03-25-26 Commissioners Issue Proclamation For Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day (Photo) - 03/25/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2026

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman were honored to be asked to be a part of the Roseburg VA Health Care System’s Third Annual Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event held today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.  A copy of the complete video presentation of the ceremony can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

The Third Annual Roseburg VA Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event included:

• A reception and luncheon for Vietnam Veterans and their families
• Memorial Veterans Wall, flag, and boot displays
• Welcome by Roseburg VA Health Care System (RVAHCS) Chief CDCE and Master of Ceremonies Traci Palmer
• Opening prayer by Acing Chief RVAHCS Chaplain Patrice Borne
• Presentation of the colors by the Umpqua Valley Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter #805 Honor Guard.
• Opening remarks by RVAHCS Interim Director, Dr. Christina Hansel Cellura.
• Special Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans proclamation presentation by Douglas County Commissioner and Veteran Services Liaison Tim Freeman
• Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) presentation was presented by ODVA Appeals & Special Advocacy Director, Joe Glover
• Palmer invited VVA Chapter 805 President Bill Duncan to the podium to talk about the veteran Honor Flight program.  Southern Oregon Chapter Director for Honor Flights of Oregon, Ken Wilson was in attendance to talk about the program with veterans. 
• A beautiful patriotic musical medley including God Bless America, The Liberty Bell, Shenandoah, an Armed Forces Hymn Medley, Americana Medley and the Navy Hymn was performed by the Navy Band Northwest (NBN).  NBN also proudly played anthems for each of the United States Military branches while Vietnam Veterans were asked to stand during their respective branch anthem - Army: "The Caisson Song" (also known as "The Army Goes Rolling Along"), Marine Corps: "The Marines' Hymn", Navy: "Anchors Aweigh", Air Force: "The U.S. Air Force", Space Force: "Semper Supra", and Coast Guard: "Semper Paratus"  
• The story behind the significance of the challenge coin was shared by retired United States Marine Corps Major, Dr. Shawn Tyson.
• A special coining ceremony was held, during which each attending Vietnam Veteran received a specially designed commemorative coin in honor of their service. Coin presenters included ODVA Joe Glover, RVAHCS Interim Director Christina Hansel Cellura, Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress, Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice, Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin, Douglas County Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, Douglas County Clerk Dan Loomis, and Dr. Shawn Tyson.
• A ceremonial 21-gun salute was presented by the Umpqua Valley Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter #805 Honor Guard was followed by the playing of taps on the cornet performed by the Navy Band Northwest. 
• Palmer then invited Dennis “Ande” Anderson to the podium.  Ande, a Vietnam Veteran volunteered to provide a statement of response about the Welcome Home event from the Vietnam Veteran Community.  

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners proclamation was presented by Board Chair Commissioner Tim Freeman, on behalf of all three commissioners and proclaimed Sunday, March 29, 2026, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Douglas County. They continue to honor with somber reflection the United States of America’s 13-year Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War which concluded in 2025.  The proclamation encouraged all citizens to rightfully honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their bravery, courageous military service, and sacrifice.  During the reading copies of the proclamation certificates were presented to Vietnam Veterans in attendance.    

"The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration is a vow that we as a nation will never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our U.S. Armed Forces. With conviction, we pledge our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans who were denied a proper welcome home upon returning to U.S. soil more than 50 years ago," stated Commissioner Freeman.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event concluded with a door prize drawing and a sincere message from Palmer.  The Commissioners truly and sincerely Thank and Welcome Home our Vietnam Veterans.  The Douglas County Commissioners would like to thank the Roseburg VA for inviting them to be part of this amazing ceremony honoring our Vietnam Veterans. 

To learn more about the United States of America’s 13-year Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War visit https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Photos © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County. 

03-19-26 AOCC Leaders Convene In Cottage Grove As Federal Actions Signal New Era For O&C Timberlands (Photo) - 03/19/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2026

AOCC Leaders Convene in Cottage Grove as Federal Actions Signal New Era for O&C Timberlands

(Douglas County, Ore) – Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, who serves as President of the Association of O&C Counties (AOCC), recently gathered with fellow AOCC board members, comprised of county commissioners representing member counties for the quarterly AOCC meeting at Starfire Lumber in Cottage Grove.  The meeting featured special guest, Kim Prill, Acting State Director for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Oregon/Washington, as well as a tour of the stunning new Starfire Lumber timber-built administration building, along with the log yard, planning facilities, and longtime thriving lumber mill. 

