5A Boys 5K race of the OSAA State Cross Country Championships in Eugene Saturday.

When it comes to local sports photography, one name rises to the top: the Rogue Valley Times’ own Andy Atkinson.

Andy has been with the Times since its inception in February 2023, and he is a longtime Southern Oregon photographer who worked for the Mail Tribune and the old Ashland Daily Tidings.

His sports photo galleries this year have included the annual Pear Blossom Run, Bavarian Night skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Ashland Ski Area, and his latest gem — the OSAA state cross country championships in Eugene last weekend.

It’s amazing to see how many local faces Andy gets into his photos, literally hundreds in the case of the cross country title chase this past weekend. It gives the Times a chance to showcase our local prep athletes, and you can purchase photos from our website. Along with his galleries, Andy also contributes thousands of photos each year to news and feature stories. We’re lucky to have him, and we’re proud that he’s such an integral member of our staff.

We also want to give shoutouts to freelance photographers Denise Baratta, Jamie Lusch and Bob Palermini, who contribute sports and news photography to the Times on a regular basis. All of them are top-notch professionals who make their images shine no matter the subject.

Photojournalism is an important part of what we do here at the Times, along with solid reporting by our news and sports staff. We consider it a to be a complete package for online and print, and we encourage you to check out this great work every day of every week.

Holiday happenings around the Rogue Valley

Times’ Features Editor Alissa Corman has compiled a giant list of holiday events, and you can find it online at rv-times.com/go_rogue and in the print edition of GO! Rogue throughout the season.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year if you enjoy holiday festivities, and for Southern Oregonians, there’s something for just about everyone.

Events include a host of holiday concerts, community tree lightings across the valley and the annual Craterian Gingerbread Jubilee, among many, many others. Also, for those interested in promoting their holiday bazaars, the Times is selling space in our classified advertising section. Call 458-488-2042 or place your ad at rv-times.com.

Recent stories

Here are some recent stories that you can only read in the Times, some of which are subscriber-exclusive to offer our best reporting to loyal readers:

Youth 71Five to appear before Ninth Circuit Court judges in Southern California

‘A rich history,’ Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery marks 150 years

‘On behalf of a grateful America’: Family of Arkansas vet honored in Central Point

Suspect charged with murder, assault in pair of Central Point shootings

Twice as nice: Crater sweeps 5A boys, girls cross country state titles

49th annual Clayfolk Show & Sale to return with 72 ceramic artists

Rogue Rage Duo brings blues medleys to many an audience

‘Autumn X’: Langford Art Gallery hosts collaborative exhibit of valley artists

If you haven’t subscribed to the Times, which can include digital-only or a print edition/digital subscription, we invite you to sign up at rv-times.com/subscribe or by calling us at 800-781-3214. For businesses looking to advertise in the Times — online and in print — reach out to our advertising staff at sales@rv-times.com.

To receive our breaking news newsletter, go to rv-times.com and scroll to the bottom of our homepage to sign up.

— Troy Heie, editor; theie@rv-times.com / 458-488-2038