Jefferson County Updating 5-Year Wildfire Protection Plan; Free Car Seat Fair Sept. 26 and Community Briefs

Wildlife managers confirmed Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in the 1,000-animal John Day River bighorn herd — the first known outbreak in Oregon's largest bighorn population — and are working with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to contain the disease.

The Bench Fire that scorched more than 67,000 acres near Madras and the Warm Springs Reservation is largely contained, but ranchers face a long road to recovery as Oregon lawmakers approve emergency wildfire funding.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will build seven new three-bedroom homes for low-income tribal families after securing a $5 million Indian Housing Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Commissioners Mike Wunsch, Kelly Simmelink, and Seth Taylor finalized a list of 42 county-maintained roads where Class IV all-terrain vehicles may now legally operate, wrapping up a months-long rule-making process.

Jason Pollock is up for re-election. Tyler Anderson — the man Pollock fired — is the one running against him. Jefferson County deserves to know why.