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

Today's Current Conditions

As of 6:00AM in Roseburg, Oregon

• Current Temp: 54° F
• Humidity: 83%
• Wind: 8 MPH S
• Current Conditions: Cloudy
• Air Quality Index: 27
• Today's Forecast: High 59 | Low 52 | Light Rain
• Sunrise: 7:33 AM | Sunset: 4:38 PM

River Temperatures

Douglas County Morning News

33rd Annual Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights & Holiday Village

The Roseburg Receiver

The 33rd Annual Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights continues to brighten River Forks Park in Roseburg, drawing families from across the region to one of the longest standing holiday traditions in Southern Oregon. On Sunday, December 7th, The Roseburg Receiver and The Roseburg Plug visited the event to speak with organizers, volunteers, and attendees about the heart and history behind this community celebration.

The festival, operated by the Roseburg Rotary Club, began more than three decades ago with a vision from Rotarian Kerwin Doughton. His idea for a drive through Christmas display has grown into one of the county's most recognizable holiday attractions. A lit display of Doughton still stands along the route, honoring the founder whose imagination first brought the tradition to life.

One of the festival's biggest points of pride is the location of, according to some sources, the world's largest nutcracker. The towering figure stands along the route as one of the event's most iconic displays. Past Rotary president Sue Van Volkenburg explained that it is also one of the most challenging pieces to set up and maintain because it must be stored in large sections and contains moving parts. Current Rotary president Fred Sabins recalled helping repair its head last year so the display could continue to operate.

Fred added that several of the largest displays require full teams to assemble safely, including Old Glory, one of the tallest and heaviest installations at the fairgrounds.

Beyond the lights themselves, the festival serves an important purpose for local students. Each year, the Roseburg Rotary Club donates 10,000 dollars in scholarships for high school seniors. Fred said reading the scholarship applications gives the club a sense of hope in the next generation, and Sue noted that the rest of the festival proceeds go toward new displays, upgrades, and ongoing improvements. The event is both a community tradition and a fundraiser that has supported local students for many years.

The festival relies heavily on volunteers because it operates from the week before Thanksgiving through January 1st. With only about 55 Rotary members, community volunteers are essential to staffing the gates and helping the event run smoothly. During our visit, Fred pointed out a team of volunteers working near the entrances and said that similar support is needed every night.

The Holiday Village, located inside the fairgrounds, has also become a beloved part of the festival. Sue estimated that it has been part of the celebration for about 15 years. It temporarily closed during the pandemic before being restored last year through community support. The Rotary Club now leases the building on a long term basis, ensuring a stable home for the village and a place for Santa to return each season.

Inside the village, families visited Santa, watched a detailed model train display, enjoyed treats, and wrote letters to the North Pole. Santa said his favorite part of the season is the children who visit him and explained that their excitement is what brings him back every year. He said that the reindeer were quiet tonight and that the noise inside the building made their footsteps harder to hear.

The night carried a strong sense of tradition and community. Thirty three years of lights. Thirty three years of families. Thirty three years of people coming together to celebrate the season. Some visit for the magic. Others return for the memories. But everyone leaves a little brighter. It is a shared moment of light during a time of year when many people need it most.

As visitors continue to attend between now and January 1st, the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights stands as a reminder of what community effort, volunteer dedication, and shared tradition can create. Supported by donors, powered by volunteers, and helping fund 10,000 dollars in scholarships each year, the festival remains one of Douglas County's most meaningful holiday experiences.

The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights operates November 23 - January 1st and opens at 5:30 PM nightly. For more information, visit their website by clicking here.

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA HAPPENING ON SATURDAY

KQEN News Radio

There is still time to sign up to help with the John Pierson Memorial Wreaths Across America event this Saturday.

It will take place at 1:00 p.m. starting at the Roseburg National Cemetery location on the Veterans Administration campus off Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard. After wreaths are laid there, participants will move to the original Roseburg National Cemetery location on West Harvard Avenue. This year’s ceremony honors the legacy of United States Air Force Veteran John Pierson, whose passion project ignited a local movement.

There are approximately 7,000 veterans laid to rest at the Roseburg National Cemetery. The goal is to place a live balsam wreath on every one of those 7,000 headstones and to say each hero’s name aloud as participants: Remember their sacrifice, honor their service and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

To sign up to volunteer this Saturday or to sponsor a wreath or two for next year’s event, go to: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/169419

County Commissioner Chris Boice and Shelley Johnson of the local Sea Cadets program talked about the event, on Inside Douglas County Monday on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN. That interview is a KQEN Podcast at www.541radio.com

HOYLE CALLS ON CONGRESS AND VA TO FUND ROSEBURG STATE VETERANS HOME

KQEN News Radio

Last week, U.A. Representative Val Hoyle testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress to fully fund the Roseburg State Veterans Home, and strengthen the State Veterans Construction Grant Program.

