March 2, 2026

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

GLIDE, Ore. — Along the banks of Rock Creek, the ground is open, the sun is strong, and rows of young trees are going back into the soil.

Leading the effort is Hailey Blalock, founder of Viceroy & Skipper, a Douglas County business focused on native landscape design, consulting, and environmental restoration. The work underway in Glide is about more than planting trees. It is about restoring balance after wildfire, cooling streams for salmon, rebuilding habitat, and rethinking how landscapes function, from riverbanks to residential backyards.

“We are at Rock Creek in Glide, Oregon, and I’m planting native plants along Rock Creek to restore the riparian zone that was damaged through the Archie Creek fire in 2020,” Blalock said.

The 2020 Archie Creek Fire burned through large swaths of timber along Rock Creek, removing shade that once kept stream temperatures stable. Without tree cover, exposed waterways absorb heat. For cold water species like salmon, even small temperature increases can have serious consequences.

“Planting native plants along a riverbed will regrow the riparian zone, which will lower the temperature in the water, and it makes it more suitable for our stream aquatic life, like salmon,” she said.

So far, the numbers are substantial. Blalock and her team have planted 250 cottonwoods and more than 2,000 willows along the creek. On the day of filming, they were adding bare root stock to the effort.

The scale is intentional. Beaver activity and wildlife browsing mean not every tree will survive. The goal is density, resilience, and long term canopy.

“We need to add a lot of plants out here to ensure that at least some of them grow,” she said.

One Big Ecological Cycle

Blalock describes native ecosystems as interconnected systems, where even the smallest plant plays a role.

“Native plants, even the small ones, the large ones, they all do something for each other. They attract a pollinator, they provide habitat and food resources for native bird species. We have mammal species that are so unique to this area. It’s all just one big ecological cycle,” she said.

That philosophy shapes both her restoration projects and her business model.

Viceroy & Skipper provides landscape consulting, native plant design, installation, and education services. Blalock works with clients to identify goals, site conditions, and long term maintenance expectations. She also hopes to expand further into vegetable and fruit garden design and coaching, helping residents who want a garden but do not know where to start.

Native landscaping differs from traditional landscaping in both philosophy and inputs.

“Native plants are drought tolerant to this area. They don’t need fertilizers. They need minimal maintenance once they’re established,” Blalock said.

For busy homeowners, that can mean less water use, fewer chemicals, and less ongoing labor. It can also mean landscapes that look and function more like the surrounding hillsides and forests of Douglas County.

From Data Collection to Direct Impact

Blalock’s path into this work began in wildlife and fisheries biology. She worked with animal and plant species across the country, from South Carolina to Oregon. But seasonal positions and a focus on data collection left her wanting something more tangible.

“I wasn’t really helping. I was just collecting data,” she said.

She wanted work that directly improved habitat and ecosystems.

“I want to do something that is actually impacting the areas that need it, that will help all these animals, that will help these pollinators, will help all of us at the end of the day,” she said.

For her, the mission is generational.

“It’s not really for me. It’s for the future generations. It’s for my children, your children, and so on and so forth, where they’ll always have somewhere to go explore,” she said.

What She Is Seeing This Season

Blalock is also paying close attention to climate patterns.

She has observed warmer winter conditions, less rain, earlier bug hatches, early budding fruit trees, and early flowering species. Those shifts can create ripple effects for pollinators and crops. Less winter rain could mean a drier summer, increasing irrigation needs and wildfire risk.

She encourages homeowners to think about defensible space, drought resilience, and the long term health of their properties.

What Would Change in Douglas County

Blalock believes widespread adoption of native landscapes would do more than conserve water.

“My theory is people will be a lot happier,” she said.

She points to the North Umpqua’s large butterfly hatches, migratory birds like hummingbirds, and the broader sense of connection people feel when they spend time outdoors.

“What’s stopping us from creating that in our backyards?” she said.

She believes native landscaping could contribute to cleaner water, cooler streams for salmon, cleaner air, and more time for homeowners who are no longer tied to intensive lawn maintenance.

Getting Started

For residents interested in supporting native landscapes, Blalock recommends starting with community connections and education. She points to local native plant advocates and Oregon State University Extension resources for research based guidance.

For beginners, even converting a small patch of lawn into bare soil and planting native seeds in the fall can be a starting point.

“If you’re someone who wants to make a difference, wants to make an impact in their lives and in their communities, or you’re somebody who is eager to learn about plants and wants to know more about ecology, then I’m your girl, and you need to call me,” she said.

Along Rock Creek, the work continues. Cottonwoods and willows now stand where ash and heat once dominated. The goal is simple but long term: shade the water, cool the creek, rebuild habitat, and restore a system that supports salmon, birds, mammals, pollinators, and people.

In Glide, restoration is not abstract. It is planted one tree at a time.

Contacting Hailey Blalock, Viceroy & Skipper:

• Facebook
• Instagram

The Umpqua Valley received an above normal amount of rain for February but is still significantly behind the amount of precipitation usually received for this point in the rain year.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Medford told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that the Roseburg Regional Airport received 4.88 inches of rain in February. That is 1.26 inches above the normal amount for the month, which is 3.62 inches.

For the rain year, which is October first through the end of September, Roseburg has seen 15.84 inches of rain. The normal amount is 21.65 inches. That means the airport is 5.81 inches below the amount of rain normally received since the rain year began.

Fairly normal weather for the first week in March is expected in the Umpqua Valley through Saturday. Late Tuesday night through Wednesday should see the most significant amount of rain for the week. Afternoon high temperatures will range from the low to upper 50s.

