October 20, 2026

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

Fire Weather Forecast for southern Oregon and northern California National Weather Service Medford, OR | 344 AM PDT Mon Oct 19 2026

Temperatures will trend warmer today and Wednesday with southeast to easterly flow over the region as low pressure moves south of the region. Wrap around moisture will bring increasing chances for wetting rainfall east of the Cascades and across northern California Wednesday into Thursday, along with a slight chance of thunderstorms across northern California on Wednesday. Dry conditions return Friday, with cooler and wetter weather possible over the weekend.

Douglas Forest Protective Association

US Forest Service - Umpqua National Forest

Today's Scheduled Prescribed Burns

• None have been reported today

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Ballots are beginning to arrive at the Douglas County Clerk's Office as voters participate in the November 3, 2026, General Election, with early returns running slightly ahead of the same point in the 2022 election.

According to the Douglas County Clerk's Office, 1,900 ballots have been received so far, representing 2.13% of the county's voters. That puts early participation 0.77 percentage points ahead of the same stage in the November 2022 General Election, the last gubernatorial election in Oregon.

The county's voter population has also grown since 2022. Election officials reported an increase of 1,973 voters, or 2.25%, compared with the previous gubernatorial election.

Ballots were mailed to registered voters last week, and election officials expect additional returns as Election Day approaches.

Voters Have Until November 3 to Cast Their Ballots

Douglas County voters have several options for returning their completed ballots before the election deadline of 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3.

Ballots can be returned through the U.S. Postal Service or deposited at any official ballot drop site in Oregon, regardless of which Oregon county the voter lives in.

Douglas County has 15 official ballot drop sites, including eight drive-up locations where voters can return their ballots without leaving their vehicles.

Election officials encourage residents to review both sides of their ballots before returning them and make sure they have signed the voter statement on the ballot return envelope.

Each ballot must be placed in its own signed return envelope. The Clerk's Office emphasized that placing multiple ballots in a single envelope will result in all ballots inside being rejected.

UCC Ballot Drop Box Has Moved

Voters who typically use the ballot drop box at Umpqua Community College should be aware of a recent location change.

The drop box has been relocated approximately 200 feet southeast of its previous location and is now near the UCC library book drop.

The change is intended to place the ballot collection box closer to the library area, and voters returning ballots at UCC should look for the new location.

Replacement Ballots Available

Residents who have lost, damaged, destroyed, or never received their ballot can request a replacement by contacting or visiting the Douglas County Elections Office.

Election officials remind voters that once a replacement ballot is issued, the identification code associated with the previous ballot is deactivated. If the original ballot is later found and returned, it will not be accepted.

The county previously advised voters who have not received their ballot by Friday, October 23, to contact the Clerk's Office for assistance.

With two weeks remaining before Election Day, the initial returns offer an early look at voter participation in Douglas County. However, the figures represent only ballots received so far, and overall turnout will become clearer as additional ballots arrive.

Residents looking for information about ballot drop sites, replacement ballots, or other election questions can contact the Douglas County Elections Division at 541-440-4252 or visit the Douglas County Elections website.

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Community members are invited to gather in downtown Roseburg on Thursday, October 22, for the second annual Take Back the Night event, an evening focused on supporting survivors of sexual violence and raising awareness about ways to build a safer community.

Hosted by Peace at Home Advocacy Center and community partners, the event begins at 5:30 p.m. on the steps and lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1036 SE Douglas Ave. Participants will begin walking through downtown at 6 p.m. Organizers say the gathering is intended to speak out against sexual violence and show support for survivors as they heal.

Registration is required, but there is a free option that includes a bag of goodies. A $15 registration includes the bag and a Birdie personal alarm. Participants can also make a donation through the registration page. Funds raised will support Peace at Home’s Sexual Assault Response Services.

The walk follows the organization’s first Take Back the Night event in October 2025. According to Peace at Home’s annual report, more than 100 people attended that gathering, where they learned about available services and heard from survivors about the effects of sexual violence on families and the community.

The local event is part of a broader international movement. Take Back the Night works to end sexual violence and support survivors, with a mission that includes addressing sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, stalking, sexual harassment, and relationship violence.

For Peace at Home, that work continues throughout the year. The organization reported serving 121 survivors through its Sexual Assault Response Services in 2025. Those services included crisis support and accompaniment during medical forensic examinations and interviews with law enforcement. Across its broader emergency services program, the organization reported 2,800 hotline calls that year.

Peace at Home provides free, confidential assistance to people experiencing domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Services are available to people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations.