Hoyle claims that program has been chronically underfunded and has delayed critical care for rural veterans. Representative Hoyle said, “Veterans in my district have been advocating for this home since 2011. Our veterans have served, sacrificed, and shown the ultimate commitment to our country. In return, it is our responsibility to make sure they are taken care of and can get the health care they need.”

Representative Hoyle said her district is home to more veterans than any other district in the state, many of whom live in rural and remote communities. Hoyle said the lack of a state veterans’ home in Roseburg has forced veterans and families to travel long distances or go without needed long-term care.

The release said under the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, states are required to provide 35 percent of project funding, with the VA responsible for the remaining share. The Oregon State Legislature has repeatedly secured state matching funds, including in 2011 and again in 2024. Despite the state’s preparedness, Hoyle said the Roseburg application has been repeatedly overlooked, causing project costs to rise due to inflation and construction delays. The current state funding is set to expire in 2027, creating added urgency for immediate federal action.

Representative Hoyle believes that Congress has underfunded the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program by nearly $1 billion, limiting the VA’s ability to approve new construction and forcing the agency to prioritize smaller repair and renovation projects instead.

The release said to address these shortfalls, Representative Hoyle submitted an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to increase funding for the program. However, Hoyle claims that House Rules Committee Republicans blocked the amendment from receiving a vote.

Hoyle said, “I call on my colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee to work with the VA to prioritize the State Veterans Hone Construction Grant Program and ensure that aging veterans across the country can live with the dignity they’ve earned and deserve”.

LAW ENFORCEMENT “ELVES” TO GIVE KIDS GIFT OF HOPE

KQEN News Radio

Roseburg Police officers and other law enforcement elves will give foster children the gift of hope with a holiday shopping spree just in time for the gift-giving season.

A city release said that City Councilor Andrea Zielinski is again organizing the annual “Shop with A Cop” to be held at Walmart this Saturday, December 13th. The event is being sponsored by Christmas for Kids of Douglas County, with help from donations from the community, FCC Commercial Furniture, and a special stocking drive by a H.O.P.E. Drug Court participant.

During the event, officers will take 38 underprivileged foster children and youths aged 5 to 18 shopping to buy holiday presents for their families. Kids will also visit Santa, who provides gifts including a stocking full of goodies to each child.

In 2024, Roseburg Police Chief Gary Klopfenstein and Sergeant Daniel Allen were among 35 law enforcement personnel who took 20 foster kids shopping to buy holiday presents for their families. Officers also came from several other agencies including the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Cow Creek Tribal Police, Winston and Myrtle Creek Police departments, and Adult and Juvenile Parole and Probation. They were joined by staff with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Walmart donates wrapping paper, tape, scissors and snacks for the shopping spree, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Generous donations will provide each child with $125 to buy holiday presents under a law enforcement officer’s guidance. H.O.P.E. Drug Court participant Toby Marlow coordinated a community project, the “Hope for Kids Stocking Drive” and gathered enough donations to fill 50 “Shop with a Cop” stockings with toys, art supplies, crayon, Play-Doh, chocolates and other holiday treats. He also raised donations to fill 30 stockings for teens through another program.

Those who wish to donation can email: info@c4kdc.org or call 680-5365. For more information on Christmas for Kids of Douglas County, go to: www.christmasforkidsofdouglascounty.org.

Fatal Crash on Highway 138E Claims Life of Roseburg Man

The Roseburg Receiver

A Roseburg man was killed late Thursday night after a single-vehicle crash along Highway 138E near milepost 12.

According to the Oregon State Police, the crash occurred on December 4 at 11:13 p.m. when an eastbound Chrysler 200, driven by 30-year-old Domonik Randsome Wright, left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle went airborne, landed in a nearby field, rolled, and became fully engulfed in flames.

Wright, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
OSP noted that the highway remained open during the response and on-scene investigation.

The Glide Volunteer Fire Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted Oregon State Police.

DEATH INVESTIGTION CONTINUES, ARREST MADE ON FRIDAY

KQEN News Radio

A death investigation continues, and one arrest has been made.

A release from the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team said in the early morning hours on Thursday, December 4th, deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigated a suspicious death that occurred in the 5000 block of Grange Road in the Green District. Lieutenant Rick McArthur of DINT said 34-year-old Zachary Slaymaker was found deceased in his residence. McArthur said evidence at the scene led deputies to believe that the cause of death was likely a drug overdose, and fentanyl was the suspected culprit.

Detectives with DINT were called in to investigate and were able to largely determine Slaymaker’s whereabouts and activities during the previous 24 hours. Detectives developed evidence leading them to believe that Slaymaker purchased fentanyl from 39-year-old George Perez a short time before his death.

