FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2024
***NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE***
THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY
Thursday, November 28, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress would like to remind citizens that government offices in the Douglas County Courthouse, located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, as well as the Douglas County Justice Building, Douglas County Courthouse Annex in Reedsport, Transfer Stations, Fairgrounds, Douglas County Museum and All External Douglas County Government Offices will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. As always, even when Douglas County government offices are closed, many officials and public employees are still working.
Please note
- Douglas County Senior Services Bistro Sixty Dining Sites (Dine-In Meal Service) and Meals on Wheels Programs in Glendale, Glide, Yoncalla, Reedsport, Sutherlin, Riddle and Winston will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Our Senior Dining sites will resume their dine-in service on Friday, November 29, 2024. Patrons needing meals for Thursday, November 28 are asked to call Douglas County Seniors Services at (541) 440-3677 to request an extra meal during their Tuesday, November 26 dine-in service or Meals on Wheels delivery.
- The Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum in Winchester Bay will be open for visitors on Thursday, November 28, 2024, for normal business hours.
- Douglas County Parks. All Douglas County operated parks, campgrounds and boat ramps will continue to be open and accessible to the public on Thanksgiving Day. For reservation information at Douglas County operated campgrounds, please call (541) 957-7001 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks.
- Salmon Harbor Marina docks, boat ramps, camping sites and the Winchester Bay RV Resort will be open and accessible to the public during this time. For more information please call (541) 271-3407 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/448/Salmon-Harbor-Marina. The Salmon Harbor Marina Office will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
- Even though the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) lobby entrance will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024, our Sheriff’s Deputies, 911 communications and DCSO staff will continue to provide law enforcement protection and emergency assistance for our residents. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you need to reach dispatch for a non-emergency, call the DCSO non-emergency number at (541) 440-4471.
- The Douglas County Board of Commissioners and designated department officials will remain engaged and available to respond to any local emergencies, regardless of the holiday.
In addition, some County Departments may have limited hours or will be lightly staffed on Friday, November 29, 2024. Please call ahead of your visit to see if the Department has staff available to assist you with your needs. You can call (541) 672-3311 for general inquiries and Department extensions. You can also log onto our website at https://douglascountyor.gov/ to access the direct phone numbers for each County Department.
The Commissioners and staff here at Douglas County government would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We know that many of you will be planning family gatherings or traveling this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and we encourage you to take the necessary precautions to celebrate and travel safely.
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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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2024
*** MEETING NOTICE***
Noxious Weed Advisory Board Meeting
November 21, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) The next Douglas County Noxious Weed Advisory Board meeting will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Room 216 of the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting. To view the live stream or post meeting recording, please visit: https://video.ibm.com/channel/douglascountyoregon.
The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at https://www.douglascountyor.gov/. The meeting notice has been posted on the Douglas County website.
For additional information about this meeting, please contact Tracy Pope, Douglas County Natural Resource Specialist by calling (541) 440-4348 or email at tracy.pope@douglascountyor.gov.
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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
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting. To view the live stream or post meeting recording, please visit: https://video.ibm.com/channel/douglascountyoregon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2024
Douglas County Receives National Award for
Excellence in Financial Reporting
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners are pleased to announce that earlier this year Douglas County received the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA) by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ending June 30, 2023. A copy of the report can be found on the Douglas County, Oregon website at: https://douglascountyor.gov/620/ACFR
According to GFOA, “The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting was awarded to Dan Wilson, Douglas County Chief Financial Officer and the Douglas County Management and Finance Department. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have designated Dan and his dedicated team as the ones responsible for preparing the annual comprehensive financial report. This year marks the 36th year in a row that Douglas County’s Management and Finance Department has achieved this recognition.
“Our accomplishments are built upon the collaborative efforts of a team that prioritizes a commitment to excellence and accuracy throughout,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman. “Dan and his dedicated staff are pivotal to the success of Douglas County’s financial accounting and reporting. We appreciate their exceptional efforts in this important responsibility and congratulate them for this high honor.”
The ACFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the ACFR. Government Finance Officers Association advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve. For more information about GFOA, visit https://www.gfoa.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@douglascountupr.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2024
41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 1, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress are excited to officially kick off the Christmas Season with the lighting of the 41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 6:00 pm on the front lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse. That evening we will flip the switch and light up the Douglas County Heritage Christmas Tree and the Douglas County Courthouse for the first time this holiday season. The family-friendly event is free and open to kids of all ages. The lights on the Douglas County Christmas Tree and Courthouse will be on display throughout the holiday season. Click on the link below for a sneak peek at the theme for the 41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment/videos/528782276685674
2024 Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, represents a longstanding collaboration between the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, City of Roseburg and Roseburg’s First Christian Church. The evening’s festivities include a family-oriented program with music, a Christmas story and a visit from not only the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, but also Mrs. Claus! The First Christian Church will have their traditional nativity scene on display, across the street from the courthouse, and refreshments will be served by the Miss Douglas County Scholarship Program. Special thanks to Roseburg Starbucks, Roseburg Police Department, Roseburg Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works Department, Douglas County Facilities Department and of course Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
For those not able to attend in-person, the 2024 Douglas County Tree Lighting Ceremony will be live-streamed on the Douglas County Government Facebook page starting at 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024. To watch visit: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment. The public is also invited to take a stroll through Downtown Roseburg this holiday season! Enjoy the festive storefronts and sparkling Christmas lights while supporting our local businesses, shops, and restaurants.
