Government

As proponents push to expand the Alfalfa Fire District’s boundaries farther east into Crook County to include the rural Juniper Acres area, records obtained by the Prineville Review show the district is once again facing possible dissolution over multiple years of missing financial reports — marking a repeating issue under Chief Chad LaVallee’s leadership requiring the State and County intervention over audit compliance.

As the rainy season begins, two statewide elected officials made conflicting statements last week about the shortage of roofs over Oregonians’ heads.

The Port of Arlington plays an important economic development role in Gilliam County, the state’s third smallest by population.

Newly released records show Police Chief Jeff Profio had submitted a 90-day retirement notice effective November 26, 2025 — a detail not disclosed in the city’s earlier announcement that described his resignation and retirement.

State officials have confirmed that the Prineville daycare where an infant died last month was operating without a valid child care license and is now the subject of an open investigation.

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.

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.