Events
This Week in Jefferson County: Energy Fair, Treaty Days, City Admin Vote, and More
The week of June 22-28 is one of the busiest in Jefferson County's community calendar, with Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days kicking off, a city administrator vote in Madras, a community energy fair in Warm Springs, free produce at the food pantry, and the summer solstice fresh in the rearview mirror — all while extreme fire danger grips the region.
Local News
Jefferson County Schools Trim 2026–27 Budgets Without Layoffs Amid Enrollment Decline
Jefferson County School District 509J joins Bend-La Pine and Redmond schools in cutting millions from its 2026-27 budget due to falling enrollment and reduced state funding — but avoided teacher and staff layoffs, according to reporting from Central Oregon Daily.
Local News
Free Local Produce Comes to Madras Food Pantry Starting Tuesday Through New 'Locally Nourished' Program
The Madras Community Food Pantry is launching a new monthly pop-up program called Locally Nourished this Tuesday, June 23, offering free, locally grown produce to community members through mid-October. The program connects Madras residents directly with local farmers in a farmers-market-style setting.
Public Safety
Repeated Power Outages Anger Jefferson County Leaders — PacifiCorp Points to Wildfire Safety
Jefferson County officials and farmers are frustrated by a string of power outages in Madras tied to PacifiCorp's wildfire prevention "enhanced safety settings." Since early June, five outages have hit the area — disrupting irrigation operations and daily life. PacifiCorp says the outages are necessary given extreme fire danger.
Weather
Oregon Wildfire Season Is Already Severe — What Jefferson County Residents Need to Know
A historically low snowpack, dry spring, and early heat have pushed Oregon's 2026 wildfire season into above-normal territory as of June 22 — the day after the summer solstice. Jefferson County, in the high desert east of the Cascades, faces some of the state's highest early-season risk.
Events
Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo Preview: "Red, White and Blue" Theme Set for July 22–25
The 2026 Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo will run July 22–25 at the Jefferson County Event Complex in Madras under the theme "Red, White & Blue, This Fair is For You." Carnival tickets are already on sale at El Torito Supermarket.