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Local News
Local News
Warm Springs Higher Education Scholarship Deadline Is June 30 — Don't Miss It
Warm Springs tribal members planning to attend college, vocational school, or job training programs this fall have until June 30 to apply for tribal financial assistance through the CTWS Higher Education Department.
Local News
$42 Million Highway 97 Reconstruction Project Launching in Downtown Madras This Summer
A massive $42 million ODOT construction project will reshape Highway 97 through the heart of Madras beginning this summer, with work continuing through spring 2028. New sidewalks, ADA ramps, signal upgrades, repaving, and improved stormwater drainage are all on the agenda.
Local News
Warm Springs Mourns Chief Rafael Queahpama, Newly Installed Tribal Leader Dies Days After Taking Seat
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are grieving the sudden loss of Chief Rafael Queahpama, who had only recently been sworn in to the Tribal Council's lifetime chief seat. Funeral services began Wednesday at the Simnasho Longhouse.
Local News
Historic First: COCC Graduates Nine Students from Deer Ridge Correctional Institution
Central Oregon Community College awarded associate degrees to nine incarcerated students at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution on June 9 — the first graduating class in the prison education program's two-year history.
Local News
Madras Selects Brenda Fahey as New City Administrator
The Madras City Council has chosen Brenda Fahey, currently assistant city manager in The Dalles, to lead the city through a period of significant transition. Fahey is expected to begin as early as July, pending an employment agreement.
Local News
ODOT Plans Major Highway 97 Overhaul Through Downtown Madras
The Oregon Department of Transportation is set to bring significant improvements to U.S. Highways 97 and 26 through the heart of Madras, including new sidewalks, signal upgrades, ADA ramps, and repaving.
Local News
Juneteenth 2026: Jefferson County and Tribal Offices Observe Holiday Thursday
This Thursday, June 19, is Juneteenth — a federal and Oregon state holiday. Several county, tribal, and state offices will be closed or operating reduced hours. Here's what's open and what's not.
Local News
New Bus Route 21 Is Changing Daily Life on the Warm Springs Reservation
Cascades East Transit's Route 21 launched in early May, threading 50 miles through the Warm Springs Reservation to connect Simnasho, Kah-Nee-Ta, and the main community to Madras — bringing long-overdue public transit to one of Oregon's most remote regions.
Local News
Madras Narrows City Administrator Search to Three Finalists — Community Weigh In
After months without a permanent city administrator, Madras has identified three finalists: Brenda Fahey, Maurice Henderson II, and Jody Yates. Residents got a chance to meet the candidates at Initiative Brewing last week.
Local News
Free Breakfast and Lunch Available This Summer for Kids in Madras and Warm Springs
The USDA Summer Food Service Program is providing free meals this summer to children 18 and under at locations in Madras, Warm Springs, and across Central Oregon. No registration is required — just show up.
Local News
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort Unveils 2026 Improvements as Summer Season Heats Up
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have unveiled a significant revitalization of Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort for the 2026 season, including entrance upgrades, lodging improvements, and new wellness and dining offerings. The resort is open daily, with long-term plans that could eventually include an RV park, amphitheater, and indoor water park.
Local News
Jefferson County Moves Forward on Battery Storage Project in Madras
County commissioners have approved a site control agreement for a proposed large-scale battery energy storage project near Madras, a step that opens the door to a formal feasibility study and could position Jefferson County as a hub for clean energy infrastructure.