Jefferson County Schools Face Budget Cuts as Enrollment Decline Reshapes 2026-27 Funding

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the Jefferson County Library District is marking the occasion with a new lending addition — Yoto Players, screen-free audio devices designed to bring stories to young readers across the county.

Central Oregon Community College's Madras campus is kicking off fall term with a filled nursing cohort, a newly completed building, and enrollment numbers trending upward — signs of a campus finding its footing as a healthcare training hub for Jefferson County.

After a years-long hiatus, the Made in Jefferson County Tour is back — giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturers and producers quietly powering the local economy.

After a five-month search, Madras has selected Brenda Fahey as its next city administrator — a hire that comes as the city navigates a period of leadership transition on multiple fronts.

A $6,000 grant-funded internship is helping Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue do something small rural fire districts often struggle to fit between emergency calls: staying consistently connected with the people they serve.