Its advocates offer crisis intervention, peer counseling, safety planning, and support during medical care and legal proceedings. The organization also participates in the Douglas County Sexual Assault Response Team, a partnership that coordinates advocacy, medical care, and forensic evidence collection for survivors.

People interested in joining the October 22 walk can sign up through Peace at Home’s official registration page.

Support is available beyond the event through Peace at Home’s confidential, 24-hour crisis line at 541-673-7867 or 800-464-6543. The organization also offers walk-in advocacy services Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1202 SE Douglas Ave. in Roseburg.

Oregon plans to increase payments next year to the regional organizations that manage healthcare for most Oregon Health Plan members, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

Those groups, called coordinated care organizations, or CCOs, bring together providers to arrange medical, dental, and mental health and addiction services for people enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program. Oregon has 15 of these organizations.

The proposed 2027 rates would pay the organizations an average of $627.68 per member each month. These are state payments to the organizations that coordinate care, rather than premiums charged to Oregon Health Plan members. Federal approval is still pending.

OHA said the rates represent an average increase of 6.1% over 2026 when excluding a one-time maternity care investment that temporarily increased payments this year. When those maternity payments are included in the comparison, the increase is 5.6%.

“Oregon Health Authority remains focused on ensuring people enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan can receive quality healthcare well into the future,” said OHA Chief Financial Officer Rochelle Layton. “Our updated 2027 rates support the financial stability of the coordinated care organizations that help us deliver Medicaid benefits across the state.”

The Oregon Health Plan covers about 1.4 million people, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities. The program is jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

OHA pays the regional organizations primarily through a monthly payment for each enrolled member. State and federal rules require those payments to be sufficient to cover expected costs.

In developing the 2027 rates, the agency considered rising healthcare costs, changes to covered benefits and payment policies, and anticipated coverage losses related to upcoming federal changes.

OHA also reviewed financial information from 2025 and early 2026. The organizations collectively reported a profit margin of 0.8% in 2025, compared with 0.001% in 2024. Preliminary figures from early 2026 indicate their finances have continued to improve, according to the agency.

The rate-setting process included additional public reporting and more opportunities for the organizations to review proposed payments. House Bill 4039, which became law in March, required OHA to use a more transparent, data-driven process.

The agency said it gave the organizations more time to review draft rates, met with them more frequently, released additional supporting information, and made two presentations to the Oregon Health Policy Board before finalizing the proposal.

OHA has submitted the proposed rates to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and expects approval by the end of 2026.

Additional details are available in the agency’s draft 2027 rate development and certification report.

BEND, Ore. - Bend police said Monday, Oct. 19, that investigators have confirmed four adults and five children were in the classroom where the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting occurred Thursday, Oct. 15.

The clarification came as the department prepared to finish collecting evidence inside the school and return the building to Bend-La Pine Schools. Police said that work was expected to conclude Monday afternoon, though the broader investigation remains ongoing.

Bend police, the Tri-County Major Incident Team, and other investigators continue to work on the case. The department said it is withholding additional information about the suspect, the weapon used, and other investigative details for now.

Police acknowledged that families and community members still have questions. The department also cautioned against misinformation and encouraged residents to rely on updates from Bend police and Bend-La Pine Schools.

“Sometimes, as investigations progress, new information comes out that may be different from what we initially knew and shared,” the department said.

The FBI Victim Services Division is helping families retrieve belongings left in unaffected areas of Silver Rail Elementary. Victim advocates completed that process for staff over the weekend, according to police. The return of belongings is taking place away from the elementary school.

The department asked the public to give families and staff privacy and space to grieve during that process.

With most Bend-La Pine students expected to return to school Wednesday, Oct. 21, police said they are coordinating with the district’s safety team to provide a visible officer presence in and around campuses that day and for the foreseeable future.

Community support information is available through the City of Bend, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

Firefighters responded to two vegetation fires in Douglas County on Saturday, Oct. 17, as fire season restrictions remain in effect across lands protected by the Douglas Forest Protective Association.

The larger fire burned 1.75 acres near the 300 block of Canyonville Park Road in Canyonville. DFPA, Riddle Fire Protection District, Canyonville South Umpqua Fire District, and Tri City Rural Fire Protection District responded at approximately 4:38 p.m.

Crews extinguished the fire and finished mop-up work Sunday, Oct. 18. The fire remains in patrol status. DFPA said the fire was human-caused, and the circumstances remain under investigation.

