Local News
Highway 97 Through Madras: Long-Awaited Upgrades in the Works as Safety Crisis Continues
Highway 97 through Madras is slated for major improvements — new sidewalks, signal upgrades, and repaving — while leaders press the state for urgently needed safety fixes on the deadly 15-mile stretch between Terrebonne and Madras. The push comes amid budget constraints at ODOT and a documented pattern of fatal crashes.
Local News
New Bus Runs Now Connect Madras to Bend and Redmond Under Expanded CET Service
Cascades East Transit launched expanded regional bus service on June 15, adding new trips on Routes 22 and 24 that improve connections between Madras, Redmond, and Bend — giving Jefferson County residents better access to medical appointments, jobs, and services in the larger cities to the south.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Commissioners Greenlight Site Agreement for Madras Battery Storage Project
Jefferson County commissioners have approved a site control agreement for a proposed battery energy storage project near Madras, a step that clears the way for developers to conduct a full feasibility study on a project that could add a significant piece of clean energy infrastructure to Central Oregon.
Business
Kah-Nee-Ta Resort Completes Major Revitalization for 2026 Season
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have unveiled a dramatically transformed Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort for the 2026 season, featuring 30 mineral and wellness pools, remodeled lodging, new teepees, and expanded RV sites — with even bigger plans on the horizon.
Local News
Warm Springs Filmmaker LaRonn Katchia Wins Historic Emmy Awards for Indigenous Storytelling
Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker LaRonn Katchia took home multiple Emmy Awards at the 63rd Annual Northwest Emmy® Awards, winning for two films that center Indigenous history and the environment — a historic achievement for both the filmmaker and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Local News
Historic Glover Homestead Relocated to Jefferson County Event Complex
After years of planning and preservation work, the original structure of the historic Glover House has been moved to the Jefferson County Event Complex, where it will join other historic buildings saved from Central Oregon's pioneer era.