February 24, 2026

Good morning Douglas County! Here are today's updates live from the Roseburg Receiver Communications Center.

WINSTON, Ore. — The Winston Police Department announced that K9 Nike, a Belgian Malinois with more than eight and a half years of service, is preparing to retire from active police work.

Nike was born Sept. 20, 2016, in the Netherlands. His commands are in Dutch, and he was originally trained in the police dog sport KNPV. He later served with Officer Cordell at the Roseburg Police Department before transferring to the Winston Police Department in 2022.

During his career, Nike assisted in tracking lost or fleeing people, searching buildings, locating hidden individuals and articles, and helping apprehend suspects. According to the department, he recorded approximately 110 career deployments and 65 captures. Some deployments focused on locating evidence or property rather than suspects. The department said Nike located multiple pieces of evidence over the years, including drugs, firearms and knives.

Nike has also appeared in the book Passing the Badge and in the booklet What Is a Police Officer? Additional book characters were based on him, and the publications helped share his story beyond the local area. The department described Nike as calm and friendly, known for enjoying attention from the public and interactions with children at community events.

He will now be considered semi retired and will no longer participate in police operations. His final day on duty is planned for March 1. After retiring from active work, Nike will serve as an ambassador for the Friends of the Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs and assist with outreach efforts.

Ownership of Nike will transfer to his handler, K9 Officer Cordell. He will live at home with Cordell and the officer’s family.

A community retirement gathering for K9 Nike may be held Friday, March 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Winston Community Center.

Chief Brandon Sarti thanked K9 Nike for his years of service to the community.

A month-long fundraiser that blends local flavor with community impact is returning to Douglas County, and this year’s lineup is packed with some of the cheesiest creations around.

United Community Action Network (UCAN) and the UCAN Food Bank are launching the 2026 Cheese & Thank You campaign, a community-wide effort that invites residents to support local restaurants while helping fight hunger. Throughout March, participating restaurants across Roseburg, Sutherlin, Glide, Myrtle Creek and beyond will feature special “cheesy” menu items. For every featured item sold, $2 will be donated directly to the UCAN Food Bank.

According to organizers, every dollar donated helps provide roughly three meals to neighbors in need — meaning a single grilled cheese or mac-and-cheese purchase can make a meaningful difference for local families.

Kickoff Event Planned Feb. 28

The campaign officially kicks off Saturday, Feb. 28, with a public event at Columbia Bank, 445 SE Main St. in Roseburg, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community members are invited to stop by for a free grilled cheese sandwich, pick up a Cheese & Thank You passport, and learn more about participating restaurants. Guests can collect stamps throughout March by trying featured menu items; every five stamps earns an entry into a drawing for restaurant gift cards.

Food and cash donations for the UCAN Food Bank will also be accepted during the kickoff.

Restaurants Across the County Participating

Nineteen local restaurants are taking part in this year’s campaign, each offering a creative spin on comfort food classics. Participating locations include Brix Grill, Little Brothers Pub, Granny’s Mini Hut, Jackson Street Provisions, The Friendly Kitchen, Backside Brewing Co., The Atom Bistro & Coffee Shop, Workman’s Bar and Smokehouse, Creekside Gas & Grill, The FarmStand by Lehne Farms and many more.

Menu items range from elevated grilled cheeses and mac-and-cheese dishes to plant-based options, cinnamon rolls, burritos and rotating weekly specials — all designed to encourage residents to explore local dining while supporting a shared cause.

Organizers say the campaign highlights the power of community partnerships. Columbia Bank is serving as the campaign sponsor, and KMTR is the media sponsor helping spread the word throughout the region.

Supporting Local While Helping Neighbors

The Cheese & Thank You campaign has become a staple community fundraiser, combining support for local businesses with direct relief for families experiencing food insecurity. By choosing a participating menu item, residents can help ensure more meals reach local households through the UCAN Food Bank.

