March 11, 2026

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

A 57-year-old Roseburg man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he fired at passing vehicles on Interstate 5 before leading law enforcement on a pursuit into Winston Saturday night.

According to authorities, Oregon State Police and Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responded after reports that a driver was shooting at vehicles along the freeway. Investigators say John Deptuch later told officers he had been using marijuana and believed other drivers were following him.

The pursuit continued south into Winston, where deputies were eventually able to stop Deptuch’s vehicle with a spike strip. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Authorities said one of the three drivers targeted during the incident reported that the back window of his truck had been shattered by gunfire. Investigators said the bullet came to rest just above the driver’s seat.

Deptuch was booked on nine charges, including attempted first-degree assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Law enforcement also reported finding marijuana, cannabis concentrates commonly known as dabs, and a bong inside the vehicle.

A state administrative law judge has upheld $77,767 in civil penalties against the Winchester Water Control District for water quality violations tied to 2023 repair work at Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River.

In a proposed and final order dated March 6, Senior Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth Jarry found the district violated multiple conditions of a 401 Water Quality Certification issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for the project. The order says the district was responsible for the work of its contractors and subcontractors.

The case centers on repairs performed in August and September 2023 at the privately owned dam near Roseburg. According to the order, the violations included work that was not consistent with the permitted project description, inadequate erosion and sediment controls, placement of concrete and tire mats where they could enter the river, operation of equipment in the flowing channel and failure to fully isolate the in-water work area from the active stream.

The judge also found the district failed to remove temporary construction materials before the approved in-water work window ended and failed to provide unobstructed fish passage from Sept. 1 through Sept. 5, 2023.

The order states the North Umpqua River provides habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed salmonids and other migratory fish, and that the dam’s fish ladder is intended to allow fish passage upstream.

The ruling also addresses the role of TerraFirma Foundation Repair, Inc., the contractor hired for the repair work. According to the order, TerraFirma’s listed experience primarily involved foundation repair, waterproofing, wall stabilization and concrete work. The judge found the company’s listed project history included only one in-water project and that few, if any, of the employees on site during the 2023 repair had in-water work experience.

The judge did not describe TerraFirma as uncertified to work on dams. Instead, the order says the company lacked a background in the type of in-water work involved in the project.

The case was heard through Oregon’s Office of Administrative Hearings after DEQ referred the matter in 2024. The order notes the Winchester Water Control District matter was consolidated for hearing purposes with a related case involving TerraFirma.

The penalties were upheld across several categories tied to permit compliance, including project consistency, erosion and sediment control, concrete, tire mats, in-channel equipment operation, fish passage, and work area isolation. Under the order, payment is due within 10 days after the order becomes final.

A copy of the order can be found here.

Near record high temperatures are possible in the Umpqua Valley early next week.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Medford told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that the Roseburg will be on the south end of a warm front next Monday through Wednesday. High temperatures of 73 to 74 degrees are forecast for all three days. These would be the warmest days of 2026, so far, if the scenario pans out. Forecasters said that some models show the mercury getting as warm as 78 degrees on Tuesday.

The record high temperatures for Monday and Tuesday are 78 degrees, recorded in 1959 and 1947, respectively.

Umpqua Community College has launched a new partnership with Pacific University designed to help students pursue careers in pharmacy through a streamlined transfer pathway to a doctoral degree program.

A UCC release said that through the agreement, students at UCC and Chemeketa Community College will be able to complete key pre-pharmacy coursework at their community college before continuing their education in Pacific University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program on the university’s Hillsboro campus.

The new pathway, launching this spring, allows UCC students interested in pharmacy to prepare locally before transitioning into Pacific’s graduate program. Students will have the option to pursue either Pacific’s accelerated three-year PharmD program or its five-year extended pathway, which is designed to provide additional flexibility for student’s balancing work, family or other responsibilities.

UCC Chief Academic Officer Danielle Haskett said, “This collaboration creates meaningful opportunities for our students to begin their journey toward a career in pharmacy right here at Umpqua Community College”. Haskett said, “Working with Pacific University and Cheketa Community College helps us build stronger educational pathways while supporting the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Oregon”.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment among the institutions to make advanced healthcare education more accessible while strengthening Oregon’s workforce pipeline.

Demand for pharmacists continues to grow nationwide and across Oregon. Employment opportunities for pharmacists are expected to increase by 5 percent through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor of Statistics. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortage of nearly 5,000 pharmacists nationwide by 2036.

