Jefferson County Archives

Gov. Brown declares drought emergencies in 7 more Central, Eastern Oregon counties

June 7, 2021 8:00 pm KTVZ

Gov. Kate Brown signed a pair of executive orders Tuesday declaring drought emergencies in seven Central and Eastern Oregon counties “due to lack…

Jefferson County commissioners appoint Marc Heckathorn as new sheriff, succeeding Jim Adkins

June 4, 2021 5:28 pm KTVZ News Partners

On Wednesday, Jefferson County commissioners unanimously selected Undersheriff Marc Heckathorn to replace retiring Sheriff Jim Adkins as the county’s…

Madras man jailed on charges of luring teen online; authorities want to hear about other contacts

June 3, 2021 6:18 pm KTVZ News Partners

A 49-year-old Madras man who is a registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly tried to lure a 15-year-old girl online for…

Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 closes open burning; burn barrels need permit

June 1, 2021 11:27 am KTVZ News Partners

With the region expected to see hot and dry conditions through summer, Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 has closed open burning as of Tuesday.…

Jefferson County aims to offer more COVID-19 vaccine prizes, to reach goal

May 27, 2021 5:25 pm KTVZ News Partners

Jefferson County, striving to reach a 65% adult vaccination rate so that business restrictions can loosen, hopes to boost the number of prizes county…

Metolius man jailed on attempted murder charge, accused of firing gunshots at Madras home

May 27, 2021 2:52 pm Barney Lerten

A 38-year-old Metolius man was arrested on attempted murder and other charges by the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team as he left his home on…

Family Access Network receives Oregon Community Recovery Fund grant

May 27, 2021 8:14 am KTVZ News Partners

The Family Access Network received a $5,000 grant late last year from the Oregon Community Recovery Fund of Oregon Community Foundation. These funds…

Bend man charged with DUII, assault in Hwy. 26 three-vehicle head-on crash

May 17, 2021 9:12 am KTVZ News Partners

Three drivers were taken to hospitals after an unsafe pass attempt led to a crash Sunday night on U.S. Highway 26 on the Warm Springs Indian…

Crooked River Ranch volunteers building park shade structure

May 15, 2021 7:49 pm KTVZ

Volunteers began construction Saturday on a much-needed shade structure at Panorama Park in Crooked River Ranch, a project more than three years in…

Early-morning fire in Metolius destroys abandoned commercial building

May 13, 2021 8:09 am Barney Lerten

A fire early Thursday morning destroyed an abandoned commercial building in Metolius, Jefferson County fire officials…

Oregon reports 9 more COVID-19 related deaths, 3 in Central Oregon; 616 new cases

May 12, 2021 2:56 pm KTVZ News Partners

There are nine new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, including three from Central Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,558, the Oregon…

Oregon reports 8 more COVID-19 related deaths, including Jefferson County’s 34th; 844 new cases

May 7, 2021 1:32 pm KTVZ News Partners

There are eight new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, including Jefferson County’s 34th death, raising the state’s death toll to 2,522, the Oregon…

Mikalson named Jefferson County ESD superintendent

May 7, 2021 9:12 am KTVZ News Partners

Jefferson County Education Service District and the High Desert Education Service District announced this week that Shay Mikalson will serve as…

‘They’ve failed to act’: Family of woman killed in Hwy. 97-Bear Drive crash suing Jefferson County, state

May 5, 2021 12:00 pm KTVZ

Ron Adams of Portland is suing Jefferson County after his wife, Nadia Rankov Adams, was killed in a fatal car crash last August at the intersection…

Oregon reports 6 more COVID-19 related deaths, including Jefferson County’s 33rd; 748 new cases

May 4, 2021 2:55 pm KTVZ News Partners

There are six new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, including Jefferson County’s 33rd, raising the state’s death toll to 2,508, the Oregon Health…

Sisters High School, Middle School to resume classes Monday after ‘pause’ due to COVID-19 cases

April 28, 2021 10:24 am KTVZ News Partners

Two COVID-19 cases at Sisters High School and a possible connection to Sisters Middle School closed both schools Thursday, for a return to distance…

Airshow of the Cascades still on for August

April 28, 2021 4:56 pm KTVZ

The Airshow of the Cascades is still planned for late August at Madras Airport, after last year’s cancellation. The plans include two B-17s – one you…