Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue Hosting Blood Drive on Veterans Day, Nov. 11

The North Unit Irrigation District closed the 2026 irrigation season on October 9, wrapping up a challenging year that saw reduced water allotments due to below-average snowpack and drought conditions. As the offseason begins, Jefferson County growers are watching winter precipitation closely for clues about what 2027 may bring.

The Madras Veterans Day parade has been placed on indefinite hiatus — organizers say the 22-year tradition will not return for the foreseeable future. But a full slate of local observances are still planned for November 11, from a sunrise flag display at Mt. Jefferson Cemetery to a community dinner at the Elks Lodge. Warm Springs will host a parade, lunch, and powwow.

Early vote counts from Jefferson County's November 3 election show Jason Pollock winning the sheriff's race by a wide margin, the five-year jail operations levy renewal on track to pass, and Jennifer Townsend holding a lead for Madras mayor. Ballot counting continues as mail-in votes are verified.

Four Madras-area schools were placed in secure lockout status for nearly three hours Friday after a citizen reported a man with what appeared to be a firearm near campus during morning drop-off. The incident ended peacefully — the man was carrying an Airsoft pellet rifle and had no threatening intent.

Three family medicine residents who joined Madras in August through the Three Sisters Rural Track Program are now three months into their rotations, seeing up to 1,200 patients a year at local clinics and working toward a future in rural medicine.