January 28, 2026

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

• Current Temp: 38° F
• Humidity: 96%
• Wind: 3 MPH SW
• Current Conditions: Cloudy
• Air Quality Index: 83-87
• Today's Forecast: High 48 | Low 38 | Cloudy
• Sunrise: 7:33 AM | Sunset: 5:21 PM

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory through 12:00 p.m. Wednesday for southern Klamath County and Lake County.

An Air Quality Alert from DEQ said this is due to stagnant air conditions trapping smoke and other pollutants near the ground where people breathe.

The Advisory area includes Crater Lake National Park, Klamath Falls, Lakeview, and surrounding locations.

People at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and those who are pregnant. These people should stay indoors while the smoke levels are high.

Check current air quality conditions and advisories at: https://aqi.oregon.gov

The Roseburg City Council will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday afternoon at 5:15 p.m. to elect a council president for this year.

At Monday night’s regular meeting the council was unable to entertain a motion to make a selection as one councilor was absent. Mayor Larry Rich said the council previously decided to pick a council president only with 100 percent attendance of the council. Councilor Jason Tate was not at Monday’s meeting.

Thursday’s meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page and can be viewed later at: www.cityofroseburg.org. There are no other items on the agenda.

Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 percent in December, compared to the revised November rate.

A State of Oregon Employment Department release said over the year, Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is up from 5.4 percent in December 2024. The Oregon rate was 5.2 percent while the U.S. rate was 4.4 percent.

Regional Economist Brian Rooney said Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted payroll employment decreased by 70 jobs in December after a gain of 30 in November and a loss of 200 in October.

Rooney said in the not seasonally adjusted private-sector industries in December, there were gains of 40 in private education and health services and 30 in retail trade. There were losses of 30 in professional and business services and 20 in construction.

OED said government decreased by 150 in the month of December from losses of 160 in local education and of 10 in federal government that were countered by a gain of 20 in local government.

Rooney said when comparing December 2025 with December 2024, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 40 jobs or 0.1 percent. There were relatively large private-sector over-the-year gains of 190 in private education and health services, and of 100 in professional and business services. There were relatively large losses of 150 in manufacturing and of 140 in retail trade.

The release said government rose by 30 jobs over the year in December due to gains of 20 in Indian tribal, and of 20 in local government that were countered by a loss of 10 in federal government.

Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice, along with Sheriff John Hanlin and Undersheriff Brad O’Dell recently recognized several DCSO employees for recent state and local awards at a Board of Commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Tm Freeman said, “As the liaison commissioner for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, it is my honor to recognize three county employees and a Search & Rescue volunteer who recently received commendations for their service. Three received 2025 Oregon State Sheriff Association’s Command Council Awards and one that received a special award from Sheriff John Hanlin”.

The awards include:

• In the Civil Service Category, DCSO Civil Clerk Deanna Stone received the Civil Support Staff of the Year Award.
• In the Enforcement Category, DCSO Lieutenant Kelley Bean received the Enforcement Commander of the Year Award.
• In the Search & Rescue Category, Douglas County Search & Rescue volunteer Lonnie Williams received the SAR Volunteer of the Year for Region 4.

In addition, Sheriff John Hanlin presented Patrol Deputy Jake Littrell with a DCSO Lifesaving Award for his heroic actions during a water rescue in November of 2025 at Tahkenitch Lake.

Details about the individuals and more about their awards are posted in a full release at: https://www.douglascountyor.gov/623/Press-Room

The City of Riddle is celebrating its 133rd birthday this Friday, January 30th.

Following an annual tradition, the community will have a free stew feed. Historically the Riddle concert band would go deer hunting to provide the venison for the barbecue and stew feed. The event has been happening since 1912.

The Riddle Family Stew Feed will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Main Street. Venison, beef and vegetarian options are available. The meal can be taken home or eaten at the church. Live music will be featured. Donations will be accepted.

Other events on Friday include:

• Memorabilia at Riddle City Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Paper exhibits by Riddle students will be on display around town
• Early day photographs will be at the Riddle Post Office and Riddle Liquor Store & More.
• The Riddle Farmer and Maker’s Market will be held on Main Street from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wagon rides will be available at Downtown Park on Main Street from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The events are presented by Riddle Inspiring Serving Everyone, or R.I.S.E., in conjunction with First Baptist Church of Riddle, Douglas County Mail, Riddle Downtown Development, the Riddle Area Chamber of Commerce, and a number of other organizations.

The Umpqua Valley Audubon Society and the Roseburg Public Library invite the public to “A Bird’s Rainbow”, presented by scientist, birder and teacher Bob Lewis.

The event will be on Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the library on Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard.

A city release said many birds are brightly colored. Others use patterned feathers for camouflage. Often bird watchers wonder how the colors originate, what the difference is between colors from pigments and physical colors and what colors indicate in birds. Lewis will unravel some of the mysteries of color in birds with a little chemistry, a little bit of physics, and a lot of brightly colored slides.

Lewis trained as a chemist and worked in the energy field for 33 years. He has taught birding classes in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 25 years and served as the chair of the Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s Adult Education Committee. He has received numerous awards due to his knowledge.

Lewis loves to travel and photograph birds and has chased birds in more than 60 countries. His life list contains more than 5,500 species.