The quarterly meeting and tour come following significant federal actions regarding O&C timberlands.

• In January, U.S. Congress passed the FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill, which corrects revisions made four decades ago and returns O&C counties to their historic share of timber receipts from federally managed O&C timberlands.  This ‘Act of Congress’ is expected to increase annual O&C shared timber receipts revenue to O&C counties by approximately 50 percent. 
• In February, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a “Notice of Intent” to initiate the development of a revised Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP) governing the 2.5 million acres of O&C timberlands (Oregon and California Revested Grant Lands) in western Oregon. 
• In March, the BLM invited Douglas County to be a cooperating agency for the upcoming revision to the Resource Management Plan which governs O&C timberlands.  Douglas County has historically been invited to be a cooperating agency.  In fact, Douglas County was the first county to be granted cooperating agency status by the BLM for the revision process.  Additionally, in its role as a cooperating agency, AOCC will represent its member counties.  The first RMP revision cooperators meeting took place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. 

The discussion of these major federal actions at the quarterly AOCC meeting alongside the attendance of the new Acting State Director for the BLM marks an important milestone for AOCC. It reflects ongoing efforts to increase timber receipts, strengthens collaboration with the BLM, and advances a more balanced and reasonable management plan for the O&C timberlands.

“These three actions are some of the most exciting achievements the Association of O&C Counties has had in many decades.  For the last ten years, working with the Board of Directors of the AOCC and our amazing staff, with these series of actions we have accomplished the opportunity for a solution that will save the western Oregon O&C counties facing insolvency.  At the same time, recovering the local economy, creating family wage jobs, and putting Douglas County and the other O&C Counties back in the position of being the ‘Timber Capital’ of the world!” stated Douglas County Commissioner and AOCC President, Tim Freeman.

For Douglas County, the trifecta of actions - restoring historic timber receipts, the revision to the BLM’s Resource Management Plan and being granted cooperating agency status represents an important step toward strengthening the financial stability of county departments that rely on O&C timber receipts to support critical services for residents such as Public Safety, Veteran Services, Senior Services and Infrastructure.  The additional revenue created by these federal actions could not come at a more critical time for counties as they face continuing strains on their budgets with inflation, rising costs, and the reduction of other revenue streams.  These actions will help all of the 18 O&C counties to maintain the critical services they provide day in and day out for their residents.

The term “O&C” originates from federal land grants made between 1866 and 1870 to the Oregon and California Railroad Company to support construction of a rail line from Portland to the Ashland, Oregon. After the railroad failed to meet the terms of the grant, the checkerboard-patterned lands were later revested to the federal government and became known as the O&C timberlands.  Members of AOCC advocate for sustained yield management of O&C timberlands, as required by federal law under the 1937 O&C Act,, to protect and support jobs, local economies, county services, and healthy timberlands.  The 1937 O&C Act is widely regarded as the first Congressional Conservation Act and was enacted to solely regulate the management of the Federal timber resources in western Oregon.

AOCC, now more than a century old, represents the unique O&C timberlands in 18 western Oregon counties that host the O&C timberlands managed by BLM. The AOCC advocates for sustained yield management of O&C timberlands, as required by federal law under the 1937 O&C Act, to protect and support jobs and local economies, county services, and healthy timberlands.  The 1937 O&C Act is widely regarded as the first Congressional Conservation Act.  It was enacted to regulate the management of the Federal timber resources. The O&C Act signaled an end to the cut-and-run policies in the early years of the 20th century. By requiring management under the principle of Sustained Yield, timber harvest cannot outpace the annual growth of the forest, resulting in a perpetual supply of timber while concurrently providing quality habitat for wildlife, watershed protection, and recreational opportunities for the public. For more information on AOCC click here: http://www.oandc.org/.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Photos:

1. AOCC President, Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman discusses new federal actions with Kim Prill, Acting State Director for the BLM in Oregon & Washington. 
2. AOCC members gather for quarterly meeting at Starfire Lumber in Cottage Grove.

