A Central Oregon drug trafficker who conspired with others to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine to Madras and Redmond, Oregon, and surrounding areas, was sentenced to federal prison today. Israel Sarabia, 30, of Culver, Oregon, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. According to court documents, as part of a joint drug trafficking investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Central Oregon...

100 YEARS AGO May 1, 1924 A long-haired bewhiskered stranger, who had been performing in a mysterious and suspicious manner in the outskirts west of town Saturday was picked up in the afternoon by Sheriff Gard, who started to escort him to the county calaboose when the stranger came to the conclusion that he was not particularly interested in accompanying the sheriff and when in front of the abstract office...

The Oregon State Marine Board will conduct its annual marine law enforcement training on Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County between April 22 and May 3. This intensive training is designed for new or seasonal marine law enforcement officers to train them in boating laws, boat handling and water safety fundamentals. “Oregon has huge a diversity in waterways for boaters, making it imperative that Oregon’s Marine Law Enforcement Officers are well trained and “at the ready” to help in their time of need,” said Edward...

U.S. Supreme Court justices spent two hours Wednesday, April 24, debating whether a federal law about emergency treatment encompasses abortion care even in states with strict abortion bans, with no clear indication of how they may ultimately rule. A decision could come as soon as the end of June to decide whether Idaho’s near-total abortion ban means doctors who might need to terminate a pregnancy during a health emergency would be protected from prosecution under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, a...

Can you re-stock this jewelry display from Lil' Bug Studios? PMG Photo: Stephanie Basalyga

A person’s home should be a safe haven. Too often, however, there may be dangers lurking in a home that can compromise the safety of residents. Electrical fires are no joke. The Hartford insurance company says electrical failure or malfunctions account for almost 34,000 home fires per year. The National Fire Protection Association says they can contribute to 440 deaths and $1.3 billion in direct property damage annually. Older homes...

Culver hit the ball wall and pitcher Houston Wittenburg kept the East Linn Christian Eagles at bay Tuesday in a Special District 3 matchup in Culver. The Dawgs dominated from the outset, taking a 14-3 win. It moved Culver to 4-3 in league and was their fifth consecutive victory. Wittenburg kept the Eagles scoreless until the fifth inning, when they plated their three. By then, the Dawgs had their big...

Your Oregon News is hosting a Home & Garden Giveaway for our readers! Enter for a chance to win a $5,000 national grand prize for your home and garden, or a chance at five $500 gift card prizes — as well as more prizes from local businesses — from now through midnight on Tuesday, May 21. Five lucky readers will receive local prizes of $500 each from Your Oregon News,...

Editor’s note: U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following statement regarding his position on the U.S. Senate’s national security supplemental funding bill, which passed the Senate on Tuesday, April 23. President Biden signed the bill Wednesday morning. The bill includes a wide array of initiatives, including support for Ukraine, Taiwan and Palestinians within the Gaza strip, changes to the ownership of TikTok and the importation of fentanyl and precursor drugs, and offensive weaponry to Israel. The piece was written before Tuesday’s Senate vote. This...

The Madras White Buffalos lost another one-run game in Tri-Valley Conference baseball action Monday in Madras. The Buffs led Estacada 7-2 into the sixth inning, but the Rangers pounded out five runs in the sixth to tie. Neither squad scored in the seventh, but in the top of the eight, the Rangers got an RBI single from Davin Olson. Madras couldn't respond in the bottom of the eighth and was handed the tough 8-7 defeat. ...

Month after month, year after year, Oregon’s two U.S. senators often vote in lockstep. The senior senator, Ron Wyden, and junior senator, Jeff Merkley, are liberal Portland Democrats who see much of the world through the same lenses. Then came Tuesday, April 23, and a $95 billion foreign aid bill that offers a pastiche of long-delayed goals: Aid to Ukraine and Taiwan; banning or modifying ownership of TikTok; addressing the importation of fentanyl and precursor drugs; $9 billion in humanitarian aid for those in the...

2024 NFL Draft KATU 5 p.m. The future stars of the NFL find out where they’ll be playing in this 89th annual event from Detroit. The Chicago Bears get the first pick, followed by Washington and New England. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to be the number one pick. The First 48 Presents Critical...

Some people love babies. Some people love dinosaurs. I was born a cat person. This was tragic, as my older brother “had a cat allergy.” For many years, I had to be content playing with my plush toys and ceramic figurines or befriending other people’s pets. My Aunt Penny’s calico Columbine was a favorite (she was named after the flower before 1999), as well as my friend Vanessa’s skittish Sissy. Still, I longed for a cat of my own. ...

The first half of the Madras-Estacada softball game in Estacada was great for the White Buffalos. Unfortunately, the second half was not. Madras led 7-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning. From there, they were outscored 17-1 the rest of the way and lost the Tri-Valley Conference game 18-8. The Buffs committed seven errors to help the Rangers come back. ...

Oregonians have about two weeks left to register to vote or change their party affiliation before the May 21 primary. Only registered Republicans and Democrats will be able to vote in most primary elections, including picking nominees for Congress, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general and legislative districts. Voters have until April 30 to register to vote, update their registration and pick a political party. Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valadez...

Can you piece together this 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon off-roading at the 2023 MudFest? Courtesy Photo: Doug Berger/NWAPA

Your Oregon News asked readers whether the ACT or SAT should be required on college applications. This comes after test requirements were suspended for many college and university applicants during the pandemic. Now, many schools have made test scores an optional part of their applications, leaving many students to wonder whether they really need to take the SAT or ACT. Of readers who responded, about 51% self-reported that they have...

It seems they were both right. A few years back, three longtime Madras residents and respected public servants ran together to take control of the Jefferson County EMS board, with the sole purpose of dissolving the board they were running for and to merge EMS with the Jefferson County Fire Department. Their effort came after years of local study that endorsed a merger, and they pressed very valid points that the two entities together would make both services better. Combining staffing would make fast 24-hour...

A majority of U.S Supreme Court justices Monday, April 22, seemed inclined to side with the law in Grants Pass, Oregon, which bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors. It’s a case that could have broad implications for local ordinances related to homelessness across the country. During oral arguments in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, conservative justices said that policies and ordinances around homelessness are complex, and indicated it’s a policy question that should be left up to local elected representatives rather than the...

Changing Planet KOPB 8 p.m. In this season premiere, healthy coral reefs are vital to marine life. More than one million species depend on them, but climate change threatens these reefs. M. Sanjayan heads to the Maldives to see the efforts being taken to help their reefs survive. Married at First Sight ...