September 3, 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 | 549 AM PDT Thu Sep 3 2026

A cold front and surface low will bring wetting rain to the region this afternoon and evening. There is also a chance of isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and perhaps on Friday afternoon. This cool, showery pattern will continue through the holiday weekend. Overnight humidity recoveries will be very good this weekend, with below-normal temperatures.

DFPA Protected Lands

US Forest Service - Umpqua National Forest

The Roseburg City Council has selected Anette Spickard to serve as the city’s next city manager.

Councilors voted Wednesday, Sept. 2, to authorize the mayor to execute an employment contract with Spickard. She is scheduled to begin work Nov. 30.

Spickard currently serves as city manager in Sedona, Arizona, where she oversees more than 200 employees and a budget of approximately $100 million. Her work there includes initiatives involving housing, tourism, wildfire resilience, public safety, transit and infrastructure.

She brings more than 20 years of local government experience in Oregon, Idaho and Arizona. Her previous positions include serving as city manager in McCall, Idaho, and holding elected and appointed leadership roles in Springfield and Lane County. Her background also includes work in community development, public works and public finance.

Spickard holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington and is an International City/County Management Association credentialed manager.

“I am honored to serve this community and to support the dedicated employees and partners who help make Roseburg stronger every day,” Spickard said. “I look forward to building on the city’s momentum and working together to maintain Roseburg’s hometown feel while addressing critical issues facing the city.”

Roseburg contracted with GMP Consultants to conduct a nationwide search for its next city manager. The city received 42 applications, and councilors reviewed materials from 13 semifinalists before inviting six candidates to Roseburg for a two-day interview process.

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Hundreds of community-made portraits now fill the windows of one of downtown Roseburg’s most recognizable vacant buildings, completing a public art project that began with a shared idea nearly one year ago.

Organizers of Vacant to Vibrant installed the artwork along the Southeast Jackson Street side of the former Payless Drug Store and Rite Aid building this week. The portraits were created by people of nearly every age during a series of community workshops held in Roseburg and Oakland.

The installation marks the final storefront completed through the project, which was developed by local artists after Thrive Umpqua’s Longest Table event invited participants to share ideas they wanted to see become reality in the community.

Julie Bailey and fellow organizer Rachelle O’Brien separately submitted nearly identical suggestions calling for art to be displayed in vacant storefronts. The two did not know each other and were not sitting together at the event.

“Thrive emailed us and said, ‘Congratulations, you just won a grant to do this project,’” Bailey said. “That’s how it started, almost a year ago.”

What followed was a series of approximately eight workshops in Roseburg and Oakland. Participants used paper, yarn, found objects and other upcycled materials to create individual portraits that, when displayed together, form a larger portrait of the community.

Organizers said the workshops brought together everyone from very young children to adults. Approximately 130 Oakland High School students also participated.

“People were just so happy to be together, making stuff and being creative,” O’Brien said. “It was a really great experience for all of us.”

The project’s first completed installation filled the windows of the former Tolly’s building in downtown Oakland. Organizers said the brightly colored artwork and nighttime lighting gave people something new to see while walking through an area where vacant storefronts are often dark after business hours.

“It just brings warmth to the community, and it’s something to stroll by and look at,” O’Brien said.

The Roseburg installation now brings that same idea to the large windows facing Southeast Jackson Street. The building was originally a Payless Drug Store before later becoming a Rite Aid. It has remained vacant since Rite Aid moved to another downtown location in 2005.

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians purchased the building and the neighboring former Safeway property in 2024. The Tribe allowed Vacant to Vibrant to use the windows while rehabilitation work continues and the property awaits its next chapter.

The portraits are expected to remain in place for as long as work on the building allows. Bailey said they will eventually need to be removed when the windows are replaced, but the Tribe has agreed to leave the display up as long as possible.

Members of the public are invited to see the completed installation during Thrive Umpqua’s Longest Table event on Sept. 13. Organizers plan to illuminate the portraits that evening and invite residents to pitch ideas for the next community project.

