Investigations

Republic Services is once again asking the Prineville City Council to approve a rate increase for solid waste collection services. A public hearing on the request is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 387 NE Third Street.

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) voted unanimously Friday to launch a formal investigation into Crook County High School Principal Jake Huffman, finding there is “a substantial objective basis” to believe he may have violated state ethics laws by using his public position and school district facilities to benefit a private wrestling business he owns.

A proposal to grant Crook County Fire & Rescue Chief Matt Smith an approximate 8% raise was rejected by the majority of the district’s elected board during its public meeting on Friday

Florida, the “Sunshine State,” once known as a beacon of government transparency, is growing ever darker, and the clouds are spreading throughout the United States.

Following an ongoing dispute over public records sought by The Prineville Review from Crook County since November, Oregon’s Public Records Advocate has raised serious concerns about the county’s handling of public records requests—both generally and in relation to this publication’s outstanding requests.

A Crook County water district is facing severe financial and governance issues following allegations of misappropriating thousands of dollars, general mismanagement, and potential ethics violations by its elected board—nearly half of which has now resigned.

The Crook County School District has finally released an unredacted version of its written meeting minutes to the Prineville Review from its December 2024 illegal executive session over discussions of a complaint against Athletic Director Rob Bonner.

The Crook County School District Board appears ready to take action related to a potential separation agreement with Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner during a special meeting that will take place virtually this evening (Jan 27th, 2025).

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Friday to initiate a full and formal investigation following a preliminary review into two Crook County Cemetery District officials over reported violations of public meetings laws last summer.

Following a multi-month and ongoing investigation by the Prineville Review, an appointed member of the Crook County Natural Resource Advisory Committee (NRAC) is facing questions related to Oregon ethics laws after his private contracts with the U.S.