The release said by establishing clear transfer pathways, UCC aims to help more students pursue careers in healthcare while supporting the needs of communities throughout the region.

Haskett said, “UCC is dedicated to helping students move confidently from community college to advanced degrees and professional careers”. Haskett said, “This partnership provides a clear next step for students interested in pharmacy and reinforces our commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals”.

The City of Roseburg has commission opening on three of its commissions.

A city release said applications are being taken from people interested in filling vacancies on the Budget Committee, the Economic Development Committee and Planning Commission. The Planning Commission has two vacancies while the other commissions each have one.

The deadline for applying to be on the Budget Committee is 5:00 p.m. this Friday, March 13th. Other vacancies remain open until they are filled.

The Budget Committee usually meets once a year at 6:00 p.m. in May. On rare occasions, the committee meets two or three times. The Budget Committee reviews the city’s proposed annual operating budget. Applicants must live within the city limits.

The Economic Development Commission meets at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday in January, April, July and October. The commission creates an awareness in the public and private sectors of the need for effective community and economic development and tourism promotion programs. It is also designed to provide a forum for evaluating and overseeing the use of the city’s hotel/motel tax revenues for programs and events to promote local tourism.

The Planning Commission meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Mondays of the month to consider long and short-range land-use development issues in the city and within the urban growth boundary. The commission reviews and acts on quasi-judicial applications filed by landowners or their agents and on legislative applications initiated by the city.

Appointees to all four positions will serve three-year terms through December 2028.

Learn more, including how to apply on the city’s website via the commission’s webpage: https://roseburgor.gov/your-government/commissions

The Vietnam Veterans of America will have a welcome home event on March 25th.

A Roseburg VA Medical Center release said it will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Conference Hall of the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m.

Door prizes will be given out, and light refreshments will be served. For more information and to register, contact Roseburg VA at 440-1000 extension 44352.

Tickets are still available for the Hops for K9 Cops event this Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

It is presented by Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs and will be held at Backside Brewing on Northeast Odell Avenue in Roseburg. Attendees can meet the K9 teams, see demonstrations and more. Tickets are now $60 for adults. This includes unlimited pizza, salad, macaroni and cheese, and dessert.

After the Hops for K9 Cops event, people can stay and play K9 trivia. Prizes will be awarded.

To purchase tickets, go to: www.uvk9.org.

Tickets are now on sale for The Revolutionists at Umpqua Actors Community Theatre in Roseburg.

The Revolutionists is a new play about four very real women who lived boldly in France during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. Described as a “grand and dream-tweaked comedy”, the production is about violence and legacy, arts and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters and how to actually go about changing the world. It is directed by Sam Starnes.

Performances will be on Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. from April 2nd through April 19th.  Adult tickets are $17. The production contains strong language and mature themes and is not intended for audiences under age 15. Advance tickets are available at: https://www.uact-theatre.com/

Limited Time Events

• In Studio Classes @ Create & Sip Studio | January 8 - May 17th | Every Week on Wed - Sun

Monday, March 9th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7PM
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM
• Celebrate Recovery | Westside Christian Church | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.

Tuesday, March 10th

• 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
• Celebrate Recovery | Winston Assembly of God | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• All Ages Jazz Jam @ North Forty Beer Company | 5 - 7:30 PM | Link

Wednesday, March 11th

• 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
• 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.
• Celebrate Recovery | Redeemers (Old movie theater) | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Live Music: Kara Grainger Band @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 9:30 PM | Link

Thursday, March 12th

• 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 |
• Thirsty Thursday Cornhole Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | Every week on Thursday | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• St. Patrick's Day Bingo @ Melrose Vineyards | 5:30 PM

Friday, March 13th

• 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
• Live Music: Paddy O'Furniture @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• Supper Club Dinner @ Melrose Vineyards | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Link
• Live Music: Nina and The Rebel Rockers @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 8 PM
• Underground Dining Club @​ Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards

Saturday, March 14th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9AM - 1PM | SE Jackson St | Link
• 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
• 47th Annual Benefit Car Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | March 14 & 15th | Link
• Live Music: Fandango @ Centerstage Theater at Umpqua Community College | 5 PM | Link
• Drain Spring Festival | Drain Civic Center | 3 PM | Link
• Live Music: Dear Drummer @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 11 PM | Link

Sunday, March 15th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 PM
• 47th Annual Benefit Car Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | March 14 & 15th | Link
• 2026 Hops for K9 Cops @ Backside Brewing Co. | 2 PM | Link

• We now have 19,249 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/

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That is the scoop for this Wednesday morning. Have a great day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team