Central Oregon Homelessness Drops 19%; Jefferson County Sees More Unsheltered Individuals

Cascades East Transit's new Route 21, which launched May 5, is bringing long-overdue public transit service to remote parts of the Warm Springs Reservation — linking Madras, Warm Springs, Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort, and Simnasho with three daily round trips.

Rafael Queahpama was officially sworn in to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council as the new Warm Springs Chief on May 20, filling a lifetime chieftain seat on the governing body. A traditional installation ceremony is scheduled for this Saturday at the Simnasho Longhouse.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs held their first General Council meeting since fall last night at the Agency Longhouse, with financial updates, enterprise reports, and a major milestone: the remodeled Plateau Travel Plaza in Madras is targeting a grand opening on July 11.

The Oregon Department of Forestry declared a Regulated Use Closure for Jefferson County and surrounding areas earlier this month, banning campfires, fireworks, and off-road vehicle use across vast stretches of Central Oregon. Officials warn this year's fire season is already behaving like summer.

A wildfire that broke out Sunday afternoon south of Clarno grew rapidly to 1,000 acres by nightfall, pulling in hotshot crews and aerial resources from across the region. The blaze remained at zero percent containment but did not grow overnight.