Madras Archives

‘New direction is necessary’: City of Madras names interim police chief after ousting Police Chief Timothy Plummer

July 17, 2025 2:08 am Tracee Tuesday

(Update: Statement regarding Police Chief Tim Plummer’s exit from the Madras Police Department) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Madras City Council voted 4-0-1 Wednesday night to fire Police Chief Timothy Plummer. Joined with Plummer’s sharp public criticism of City Administrator Will Ibershof, who recommended his dismissal, the Madras City Council meeting was heated. Here is

Fire Chief: Property owner mowing grass hit a rock, sparking fire NE of Madras that prompted evacuations

June 12, 2025 3:40 pm KTVZ, Barney Lerten

Crews working in brisk winds quickly tackled and stopped the spread of a brushfire northeast of Madras Thursday afternoon that Jefferson County Fire Chief Jeff Blake told KTVZ News was sparked by a property owner who was mowing and struck a rock.

Bucking the trend: St. Charles opens community pharmacy in Madras

June 2, 2025 4:40 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles’ new community pharmacy in Madras opened to the public on Monday, bucking the nationwide trend of pharmacy closures and helping fill a critical health need for the region. “Today is an exciting day for our community and St. Charles, as we are opening a pilot community pharmacy in Madras

Two small brushfires tackled in SE Madras, where Level 1 pre-evacuation alert is now lifted, and Crooked River Ranch

May 29, 2025 12:33 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two small brushfires broke out at midday Thursday in Madras and Crooked River Ranch and were quickly being tackled by fire crews. One was reported before noon on Rodeo Drive in Madras, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notice for homes in the area,

Madras Pioneer awards Yashira Chavero 2025’s ‘Amazing Kid’ honor for Jefferson County

May 27, 2025 5:26 pm Harley Coldiron

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras High Senior known for her leadership and tenacity, has won the 2025 Amazing Kid for Jefferson County. Her photo and writeup is featured in the local paper, The Madras Pioneer. Congratulations to Yashira for making Jefferson County proud!

Madras Police issue dozens of citations, make 2 arrests during high-visibility holiday weekend traffic patrols

May 27, 2025 4:45 pm Barney Lerten

Madras, OR – Over the course of the Memorial Day weekend, the Madras Police Department conducted enhanced traffic enforcement as part of the national “Speeding Catches Up With You” safety initiative. The department’s efforts were focused on curbing dangerous driving behaviors, particularly speeding, distracted driving and Move Over Law violations. Between Friday and Monday, Madras officers

75% of staff will be laid off after Madras Aquatic Center permanent levy fails to pass – again

May 21, 2025 10:52 am KTVZ

Just over 50 percent of Jefferson County voters who took part in Tuesday’s Special Election voted for the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District to be dismantled. But it looks like voters are not approving the required companion measure: a permanent levy that would create a brand-new district.

Central Oregon honors the fallen: Memorial Day observances planned across the High Desert

May 21, 2025 5:53 pm Barney Lerten

Update: Adding video. BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians will be honoring service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country at several events around the area on Memorial Day. Bend’s Memorial Day Service begins at 1 p.m. at the Central Oregon Veterans Memorial at Deschutes Memorial Gardens. In downtown Bend, volunteers will read

Madras Police Department plans speeding, ‘Move Over Law’ enforcement patrols over Memorial Day weekend

May 20, 2025 5:33 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — This Memorial Day weekend, the Madras Police Department will be conducting High-Visibility Enforcement patrols, with a targeted focus on speeding violations and Move Over Law compliance. With holiday traffic expected to increase and more pedestrians, cyclists, and road workers present on the roads, officers will be out in force to help

NAMIWalks, mental health awareness community events coming up Sunday in Bend and Madras

May 14, 2025 2:00 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians are lacing up and doubling down to advance the cause of “Mental Health for All” at this year’s NAMIWalks Central Oregon’s mental health awareness events in Bend and Madras on Sunday, May 18th. NAMIWalks shines a light on the need for mental health advocacy, support and outreach across Central Oregon.

Senator Merkley hosts three Central Oregon Town Halls

May 10, 2025 8:04 pm Tracee Tuesday

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Senator Jeff Merkley  held three town halls for Oregonians in Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties on Saturday. “There is nothing like holding town halls directly in the communities where Oregonians live and work to get to the heart of the ideas, issues, and priorities that matter most to them. That’s why

More Central Oregon beef returning to your table soon with planned Madras-area meat processing facility

May 1, 2025 3:48 pm Barney Lerten

More home-grown beef should be returning to Central Oregon shelves in coming years as The Symons Beef Company soon will start building a 40,000-square-foot meat processing facility on their property just north of Madras.

Rock thrown through Maras business window

Caught on video: Madras Police seek tips to find whoever threw concrete block through financial institution’s window

May 6, 2025 5:09 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Madras Police released a security video Tuesday as they seek the public’s help in a vandalism investigation after someone hurled a concrete block through the window of a financial institution. The incident occurred around 12:13 a.m. last Friday, the department said in a Facebook posting. “Surveillance footage shows an individual throwing

Jefferson County Fire teams up with Red Cross for ‘Sound the Alarm’

April 26, 2025 10:13 pm KTVZ

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Volunteers with the American Red Cross, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and Warm Springs Fire and Safety, installed free smoke alarms as part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Volunteers were trained and then headed out into the community to install free smoke alarms in local homes. The event has helped save more 2,320 lives

‘We are one community’: Latino Community Association leader speaks about Latino Fest cancellation

April 7, 2025 5:38 pm Barney Lerten, Tyson Beauchemin

The Latino Community Association announced Monday that it is canceling this fall’s Central Oregon Latino Fest in Madras over safety fears due to recent immigration enforcement actions.

Caught on camera: Madras police receive graffiti-tagger tips after releasing security video

March 27, 2025 3:27 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Madras police release of security video showing at least one alleged graffiti tagger has brought in tips officers are busy following up on, Police Chief Tim Plummer said Thursday. The department posted the video on its Facebook page Wednesday and requested help from the community to identify the people seen

‘Incredibly disheartening’: COCC hit by loss of $3 million in expected federal funds for Madras Campus expansion

March 27, 2025 4:27 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) Project still due for completion by next January; school will seek other funds MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A recent continuing resolution funding bill passed by Congress has resulted in the loss of $3 million in federal funding previously anticipated for the construction of Central Oregon Community College’s Madras campus expansion. “The loss

Madras police chase, quickly arrest man accused of stealing knife at one store, threatening worker at another

March 25, 2025 4:18 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A man who stole a knife from the Madras Bi-Mart and threatened a Domino’s Pizza worker with it ran away Tuesday afternoon but was caught and arrested by police without any injuries, Police Chief Tim Plummer said. Madras officers responded around 1:40 p.m. to reports of an armed subject near Highway

Mother of Madras man who died in officer-involved shooting speaks out

February 26, 2025 11:56 am KTVZ

Social media has been abuzz with flyers for a scheduled protest Wednesday afternoon in front of Madras City Hall in honor of Allan Warner Jr. who died late last week during an officer-involved shooting.

Jefferson County DA releases name, initial details of deadly Madras officer-involved shooting

February 20, 2025 6:54 pm Barney Lerten

Acting Jefferson County District Attorney Steven Leriche on Friday identified the man killed in Thursday evening’s officer-involved shooting along Highway 97 in Madras as Allen Dale Warner Jr., 26, and released limited initial details on what transpired.

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