For more information about the event, contact staff at the Roseburg Public Library at 492-7050 or email: library@roseburgor.gov

For the Love of Paws, Umpqua Woofstock, and the Myrtle Creek Elks Lodge will have a spring discount pet vaccine clinic.

It will take place on Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on Main Street in Myrtle Creek.

All vaccines are just $15 each. Microchips are $25 each. Rabies vaccines will be available for both dogs and cats. Vaccines for DAPP, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella will be available for dogs. Cats can also get an FVRCP vaccine.

For safety purposes all dogs must be on leach and cats must be kept in carriers.

For more information about the event, call For the Love of Paws at 677-6070.

Several longtime features of Douglas County parks are getting a new lease on life thanks to a collaborative effort between county officials, local businesses, and community members.

Douglas County recently completed restoration work on three historic playground displays that have been part of local family memories for generations. The project included “Willie” the whale water feature at River Forks County Park, along with helicopter play structures at both River Forks County Park and Charles V. Stanton County Park.

The restored displays are more than playground equipment. For many residents, they represent childhood memories and shared experiences that span decades. County officials say the emotional connection became clear when one of the structures was temporarily removed during construction and questions from the public followed almost immediately.

According to Douglas County Parks Director Mark Wall, the response highlighted how deeply rooted these features are in the community. Many adults who once played on them now return to the parks with their own children, creating a sense of continuity that few park amenities can offer.

The structures required significant restoration to ensure they meet current safety standards while remaining true to their original appearance. Local business Eveland Sandblasting and Paint stepped in to assist with the project, recognizing the importance of preserving the displays rather than replacing them outright.

Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice said the partnership reflects the strength of local involvement and pride in shared spaces. He noted that having a local company come forward to help preserve these assets speaks to what makes the county a special place to live and raise families.

The return of “Willie” the whale was especially meaningful. Installed in 1969, the whale display and its companion feature have long been among the most recognizable elements of River Forks County Park. Their restoration reinforces the value of maintaining amenities that hold personal and historical significance for residents across generations.

The project has also sparked new ideas for future community involvement. Following completion of the whale restoration, the son of the Eveland Sandblasting and Paint contractor, an Eagle Scout, expressed interest in working with his troop to create a replica whale feature for Windy Cove County Park on the coast. The Douglas County Parks Department expects to begin discussions with the scouts later this winter.

Wall said the strong public response to the restorations serves as a reminder of why preserving these icons matters. The displays, he said, are tied to decades of memories and shared experiences that continue to bring people back to the parks.

Douglas County Parks Department, established in 1949, was the first county park system developed in Oregon. Today, it manages 68 properties across the county, including campgrounds, day use parks, and boat ramps spanning landscapes from the coast to the Cascades.

Limited Time Events

• In Studio Classes @ Create & Sip Studio | January 8 - May 17th | Every Week on Wed - Sun
• "Shifting Landscapes" + Add'l Exhibits @ Umpqua Valley Arts | January 9 - March 6 | Every week Tuesday - Friday | 10 AM - 6 PM | Link
• Sweeney Todd @ Umpqua Actors Community Theatre (UACT) | Jan 30 - 31, Feb 1, 5-8, 12-15 | 7 PM | Link
• “The Power of Place,” Photography Exhibit @ Roseburg Public Library | Jan 15 - Feb 19 | Tuesday - Saturday

Monday, January 26th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7PM
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM

Tuesday, January 27th

• 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
• All Ages Jazz Jam @ North Forty Beer Company | 5 - 7:30 PM | Link

Wednesday, January 28th

• 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 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.
• Live Music: Bob Hall @ Two Shy Brewing | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• Stand-Up Comedy w/ Seth Milstein, Angie Bloomfield, Nathaniel Greene @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 9 PM | Link
• Biz Bash | Bergin College of Canine Studies, Canyonville | 5 - 7 PM | Link

Thursday, January 29th

• 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
• Trivia Night @ Trella | 6:30 PM | Link
• Live Music: The Gold Souls @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 10 PM | Link

Friday, January 30th

• 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
• 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
• Fifth Friday - Downtown Roseburg | Link
• Live Music: Cover Culture @ North Forty Beer Company | 6 - 8 PM | Link
• Roseburg Author Signing & Wine Tasting @ Yours Truly Bookshop | 5 - 8 PM | Link
• Sip & Shop Downtown 5th Friday @ The Wine Destination | 4 - 7 PM | Link
• Supper Club Dinner @ Melrose Vineyards | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Link
• Live Music: Moon Music @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 -11 PM | Link

Saturday, January 31st

• 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)
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10PM
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 PM
• Winter Soup Supper In the Aisle @ The Chapel | 6 PM | Link
• Live Music: Savvy Katz @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 - 9:30 PM | Link
• Live Music: Rockwork Orange @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 9 PM - 12 AM | Link
• Live Music: Acoustic Blend @ Two Shy Brewing | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | Link
• Kindness and Crafting | Through engaging stories and hands-on activities, children will learn about different family types and the importance of empathy, acceptance, love, and respect for all people. | 11 AM - 1 PM | Link

Sunday, February 1st

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 PM
• Live Music: Hop Stone @ Melrose Vineyards | 3 - 5 PM | Link

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That is the scoop for this Wednesday morning. Enjoy your day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team