Community members are encouraged to attend the kickoff event, grab a passport and spend March sampling featured dishes across Douglas County.

As organizers put it: supporting local has never tasted so good — and every bite helps feed a neighbor.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in early March for Roseburg’s new $2.5 million outdoor tennis and pickleball facility.

A City of Roseburg release said residents are invited to attend the ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5th to view eight newly renovated tennis courts, ten dedicated pickleball courts and new fencing, seating, entryway and security system. The courts are located in Stewart Park next to the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center on Northwest Stewart Parkway.

The renovation of courts more than a half century old was financed by a $750,000 state grant won by Roseburg Parks and Recreation Program Manager Val Ligon, $523,000 in city funds, and $1.1 million in matching community funds raised by the non-profit Umpqua Valley Tennis Center.

Adults will continue to pay just $2 to use the courts, while youth aged 18 or under always play for free. In addition, the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center will offer non-members a new month-to-month membership for just the outdoor courts. That will cost $25 for adults and $45 for households, with no annual commitment.

Ligon said, “We’re anticipating it will be so busy that a schedule will need to be put into place. There’s a lot of excitement about the new courts, and people want to get out there and play”.

Players must bring rackets and balls.

Learn about classes and tournaments at: www.umpquavalleytennis.com

The Roseburg High School Foundation is preparing for the 2026 Scholarship Night and Future First Citizen event at RHS on Thursday, March 12th.

The evening will begin with a social hour in the RHS Student Center at 5:30 p.m. The recognition program for scholarship and Future First Citizen finalists will start in the Rose Theater beginning at 6:30 p.m. A celebratory reception will follow back in the Student Center.

While the Future First Citizen winner will not be announced until that evening, winners of other scholarships are now known. They include:

*Forever RHS Indian – $2,000: Samantha Senajon

*UCC Scholarships – $1,000: Jackson Kewett and Taylor Sands

*RHS Foundation Scholarships – $1,000 each: Dallin Shumway, Emma Rethwell, Hayden Wier, Henry Anderson, Irelyn Weaver, Kylie Nelson and Ryne Wilson

The RHS Foundation additionally oversees directly funded scholarships. Those recipients are:

• Class of 65 – $1,200: Elizabeth Kwok
• Beal Family Scholarship -$1,500: Janelle Melling
• Robert Fey Memorial- $1,500: Kennedi Smith
• Gregory Fey Memorial- $1,500: Mallory Colvin
• State Farm- $1,500: McLane Stedman
• Ross Hansen Memorial-$1,500: William Brock.

For more information about the Roseburg High School Foundation, go to: www.roseburghighfoundation.org

The Oregon State University Extension Service and the Umpqua Valley Beekeepers Association welcome the community to attend the Bee Academy series, starting on April 11th.

An Extension release said the Bee Academy will take place once a month, with each class focusing on important fundamentals of beekeeping.

This immersive workshop series will offer a full scope of beekeeping experience, perfect for beginners and bee enthusiasts alike. Participants will learn the essentials of beekeeping and explore hive dynamics. Also covered will be honey harvesting, how to market hive products, and how to prepare bees for winter success. Attendees will also suit up for a live “hive dive”, gaining unforgettable experience managing an active hive alongside experienced beekeepers.

The series costs $100 and comes with lunch and membership in the Umpqua Valley Beekeepers Association. Scholarships may be available upon request. Registration is requested by March 6th.

To sign up for the Bee Academy, go to: https://beav.es/honeybee, or call OSU Extension in Douglas County at 672-4461.

