‘Ezra’s Law’ stalls in committee, but lawmaker is not giving up
‘Ezra’s Law,’ a bill to hike sentences for some crimes that’s named for a young Madras boy severely injured by his mother’s boyfriend, has stalled in…
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Weed burning sparks fire that destroys Crooked River Ranch home
A Crooked River Ranch home was destroyed Friday by a fire that was sparked by residents’ outdoor weed burning that spread under the home’s deck…
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Mysterious Crooked River Ranch waterfall flows for only three days a year
Central Oregon is filled with waterfalls, beautiful landscapes and places to explore. Most of these sites have been discovered for years, and they…
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Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins announces retirement plans
Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins, a 35-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and its leader for over a decade, said Tuesday he plans to retire…
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Madras Pep & Cheer Studio hit by break-in, robbery
Funds raised by students, as well as equipment and supplies, were stolen from the Madras Pep & Cheer Studio during a break-in Friday night, the owner…
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Redmond man arrested in drug agents’ traffic stop on Hwy. 97 south of Madras
Central Oregon drug agents made a traffic stop on Highway 97 south of Madras, arrested a 65-year-old Redmond man and seized methamphetamine, heroin…
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Pacific Power offers help to Jefferson County customers hit by COVID-19 hardships
Many Pacific Power customers in Jefferson County have seen their lives turned upside down by the economic turmoil caused by more than a year of the…
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Wyden sets April 5 online town halls for Jefferson, Deschutes county residents
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Monday he will have live online town halls, hosted by People’s Town Hall, early next month for residents of…
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Fire damages Culver home; cause traced to combustibles near wood stove
A fire that broke out Sunday afternoon in a Culver home apparently was caused by combustible materials too close to an operating wood stove,…
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Changes may be coming for the the Jefferson County Transportation plan
Jefferson County leaders want to hear from you about all forms of transportation, from motorized to human-powered, as they update the county’s…
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New equipment planned at Lake Billy Chinook to protect against wave damage
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday to consider a $605,000 contract to buy equipment to protect…
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Jefferson County Fairgrounds to add new Show Barn
Jefferson County commissioners have approved construction of a new Show Barn structure to be built at the Fairgrounds, giving new life and more…
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Rescheduled 450-acre burn of downed juniper set for Crooked River Grassland
If conditions remain favorable, firefighters will be burning downed juniper later this week in two units totaling 450 acres on the Crooked River…
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BLM plans juniper removal near Crooked River Ranch to reduce wildfire risk
The BLM is seeking public input on a draft environmental assessment of plans to manage fuels, improve wildlife habitat on public lands by Crooked…
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Bend man charged with arson in 2019 Madras law office fire
A Bend man currently held at a regional jail in The Dalles has been indicted on two first-degree arson charges in a May 2019 fire that heavily…
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Jay Mathisen chosen as new Jefferson County schools superintendent
A familiar face in Central Oregon education will be returning to the High Desert this summer to lead the Jefferson County School District 509-J as…
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Homeowner dies in Three Rivers Recreation Area house fire
A 55-year-old homeowner and two of his three dogs died in a fire that destroyed their home Wednesday evening in the Three Rivers Recreation Area near…
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Jefferson County residents can apply for $500 wildfire defensible space grants
The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, in a collaborative effort with the Jefferson County fire chiefs, is offering private landowners the…
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Jefferson County School Board set to interview 3 superintendent finalists
The Jefferson County School District 509J Board of Directors will be conducting interviews next week with three finalists to become the next…
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Warm Springs Police say Hwy. 26 drunk driver had .77 blood alcohol level
A driver and hit-and-run suspect crashed on Highway 26 Friday afternoon and was found to have a blood alcohol level of .77%, more than nine times the…
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