Local

A dispute involving a Central Oregon contractor has progressed from complaints to state agencies and a mediated settlement agreement before the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) to court proceedings after a homeowner alleged the agreement was breached.

Last week, a federal courtroom became the latest venue for examining the conduct of the Alfalfa Fire District and several of its officials and their efforts to silence the press.

A 25-year-old man died Saturday afternoon after falling from a rock formation at Barnes Butte Recreation Area, according to the Prineville Police Department.

Crook County Fire & Rescue along with support from ODF and BLM firefighters were able to stop the spread of a brush fire near NW Cedar Place, which was reported by Crook County Emergency Management.

The Crook County Road Department is set to begin its 2026 chip sealing operations on county roads starting June 8th, weather permitting, with work expected to continue through approximately June 22nd.

Crook County High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets have arrived in Washington, D.C., where they will represent Oregon in the National Memorial Day Parade this Monday.

Election night results indicate the race for Crook County Commissioner Position 2 is headed toward a November runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the three-way contest.

Election night results suggest voters overwhelmingly rejected the levy while supporting fire funding requests elsewhere across Central Oregon, a result that could deepen questions surrounding one of the region’s most controversial fire districts.

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.