The Myrtle Creek City Council has a meeting on Monday night at 5:30 p.m.

The agenda includes the consideration of approving a three-year intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Myrtle Creek Rural Fire Protection District to begin in the upcoming fiscal year.

The council will look at the future of the Myrtle Creek Golf Course. Among options is the consideration of a partnership with Donald Gardner LLC to assume the management of the course. Umpqua Golf Management will end its contract with the city as of April 30th. Other items are on the agenda as well.

The Urban Renewal Agency will meet following the council meeting.

Meetings are held in the council chambers on Northwest Pleasant Street.

For more information about the City of Myrtle Creek, go to: https://www.cityofmyrtlecreek.com/

The Winston City Council will meet on Monday night.

Councilors will consider a resolution to authorize the city manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County to continue providing law enforcement dispatch services for the upcoming fiscal year. The new contract is increasing by three percent for a cost of just under $106,400. The city will make quarterly payments to the county.

The council will also vote on a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. This would be for a technical assistance grant to complete an economic opportunities analysis. The resolution said the city’s current economic opportunities analysis is severely out of date and in dire need of an update to reflect current economic conditions.

Department reports will be presented by Public Works Superintendent Andy Howell and City Manager Thomas McIntosh.

Other items are on the agenda as well. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers on Northwest Douglas Boulevard.

For more information about the City of Winston, go to: https://winstoncity.org/

Roseburg Schools will host their third and final early childhood literacy event of the season, next Monday, March 9th, as part of the district’s grant-funded efforts intended to enhance literacy development across the community.

A Roseburg Schools release said all Roseburg-area families with children ages 2 to 7 are invited to sign up for “Sounds, Rhythms & Rhymes”. This will be a fun family evening of exploring literacy through play, featuring hands-on stations, interactive storytelling, and simple activities families can replicate at home.

The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Rose Elementary School, on Southeast Roberts Avenue on the upper portion of the campus. Registration is required as space is limited. The first 20 families to both register and attend the event will receive a take-home bag of materials.

Families can sign up to attend at: https://forms.gle/7Nex6xxLAPowdpv7

The Spring into Gardening Conference is returning this Saturday to Umpqua Community College.

Hosted by the Oregon State University Extension Douglas County Small Farms Program and Douglas County Master Gardener Association, this one-day horticulture event offers a full schedule of educational sessions designed to help participants cultivate healthier, more resilient gardens while building community through a shared passion for plants.

An Extension release said the conference brings gardeners together to learn, share ideas, and prepare for the growing season. The conference is designed for people with years of experience along with those who are brand new to gardening.

Sixteen topics will be delivered across four sessions, allowing attendees to tailor the day to their interests and knowledge level. Topics include drought-resilient landscaping, mason bees and pollinators, floral design, vegetable gardening, botany basics, and houseplant troubleshooting, along with other practices that support thriving landscapes and ecosystems.

The day will begin with a keynote presentation by Douglas County Small Farms Extension Agent Logan Bennett titled, “Upping Your Compost Game”. Bennett will discuss the science behind effective composting and share practical strategies for reducing household and garden waste, while building nutrient-rich soil.

Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the final session concludes at 4:15 pm. Conference registration is $40 and scholarships are available. An optional boxed lunch is available for $15.

Registration concludes Monday. To view the full class catalog and register online, go to: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/events/spring-gardening-conference.

A free public screening of the documentary “HERE.IS.BETTER”. will take place on Saturday, March 21st, starting at 12:00 p.m. at the Roseburg Public Library on Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard.

The event is presented by the Returning Veterans Project, with local support from The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and Source One Serenity.

HERE.IS.BETTER is a full-length documentary that intimately follows four veterans from diverse backgrounds as they engage in evidence-based trauma psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder. The film offers rare access to veteran’s personal healing journeys, including the often-overlooked voices of women veterans and those living with trauma for decades.

Following the screening, a panel discussion will be moderated by Amy Almond-Schmid, Executive Director of the Returning Veterans Project. The discussion will focus on access to care, community support, and evidence-based treatment options for veterans and their families.

The event is open for veterans, family members, service providers and community members.

For more information, click here.

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, March 2nd

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7PM
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM
• Guitar Sensation Jacob Deraps 2026 Debut US Tour @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 9:30 PM | Link

Tuesday, March 3rd

• 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, March 4th

• 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.

Thursday, March 5th

• 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
• Friends of the Library Book Sale @ The Roseburg Public Library | March 5 - 7 | 9 AM - 8 PM | Link

Friday, March 6th

• 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
• Friends of the Library Book Sale @ The Roseburg Public Library | March 5 - 7 | 9 AM - 8 PM | Link
• DIGITAL DÉJÀ VU Immersive Art Show @ Anvil Northwest | 5 PM | Link

Saturday, March 7th

• 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
• Friends of the Library Book Sale @ The Roseburg Public Library | March 5 - 7 | 9 AM - 8 PM | Link
• Greatest of the Grape @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 6 - 9 PM | Link

Sunday, March 8th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 PM
• DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - SPRING AHEAD

• We now have 19,131 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/

The Roseburg Receiver is powered by the community. If you have local news, helpful information, an incident update, or an upcoming event to share, please email us at info@theroseburgreceiver.com so others can stay informed.

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• Protect privacy: For public safety or incident-related posts, please do not share personal or identifying information (names, addresses, license plates, etc.). Event posts, community announcements, and press releases may include names when appropriate.
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That is the scoop for this Monday morning. Enjoy your day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team