The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs' Plateau Travel Plaza is targeting a June 15 soft reopening and July 11 grand opening following an extensive remodel and expansion. Tribal members are invited to showcase arts, crafts, and traditional artifacts at the facility.

The Confederated Tribes' Plateau Travel Plaza is inviting tribal members to submit huckleberry baskets, beadwork, carvings, and other cultural pieces for display before the Madras truck stop reopens after a major expansion — submissions due June 3.

Jefferson County has improved from the third most economically distressed county in Oregon to the eighth, according to new state data. EDCO officials say targeted investment is beginning to pay off — but the county still faces significant challenges.

New data from Business Oregon shows Jefferson County has improved from the third most economically distressed county in Oregon to eighth, reflecting measurable local economic progress over recent years.

Business Oregon's latest data shows Jefferson County has moved from the most economically distressed county in Oregon in 2023 to 8th, marking a dramatic turnaround that local leaders are cautiously celebrating.

The only Wells Fargo branch in Jefferson County will close on June 24, redirecting customers to Redmond. The closure has become a flashpoint in the county commissioner race, with candidates pointing to it as a symptom of a broader service drain.

After more than 60 years in Madras, Wells Fargo will close its only Jefferson County branch on June 24. Customers will be directed to the bank’s Redmond location — a decision that county commissioner candidates say reflects a broader pattern of services leaving the area.

After more than 60 years of operation, the Wells Fargo branch on SW E Street in Madras will close its doors on June 24, 2026 — leaving Jefferson County without a single national bank branch and sending residents 30 miles to Redmond for in-person service.

New state data confirms what local economic development leaders have been working toward for years: Jefferson County is no longer Oregon's most economically distressed county. The county has climbed to 8th on the statewide index — a shift driven by job growth, new investment, and targeted development work.

Theo's Longhouse Strong Coffee celebrated the grand opening of its Madras warehouse last Saturday with Native American drummers, community celebration, and years of persistence. Founder Theo Perez built the business to support the Warm Springs Reservation longhouse, and is now inviting the public to buy beans on weekends.

Jefferson County has gone from the most economically distressed county in Oregon in 2023 to eighth on the state's ranking — and the county's active project pipeline has grown from two to seven. A new Made in Jefferson County Tour this June will spotlight the businesses driving the turnaround.