Limited Time Events

• In Studio Classes @ Create & Sip Studio | January 8 - May 17th | Every Week on Wed - Sun
• "Shifting Landscapes" + Add'l Exhibits @ Umpqua Valley Arts | January 9 - March 6 | Every week Tuesday - Friday | 10 AM - 6 PM | Link

Monday, February 23rd

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7PM
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM

Tuesday, February 24th

• Bingo @ Roseburg Elks Lodge #326 | 6:30 PM
• DJ Bingo @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 6 PM
• DJ Trivia @ Urban NY Pizza & Grill | 7 PM
• Free Line Dancing Lessons - Elements Lounge @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | Every week on Tuesday | 7 - 9 PM | Link
• Open Mic Night @ Kodiak Bar & Grill | Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8 PM
• Tuesdays! Free Line Dancing Lessons at Elements Lounge in Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7 - 9 PM | Link
• All Ages Jazz Jam @ North Forty Beer Company | 5 - 7:30 PM | Link

Wednesday, February 25th

• DJ Trivia @ Backside Brewing Co. | 6 - 7:30 PM
• Karaoke/Open Mic Night @ Idle Hour Tavern | 9 PM - 12:30 AM
• Open Mic at Brix | Every Wednesday | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at The Wild Rose Saloon | 7 - 10 PM | Link
• Trivia Night @​ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 9 PM
• Trivia Night @​ Little Brothers Pub | 6 PM
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 PM, starts at 6:30PM. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Live Music: Bob Hall @ Two Shy Brewing | 6 - 8 PM | Link

Thursday, February 26th

• DJ Trivia @ North Forty Beer Company | 7 - 8:30 PM
• Kick Up the Dust - Line Dancing Lessons @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 - 8 PM
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday and Saturday | 8 PM
• DJ Bingo @ Brix Bar & Grill | 7 - 9 PM | Link
• Draper Jam Night | 8 - 11:30 PM | Link
• Thirsty Thursday Cornhole Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | Every week on Thursday | 6 - 8 PM | Link

Friday, February 27th

• Friday Pizzas! @ Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards | 12 - 4PM
• Karaoke Night @ Winchester Pub & Grill | 8 - 11 PM
• Karaoke Night @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 9 PM - 12 AM
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 PM, starts at 6:30PM. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 PM
• Home & Garden Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | Feb 27 - Mar 1 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Link
• Supper Club Dinner @ Melrose Vineyards | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Link

Saturday, February 28th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9AM - 1PM | SE Jackson St | Link
• Roseburg Saturday Market - Outside Winter Market | 10AM - 2PM | Harvard Ave - Rife's Home Furniture Parking Lot (Every Saturday until December 20th)
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10PM
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 PM
• Home & Garden Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | Feb 27 - Mar 1 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Link
• Cheese & Thank You Kickoff | Columbia Bank - 445 SE Main St in Roseburg | Link
• Release Party w/ USA Today Best Selling Author Lisa Shelby @ Yours Truly Bookshop | 12 - 2 PM | Link
• Peace at Home Fundraiser| Seven Feathers Casino Resort | Link

Sunday, March 1st

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 PM
• Home & Garden Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | Feb 27 - Mar 1 | 10 AM - 6 PM | Link
• Live Music: Wild at Heart @ Melrose Vineyards | 3 - 5 PM | Link

• We now have 19,072 Facebook group members!! Thank you all so much for being here!
• There is now an opportunity to advertise your local business with The Roseburg Receiver! If your company is interested, please email info@theroseburgreceiver.com. Your ad will be featured in The Roseburg Scoop emails, videos, website, and much more.
• Project Skywatch is still underway to get deployed in the Spring; however, more funding is still required. To donate, become a business sponsor, or read more information of Project Skywatch, visit https://www.theroseburgreceiver.com/project-skywatch/
• Roseburg-based IT and cybersecurity company Integotec is partnering with The Roseburg Receiver this spring to support Project Skywatch, providing full camera and equipment installation (excluding hardware), including cabling, custom mounts, lift rental, and ongoing support/management; the project is nearing initial funding but still seeking monthly sponsors to keep cameras online long-term, and Integotec will also contribute weekly cybersecurity tips and content to the platform.

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That is the scoop for this Tuesday morning. Enjoy your day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team