Warm Springs Tribal Council and Bend City Council Hold Annual Joint Meeting, Focus on Water and Growth

Jefferson County is accepting public nominations through August 10 for county roads that could be designated for Class 4 ATV use under a new ordinance adopted this spring. The proposal has sparked enthusiasm in Crooked River Ranch — and some pushback from residents worried about safety.

The 2026 Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo kicks off July 22 at the Event Complex in Madras. No carnival this year — but a Madras native is stepping up with waterslides, bounce houses, and a toddler zone to keep the family fun going. Admission is free.

The Madras Redevelopment Commission has approved a $1.1 million buyback of the former Initiative Brewing property on SW 4th Street, moving to protect the public investment after the brewery failed to sustain operations at its Madras location.

Lightning-sparked fires broke out across Jefferson County Wednesday evening as thunderstorms moved through Central Oregon under an active Red Flag Warning. The largest fire, the Brewer Fire, reached approximately 20 acres east of the Crooked River National Grassland before crews gained the upper hand.

A dry summer has renewed attention on Oregon's century-old Deschutes River water allocation system, which critics say directs half the river's flow to one powerful irrigation district while downstream farmers — including those in Jefferson County — struggle through dry years with less water and fewer options.