Until redevelopment work moves forward, the artwork gives the long-empty Jackson Street windows a temporary new purpose and offers a visible reminder of the hundreds of people who helped create it.

Firefighters responded to three small lightning-caused fires near Tiller after several strikes were reported in the area Tuesday evening.

Crews began lightning reconnaissance and response efforts at approximately 9:47 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, according to the Douglas Forest Protective Association.

Two fires were located near Tiller Trail Highway and secured overnight. A third fire was discovered Wednesday morning.

1610 Fire

Crews found one lightning-struck tree with fire spreading into approximately 0.01 acre of nearby vegetation.

DFPA crews established a fireline around the incident overnight. Command was transferred Wednesday morning to the Umpqua National Forest’s Tiller Ranger District.

Joe Hall Fire

Firefighters located two lightning-struck trees and approximately 0.01 acre of fire spread in the surrounding vegetation.

Crews established a fireline and completed mop-up operations before transferring the incident to the Tiller Ranger District Wednesday morning.

Elk Creek Fire

DFPA and Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management crews discovered the Elk Creek Fire Wednesday morning.

The fire began at a lightning-struck tree and spread into approximately 0.1 acre of nearby vegetation. Crews launched an aggressive initial attack, stopped the forward spread and had completed a fireline around 50 percent of the incident at the time of DFPA’s update.

Firefighters will continue working until mop-up is complete.

Agencies participating in the response included:

• Douglas Forest Protective Association
• Tiller Rural Fire Protection District
• Days Creek Volunteer Fire Department
• Milo Rural Volunteer Fire Department
• Canyonville-South Umpqua Fire District
• Riddle Fire Protection District
• Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management
• Umpqua National Forest’s Tiller Ranger District

No homes or other structures were threatened by the fires.

DFPA said lightning can cause holdover fires that may remain undetected before becoming visible hours or days after a storm. Lightning reconnaissance will continue in the Tiller area for several more days.

Anyone who sees smoke or signs of a wildfire in an area recently affected by lightning should report it promptly.

DFPA noted that the 1610 and Joe Hall fires may receive different names or identifiers under the Forest Service’s incident-naming system. The names reflect DFPA’s records at the time of the initial response.

Fire restrictions have been reduced across lands protected by the Douglas Forest Protective Association following cooler temperatures and widespread precipitation.

Public use restrictions dropped to low at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, for private, county, state and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands within the Douglas District.

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level also decreased to Level 2 within the Douglas Forest Protection District, including regulated use areas DG-1, DG-2, UA-1 and UA-2. The industrial restrictions also apply to forestland within one-eighth mile of those areas, including land managed by the Roseburg District Bureau of Land Management.

DFPA said the reductions reflect improved fuel moisture conditions. Fire season remains in effect, however, and activities capable of starting a wildfire must still be conducted carefully.

Low Public Use Restrictions

Under the lower restrictions, the following non-industrial activities are allowed throughout the day:

• Operating power saws
• Cutting, grinding or welding metal
• Cutting, trimming or mowing dried or cured grass
• Using power-driven machinery for non-industrial property improvements or development

Motor vehicles, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles may be operated off-road with the landowner’s permission, but only on improved roads that are free of flammable vegetation. An exception applies to vehicles used for cultivating or harvesting agricultural crops.

Each passenger vehicle traveling on forestland must carry an axe, a shovel and either one gallon of water or an ABC fire extinguisher weighing at least 2½ pounds. The equipment requirement does not apply on state highways, county roads or driveways.

ATVs must carry an ABC fire extinguisher weighing at least 2½ pounds.

Industrial Restrictions

Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2, several activities are limited to between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. the following day:

• Power saw use, except at loading sites
• Feller-bunchers using rotary head saws
• Cable yarding
• Blasting
• Welding, cutting or grinding metal

Fire Season Continues

DFPA reminded residents and visitors that the Labor Day weekend does not mark the end of fire season. Vehicles and trailers should be checked for anything that could create sparks, and trailer chains should be secured before traveling.

