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Jefferson County
Jefferson County
Portland General Electric and Warm Springs Tribes Advance Key Hydroelectric License Amendment at Pelton Round Butte
Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have jointly filed a non-capacity license amendment with federal regulators for the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project on the Deschutes River — a facility that generates renewable power and sits at the center of ongoing tribal fisheries restoration work.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Ballots Arrive: What's on the November 3 Ballot
Jefferson County voters are receiving their ballots this week for the November 3 general election, which features an open Madras mayor's race, a competitive sheriff's contest, and a five-year jail levy renewal.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Voters Face Busy November 3 Ballot — Here's What's on the Line
From a wide-open mayor's race to the jail levy, here's what Jefferson County voters need to know before November 3 — including every drop box location in the county.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Farmers Close Out 2026 Irrigation Season — Drought Fears Eased But Lessons Linger
The North Unit Irrigation District shut down water delivery on October 9, capping a tense 2026 season that began with severe drought warnings and reduced allotments. Despite fears, Wickiup Reservoir held through the growing season.
Jefferson County
County Road Work in Full Swing: Pony Butte Repairs, Madras Residential Streets Getting Pavement Overlay
Pony Butte Road — the route to Ashwood — remains under construction with up to 20-minute delays through mid-October, while JAL Construction has begun a pavement overlay project on Green Drive, Highland Drive, and Colfax Lane near Madras.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Ballots Hit Mailboxes Today — Here's What's on Your November Ballot
Jefferson County voters will find their November general election ballots arriving starting today, Oct. 14. On the ballot: contested races for Madras mayor, city council, county sheriff, and a five-year jail levy renewal.
Jefferson County
Madras Mayor's Race Takes Shape as Forum Spotlights Staffing, Finances, and City Growth
With Mayor Mike Lepin stepping down, Madras candidates for mayor met for a public forum focused on city staffing challenges, municipal finances, and development priorities ahead of the November election.
Jefferson County
Warm Springs Housing Authority Lands $5 Million Federal Grant for New Affordable Homes
The Warm Springs Housing Authority will receive $5 million in HUD funding for new affordable housing construction on the reservation, part of a nearly $10 million federal grant package announced by Oregon's two U.S. senators.
Jefferson County
Your Voice Wanted: Madras and Jefferson County Seek Input on Shared Five-Year Strategic Plan
Jefferson County and the City of Madras are developing parallel five-year strategic plans and want resident input to guide priorities through 2030. Online surveys and public meetings are open now.
Jefferson County
Six Candidates, Three Seats: What Jefferson County Voters Need to Know Before November Ballots Arrive
With Oregon mail-in ballots set to land in mailboxes around October 16, Jefferson County voters face a competitive Madras City Council race with six candidates vying for three permanent seats. Here's what to know before you vote.
Jefferson County
After One of the Driest Years on Record, Jefferson County Farmers Take Stock at Harvest
With 94% of Jefferson County under severe drought this year and North Unit Irrigation District cutting water allotments significantly, area farmers are wrapping up a challenging season and looking ahead to 2027.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Farmers Face Eighth Straight Year of Reduced Water as Wickiup Reservoir Drops
The North Unit Irrigation District has set its 2026 water allotment at just 1.3 acre-feet per acre — well below normal — as Wickiup Reservoir heads toward critically low levels this fall amid one of Oregon's most persistent drought stretches in decades.