Earlier Saturday, DFPA and Lookingglass Rural Fire District responded at approximately 8:58 a.m. to a vegetation fire in the 1700 block of Coos Bay Wagon Road near Roseburg. That fire burned about one-tenth of an acre. Crews extinguished it, completed mop-up work, and placed it in patrol status.

The weekend responses come as DFPA continues to evaluate when local conditions will allow fire season to end. Although some Oregon counties have ended their fire seasons, those decisions depend on local weather, fuel conditions, and fire danger.

DFPA said several weeks of above-normal temperatures have dried vegetation throughout the Douglas District. Temperatures are beginning to fall, but substantial rainfall is still needed to restore moisture in trees and other woody vegetation, particularly at higher elevations where fuels may remain dry.

Debris burning restrictions and other fire season rules remain in effect on DFPA-protected lands. Residents and visitors are urged to follow those restrictions and use caution with activities that could start a wildfire.

Current fire season information and restrictions are available on the DFPA website.

Three young men were arrested Friday evening after a reported drive-by shooting in the parking lot of Bi-Mart on Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard in Roseburg. A woman sitting inside a vehicle struck by a bullet was unharmed, according to Roseburg Police.

Officers responded to the store at 1381 NW Garden Valley Blvd. at about 7:54 p.m. Oct. 16. Police said both the suspects’ vehicle and the person reportedly targeted in the shooting had left before officers arrived.

Officers contacted Jennifer Jo Ormond, 56, of Roseburg, at the scene and learned that a bullet had struck her vehicle while she was inside.

Information gathered during the investigation led officers to Sutherlin, where they located the suspects’ vehicle and conducted a high-risk traffic stop.

Police detained Bradley Irvin Tiry, 19, and Trever Lee Habblett, 18, both of Sutherlin, along with Damian Lee Sims, 19, of Winston. According to the patrol report, all three told officers they had been involved in the shooting.

Officers recovered a firearm from inside the vehicle that police identified as the weapon used in the shooting. Police said it had been stolen.

All three were lodged at Douglas County Corrections on charges of reckless endangering and unlawful use of a weapon. Tiry also faces a first-degree theft charge.

The patrol report did not identify the person reportedly targeted or describe what led to the shooting. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Douglas County has received national recognition for its financial reporting for the 38th consecutive year, earning the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada.

The award recognizes the county's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. According to GFOA, the certificate is the highest form of recognition available in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman announced the achievement, recognizing the work of Chief Financial Officer Dan Wilson and the county's Management and Finance Department.

“People should know that achieving this level of excellence isn’t easy. It reflects our staff’s constant commitment to accuracy, attention to detail, and the highest professional standards,” Boice said.

Boice also credited Wilson and his team for their continued efforts to maintain accurate and transparent financial records.

“Dan and his staff work diligently to ensure our financial information is accurate, transparent and meets the highest standards. We appreciate their continued commitment to excellence and congratulate the entire team on once again earning this distinguished national recognition,” Boice said.

The annual report provides a detailed accounting of the county's financial position and operations. To qualify for the award, the report undergoes an independent evaluation to determine whether it meets established standards for government financial reporting, including accuracy, clarity, and disclosure of financial information.

Commissioner Tim Freeman emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in how county funds are managed.

“It’s important to us as Commissioners that we can stand in front of any group of people and know that public funds are being spent and reported correctly,” Freeman said.

Wilson, who accepted the award on behalf of the county's Management and Finance Department, explained that earning the recognition requires considerably more than submitting an annual report.

“This is not an industry program where you just pay a fee and get an award. There is very stringent review and audit process that is carried out each and every year,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, the evaluation includes more than 900 requirements that the county must satisfy to receive the award.

“It has been the priority of our Board of Commissioners, as well as myself to not only perform the bare minimum in financial reporting, but to achieve the highest standard of reporting,” Wilson said.

As part of the award process, an impartial panel evaluates financial reports for compliance with the program's standards. Those standards include demonstrating a commitment to full disclosure, ensuring that financial information is presented clearly and is accessible to the people who use it.

The Government Finance Officers Association was founded in 1906 and represents more than 28,000 public finance professionals across the United States and Canada. The organization promotes best practices, professional development, and transparency in public financial management.

Douglas County's latest recognition continues a streak of annual awards dating back nearly four decades.

Residents interested in reviewing the county's financial information can access the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report on the Douglas County website. Additional information about the award program is available through the Government Finance Officers Association.