Drivers should avoid parking on dry grass or brush. Campfires are only permitted in designated locations and must be fully extinguished before being left unattended. Barbecues and grills should be kept away from dry vegetation and monitored while in use.

Current restriction information is available at www.dfpa.net or by calling DFPA at 541-672-6507.

DFPA administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

Construction on the Interstate 5 Winchester bridges north of Roseburg is scheduled to resume this month, bringing weeknight lane closures and width restrictions to southbound traffic.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, southbound lane closures are expected from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings. Drivers traveling through the area at night should watch for workers, concrete barriers and other traffic control equipment.

The project involves the northbound and southbound I-5 bridges over the North Umpqua River near milepost 128.92. The bridges are located just south of the Del Rio Road and Umpqua Community College interchange at Exit 129. They also cross railroad tracks and Amacher Park.

ODOT said the work will address extensive damage to both bridges, including chloride contamination of the decks and travel lanes, cracking, delamination and areas with exposed reinforcing steel.

The project includes placing a structural overlay on the bridge decks, reconstructing expansion joints, upgrading bridge rails and installing protective screening along the interior railings.

Construction will take place on one bridge at a time. Concrete barriers will remain between the travel lanes while work is underway. Both lanes are expected to remain open during the day, while traffic on the bridge will be reduced to one lane at night.

Southbound traffic will be restricted to a maximum width of 14 feet, 10 inches during the day and 10 feet at night for approximately six weeks.

When construction moves to the northbound bridge, traffic will be limited to a width of 14 feet during the day and 9 feet, 8 inches at night for another six weeks.

A nighttime detour will be available for wider loads. Trucks can travel between I-5 exits 129 and 125 using Del Rio Road and Garden Valley Road or Garden Valley Boulevard. The route can accommodate northbound and southbound traffic.

The southbound on-ramp at Exit 129 is expected to close to all traffic at night for approximately three weeks. The ramp will also be restricted to trucks wider than 14 feet during the day and trucks wider than 10 feet at night for another three weeks.

Construction began in May. Carter & Company of Salem received the construction contract with a bid of approximately $5.18 million. ODOT lists the project’s estimated total cost at approximately $7.72 million.

All work is currently scheduled for completion by Sept. 30.

As students across Oregon return to the classroom, drivers are being reminded to prepare for increased pedestrian, bicycle and school bus traffic around schools and residential neighborhoods.

The Oregon Department of Transportation says Oregon’s school-zone speed limit is generally 20 mph, although drivers must check posted signs to determine when the reduced limit applies.

Depending on the location, the 20 mph limit may be in effect when warning lights are flashing, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on school days or whenever children are present.

ODOT defines children as present when they are waiting at a crosswalk, occupying or walking within a crosswalk, or when a traffic patrol member is assisting children at the crossing. Drivers must stop and yield when children enter a crosswalk or when directed by a school crossing guard. They should remain stopped until the children have cleared the crossing.

Drivers should also be prepared to stop for school buses. Under Oregon law, motorists approaching a school bus from either direction must stop when its red safety lights are flashing. Vehicles must remain stopped until the lights are turned off.

The exception applies to drivers traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway separated by an unpaved median or physical barrier. A painted median or center turn lane does not create that exception.

ODOT encourages drivers to eliminate distractions and watch carefully for children walking, bicycling, using scooters or riding skateboards. Children may be traveling an unfamiliar route or may not accurately judge a vehicle’s speed or distance.

Families can also help by practicing the route to school with children, identifying safe crossing locations and reviewing basic walking and bicycling rules.

Oregon’s Safe Routes to School program works with communities to improve access around schools through projects such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, crossings and flashing warning beacons. The program also provides safety education and other resources for students, families and schools.

More information about Oregon school zones and the state’s Safe Routes to School program is available through ODOT.

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The YMCA of Douglas County is beginning its fall lineup with programs focused on fitness, recreation, education and workforce preparation for children and teenagers.

