘ABRA Cadabra’ Brings Dancing Queens and Mamma Mias to Washington and Oregon
By Jonas Falle
Fans of glitter, platform shoes, and infectious pop hooks are in for a treat this September as ABRA Cadabra, one of the world’s most celebrated ABBA tribute acts, takes its high-energy stage production to cities across Washington and Oregon. Combining live music, powerhouse vocals, dazzling costumes, multimedia effects, and a team of vibrant dancers, the show is designed to be more than just a nostalgic trip — it’s a full-scale, interactive celebration of the Swedish supergroup’s enduring hits.
The North American leg of their tour kicks off September 10 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts in Edmonds, Washington, followed by stops in Federal Way (Sept. 12), Olympia (Sept. 14), Grants Pass (Sept. 16), Bend (Sept. 18), Yakima (Sept. 20), and Wenatchee (Sept. 21).
Audiences can expect to hear every ABBA favorite, from global anthems like Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, and Waterloo to fan favorites including SOS, Fer-
nando, and Money, Money, Money. The performance is billed as a family-friendly event that encourages attendees to sing and dance along, transforming the theater into a disco revival party.
For over two decades, ABRA Cadabra has been spreading ABBA’s legacy far beyond Sweden’s borders. The group has performed everywhere from Universal Studios in Florida to The Esplanade Theatre in Singapore, with appearances before the Malaysian Royal Family and the country’s Prime Minister. They have headlined casinos, graced festival stag es, and appeared in televised concert specials, amassing a loyal fanbase that spans generations.
Their authenticity isn’t just in the music — it’s in the atmosphere they create. The production’s blend of meticulous musical recreation and flamboyant showmanship gives audiences the sense of being at an ABBA concert during the group’s 1970s and early 80s heyday. The costumes shim mer, the harmonies soar, and the chore
ography channels the pop perfection that made ABBA a global sensation.
Fans often leave the show with glowing reviews. One audience member in Regina, Saskatchewan, described the experience as “amazing,” noting how even her mother, in her 80s, couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. Another fan from British Columbia praised the band’s tight delivery and infectious joy, saying the group defies the typical “tribute band” label with their high-energy, professional performances.
While ABBA’s original members have only reunited sporadically in recent decades, their music has never gone out of style — fueled in part by stage shows like Mamma Mia!, film adaptations, and
touring productions like ABRA Cadabra. The songs continue to inspire new fans while delighting those who grew up with them, making this tour a multi-generational event where teenagers and grandparents can dance side by side.
Tickets for all tour dates are available now, with seating expected to sell quickly given ABBA’s enduring popularity and ABRA Cadabra’s international reputation. Fans in Grants Pass will get their chance to experience the spectacle at the historic Rogue Theatre on September 16 — a rare opportunity to catch one of the world’s top ABBA tributes without leaving Southern Oregon.
For tickets and more information, visit Edmonds Center for the Arts.
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If You’re Still Using AOL Dial-Up, You’ll Need a New Plan by Year’s End
By John Oliver
After more than three decades of the familiar whirring, buzzing, and beeping of a modem connecting to the internet, AOL has announced it will permanently shut down its dial-up service on September 30, 2025. For residents of Southern Oregon—particularly those in rural areas who still rely on the service—this marks the end of a technological era and the need to make new arrangements for internet access.
AOL launched its dial-up service in 1991, back when the internet was a mystery to most and the phrase “You’ve got mail” became a cultural catchphrase. For years, it was the go-to gateway for millions of households nationwide. In rural regions like Josephine, Jackson, and Douglas counties, AOL’s phone-line-based service offered a reliable, if slow, connection long before broadband became commonplace.
But now, with the overwhelming majority of internet users on broadband, fiber, satellite, or mobile data, AOL says the small number of remaining dial-up customers can no longer justify keeping the service running. The company also plans to discontinue its AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser on the same day. AOL’s email service will remain active, so longtime customers won’t lose their addresses—but the actual connection method will be gone for good.
The decision isn’t entirely unexpected.
