The Madras Pioneer

Clackamas County resident Steve Bates is a life member of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America. The 2021 legislative session started with the hope that the state Legislature would honor our Vietnam Veterans by passing a bill to establish a Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds. Senate Bill 319 was introduced by the Senate Committee on Veterans and Emergency Preparedness. This bill dedicates a portion of Capitol State Park to a Vietnam War Memorial to be funded and constructed by a qualified nonprofit corporation. SB319 in its last paragraph declares an emergency. Its preamble states over...

For the past 48 hours, the fire has continued to remain in its current footprint As of Thursday morning, June 24, the S-503 Fire on the north section of the Warm Springs Reservation is 30% contained and 6,679 acres. A Thursday morning report from Northwest Incident Management Team 8 Incident Commander Kevin Stock says for the past 48 hours, the fire has continued to remain in its current footprint. The fire perimeter is completely lined. The S-503 Fire is burning in timber and grasses on the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and privately owned in-holdings protected by the...

Oregon Community Foundation invests in diverse communities through state-funded program addressing learning inequities in state. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs received a $50,000 state-funded K-12 Summer Learning Grant through Oregon Community Foundation. The K-12 Summer Learning Grants program supports community-based programs that serve youth and families that have been...

Oregon would join eight other states to create mid-level positions under a bill headed to Gov. Brown. A new class of dental therapists, working under the supervision of dentists, would provide basic services to patients under a bill that is headed to Gov. Kate Brown. Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill...

Lawmakers clear bill that pares increases, allows forgiveness of some amounts. Many Oregon businesses will see smaller increases in their unemployment payroll taxes, and even forgiveness of some amounts, as a result of a bill now headed to Gov. Kate Brown. House Bill 3389 was repassed by the House on...

Oregon Department of Forestry's Central Oregon District restricts high-risk activities. Wildfires resulting from human activities continue to plague firefighters in Oregon Department of Forestry's Central Oregon District. In an effort to reduce these fires, the district will implement a 10 a.m. Regulated-Use Closure, which restricts high-risk activities linked to wildfire starts.

After interviewing three candidates, Jefferson County Fire District Board to repost fire chief position. The Jefferson County Fire District Board has been looking for a new chief since Jan. 8, when Brian Huff left the post, and it's still looking. The board interviewed three candidates June 7 but couldn't settle...

Volunteers gear up to open Thursday, July 1 after 15-month COVID pandemic closure. Last week, Barbara Williams and Coralee Popp stepped into the Art Adventure Gallery in downtown Madras to gauge what it will take to open the doors again. They last closed the doors March 15, 2020, when COVID gripped the community.

It may be a longshot, maybe a wild idea, but North Unit Irrigation District is studying and working on the possibility With drought conditions and environmental concessions, irrigation in the North Unit is in crisis right now. Throw in the prospect of global warming, and the future is concerning. Occasionally, one hears the question of why the North Unit can't draw from another reservoir in the county: Lake Billy Chinook. I'm sure there are many reasons; the concept is far-fetched on several levels. But there are also two very big reasons why the concept should be deeply studied and...

Deschutes Valley Water District Board member Gary Dinkel saw many improvements during his tenure. The Deschutes Valley Water District has grown by 40% over the course of Gary Dinkel's service on the board of commissioners. Dinkel recently stepped away from his board duties after serving the water district for 24...

It has been more than 10 years since the Madras Police Department has had a full-time female officer or reserve officer on duty. Angie Elder was sworn in as a Madras Police officer on Monday afternoon. City of Madras Administrator Gus Burrill swore her in, and Police Chief Tanner Stanfill...

Bend resident Dan Horne completes 41 skydives with Skydive Awesome at the Madras Airport. Dan Horne wanted to do something big to celebrate his 40th birthday. Could that be some sort of record? Horne looked it up. He found that Rodney Holberton held the Oregon state skydiving record for jumping 40 times at Beagle Sky Ranch in southern Oregon on March 16, 1986.

Longtime Oregon cooperative finds opportunity to expand with N&S Tractor Inc. California-based N&S Tractor Inc. has acquired Ag West Supply's five Oregon equipment locations, including the Madras store. "The customers truly won't see much of a change. The faces will still stay the same, but the customers' opportunity to have...

National rural water taste-test gives the Crooked River Ranch a Silver Medal. Crooked River Ranch water rose above competitors from around the country to take second place in the Great American Water Taste Test. They share the second-place trophy with Honeyville City of Utah. The National Rural Water Association announced...

Madras restaurant owner Joe Davis says he will appeal $8,900 fine OSHA imposed on diner. Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the Madras Black Bear Diner for opening the restaurant against guidelines the Oregon Health Authority imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The citation says the...

Governor asks people to get vaccinations as statewide $1 million drawing approaches on June 28. Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday, June 22, announced what she said would be the last adjustments in the state's county COVID-19 infection risk levels. Brown said she was confident the state would soon reach her...

Officials suspect arson as the cause of Monday evening fish hatchery grade fire. Officials are conducting an arson investigation on the Warm Springs Reservation. A press release from Warm Springs Tribal Police Department reports dispatch receiving a report on the evening of Monday, June 21 of a brush fire that was burning near the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery off Highway 3, near milepost 12. The WSTPD dispatched units to assist in traffic control in support of the firefighting effort.

Rep. Tawna Sanchez represents House District 43. Rep. Andrea Salinas represents House District 38. Amy Fettig is executive director of The Sentencing Project.Oregon law has prevented Anthony Richardson from voting his entire life. Imprisoned before he was eligible to vote, he's denied this basic right of our democracy despite the fact that he's an adult citizen. Richardson has a deep interest in civic engagement and is dedicated to improving himself and his community. During his incarceration he has helped influence changes in juvenile justice policies and inspired community partners to support him and other incarcerated Oregonians in developing legislation to...

The Culver School Board recently approved a $14.3 million budget for next school year. The Culver School District Board approved the proposed $14.3 million budget during a regular board meeting earlier this month and also waived athletic participation fees for next school year. "The past 12 months have been extraordinarily...

The wildfire exhibition opens Thursday, June 24 at The Museum at Warm Springs. "Into the Fray: Native American Wildland Firefighters of Warm Springs and Beyond" opens Thursday, June 24 at The Museum at Warm Springs. The exhibition, which highlights the history and contemporary activities of these brave Native wildland firefighters, will be on view through Saturday, Sept. 25.