Youth Soccer is available for children ages 3 through second grade, with registration open through Sept. 13. The YMCA is also offering monthly Homeschool P.E. sessions for ages 5 to 17 and Youth Strength & Conditioning through individual or small-group training for ages 7 to 16.

The programs are open to YMCA members and non-members.

Teenagers looking for a place to spend time after school can enroll in the YMCA’s Youth Membership program. Available to youth ages 13 to 18, the membership costs $35 per month with no joining fee and includes access to the facility, Youth Space, swimming pools, fitness equipment and classes.

The YMCA is also bringing back its Teen Workforce Development program beginning Oct. 7. Designed for ages 14 to 18, the program helps participants create resumes, practice interviewing, connect with local employers and prepare to enter the workforce.

Families can participate in Family STEAM Saturday on Oct. 3. The event, offered in partnership with the Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub, will feature hands-on activities involving science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Additional training opportunities are available for older teenagers interested in developing employment and leadership skills. Lifeguard certification is open to participants beginning at age 15, while Swim Instructor training is available beginning at age 16. Registration is currently open for both courses.

Program schedules, registration costs and additional information are available at ymcaofdouglascounty.org.

Limited Time Events

• Wellness Walk | Every Saturday Through September | 9am at the Thrive Umpqua office in Roseburg (556 SE Jackson)
• Seven Feathers’ Wine Trolley Tour | June 6 - September 27 | Link
• 2026 Umpqua Plein Air Exhibit: an exhibit celebrating the Umpqua Valley @​ Umpqua Valley Arts | August 22 - October 23 | 10 am - 6 pm | Link
• Murder on the Orient Express | UACT Theatre | September 3 - 20 | Link

Monday, August 31st

• 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, September 1st

• 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, September 2nd

• 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+. $1 for non-members.
• 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+
• Group Meet - Knitting of Any Kind | Studio Arts Connection (1350 NE Stephens, Roseburg) | 1 - 3:30 pm | Knitting, crochet, hand quilting felting spinning, etc
• Canyonville Farmer's Market | Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm at Seven Feathers Casino Parking Lot | May - October

Thursday, September 3rd

• 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
• Stand-Up Comedy w/ Nathan Hart, Chadhurst Sharpe, Nathaniel Greene @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 10 pm | Link
• Umpqua Kennel Club Dog Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | September 3 - September 6th | 7 am - 3 pm | Link
• Umpqua Valley Fly Fishers Meetup @ The Roseburg Country Club | 5:30 - 8 PM | There will be socializing, speakers, raffle prizes, and fun!

Friday, September 4th

• 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
• Group Meet - Open Painting Watercolor and Small Acrylic | Studio Arts Connection (1350 NE Stephens, Roseburg) | 1 - 3:30 PM
• Umpqua Kennel Club Dog Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | September 3 - September 6th | 7 am - 3 pm | Link
• Live Music: Drive to Space @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 10 pm | Link

Saturday, September 5th

• 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+
• Umpqua Kennel Club Dog Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | September 3 - September 6th | 7 am - 3 pm | Link
• Live Music: Wild Hare (FKA Billy & The Box Kid), Blue Jay Blue @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 10 pm | Link
• End of Summer Celebration @ Diamond Lake Resort | September 5 & 6th | Link
• Fort Umpqua Days | Elkton Community Education Center | September 5 & 6th | Link
• Coffee with Christie (Winston Mayor) | 10 am - 12 pm | Winston City Hall | Look for the "Coffee with Christie" Flag

Sunday, September 6th

• Umpqua Kennel Club Dog Show @ Douglas County Fairgrounds | September 3 - September 6th | 7 am - 3 pm | Link
• Open-Mic Night @ The Rosebud Theatre | 5 - 8 pm | Link
• End of Summer Celebration @ Diamond Lake Resort | September 5 & 6th | Link
• Fort Umpqua Days | Elkton Community Education Center | September 5 & 6th | Link

• We now have 23,798 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 cam is now live! WATCH IT HERE!

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.
• Safety first: Never post while driving

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

- The Roseburg Receiver Team