McArthur said as the investigation focused on Perez, detectives developed reason to believe he was in the Roseburg area and was still selling small quantities of fentanyl. At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5th, detectives located Perez in the parking lot of a business in the 3300 block of Northwest Aviation Drive in Roseburg. Detectives contacted Perez and took him into custody without incident. McArthur said detectives located a small amount of suspected fentanyl on Perez and believe he was intending to sell it at the time of his arrest.

Perez was charged with 2 counts each of unlawful possession and delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance. He was detained without bail and was released on Sunday.

McArthur said more arrests and charges are possible in the case.

ROSEBURG POLICE JAIL MAN ON BURGLARY, OTHER CHARGES

KQEN News Radio

Roseburg Police jailed a man on burglary and other charges on Friday afternoon.

An RPD report said at 12:55 p.m. officers responded to a call that 51-year-old Shawn Webb was trespassing inside a vacant residence in the 700 block of Northeast Jackson Street. During the contact, officers discovered that Webb had a warrant for his arrest. The suspect eventually agreed to come outside of the home and was taken into custody without incident.

During a walkthrough of the residence, officers discovered that Webb had allegedly kicked in the front door and destroyed several walls, causing approximately $20,000 in damage. He was charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and for the warrant. Webb was detained on $7,000 bail.

ROSEBURG POLICE CHARGE MAN WITH AGGRAVATED ANIMAL ABUSE

KQEN News Radio

Roseburg Police charged a man with first-degree aggravated animal abuse on Sunday night.

An RPD report said at 11:20 p.m. officers received a call that someone had potentially shot his dog in the 100 block of Rifle Range Road. Officers arrived on the scene and found a four-month-old puppy deceased. The puppy had not been shot but appeared to have died from some other unknown trauma. A 21-year-old man at the home claimed that he had been attacked by puppy, causing him to have to kill the animal.

An investigation revealed the suspect had allegedly been abusing the puppy for a week prior to the incident. Additionally, a while on a video call with a friend, the man was reportedly recorded aggressively slapping and then slammed the puppy’s head on the ground multiple times.

The man was taken into custody and transported to corrections. He was detained without bail.

Douglas County Upcoming Events

Limited Time Events

• Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights 2025 | November 23 - January 1st | 5:30 PM | Link
• Deck the Halls Holiday Decorating Contest | Nov 28 - Dec 15 | Reedsport
• A Holly Dolly Christmas @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | December 5th and 6th | 7 - 8:30 PM | Link
• Holly Jolly Giants @ Wildlife Safari | December 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 21 | 12 - 2 PM | Link
• Wildlights @ Wildlife Safari | December 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 21 | 4 - 7 PM | Link
• UACT - CRAZY Little Christmas | December 4 - 21 (Selected Dates) | Link
• Candy Cane Lane | Oakland City Hall | December 5, 6 12, 13 (Friday and Saturday) | 5 - 7:30 PM | Link
• Holiday Village, Thu-Sun and Christmas Eve | December 5 - 22 | River Forks Park | Link
• Holiday Classes @ Create & Sip Studio | Dec 3 - 21 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) | Link

Monday, December 8th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7PM
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM
• Open Mic Night at Little Brothers Pub, hosted by Benjammin' | 6 - 9 PM | Link

Tuesday, December 9th

• 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
• Live Music: Mark Malefyt @ Two Shy Brewing | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• Vine Katz Duo (Liz Jones & Dave Wilson on bass) | 2 - 4 PM | Link

Wednesday, December 10th

• 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 | Link
• Karaoke Night at Winston VFW | 5 - 9 PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at The Wild Rose Saloon | 7 - 10 PM | Link
• 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.
• T. Bone Stone's Old School Blues Jam @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 PM | Link
• “Bird-Brained: Bird Intelligence and Behaviors” By ornithologist Dan Gleason @ The Roseburg Public Library | 6 PM | Link
• 80's Night at Melrose Vineyards | 5 - 9 PM | Link

Thursday, December 11th

• 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 | Link
• Draper Jam Night | 8 - 11:30 PM | Link
• Thirsty Thursday Cornhole Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | Every week on Thursday | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• Local on Vendor Night @ Cooper Ridge Vineyard | 3 - 6 PM | Link
• Open Mic Night @ Oran Mor | 5:30 PM | Link
• Thursday Jam Night at The Scoreboard Annex, hosted by Steve Amari | 8:30 - 11:30 PM | Link
• Live Music: James and the Lost Dogs, Sellout @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 10 PM

