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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025

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Oregon Powerball Jackpot Soars Past $1 Billion as Southern Oregonians Weigh the Odds By Bryce Robinson Southern Oregon residents are buzzing this week as the Powerball jackpot climbs into historic territory, reaching an estimated $1.3 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers in the Labor Day drawing. The staggering figure has captured the imagination of players across the state, including those who know the odds are daunting but still see value in taking a chance. The winning numbers drawn on September 1 were 8, 23, 25, 40, 53 and Powerball 5. Despite a flurry of ticket sales nationwide, no one claimed the top prize. That means the jackpot, the fifth-largest in Powerball history, will roll over to Wednesday’s drawing. The cash payout option, for those who prefer a lump sum rather than annual payments, stands at about $589 million before taxes. While no Oregon player has secured the jackpot, plenty of interest is being generated in Grants Pass, Medford, and smaller communities stretching from the Rogue Valley to the coast. Gas stations and grocery stores report brisk sales as residents test their luck, some buying one ticket while others pool funds with coworkers or family.

For perspective, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot remain fixed at about one in 292 million. Statistically speaking, that means a single ticket is more likely to be struck by lightning several times than to secure the winning combination. But the appeal of a potential billion-dollar prize keeps many players engaged, even if only for the thrill of imagining what could be. The structure of Powerball contributes to the buildup. Every time a drawing fails to pro-

duce a jackpot winner, the prize grows. With each rollover, the attention widens, leading to more ticket purchases and an even larger pot. This cycle feeds on itself, and in rare cases like the current run, the amount balloons to figures that become part of national conversation. Beyond the jackpot, smaller prizes provide a modest consolation. In the most recent drawing, two players—one in Montana and another in North Carolina—each won

Jacksaphine Count(r)y Fair Ten Days of Food, Music, and Community The Applegate Valley is preparing to host one of its most ambitious cultural celebrations yet as Jacksaphine Count(r)y Fair Week returns this fall. Running from September 19 through September 28, 2025, the ten-day festival promises an eclectic mix of food, art, music, sports, and outdoor adventures that highlight both the creativity and resilience of this rural region. Although the Applegate Valley spans two separate counties—Jackson and Josephine— the event embraces the shared identity of its people. The name “Jacksaphine,” coined by Grants Pass resident Ernest Adam, reflects the spirit of unity that binds the area despite administrative borders. For residents, the fair is less about county lines and more about celebrating the land and lifestyle they hold in common. This year’s fair is being organized by A Greater Applegate, a nonprofit dedicated to community development and cultural engagement. The group has brought together local farmers, winemakers, artists, musicians, and volunteers to craft a schedule that blends entertainment with education, and fun with local heritage. The result is a sprawling program that touches nearly every facet of rural life in Southern Oregon. The opening night, scheduled for September 19 at Longsword Vineyard, sets the tone with a vibrant mix of wine, live enter-

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NT(R) U YF A IR CO Joinand us even for paragliding a week pilots of events celebrating thefestival beauty, tainment, de- Grange will hold a harvest featuring flavors, and diversity of the Applegate Valley scending inshared costume. by Performances from& Josephine food vendors, seasonal produce, and comJackson Counties. munity activities in a hall jugglers, musicians, and a burlesque act that locals are are all planned, alongside bocce ball in the working to restore after years of closure. The following days continue in a similar vineyard. From there, the fair branches into a series of daily activities designed to ap- fashion, offering a rotating selection of expeal to a wide audience. periences. Residents can enjoy a vineyard On September 20, the Applegate Pad- bike ride paired with live music on Sepdling Club will host a morning of kayaking, tember 21, a pepper roasting and farmcanoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding ers’ market dinner on September 22, and on Applegate Lake, followed by coffee and a dark-sky event on September 23 where see FAIR, page 7 pastries. Later that day, the Upper Applegate

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$2 million for matching five numbers with the Power Play option. Ten others across the country collected $1 million apiece. Oregon has yet to report a million-dollar winner from this round, but in past drawings local players have occasionally claimed significant sums. For Southern Oregon residents, the decision often comes down to perspective. A ticket costs just $2, and while the odds are steep, the purchase is frequently framed as harmless entertainment. In a region where people regularly spend that amount on coffee, energy drinks, or a quick snack, some view the lottery ticket as an alternative indulgence, paired with a daydream of financial freedom. Whether the jackpot is ultimately won by someone in Oregon or elsewhere, the spectacle has already had its impact: fueling conversations in workplaces, checkout lines, and social circles about what one might do with such a windfall. For now, the billion-dollar prize remains unclaimed, and with the next drawing set for September 3, Southern Oregonians will be lining up once again, chasing a dream worth far more than the price of admission.

First-Time Homebuyers Face High Rates By Alice Bigelow First-time homebuyers in Oregon are entering the housing market at a moment of both challenge and opportunity. The statewide conversation around affordability has intensified as mortgage rates hold steady at levels not seen in more than a decade, yet a series of federal, state, and local programs are attempting to offset the financial strain. For new buyers weighing whether to take the leap, the decision is far from simple. As of early September 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in the United States sits near 6.6 percent, according to multiple financial reporting outlets. That figure is substantially higher than the sub-3 percent rates common during the pandemic years, though it has recently stabilized after periods of volatility. For Oregon families, this means that monthly payments on an average home are considerably higher than they were just a few years ago, even if

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