White Buffaloes Hit the Field: Madras High School Fall Sports Season Opens

With 94% of Jefferson County classified under severe drought and a statewide emergency declaration still in effect, local farmers and ranchers are bracing for a difficult end to the 2026 growing season — and a long road to recovery.

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz joined Jefferson County officials and landowners at the Jefferson County Event Complex last week to discuss the catastrophic 2026 wildfire season, while smoke from ongoing regional fires continues to affect Central Oregon air quality.

The Madras City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Christopher Heden and Tony Chard to fill two council seats left vacant by the resignations of Mike Seibold and Lamar Yoder. Both will serve through the end of 2026.

A $25,000 grant and a matching $25,000 commitment from the Madras-based Bean Foundation pushes the Jefferson County Historical Society past $113,000 raised toward converting a 118-year-old church into the county's first dedicated museum.

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz held a wildfire town hall at the Jefferson County Event Complex last Friday, outlining a new federal bill that would create financial incentives to clear forest fuels — and listening to landowners' frustrations with a record-breaking 2026 fire season.