US Highway 97 reopens after reported injury crash about four miles north of Terrebonne
A reported injury crash closed U.S. Highway 97 for a time late Thursday afternoon about four miles north of Terrebonne, officials…
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Jefferson County commissioners give their side of dog kennel dispute, set open house, tours, public comment
MADRAS, Ore. – Jefferson County commissioners said Friday they are pleased to announce an open house and tour of the county’s dog kennel facility…
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Juniper Fire, sparked by Hwy. 97 vehicle fire at Juniper Butte, declared fully contained after burning 628 acres
A vehicle fire along U.S. Highway 97 at Juniper Butte sparked a wind-fanned brush fire Wednesday afternoon that quickly grew to more than 600 acres,…
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Jefferson County Fire crews battle two house fires, along with three brush fires believed sparked by passing train
Jefferson County firefighters, joined by several other departments from around the region, rushed to stop and put out a string of three brush fires…
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Madras woman, facing murder charge, pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2022 fatal shooting of her ex-husband
A 27-year-old Madras woman entered a negotiated guilty plea Monday afternoon to a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter in the December 2022…
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Madras man, 88, killed in two-vehicle crash at Highway 26 intersection, OSP reports
An 88-year-old Madras man was killed Saturday morning in a crash on U.S. Highway 26 north of Madras when he turned his SUV into the path of a pickup…
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Jefferson County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink appointed to Regional Solutions Advisory Committee
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink has been appointed to the Central Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee…
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Late-night explosion, fire tear through Crooked River Ranch home; $530,000 in damage, no injuries reported
The owners of a Crooked River Ranch home awakened late Saturday night to the sound of an explosion and found a wall of flames in another room from a…
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Gov. Kotek issues drought declaration for Jefferson County as drought has eased, but severe impacts still linger
Sixth straight year for county, which was rejected in its initial request earlier this year WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek…
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Street Dog Hero takes in 50 dogs from closing Madras shelter; Jefferson County contracts with BrightSide for kennels
The Bend nonprofit rescue group Street Dog Hero said Wednesday it has taken in the 50 dogs remaining at the Jefferson County animal shelter before…
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Central Oregon fire season ramping up: Just one of 65 blazes on public lands this year caused by lighting, rest by humans
Fire season is starting to ramp up in Central Oregon, as two larger blazes in recent days prove. And as usual, the vast majority are human-caused,…
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Groundbreaking held for COCC’s Madras expansion; gifted Miller property sold to county for food pantry site
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The former Miller lumberyard in Madras, donated to Central Oregon Community College by members of the Miller family to raise…
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ODOT holds Madras open house for major upgrades coming to U.S. Highways 97 and 26, city streets
(Update: Adding video) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The $30 million U.S. Highway 97 Earl Street to Colfax Lane (Madras) project will increase safety and…
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Fire damages Central Oregon Seeds Inc. in Madras; firefighter injured as crews on scene well into the night
(Update: More details from fire official; firefighter injured; comment from COSI CEO) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A major, stubborn fire broke out Monday…
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Jefferson County Fire crews put out large haystack fire, say older hay bales spontaneously combusted
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Jefferson County Fire & EMS crews responded Sunday morning to put out a haystack fire that was found to be to a large…
Continue ReadingFiling period begins: Madras and Prineville mayors, three of six council positions on November ballot
The terms for Madras Mayor Mike Lepin and three of the six positions on the Madras City Council will end December 31, and the filing period to run…
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Two last Jefferson County weed burns before season closes get away in gusty winds before firefighters corral them
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Central Oregon’s outdoor debris burning season closes Saturday. That meant some with materials they wished to burn were…
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Jefferson County landowners may be eligible for $600 reimbursement through defensible space grant
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, in a collaborative effort with the Jefferson County Fire Chiefs, is offering private…
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More animals in need of homes in Jefferson County
After contract negotiations with Jefferson County fell through, Rockn EZ Rescue Ranch is hoping to clear their shelters and find homes for all their…
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Madras Grocery Outlet hosts ‘adoption spree’ for Rockn EZ Rescue Ranch as contract for Jefferson County shelter nears end
After negotiations between Jefferson County and Rockn EZ Rescue Ranch to continue operating the county’s animal Shelter failed, it now has just…
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