March 4, 2026

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

The body of a man who went under in the South Umpqua River near Portland Avenue last week has been recovered and identified, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said divers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team located the man on Monday, March 2, during a follow-up search effort that began around 8 a.m. Deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers were working the same stretch of river where the man was last seen on Friday morning.

A diver found the victim at about 12:47 p.m., roughly 75 feet downstream from the point where he disappeared, authorities said. The man was recovered from the river and taken to the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office, where he was identified as 46-year-old Johnathon Michael Laine of Roseburg.

The incident stems from a 911 call reported at about 7:23 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, when dispatchers received reports of a man stranded in the middle of the river and yelling for help. Responders located him in the water near Portland Avenue, and rescue boats were sent to the area, including resources from Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Oregon State Police and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said the rescue was complicated by swift current and required access by boat. As boats moved into position, the man lost his grip and was carried downstream. Deputies attempted to reach him with a rescue rope, but the effort was unsuccessful, and he went under and did not resurface, officials said.

Search efforts continued for several hours Friday without locating him. The follow-up operation on Monday led to the recovery.

Investigators said they believe the incident began when the man attempted to cross the river using a raft, propelling himself with a stick. The case remains under investigation and is being treated as a boating incident. The sheriff’s office said no further updates are expected.

Agencies that assisted during the response included Oregon State Police, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Roseburg Fire Department and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.

A fire in a single-wide manufactured home at the Evergreen Village Mobile Home Park in Green was ruled accidental after investigators determined it was most likely caused by improperly discarded cigarettes, according to Central Douglas Fire & Rescue.

Crews were dispatched at 11:06 a.m. Monday, March 2, to a reported structure fire on Apricot Lane after neighbors reported flames coming from windows. Firefighters arriving on scene found heavy black smoke venting from the rear of the home and flames showing from the front.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue said the fire was knocked down and fully extinguished within about 10 minutes of crews reaching the scene.

CDF&R responded with three fire apparatus and two command units, totaling 10 paid and volunteer personnel. Umpqua Valley Ambulance and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also responded. Deputies were involved because of initial concerns that the fire could be criminal in nature, and CDF&R noted the home’s occupant had been arrested in Roseburg in an unrelated incident.

After an investigation by CDF&R personnel with assistance from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, the cause was classified as accidental, with improper cigarette disposal cited as the likely ignition source.

CDF&R urged residents to extinguish and dispose of cigarettes in appropriate containers filled with sand or water, and to keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn.

The Roseburg Fire Department will flush fire hydrants inside Roseburg city limits from April 1 through June 30, 2026.

Flushing is planned Monday through Friday each week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department said the work is needed to help ensure water mains can deliver adequate water flow for fire control when needed.

Residents may notice temporary low water pressure or discolored water during flushing. The water remains safe to drink, but customers may want to wait until it runs clear before drinking it or using it to wash clothes and dishes.

Douglas County Commissioners 5th annual Music at the Courthouse Concert will be this Wednesday, March 4th, featuring local schools and music programs.

It is open to the public.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through 10:00 p.m. Wednesday for mountain areas in parts of southern Oregon.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Medford said snow is expected above 4,000 feet. Winds are forecast to gust as high as 45 miles per hour over high and exposed terrain.

The Advisory area is for the south-central Oregon Cascades, including Crater Lake National Park and Diamond Lake, impacting highways 138, 230 and 62.

Forecasters said travel may be difficult and there may be delays. Hazardous conditions could impact morning and afternoon commute times. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Drivers should slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 511 or visit www.tripcheck.com for current road conditions.

A contractor working for the Oregon Department of Transportation has resumed work on the Oregon 42 Lookingglass Creek to I-5 Project.

Dan Latham of ODOT said the contractor is installing reflective plastic bollards along the highway center median, near Rolling Hills Road and Landers Avenue. Latham said these are meant to help drivers see the median better and avoid striking the concrete curb. One lane in the eastbound direction is closed while work is taking place.

Work still to come includes paving Highway 42 from Interstate 5 to Carnes Road and then from the Umpqua River past the Cheetah statue and out to Lookingglass Creek. Other work is left before the project is slated to be completed by the end of September.

The annual meeting of members of the Douglas Electric Cooperative will be held on Saturday, April 4th in the Community Conference Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for a social time with the business meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided at 12:00 p.m. Two grand prizes are portable generators, provided by Jensen’s Tree Service. Over 50 door prizes will be given away as well.

Members can RSVP to attend at: Erika.sullivan@dec.coop, or call 673-6616.

For more information about the Douglas Electric Cooperative, go to: https://www.dec.coop/

On Sunday, the Miss Douglas County Scholarship program crowned its 2026 title holders.

Program Executive Director Emily Warren Wylie said the organization awarded over $75,000 in scholarships to its 23 delegates competing in the event in the Jacoby Auditorium at Umpqua Community College. Warren Wylie said the amount increased due to last minute donations through People’s Choice voting and the Build Your Own Scholarship Program.

This year’s winners include:

• Miss Douglas County 2026 is Jasman Brar. She is a 20-year-old resident of Sutherlin and a junior at Lane Community College, studying aviation and business management. Brar also won the Top Talent, Academic Excellence, and Scholar Athlete awards, as well as recognition as a Build Your Own Scholarship finalist and a Director’s Award recipient. She won $6,575 in scholarships.
• Miss Umpqua Valley 2026 is Kaeli Meyer. She is a 20-year-old resident of Roseburg and a sophomore at Lane Community College, pursuing a career as a traveling labor and delivery nurse. Meyer won $5,000 in scholarships.
• Miss Douglas County’s Teen 2026 is Rebecca Wanjiku Ngigi. She is a 17-year-old senior at Glide High School and a third-year student at Umpqua Community College. She is pursuing a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner and has been accepted to the number one nursing school at the University of Pennsylvania. Rebecca also won Top Interview and Top Talent in the competition, as well as awards for Most Inspiring, Academic Excellence, Community Service, and a Directors Award. She won $6,925 in scholarships.
• Miss Umpqua Valley’s Teen is Addison Reneau. She is a 17-year-old senior at Roseburg High School and plans to attend Brigham Young University and pursue a career in dermatology. Addison also won the Scholarship Athletic award in the competition as well as recognition as a Build Your Own Scholarship finalist and a Director’s Award recipient. She won $6,000 in scholarships.

Learn more about the winners and the Miss Douglas County Scholarship program at: https://missdouglascounty.org/

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
• Umpqua Valley Fly Fishers Meetup @ The Roseburg Country Club | March 5th @ 5:30 - 8 PM | There will be socializing, speakers, raffle prizes, and fun!

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 19,150 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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That is the scoop for this Wednesday morning. Enjoy your day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team