Julie Thompson

More than 40% of registered voters in Crook County have already returned their ballots ahead of the November 3 general election, placing the county well above Oregon's statewide ballot return rate with less than a week remaining before Election Day.

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.

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.