03-17-26 Douglas County Solid Waste Hosting Free To The Public Household Electronics E-Cycle Event (Photo) - 03/17/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2026

Douglas County Solid Waste Hosting Free to the Public Household Electronics E-Cycle Event

(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Solid Waste Department, a division of Douglas County Government, is teaming up with St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County and Oregon E-Cycles to host a free to the public household electronic e-cycling event in Roseburg on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The free to the public household electronic e-cycling event will take place at Douglas County’s Roseburg Transfer Station located at 165 West McLain Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.  The event is free and open to all Douglas County residents and small businesses.   If you have more than 7 devices that you plan to e-Cycle at this event, please contact St. Vincent de Paul prior to the event at (541) 513-4288.

E-CYCLING is the recycling of old electronics.  The following devices will be accepted at this event - computers, laptops, tablets, TVs, printers, monitors, keyboards, mice, networking devices, scanners, fax machines, VCRs + DVD players, cable & satellite equipment, stereo + audio components, servers & switches, routers + hubs + modems, cell phones, cameras + photo equipment, av equipment, video game systems, power tools, cords + chargers, loose + scrap wires, Christmas lights, hard drives, and miscellaneous computer parts.  They ask that you leave the following items at home - loose batteries, hazardous waste, vacuum cleaners, gas-powered tools, large kitchen appliances, glass-containing items (e.g. microwaves), light bulbs, and lighting ballasts.  Please dispose of these in a proper manner. 

E-Waste is a serious problem.  Electronic waste, or e-waste, is any electronic product that has reached the final phase of its life cycle and cannot be used anymore. The world produces 50 million tons of electronic waste a year, becoming the world’s most quickly growing waste source.  Sadly, no more than 20% of e-waste is properly recycled, with the other 80% being dumped in landfills or being unproperly recycled.  If it is not properly recycled, e-waste can have a negative impact on our environment by releasing toxins, heavy metals, and pollution into the air, soil and water.  It is also one of the leading causes of landfill fires.  Questions Contact: Daven Stetson at St. Vincent de Paul at (541) 513-4288 or by email at daven.stetson@svdp.us.  E-you there on April 25!

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

03-11-26 Douglas County Senior Services Offering Community Resource Series For Older Adults And Caregivers (Photo) - 03/11/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2026

Douglas County Senior Services Offering Community Resource Series for Older Adults and Caregivers

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman are excited to announce that Douglas County Senior Services is hosting a countywide Senior Resource Series to connect older adults, caregivers, and families with important services and support available throughout Douglas County.  The free senior resource events will provide information about programs and services available to local seniors, including meal opportunities, in-home care services, family caregiver resources, and the Douglas County Senior Resource Booklet. Staff will be available to answer questions and help individuals learn how to access services that support independence, health, and quality of life.

Each event will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will include an opportunity for seniors to enjoy lunch at participating locations.  The first event in the series took place at the Drain Civic Center on February 27, 2026.  Seniors who plan to attend lunch are asked to RSVP by calling (541) 440-3677.

Upcoming 2026 Senior Resource Series Events

March 27                    Lower Umpqua Senior Center, 460 Winchester Avenue, Reedsport

April 10                       Winston Community Center, 440 SE Grape Avenue, Winston

May 15                        Glide Community Center – 20062 North Umpqua Hwy, Glide

June 12                        Sutherlin Senior Center, 202 East Central, Sutherlin

July 17                        Special People’s Depot – 176 Glendale Town Road, Glendale

September 18              Riddle, location TBD

The Douglas County Senior Resource Series is designed to make it easier for senior residents and their caregivers across the county to access information, ask questions, and learn about programs that help seniors remain active, live independently, and feel supported in their own communities.

Douglas County Senior Services manages seven rural Bistro Sixty senior dining sites in Glide, Glendale, Reedsport, Riddle, Sutherlin, Winston, and Yoncalla that prepare meals for seniors through our Dine-In and Meals on Wheels delivery programs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  All seniors 60 and up and their spouses are welcome. Hot meals are available from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm at each senior dining site.  Senior Services staff know there are others in our communities who could benefit from our Meals on Wheels delivery program and/or meals at the Bistro Sixty senior dining sites.  If residents know of friends or family who are unable to drive, need assistance with daily living activities, would benefit from hot meal delivery, or need other assistance, they are encouraged to call the Aging & Disabilities Resource Connection at Douglas County Senior Services at (541) 440-3677 or by sending an email to adrc@douglascountyor.gov.

