Crook County

Starting Monday, the Oregon Department of Forestry is adding fire precautions to the Central Oregon District.  The goal is to reduce human caused fires in the hot, dry conditions.  ODF said smoking while traveling will have to be inside of a vehicle and open fires will be prohibited.  That includes cam...

With birds migrating through the Northwest, looking for warmer weather this winter, the region is seeing an increase in the number of bird flu cases impacting backyard flocks or commercial operations.  With that in mind, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking hunters, or anyone enjoying the outdoors this time of year to avoid dead or dying birds.  ODFW’s ...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture continues to monitor a Crook County farm where bird flu led to the euthanization of around 70 ducks and geese as well as five pigs.  State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said they’re testing other animals at the property, but not neighboring farms.   “Becau...

The first case of bird flu found in a pig appears to be here in the Northwest.  State health officials say a pig was infected with bird flu at a Central Oregon farm where the virus was detected in ducks and geese last week.  State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz says f...

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...

Farm operations in Oregon have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires.  To help, the NRCS-Oregon technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these wildfire events.   A total of $2 million of FY24 funds have newly been made available to support producers in wildfire recovery. Producer...

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...

Governor Tina Kotek has issued two more drought declarations in Central Oregon.  The emergency declarations for Deschutes and Grant counties clear the way for state coordination of resources in an area now in its fourth year of drought.  ...

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared drought emergencies for Crook and Jefferson counties in the central portion of the state. That now directs agencies to prioritize assistance to the region. Both counties requested the declaration in January...

Central Oregon’s Crook County remains the only place in the western United States under a D-4, or Exceptional Drought, designation.  And again, county leaders have asked for a state drought declaration.  County Judge Seth Crawford says he’s also talked with the Governor about funding a biomass plant that would use juniper trees to create power, but more studies are needed.   “Then we can go to dif