Limited Time Events

• 2026 Umpqua Plein Air Exhibit: an exhibit celebrating the Umpqua Valley @​ Umpqua Valley Arts | August 22 - October 23 | 10 am - 6 pm | Link
• Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch @ The Farmstand by Lehne Farms | September 26 - October 31 | Every Saturday of October | Link
• Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch @ The Farmstand by Lehne Farms | September 26 - October 31st | 9 am - 5 pm every Saturday | Link
• I Spy Fall in Roseburg - Week 3 | October 15 - October 21 | Link
• Grimm Times at Fairview Manor @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | October 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 | 7 - 10 pm | Link
• Zoobilee @ Wildlife Safari | October 23 - 25 | 5 - 8 pm | Link

Monday, October 19th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 pm
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 pm
• Celebrate Recovery | Westside Christian Church | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Monday Night Auxiliary Bingo | Winston VFW | 4:30 pm | must have papers by 5:30, $17 for all games.

Tuesday, October 20th

• 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.

Wednesday, October 21st

• 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 6:30 pm. Food available. Ages 7+.
• Celebrate Recovery | Redeemers (Old movie theater) | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Wednesday Night Karaoke with Mr. Michael | Winston VFW | 5 - 9 pm| 21+
• Canyonville Farmer's Market | Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm at Seven Feathers Casino Parking Lot | May - October
• Live Music: Dylan James Clark @ Two Shy Brewing | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• Live Music: Pat Byrne @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 9 pm | Link
• Mic Drop Comedy in Elements Lounge @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7 - 8:30 pm | Link

Thursday, October 22nd

• DJ Trivia @ North Forty Beer Company | 7 - 8:30 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 9 pm - 12 am
• 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
• Al-Anon Meeting in Oakland (Weekly) | Oakland Ice House - 212 Lucust St | 2 - 3 PM
• Live Music: Leila Naderi , ft. Justus Mackintosh, Jeff Plummer, Tommy Whiteside @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 pm

Friday, October 23rd

• Friday Pizzas! @ Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards | 12 - 4 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Winchester Pub & Grill | 8 - 11 pm
• Kick Up the Dust - Line Dancing Lessons @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 - 8 pm
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 pm, starts at 6:30 pm. Food available. Ages 7+.
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 pm
• Friday Night Live Music | Winston VFW
• The Ghosts of Roseburg Past: Historic Walking Tours | October 16, 17, 23, 24, & 30th | 7 pm | Link
• Grimm Times at Fairview Manor @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | October 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 | 7 - 10 pm | Link
• Pints for Pets @ Backside Brewing Co. | 5 - 8 pm | Link
• Supper Club Dinner @ Melrose Vineyards | 5:30 - 8:30 pm | Link
• Zoobilee @ Wildlife Safari | October 23 - 25 | 5 - 8 pm | Link
• US Adventure Racing Associate Race | Diamond Lake Resort | October 23 - 24 | Link
• Live Music: India Ramey & The Waymores @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 pm

Saturday, October 24th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9 am - 1 pm | SE Jackson St | Link
• Roseburg Saturday Farmers Market | 2525 W Harvard Ave | 9 am - 2:30 pm | Link
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 pm
• Saturday Night Karaoke with DJ Dan | Winston VFW | 5 - 9 pm | 21+
• The Ghosts of Roseburg Past: Historic Walking Tours | October 16, 17, 23, 24, & 30th | 7 pm | Link
• Grimm Times at Fairview Manor @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | October 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 | 7 - 10 pm | Link
• Zoobilee @ Wildlife Safari | October 23 - 25 | 5 - 8 pm | Link
• Halloween Spooktacular @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7 - 11 pm | Link
• Live Music: Acoustic Blend @ Two Shy Brewing | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Link
• Southern Oregon Fishing Expo @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | 9 am - 5 pm | Link
• US Adventure Racing Associate Race | Diamond Lake Resort | October 23 - 24 | Link
• Everything Pumpkin Festival | Pioneer Park in Canyonville | 12 - 7 pm | Link
• Free Film Screening of "Free to Grow" - A film about aerial spraying in Oregon Forests | 12 pm in the South Umpqua Room in the Roseburg Public Library.
• The Punkin Pickers - High lonesome traditional bluegrass at the Everything Pumpkin Festival in Canyonville | 4 pm
• Ghost Ballads: Songs of Murder / The Dark Side of Bluegrass: Josh Gross & Quartz Creek @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 pm
• Gallery Northwest 15 Year Anniversary Party | 12 - 4 pm

Sunday, October 25th

• Zoobilee @ Wildlife Safari | October 23 - 25 | 5 - 8 pm | Link

• We now have 24,806 Facebook group members!! Thank you all so much for being here!
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That is the scoop for this Tuesday morning. Have a great day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team