Central Oregon

Oregon’s senators announced funding Monday for a trio of Central Oregon irrigation projects.  Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced $37.4 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for piping projects in Central Oregon that the two say will boost drought resiliency, conserve almost 5,000 acre-feet of water annually, and create stronger aquatic ecosystems in the Deschutes River Basin.   “Benef... Read

Taft Rice, the 2024-2025 Oregon Sentinel, says many may not appreciate the diversity of agriculture that can be found across Central Oregon.  He added that includes many of those living in Deschutes, Crook or Jefferson counties.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

BLM is asking for the public's help regarding a fence that was vandalized on public lands in Central Oregon west of Redmond.  The fence served to mark the boundary between public and private land along Kingwood Avenue.   BLM said in September, vandals cut all four strands of the fence for almost a mile.  The fence no...

On Friday, the USDA confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock in Central Oregon.  This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Crook County.  According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Crook County backyard flock included approximately 70 birds, and was a mix consisting of several different species of poultry and domestic waterfowl.   USDA, in p...

In this week's Future of Farming, Julie Amos, the Oregon FFA Reporter, talks how the differences between western Oregon Ag, and eastern Oregon Ag extend well beyond the commodities.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

"But the final word over control of water does not have to be surrendered to agencies and judges," noted eastern Oregon’s Cliff Bentz, during a field hearing to address Central Oregon’s Water Supply last week.  "We are here because it's our belief that with your help and insight. We can develop legis...

A national event celebrating conservation partnerships is taking place this week in Central Oregon.  This is the first time the state has hosted Private Lands Partners Day, a three-day national conference that celebrates collaborative conservation work.   “...

Firefighters continue to battle more than a dozen large fires across Oregon, as this extended fire season continues.  And it should come as no surprise, much of that fire activity is primarily east of the Cascades.  Kaitlyn Webb, with the Deschutes National Forest, said vegetation is still very dry.   “We really...

Oregon Department of Forestry officials have lowered the fire danger in the northeast corner of the state from Extreme to High.  While weather conditions have moderated, fire managers say forest fuels remain critically dry and public use restrictions are still in place.  In Cent...

Crook County joins the leaders of seven other counties to formally request the state Legislature discuss moving Oregon’s border.  Last week, County Commissioners sent to Senator Lynn Findley and Representative Vikki Breese Iverson, saying most Crook County voters want lawmakers to talk with Idaho state leaders about relocating the border.  Senator Findl...