Letter from the Editor
Maintaining infrastructure for a shrinking user base is expensive, and modern websites are increasingly difficult to load over a 56k connection. While some users in Southern Oregon still cling to dial-up due to limited broadband availability or the lower cost, the technology’s days have been numbered for years. The shutdown forces a question for those remaining customers: What comes next?
For many, satellite internet through providers like Starlink, HughesNet, or Viasat may be the most accessible replacement, especially in areas without cable or fiber infrastructure. While satellite service is significantly faster than dial-up, it comes with higher monthly costs and potential weather-related slowdowns. Some rural residents may also be within range of fixed wireless
Build Your Fortress — And Guard It Well
Have you ever noticed that some people seem allergic to joy—especially if it’s yours? You know the type. If you don’t do things exactly their way, you’re wrong. If you’re not upset about whatever has them fuming this week, you’re “out of touch.” If you’re content, they’ll find a way to sour it. These personalities are more common than we’d like to admit, and unfortunately, they’re not confined to politics, business, or the internet—they can be sitting across the dinner table.
At their core, these are controlling personalities. They measure the world against a single, rigid standard—one they wrote themselves—and when reality doesn’t match, they lash out. It’s not about truth, fairness, or reason. It’s about their need to keep everyone orbiting around their mood and their worldview. Happiness outside their influence isn’t just unwelcome—it’s offensive to them, because it proves they don’t have the power they think they do.
The danger is that spending too much time in their orbit will pull you into their gravity. They drain energy, chip away at your optimism, and try to convince you that seeing things their way is the only
“right” way. That’s why you have to create— and fiercely defend—your own space.
Think of it as building a fortress around yourself. Not a wall that shuts the world out, but a stronghold where your peace, optimism, and values are protected. Inside, you choose the rules. You decide how to respond to challenges, how to spend your energy, and who gets to share your space.
The good news is, you can choose who you let in. Invite the people who build you up, who encourage your efforts, who celebrate your wins. Keep out the ones who criticize for sport, who try to make you feel small, or who believe the only correct opinion is theirs. You can acknowledge their existence without granting them access to your emotional living room.
In today’s society, it’s far too easy for people to tear each other down instead of lifting each other up. Compliments cost nothing, but judgment seems to be on permanent clearance. We’re quick to critique but slow to say, “Good job.” If we each chose to encourage more and condemn less, the ripple effects would be enormous.
internet, which uses antennas to transmit signals from local towers. Mobile hotspots through cellular providers like Verizon or T-Mobile could be another option, though data caps may limit heavy usage. In cities and larger towns like Grants Pass, Medford, and Roseburg, broadband and fiber providers are well-established, making the transition easier. However, the shutdown still underscores the digital divide between urban and rural communities—one that the federal government and state of Oregon have been attempting to address with infrastructure funding and grants to expand highspeed internet access.
For those feeling nostalgic, AOL’s departure from dial-up is more than a logistical shift; it’s the end of a sound and a connection experience that defined the early internet age. In the 1990s and early 2000s, hearing the modem tones meant your gateway to the world was opening—albeit at speeds that seem glacial today. The distinctive connection process, along with AOL’s chat rooms, instant messaging, and early online shopping portals, became a staple of internet culture.
Come this fall, that chapter will close for good. For Southern Oregonians still holding on to their AOL dial-up accounts, now is the time to explore alternatives—because after September 30, the familiar modem handshake will be nothing more than a memory.
Your happiness is your choice. It is not up for a vote, and it is not subject to someone else’s approval. When you keep that in mind, you rob those miserable personalities of their power. They can stew in their own discontent all they like—it doesn’t have to touch you.
So, guard your fortress. Keep it stocked with kindness, reinforced with boundaries, and filled with people who inspire you. Don’t let someone else’s misery sneak in and take root. Be the source of the positivity you want to see every day, and your fortress will remain unshakable.
5 DAY OUTLOOK
SOURCE: WEATHER.COM
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
sunny 87/64 Mostly cloudy 6/63 Sunny 98/61 Partly cloudy 88/59
Partly cloudy 91/61