We need volunteers!  Our rural senior dining sites and Meals on Wheels programs are successful because of the dedication of wonderful volunteers.  If you are interested in volunteering at one of our Bistro Sixty senior dining sites and/or Meals on Wheels programs contact Kellie Redifer at kellie.redifer@douglascountyor.gov or (541) 464-3893.  For more information about services available through Douglas County Senior Services, residents are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming events, call the number listed above or visit our website at  www.douglascountyor.gov/452/Senior-Services.  Douglas County Senior Services is a division of Douglas County Government. 

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Media Contact:     Tamara Howell | Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howelll@douglascountyor.gov

03-04-26 Commissioners Host 5th Annual Music At The Courthouse Concert And Issue Proclamation For Music In Our Schools Month (Photo) - 03/04/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2026

Commissioners Host 5^th Annual Music at the Courthouse Concert and Issue Proclamation for Music in Our Schools Month

(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman were honored to host their 5^th Annual Music at the Courthouse concert series today, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Douglas County Courthouse.  The concert series featured nine Douglas County music programs in celebration of National Music in our Schools Month.  The Commissioners issued a proclamation prior to the first performance declaring the month of March as Music in our Schools Month in Douglas County.  A copy of the proclamation was presented to each of the schools attending prior to their performance.  The proclamation and concert recognize the tremendous impact that music education has on our youth, how it enriches their minds, allows for deeper engagement in all aspects of their learning, and creates a positive outlet that enhances their future success.  A copy of the proclamation presentation, as well as recordings of the live performances of all nine musical groups can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

“For over 40 years, March has been officially designated as Music in our Schools Month, encouraging communities across the nation to focus on and celebrate the impact that music education has on our youth and our communities.  The purpose of our musical celebration today is to raise awareness of the lasting positive impact of music education has on the academic, personal, and professional growth of our local students.  Our Music at the Courthouse event is the Commissioners way of thanking our music educators, tutors, teachers, instructors, and community programs throughout Douglas County, who understand the importance of bringing a quality music education in the lives of young people.  It also provides a stage to showcase the incredible musical talent of students in our local schools,” stated Board Chair, Commissioner Tom Kress.

The Commissioners were truly honored to host their Annual Music at the Courthouse concert series for the fifth year in a row.  This year we had another large turnout of music programs showcasing their musical talents.  211 local students, aged six to eighteen, under the direction of their talented music teachers gathered at the Douglas County Courthouse.  The two-and-a-half-hour concert series featured live performances from the following school music programs:

Riddle Junior High School Band                                Marty Follose                         Riddle

Riddle High School Band                                            Marty Follose                         Riddle

North Douglas High School Band                              Johnny Leal                           Drain

Glide High School Band                                              Nickolas Perini                      Glide

Sutherlin High School Vocal Essence Choir             Melissa Jmaeff                      Sutherlin

Glide High School Choir                                              Nickolas Perini                      Glide

Hucrest Elementary Band                                           Colin Horowitz                       Roseburg

Oakland Middle School Choir                                     Lisa Powell                             Oakland

South Umpqua Chamber Ensembles                         Jeff Soffer                              Myrtle Creek

“Wow, Douglas County is home to so many incredible musically talented students! We eagerly anticipate this day every year and are thrilled to welcome students from across the county to the courthouse to share their music with us.” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman.  “We also want to extend our gratitude to all the music teachers, tutors, instructors, schools, programs, and parents across Douglas County who recognize the significance of introducing music into the lives of young people.”

According to the National Association for Music Education, the purpose of Music in our Schools Month is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens how important it is that children have access to music in our schools. Music in our Schools Month is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages. 

“Thank you so much for having us here today,” exclaimed Oakland Middle School Music Director Lisa Powell.  “And thank you so much Commissioners for supporting arts and music in our schools.  It is so vitally important!”

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Media Contact:     Tamara Howell | Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howelll@douglascountyor.gov

Attached: Proclamation & Photos © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County. Individual photos are available upon request.