OHA: People 65+ or Immunocompromised are Eligible for COVID-19 Booster Vaccine

Now that it's March, eligible people can get an additional dose of the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine, which was first made available in Oregon last September. An additional dose of the latest COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people ages 65 and older as well as people ages six months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or who have weakened immune systems. People in these categories are recommended to receive the additional dose six months after receiving the initial dose of the 2024-25 vaccine. However, it can be given as soon as two months after the first dose offering significant flexibility. People have weakened immune systems because of certain medical conditions, or if they receive medications or treatments that suppress their immune systems. Those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised do not need to show proof to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. In recent years, OHA has bolstered its tracking of communicable diseases such as COVID-19 with the development and modernization of data reporting tools including an interactive, web-based dashboard that visualizes data on COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Doctors' offices and neighborhood pharmacies are great places for getting immunizations. ...Read more

SOREDI Issues Matching Gift to Josephine Childcare Business Accelerator Program

The Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), Foundation has announced a matching gift to catalyze childcare businesses through a new pilot small business mentoring partnership between the Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub (SOELS) and Rogue Community College Small Business Development Center (RCC SBDC). The foundation gift totaling $10,000 will be directed toward the Josephine County Childcare Business Accelerator Pilot Program, which aims to mitigate the challenge of workforce childcare shortages and will be leveraged for $10,000 more in matching funds. Other funding partners include $10,000 from Josephine County's SOELS and the City of Grants Pass Childcare Grant which contributed $30,000 in incentives for businesses with the urban growth boundary. Operational funds have also been leveraged with Business Oregon Capacity Building and Marketing funds, RCC SBDC staff and advisors matching efforts, and RCC. These funds will be disbursed to childcare businesses upon completion of the program. SOELS offers to administer and distribute funds. The RCC SBDC will facilitate outreach, business startup and growth advising, mentoring and state licensing checklists in coordination with SOELS. ...Read more

Medford's Historic Holly Theatre Set to Reopen Thursday for the First Time Since 1986

After more than a decade of restoration, Medford's historic Holly Theatre is set to re-open on Thursday for the first time since 1986. With a complete restoration back to its original look and feel -- but with modern amenities, the opening will feature a gala celebration followed by an exciting two-day lineup of headline acts. Opening night will feature an evening with The Piano Guys. Since their official debut in 2011, The Piano Guys have unleashed 13 albums, securing six #1 debuts on Billboard's Top Classical Albums chart. Friday will feature a performance by long-time honorary Holly Co-Chair Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts. Star of screen, television and stage, Belushi and his band played to a sellout crowd of 2,000 nearly a decade ago as a benefit for the Holly restoration. Tickets for both concerts are still available and can be purchased online at "hollytheatre.org" up until showtime. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Holly Box Office at 226 West 6th Street in Medford Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on concert days two hours before showtime. ...Read more