Ashland, Medford open cooling shelters
Jul. 25—A wave of unusually high temperatures expected to bake the Rogue Valley through next week has spurred the cities of Medford and Ashland to open cooling shelters.
Temperatures this week are expected to remain in the triple digits. Monday was forecast to hit 108 degrees. Wednesday was predicted to reach 109. Sunday was predicted to cool down to 102.
In Medford, cooling centers are planned every day this week.
One set up at First Presbyterian Church, 85 S. Holly St., could not operate Monday due to a power outage and was moved to the former Inn at the Commons, at 200 N. Riverside Ave. Shelter volunteers were at the church to provide information about the relocation.
The city is offering cooling shelters at different locations each day this week from noon to 8 p.m., including:
Tuesday through Thursday, July 26-28: Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave.
Friday, July 29: First Presbyterian Church, 85 S. Holly St.
Jackson County Circuit Court announced it is closed Monday (both the Justice and Juvenile Services buildings) due to a power outage. It planned to reopen Tuesday.
The Ashland cooling shelter will be in the Gresham Room of the Ashland library.
Ashland's cooling shelter has varying hours by day:
Monday, July 25, 2-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday, July 26-28, 4-7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 29, 1-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 30, 2-7:30 p.m.
Service animals are welcome in the shelter if they are leashed, while human visitors are asked to wear a mask.
Volunteers staffing the shelter will accept donations of water or ice pops. Donations can be brought to the shelter site.
The Ashland Police Department will offer water bottles to people in need. Officers will carry water with them as they patrol throughout the week, according to the Ashland city website.
For more information, see www.ashland.or.us/News.asp?NewsID=5344
