Six Illinois Valley professionals from five different organizations attended the 2024 Regards to Rural conference April 18-21 in Kennewick, Wash. hosted by the Rural Development Initiatives.Regards to Rural is a unique opportunity for community members and leaders throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond to come together to discuss rural priorities,[Read More…]

One small step toward solving Oregon’s childcare crisis Thirteen children were playing at learning stations at the opening day of All Around Kids Community Preschool Monday, April 15. All Around Kids is a new program offered by a longstanding nonprofit organization in the Illinois Valley: Healthy U in Cave Junction.According[Read More…]

Laura M. MancusoIVN editor SELMA, Ore. – March 6 and 7 in Selma, multiple organizations came together for a prescribed fire weekend training event called “IGNITE: Prescribed Fire Skills” held at the Siskiyou Field Institute.Prescribed fire is becoming more accessible and widespread in the Rogue Valley due to programs like[Read More…]

by Laura Mancuso On Saturday, my son Jaxon and I dodged rain showers by going to the free opening day of the season at the Kerbyville Museum and then went on a hike at Westside Trails.If you haven’t explored the Kerbyville Museum located at 24195 Redwood Hwy, in Kerby, or[Read More…]

by Laura Mancuso, I.V. Wellness Resources, programs director Have Easter leftover ham to use? This recipe is not for my vegetarian friends, but eliminating the ham and using some of your favorite vegetables will always make a wonderful bean soup.Ham and Bean is one of my favorite soups. Just one[Read More…]

by Laura Mancuso – I.V. Wellness Resources program director Flexitarian DietThe flexitarian diet is a marriage of two concepts: flexible and vegetarian. The term was coined more than a decade ago by registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner in her 2009 book, “The Flexitarian Diet: The Mostly Vegetarian Way to Lose[Read More…]

In honor of National Women’s History Month, the annual Women’s Cafe was held at the Dome School in Takilma March 9. This fundraiser for the Dome School touched on the global issues at hand, from reproductive choice, importance of voting, war devastation and health care.Longtime Takilma resident and RCC instructor[Read More…]

Laura Mancusoeditor I.V. News March 7 is National Slam the Scam Day and coincidentally many locals have recently reported scams to the Illinois Valley News. It is important to learn about the different scam tactics, and what to do if you suspect suspicious behavior.On Feb. 22, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office[Read More…]

By Laura MancusoIVN Editor A community health assessment event was held at the Josephine County Fairgrounds Feb.7 to highlight Jackson and Josephine counties’ health data collected in 2023 coordinated by a community-wide initiative called All In For Health.Visitors were able to stroll through interactive displays and share their opinions with[Read More…]

Black History Month was observed at the AllCare Health’s Community Center in Grants Pass Feb. 10. The guest speakers included Illinois Valley Living Solutions Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Connie Dillinger, Project Youth Plus Executive Director Carl Thomas and Oregon Youth Authority educator and owner of Rogue Barbers Ron Gillespie.One thing[Read More…]