Government

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is preparing to sign a proposed stipulated final order imposing a $1,000 civil penalty on Crook County High School Principal Jake Huffman, resolving a months-long state investigation into his private wrestling academy’s use of district facilities without paying required rental fees.

Crook County Library Director Sarah Beeler has abruptly resigned, leaving trustees and staff with unanswered questions about the circumstances of her departure, according to details uncovered from a September public meeting.

The Ochoco West Water & Sanitary Authority (OWWSA) is facing intensifying scrutiny after revelations involving both its former and current managers involving ethics and nepotism issues, and its former manager’s alleged misuse of district funds and other controversies that led to his quiet 2024 resignation.

Crook County has begun rolling out new transparency initiatives after mounting scrutiny over its handling of public records and compliance with Oregon’s open government laws.

At a recent public meeting about the financial health of OPERF, the $100 billion Oregon Public Employees Retirement System Fund, an activist criticized the Oregon State Treasury for losing money when it recently sold $4.5 billion in private equity holdings from the fund.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help as deputies continue searching for 29-year-old Gordon Grafton III, who was reported missing last week after leaving his home in the Post area.

As Oregon state treasurer for eight years, Tobias Read didn’t have a discouraging word for “private equity,” the secretive investments that account for one quarter of the state’s $100 billion Public Employees Retirement System fund. 

State regulators have confirmed that the Horseshoe Tavern, operated by Triangle C Investments LLC, was penalized in March of 2025 for failing to maintain workers’ compensation insurance for more than a year and remains under scrutiny for continued noncompliance.

The City of Prineville has announced the retirement of Police Chief Jeff Profio, coming just nine months after he was hired to lead the department. The announcement came directly from Stingray Communications, a public relations firm contracted by the City of Prioneville.

The Prineville City Council has approved a resolution providing for remote video attendance at its public meetings, but questions remain about whether residents will be permitted to testify remotely.