Falling student enrollment and changes to Oregon's school funding formula are forcing Jefferson County School District 509J to trim its budget this year — part of a statewide challenge hitting rural districts especially hard.

Jefferson County commissioners voted this week to allow Class IV ATVs — commonly called side-by-sides — on portions of 42 county roads near Madras, Culver, and Crooked River Ranch, opening new recreational and utility corridors for off-road vehicle operators.

As fall harvest gets underway across Jefferson County, local producers are tallying the costs of one of Central Oregon's most severe drought years on record — a year that left nearly all of the county under a state emergency declaration.

Madras Interim City Administrator David Clyne says the city is not entertaining any proposals to bring a data center to Jefferson County — a position that aligns with growing skepticism across drought-stressed Oregon about the industry's demands on water and power.

Historically low snowpack, record-warm winter temperatures, and unprecedented water curtailments combined to force Jefferson County producers to idle roughly a third of their irrigated acreage this growing season — one of the toughest agricultural years in recent memory.

After years of public input and planning, Jefferson County commissioners have approved a list of county roads where Class IV all-terrain vehicles may now legally travel. The new ordinance, approved September 11, marks a significant shift for ATV enthusiasts across the county — particularly in the Crooked River Ranch area.

With irrigation season winding down across Jefferson County, farmers and ranchers are tallying the toll of what water managers are calling one of the driest years in recent memory. A state drought declaration issued this spring did little to soften the blow of severely reduced water allocations.

Commissioners Mike Wunsch, Kelly Simmelink, and Seth Taylor finalized a list of 42 county-maintained roads where Class IV all-terrain vehicles may now legally operate, wrapping up a months-long rule-making process.

County commissioners approved a resolution designating 42 county road segments where Class IV all-terrain vehicles may legally operate, implementing an ordinance originally adopted in April.

Tony Chard and Christopher Heden were sworn in September 1, filling two of three vacant Madras City Council seats and restoring a working majority as the city heads into a busy fall agenda.

Pamela Thomas has resigned from the Madras City Council effective immediately, becoming the third councilor to step down since April — just two months before voters will weigh in at the November ballot.