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

Today's Current Conditions

As of 6:30AM in Roseburg, Oregon

• Current Temp: 38°F
• Humidity: 98%
• Wind: 0 MPH
• Current Conditions: Fog
• Air Quality Index: 43
• Today's Forecast: High 53 | Low 38
• Yesterday's Rain Levels (January 8th): 0.00 Inches
• January's Monthly Rainfall: 1.45 inches

Roseburg Area Morning News

DOUGLAS COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS AMONG THOSE HEADING TO CALIFORNIA

KQEN News Radio

Douglas County firefighters are among those the Oregon State Fire Marshal is sending to southern California to assist with the destructive fires in that region.

The teams will join 12 strike teams that were sent Wednesday morning.

OSFM Public Affairs Director Kassie Keller told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that the agencies sending help are Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Roseburg Fire Department, North Douglas County Fire & EMS, Sutherlin Fire Department and Riddle Fire Protection District.
Strike teams from Benton and Polk counties are also headed south.

In total OSFM has sent 15 strike teams, 300 firefighters and 75 engines to the Los Angeles area.

DENSE FOG ADVISORY THROUGH 10:00 AM THURSDAY

KQEN News Radio

A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect through 10:00 a.m. Thursday for parts of southern Oregon.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service said visibility of one quarter mile or less in dense fog is expected.

The Advisory area includes central Douglas County and Josephine and Jackson counties.

Forecasters said low visibility could make driving conductions hazardous. Motorists should slow down and leave plenty of distance between their vehicle and the one ahead of them.

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY THROUGH 12:00 P.M. FRIDAY FOR SOUTHERN OREGON

KQEN News Radio

An Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect through 12:00 p.m. Friday for much of southern Oregon.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service said poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants.

The Advisory area includes central Douglas County, Josephine and Jackson counties and eastern Curry County. It applies to the cities of Roseburg, Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Medford and surrounding areas.

People with respiratory illness should follow their physician’s advice for dealing with high levels of air pollution during periods of stagnant air.

SENATORS ANNOUNCE OVER $6 MILLION FOR EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE HIGHWAY 99

KQEN News Radio

On Wednesday, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding just over $6 million to Douglas County for the planning and design of critical transportation, safety and accessibility improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99.

A joint release said securing these federal investments through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program is a key step towards modernizing the stretch of Old Pacific Highway 99 with upgraded roads, railroad crossings, signage and transit systems in rural communities.

Merkley said, “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over $6 million in RAISE grants will be leveraged to map out ways to modernize Old Pacific Highway 99 into a more accessible, efficient and safe route for Oregonians in Douglas County and beyond”.
Wyden said, “Douglas County residents and all motorists driving Old Pacific Highway 99 deserve the safest and smoothest travel along this route”.

The release said the USDOT’s RAISE grant program helps municipalities. Tribal governments, counties, and others to plan and construct critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility, and community connectivity while boosting economic competitiveness.

Douglas County’s two RAISE grants are:

• Over $3.5 million for the Tri-City Myrtle Creek Connection and Mobility Enhancement Project to plan and design improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99 between Riverside Drive and Gael Lane.
• Nearly $2.5 for the Sutherlin Old Highway 99 Modernization and Mobility Enhancement Project to plan and design multi-modal improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99.

Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress said, “We are incredibly grateful to receive these two RAISE grants, which will allow us to plan for critical improvements to Old Pacific Highway 99, enhancing safety, accessibility, and sustainability for our communities”. Kress said, “We look forward to the next steps in planning and designing these improvements that will have a lasting positive impact on both our county’s transportation network and its future growth”.

2025 DOUGLAS COUNTY OFFICIALS SWORN INTO OFFICE

KQEN News Radio

On Monday, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners hosted a swearing in ceremony at the courthouse for officials who were elected in the May 2024 Primary and November 2024 General Election.

A county release said the newly elected officials who took the oath of office were Sheriff John Hanlin, Clerk Daniel Loomis, Justice of the Peace-Canyonville Machelle Briggs-Mayfield, Justice of the Peace-Reedsport Kathleen Miller and District Attorney Rick Wesenberg.

Board Chair Chris Boice called the meeting to order and turned it over to Clerk Daniel Loomis who led the individual oath of office proceedings. Loomis said, “Public office carries with it a unique set of responsibilities and loyalties. We are accountable to our voters, our staff, the community stakeholders we serve, and the promises we make. Yet, there is a deeper, more enduring loyalty that binds us – our Oath of Office”. Loomis said, “It is with this Oath that we declare our commitment to public service. It is with this Oath that we lay the foundation for the work ahead. So my fellow public officials, let us recommit ourselves today, not just in words, but in the deepest meaning of the oath we take”. Our greatest loyalty is not to any one individual or institution, but to the principles that have stood the test of time”.

Clerk Daniel Loomis was sworn in by Commissioner Tom Kress. Loomis swore in the other officials.

Following the ceremonies, the commissioners each provided statements on the proceedings before Commissioner Boice adjourned the meeting.

CITY OFFICIALS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

KQEN News Radio

The Roseburg City Council will feature two new faces when the council reconvenes on Monday night to hear Mayor Larry Rich present the State of the City address at the first council meeting of the year.

A city release said on Thursday, City Recorder Amy Nytes administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Rich, who was re-elected in November, newly elected councilors Katie Williams and Zack Weiss; and re-elected councilors Andrea Zielinski and Tom Michalek.

All four open ward seats faced competition in the November 5th General Election. Williams was elected to Ward 1 while Weiss was elected to Ward 4. Both are downtown business owners. Their four-year terms will end December 31st, 2028.

