Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Madras Pioneer · Madras, OR
Nearby: Madras, OR29 YEARS AGO December 1997 The photograph reproduced above is of downtown Madras sometime probably in the late 1930s or early `40s. The picture was taken about the time that Wesley Everet VanWert, great-grandfather of Madras resident Parrish VanWert, was building the Madras Market, current location of the Madras Liquor Store and Thomas Sales and Service. Parrish VanWert came across the photograph in a family album of old photos taken about this time. VanWert said he had not determined who took the picture. He also mentioned that longtime area resident, Helmer Wallen, helped in determining approximately when the picture was taken. The photographer was standing on Fifth Street, facing south, just to the north of the intersection of Fifth and C streets. At the time, as can be noticed in the photograph, Fifth was a two-way street. The bus station at the time was at a building next to the Madras Market store. This was before the bus station moved to the Sangri-La.
Madras Pioneer · Madras, OR
Nearby: Madras, ORThe annual Festival of Trees is back for a third year on Dec. 4, with proceeds going to the Madras Community Food Pantry. Last year, the pantry raised more than $6,400 during the festival and the money was used for general operations of the pantry. This year, the event will be held at the Jefferson County Event Complex, 430 S.W. Fairgrounds Road in Madras, starting at 5:30 p.m. Black Bear Diner will cater a prime rib dinner and silent auction items will be available for bidding. The evening’s main event will be an auction of decorated trees submitted by individuals or businesses ahead of time. Donna Hagedorn, the pantry’s secretary-treasurer, said they hope to auction off at least 20 trees fully-decorated Christmas trees. Kelly Simmelink will serve as auctioneer. “He makes it an incredible amount of fun and we’ve had so many good sponsors this year, such tremendous support already that we’re really excited about providing this fun event for the community,” Hagedorn said.
Madras Pioneer · Madras, OR
Nearby: Madras, ORMadras will no longer hold its annual Veterans Day parade, but former organizers say other events will still be held. Michael Williams, the Commander of the Madras VFW Post 12141 and the Adjutant of the American Legion Post 125, made the announcement. “Our newly returning and future veterans may rekindle a parade for Madras; however, for today, thank you, one and all,” he said. Williams said the Veterans Parade began in 2004 and was first cancelled last year. Now, Williams has said the parade will not be held for the foreseeable future. How to celebrate Veterans Day in Madras, Warm Springs At 7 a.m., the local scouts will put out 100 U.S. flags at Mt. Jefferson Cemetery. There will still be a Veterans Day observance at the Jefferson County Community & Senior Center. Doors will open at 10 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. program. During the ceremony, a guest speaker will recount the story of his grandfather, who was a prisoner of war during World War II.
Madras Pioneer · Madras, OR
Nearby: Madras, ORThe Madras High School theater department’s goth-themed “Romeo and Juliet” will be performed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13-14, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 14-15. Admission is $12, except for students, seniors and veterans who pay $8. The performances will be held at the Madras Performing Arts Center at 412 S.E. Buff St.
Madras Pioneer · Madras, OR
Nearby: Madras, ORThe city of Madras has built 250 new housing units in the last three years, putting it ahead of production goals set in 2023. The 2023 Housing Needs Analysis outlined the need for 1,116 new dwellings in Madras by 2043 and broke down that goal by both housing type and household income levels. Split evenly throughout the next 20 years, there would be an annual goal of roughly 56 homes built. This means that between 2023 and 2026, 224 new housing units need to have been built to keep up with predicted population growth. Since 2023, 250 new housing units have been started. Madras Community Development director Nick Snead said these developments are assumed to be completed, putting Madras ahead of its goals. More than 85% of those units are single-family dwellings. “The city exceeding housing production goals reflects past efforts to simplify regulations and streamline permitting,” Nick Snead, the city’s community development director, said.
Madras Pioneer · Warm Springs, OR
Nearby: Warm Springs, ORA Warm Springs man has been with aggravated sexual abuse on the Warm Springs Reservation. According to court documents, on Oct. 16 officers with the Warm Springs Police Department responded to a home after a report that a man was found in a bedroom with two young children. Investigators allege a family member entered the bedroom and observed Jesse James Hicks, 34, with one of the children in a way that raised concern. They alerted other family members. Hicks initially denied wrongdoing, according to court documents, but later admitted to unlawful conduct involving one of the children during federal investigators’ interviews. Hicks was charged with aggravated sexual abuse, which has a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. “The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and involve the exploitation of exceptionally vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford in a press release.
Redmond Spokesman · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORVeterans and volunteers placed over 1,600 American flags across Redmond this Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Redmond School District Superintendent Charan Cline, a veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division and as a long-range surveillance unit for the Seventh Corps during the Gulf War, placed flags along Highland Avenue with his wife and city housing program analyst Linda Cline and volunteers from the Deschutes County 4-H program. Other volunteers with Redmond’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program were placing flags near Centennial Park in downtown. This was the last flag placing of 2026 and Flag City USA’s 35th year. Flag City USA, also known as ad-hoc group Redmond Downtown Flag Committee, has been placing full size American flags with monogrammed names on the hems throughout the city on national holidays, like Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July, since 1991. The group’s work is all based on community support. Cline was trained as a sniper.
Redmond Spokesman · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORExplore themes of love and loss in a remote, mystical town at Redmond Proficiency Academy’s production of “Almost, Maine.” With shows Thursday through Saturday this weekend, the student theater production is playing at the McClay Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Redmond. It’s based on John Cariani’s 2004 romantic comedy made up of nine short plays. Showtimes are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. The Saturday show is sold out.
Redmond Spokesman · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORThe Spokesman will update items in the police log when such a request is received. Any new information, such as the dismissal of charges or acquittal, must be verifiable. Arrests Monday, Nov. 2 12:10 a.m. 1200 block SW Highland Ave. Alexia Ocampos Robles, 21, Redmond. Charges: Disorderly conduct II and improper use of 911. 2:05 a.m. 2500 block NW 10th St. Madelene Bartosz, 20, La Pine. Charges: Probation/parole violation — misdemeanor. 4:11 p.m. 900 block SW Emkay Drive. Sophia Krawski, 23, Redmond. Charges: Telephonic harassment. 4:59 p.m. 1700 block S. Highway 97. Patrick Morris, 43, Redmond. Charges: Disorderly conduct II, escape III, false info to police — criminal, interfere with police officer, warrant arrest — in state and warrant arrest — out of state. 7:34 p.m. 4600 block SW 37th St. Breezy Pinkerton, 36, Redmond. Charges: Child neglect II. 7:34 p.m. 4600 block SW 37th St. Jason Wick, 44, Redmond. Charges: Child neglect II. 9:59 p.m.
Central Oregonian · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORMothers from Redmond, Madras, Terrebonne form nonprofit, continue work reaching out to others who face suicide loss A year after Julie Leutschaft’s son, Kiefer, died by suicide in 2021 she attended the funeral of another 26-year-old, Tegan. Someone close to the family had reached out to Leutschaft following Tegan’s death. Leutschaft asked if she could attend the graveside funeral. “When that happens to your family, it’s cataclysmic,” Leutschaft said. “You don’t know where to turn. You feel very alone. You don’t even know that there are resources out there.” After some time passed, Leutschaft, who lives in Redmond, reached out to Tegan’s mother Mary Jo Brunner, of Madras, with encouraging words and told her to give herself grace. She also welcomed Brunner to join her grief group at St. Charles Redmond. Six months earlier, Leutschaft had received a call from a mother who had also lost a 26-year-old daughter to suicide. Having both worked for St.
