Local

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has voted to move forward with a formal investigation into Alfalfa Fire District Chief Chad LaVallee, adding another layer to what has become a growing list of legal controversies and governance concerns surrounding the rural fire district and its leadership.

A 65-year-old Prineville man, Rocky Lee Klein, was arrested Tuesday, May 12, 2026, on SE Juniper Canyon Road on suspicion of selling methamphetamine.

For months, the Prineville Review has been engaged in ongoing investigative reporting into the Alfalfa Fire District—most recently revealing a state investigation into alleged election law violations tied to the District, as well as documenting repeated and ongoing failures to comply with Oregon’s public meetings laws.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has announced the graduation of 13 community members from the agency’s Citizens’ Academy program, marking the completion of the academy’s 11th session.

The Alfalfa Fire District was not among the agencies selected for Oregon’s 2026 wildfire season staffing grants, with state officials confirming the decision was tied to ongoing inquiries by multiple state agencies into the district.

A former Prineville Police dispatcher was arrested in a fatal crash that killed a bicyclist late Friday night in Prineville, according to jail records and other publicly available records.

The Alfalfa Fire District and its Chief are reportedly under investigation by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division for potential violations of state election law related to advocacy for a local levy measure

Republic Services is once again seeking approval for garbage rate increases from local governments in Crook County, with a request to the county reportedly coming in at roughly twice the level proposed within the City of Prineville.

The Crook County School District has officially appointed Dr. Joel Hoff as its permanent superintendent following a unanimous decision by the district’s board earlier this week.

State and county officials have confirmed that boundary change filings submitted by Alfalfa Fire District Chief Chad LaVallee improperly classified Juniper Acres properties as annexed into the district,