Roseburg City Council meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. For more information check out the Roseburg City Council webpage: https://www.cityofroseburg.org/your-government/mayor-council.

ROSEBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST VIRTUAL AUTHOR EVENT

KQEN News Radio

Roseburg Public Library will host a virtual author event next week.

Bestselling author Eileen Garvin will be featured at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16th. Garvin will discuss her second novel, “Crow Talk”, which is set primarily in Hood River, Oregon and in the foothills of Washington State’s Mount Adams. This program was rescheduled from its original date in September 2024.

Garvin will visit virtually via Zoom. Attendees are invited to participate in person at the library on Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard of via the library’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/roseburg/library. A Facebook account is not required.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact library staff at 492-7050 or: library@roseburgor.gov.

LOCAL UNITED WAY TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER FUNDING

KQEN News Radio

Greater Douglas United Way has been chosen to receive $43,859 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Douglas County.

A GDUW release said the selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Management Agency and consists of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, the Jewish Federations of North Americas, the Salvation Army and United way worldwide.

GDUW Executive Director Bryan Trenkle said the local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas. The local board, made up of GDUW staff, local service providers and volunteers will determine how the funds awarded to local United Way are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in Douglas County.

Under the terms of the grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

• Be private voluntary non-profits or units of government
• Be eligible to receive federal funds
• Have an accounting system
• Practice non-discrimination
• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs and

If they are a private voluntary agency, have a voluntary board

Agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds should contact Greater Douglas United Way for an application. Applications are due back by Thursday, January 30th at 4:00 p.m.

Roseburg Area Upcoming Events

Limited Time Events

• Quilts & Christmas Exhibit @ Douglas County Museum | December 3rd - February 28th @ 10AM - 5PM | Link
• Sarah Nguyen: “Waiting for the Sun” @ Whipple Fine Arts Center | January 6th - February 5th | 10AM - 5PM | Link

Monday, January 6th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7PM
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 PM
• Dylan James LIVE at The Offyce Sports Bar & Grill in Sutherlin | 6 - 8 PM

Tuesday, January 7th

• Bingo @ Roseburg Elks Lodge #326 | 6:30 PM
• DJ Trivia @ Urban NY Pizza & Grill | 7 PM
• Glide and Idleyld Winter Market | (Every Tuesday) @ 10AM - 1PM | Glide Community Center Annex
• Open Mic Night @ Kodiak Bar & Grill | Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8PM
• Free Line Dancing Lessons - Elements Lounge @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | Every week on Tuesday | 7 - 9PM | Link
• Open Mic Night @ Kodiak Bar & Grill | Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8PM
• Love Craft Collective Presents: When The Broken Burn & Within Caskets | The Hive @ 753 SE Main St in Roseburg | 7 - 10PM | Link

Wednesday, January 8th

• DJ Trivia @ Backside Brewing Co. | 6 - 7:30 PM
• Karaoke/Open Mic Night @ Idle Hour Tavern | 9 - 12:30 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 6:30PM. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Karaoke Night at Winston VFW | 5 - 9 PM | Link
• UUUC presents Positive! Open Mic in Roseburg - (Second Wed. of Each Month) | 6:30 - 8PM | Link
• Love Craft Collective Presents: Brace Yourself | The Hive @ 753 SE Main St in Roseburg | 7 - 10 PM | Link

Thursday, January 9th

• DJ Trivia @ North Forty Beer Company | 7 - 8:30 PM
• Kick Up the Dust - Line Dancing Lessons @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 - 8 PM
• DJ Bingo @ Brix Bar & Grill | 7 - 9PM
• Steve Drizos / James & the Lost Dogs @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 11PM | Link
• Karaoke Night at Winston VFW | 5 - 9PM | Link
• Oran Mor Artisan Mead monthly open mic night (2nd Thursday of every month) | 5:30 - 9PM | Link
• Draper Jam Night @ Draper Brewing | 8 - 11:30PM | Link
• Umpqua Valley Fly Fisher's Meeting | Roseburg Country Club | There will be socializing, guest speakers, raffle prizes and fun! | 5:30 PM

Friday, January 10th

• Friday Pizzas! @ Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards | 12 - 4PM
• Karaoke Night @ Winchester Pub & Grill | 8 - 11 PM
• 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.
• Jason Dea West & The Siskiyou Crest w/Darien Lane @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 11 PM | Link

Saturday, January 11th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9AM - 1PM | Link
• Drain Farmers Market | 308 N 1st St in Drain @ 10AM - 2PM
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10PM
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8PM | Link
• Alcyon Massive feat. Matty Narmis @ The Rosebud Theatre | 7 - 11 PM | Link
• Am King” - A Tribute to Michael Jackson @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7 - 9 PM | Link
• High School Cross Country Skiing @ Diamond Lake Resort | Link
• Modern Traditions Wedding Expo @ The Douglas County Fairgrounds | Link

Sunday, January 12th

• Garden Valley Farmers Market | 11AM - 3PM
• Full Moon Magic Sound Bath at The Vortex Center | 4:30 - 6PM | Link

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

The Roseburg Receiver Updates

• We are now at 11,800 members!!! Thank you all so much for being here!
• We launched our new website, roseburgscanner.com! It is up and running, but still undergoing household cleanup.
  • The online direct video stream can now be located at https://live.roseburgscanner.com
  • The news feed from various online sources can now be found at https://news.roseburgscanner.com
  • The direct feeds can now be found at https://listen.roseburgscanner.com (please go here to learn how to listen)
• Businesses are now able to sign up to sponsor us! Get your logo seen on our website! Contact us for more details!

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 Thursday morning. Have a great day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team