Friday, December 12th

• 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
• TGIF Wine & Pizza @ Abacela | 4 - 7 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.
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 PM
• Roseburg Ghost Tour | 6:30 PM | Link
• Tubing Season Begins (Weather Permitting) @ Diamond Lake Resort
• Glide Light Parade | 7:30 PM | Starts at Old Glide Mill (Glide Industrial)
• Timber Town Christmas Bazaar | 10 AM - 6 PM | December 12 & 13 | Link
• Live Music: The Real Gone Trio, The ‘Lectrics @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 11 PM

Saturday, December 13th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9AM - 1PM | SE Jackson St | Link
• Roseburg Saturday Market - Outside Winter Market | 10AM - 2PM | Harvard Ave - Rife's Home Furniture Parking Lot (Every Saturday until December 20th)
• Drain Farmers Market | 308 N 1st St in Drain @ 10AM - 2PM
• Workman's Community Market | 4550 Old Hwy 99S | 10 AM - 3 PM
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10PM
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at Winston VFW | 5 - 9 PM | Link
• Karaoke Night - Shamrocks Cocktail Bar | 6 - 9 PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 PM
• Holly Jolly Giants @ Wildlife Safari | December 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 21 | 12 - 2 PM | Link
• Live Music: Heritage Singers @ The Chapel | 4 PM | Link
• Wreaths Across America Day | 1 PM | Link
• Heritage Singers LIVE at The Perfect Occasion Chapel | 4 - 7 PM | Link
• Rush Auer LIVE at Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 9 - 11 PM | Link
• Timber Town Christmas Bazaar | 10 AM - 6 PM | December 12 & 13 | Link
• Snow Dance and Penguin Plunge | Diamond Lake Resort | Link
• Myrtle Creek Winter Festival and DR Johnson Memorial Trucker's Parade | 5:30 PM @ DR Johnson Lumber in Riddle
• Winston Christmas Ball @ Winston Community Center | Social Hour at 6PM, Dance at 7 PM | Link
• Glide Christmas Fair | Sat 10 AM - 4 PM, Sun 10 AM - 3 PM, Santa both day 1-2 PM
• Live Music: Skip Jones & the Spirit of New Orleans @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 10 PM
• Live Music: Rovers & Dragons @​ Two Shy Brewing | 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Sunday, December 14th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 PM
• Holly Jolly Giants @ Wildlife Safari | December 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 21 | 12 - 2 PM | Link
• Wildlights @ Wildlife Safari | December 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 21 | 4 - 7 PM | Link
• Santa Sundays @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 1 - 5 PM | Link
• Glide Christmas Fair | Sat 10 AM - 4 PM, Sun 10 AM - 3 PM, Santa both day 1-2 PM
• Drain Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting | Parade at 5 (Ray's Parking Lot). Tree lighting follows | Link

HAVE AN EVENT? TELL US AND WE WILL POST IT FOR FREE!

The Roseburg Receiver Updates

• We now have 17,764 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 advertising@roseburgscanner.com. Your ads will be featured in The Roseburg Scoop emails, videos, website, and much more.
• Project Skywatch - Roseburg's Eyes in the Sky is now seeking funding through donations and sponsors. For information about Project Skywatch, visit https://www.roseburgscanner.com/project-skywatch

The Roseburg Receiver Partners with The Roseburg Plug.

The Roseburg Receiver is excited to share that we’re partnering with The Roseburg Plug to bring an expanded level of real, local coverage to the people of Douglas County.For nearly two years, the Receiver has focused on timely information: scanner traffic, emergencies, outages, weather, community updates, and everything that helps keep people aware and connected.
Now, we’re adding something new: professional, on-the-ground video storytelling, created in partnership with The Roseburg Plug.This collaboration will bring:

• Exclusive field reports filmed directly in our community
• Small-business features with real local impact
• Coverage from the places where things are actually happening
• Stories that add context, depth, and real faces to the moments you see unfolding

The Roseburg Plug will be producing video features specifically for the Receiver, giving our audience a closer look at the people, businesses, and events shaping Douglas County - while we continue to provide the real-time awareness we’re known for. Our mission stays the same.
Our reach, and the way we tell the stories of this community, is about to get even stronger. More to come.

How to Contribute

We welcome all volunteers to share local events and incidents through our Facebook group. Whether you've witnessed something directly or received credible information, your contributions help keep our community informed and aware.

We encourage you to share relevant details and photos when appropriate. However, please note two important guidelines:

1. Maintain privacy by excluding any personal or identifying information
2. Ensure your own safety first - never attempt to post while driving

Your participation strengthens our community network, and your adherence to these guidelines helps keep everyone safe. Thank you for being part of our volunteer reporting team. If you have questions or want to participate as an author for our roseburgscanner.com website, please email community@roseburgscanner.com.

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

- The Roseburg Receiver Team