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Local News
Local News
St. Charles Madras Among 21 Oregon Hospitals to Receive Rural Maternity Care Funding
A state investment in maternity care infrastructure at 21 rural Oregon hospitals includes St. Charles Medical Center–Madras, offering some relief to a county where access to obstetric care has been a persistent challenge.
Local News
New Midday Bus Trips Now Connecting Madras and Redmond as Cascades East Transit Expands Service
A new weekday 11:30 a.m. departure from the Madras DMV fills a longstanding midday gap in public transit between Jefferson County and Redmond. Additional morning trips to Bend were also added in the mid-June expansion.
Local News
Health Advisory Now Covers All of Lake Billy Chinook. Here’s What Visitors Need to Know.
Oregon health officials have expanded a cyanobacteria advisory to all three arms of Lake Billy Chinook, warning against swimming and high-speed water activities. The advisory is in effect heading into the Fourth of July weekend.
Local News
Madras Officially Hires New City Administrator Brenda Fahey, Set to Start July 20
After nearly six months of interim leadership following Will Ibershof’s resignation, Madras has a permanent city administrator. Brenda Fahey, currently with the City of The Dalles, was confirmed by the City Council on June 23 and begins her new role July 20.
Local News
Madras Residents Pack Heated Town Hall, Demand Answers from Pacific Power Over Repeated Outages
At least five power outages hit the Madras area in June alone. A standing-room crowd confronted Pacific Power representatives Wednesday, with farmers and county officials warning that wildfire safety settings are causing serious economic damage.
Local News
Jefferson County Moves Forward with Utility-Scale Battery Storage Project in Madras
Jefferson County commissioners have approved a site control agreement for a proposed battery energy storage project near Madras, allowing a feasibility study to move forward on what could become a significant addition to the county's clean energy portfolio.
Local News
Madras Names Brenda Fahey as New City Administrator, Bringing Stability to City Hall
After months of leadership turnover and an extensive public search, the Madras City Council has officially confirmed Brenda Fahey — a 25-year public sector veteran from The Dalles — as the city's new city administrator. She is expected to start next month.
Local News
Jefferson County Grass Seed Is Literally Under Foot at the FIFA World Cup
Kentucky Bluegrass grown by Madras and Culver farmers is underfoot at at least seven of the 16 FIFA World Cup host stadiums across the United States — a local agricultural story that is being watched by billions of people around the world.
Local News
Madras Residents Confront Pacific Power Over Repeated Power Outages
Jefferson County residents packed a Madras town hall Thursday night demanding answers from Pacific Power about frequent outages affecting homes, businesses, and medically vulnerable residents — with Metolius reporting some of the worst impacts.
Local News
Warm Springs Tribe Raises Long-Term Concerns Over Columbia River After Longview Chemical Disaster
As cleanup crews work to contain the aftermath of a deadly chemical release at a Longview, Washington paper mill, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are raising urgent questions about what the disaster means for the long-term health of the Columbia River and the communities that depend on it.
Local News
Pacific Power Held Town Hall in Madras After Five Outages This Month
Residents, farmers, and local officials confronted Pacific Power representatives Wednesday about a wave of power outages tied to the utility’s wildfire safety protocols, as Jefferson County leaders call the disruptions economically damaging and warn that a legislative fix may be needed.
Local News
Native Artists' Exhibition Opens at Madras Art Gallery — "We're Still Here"
Art Adventure Gallery in Madras will feature works by 96 Native artists from the Warm Springs, Yakima, and Cayuse-Umatilla tribes through July and August. The opening reception is July 2.