The Commissioners and staff here at Douglas County government would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For more information about the 41st Annual Douglas County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony visit www.douglascountyor.gov or contact the Douglas County Public Affairs Office at (541) 957-4896 or by email dcinfo@co.douglas.or.us.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2024
***NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE***
Veterans Day Holiday - Monday, November 11, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners would like to remind citizens that government offices in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, as well as the Douglas County Justice Building, Douglas County Courthouse Annex, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Douglas County Landfill and Transfer Sites, and All External Douglas County Government Offices will be closed to the public on Monday, November 11, 2024, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday. As always, even when Douglas County government offices are closed, many officials and public employees are still working.
Please note:
- The Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History, as well as the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum in Winchester Bay will be open for visitors on Monday, November 11, 2024, for normal business hours.
- All Douglas County operated parks, campgrounds and boat ramps will continue to be open and accessible to the public on Veterans Day. For reservation information at Douglas County operated campgrounds, please call (541) 957-7001 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks.
- Salmon Harbor Marina docks, boat ramps, camping sites and the Winchester Bay RV Resort will be open and accessible to the public during this time. For more information please call (541) 271-3407 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/448/Salmon-Harbor-Marina. The Salmon Harbor Marina Office will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024.
- Even though the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) lobby entrance will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, our Sheriff’s Deputies, 911 communications and DCSO staff will continue to provide law enforcement protection and emergency assistance for our residents. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you need to reach dispatch for a non-emergency, call the DCSO non-emergency number at (541) 440-4471.
- The Douglas County Board of Commissioners and designated department officials will continue to work on local wildfire response regardless of the holiday.
Veterans Day, also referred to as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, is also celebrated in other parts of the world and marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. The war officially ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. United States President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” The United States observed Armistice Day on November 11, until it evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade. It is scheduled to take place in downtown Roseburg on Monday, November 11, 2024, starting at 11:00 am. The Douglas County Veterans Day Parade has a long-standing tradition for supporting and honoring our veterans and has been held in Roseburg every year since 1955. The Douglas County Veterans Day also has a well-earned title as “Oregon’s Greatest Veterans Day Parade,” and will once again be recognized as one of only 56 Veterans Day sites selected as the top 2024 Veterans Day observances held across the United States, by the National Veterans Day Committee. This year the Grand Marshals for the Douglas County Veterans Day parade will be Vietnam Veterans with the theme “Vietnam Beyond 50 Years - Welcome Home.” The Douglas County Veterans Day Parade will follow the traditional route through downtown Roseburg starting on the corner of NE Jackson Street and NE Diamond Lake Blvd traveling up Jackson St, turning left onto SE Lane Street, then left onto SE Main Street and concluding in front of the Douglas County Courthouse on SE Douglas Avenue. We encourage citizens to make sure they fill ALL spaces along the entire parade route (both sides of the street and sidewalks) to make sure that our participating veterans receive ample accolades for their devotion to duty while servicing our county. For more information about the parade click on the link here: https://douglascountyor.gov/507/Veterans-Day-Parade-Committee
As a reminder, the Commissioners issued a proclamation dedicating November as Veterans and Military Families Month in Dougals County and encourage all citizens to take a moment to thank our all of our Veterans for their valued service, bravery and sacrifice. In addition to the proclamation, the Commissioners announced that Douglas County is once again participating in Operation Green Light for the month of November. The front of the Douglas County Courthouse is illuminated with green lights to show our appreciation and support for veterans and their families. We encourage everyone to “shine” a light of hope and support for veterans by placing a green light on their porch or outside light fixture during the month of November.
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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@douglascountupr.gov
For Immediate Release
November 4, 2024
Douglas County Participates in IronOR-24
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners are pleased to share that Douglas County’s new Wayne Stinson Emergency Management Facility was the base of operations for a county-wide disaster simulation last week. Douglas County joined Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) in IronOR-24, a full-scale, multi-day, multi-agency emergency exercise. Douglas County was among a diverse mix of collaborators, including multiple state agencies, city and county governments, recognized Tribal governments, and federal agencies, that all came together to strategize and execute a unified response plan.
IronOR-24 was a Functional Exercise (FE) designed to test readiness and validate the capabilities of local, tribal, state, and federal jurisdictions as well as selected private sector and non-governmental organizations when responding to a catastrophic Cascadia Subduction Zone 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami with associated aftershocks along the west coast of the United States. IronOR-24's planning effort cascaded across 12 months and included a comprehensive review of multi-jurisdictional disaster priorities and goals. According to OEM, "Redundant communications" was among the key goals, aiming to ensure contact lines remain operational in the face of infrastructure failure.
“This exercise was not just about preparing for an earthquake. It was also about using our resources, including utilizing the experience and knowledge of our immense local talent pool to improve our ability to respond to any emergency as an integrated team.” - Commissioner and Liaison to the Douglas County Emergency Management Department, Tim Freeman.
Locally, Douglas County Emergency Manager Emily Ring and Assistant Emergency Manager Tyler Connors, facilitated the exercise and chose to conduct the “all-hands on deck” scenario in three separate training sessions: Auxiliary Communications, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Activation, and Mass Care. Each focus area rotated through a different mix of participants. All three Douglas County Commissioners, several county employees and several local agencies joined together to take on various roles and participate in the exercises.
The Auxiliary Communications portion of IronOR-24 was a functional exercise which consisted of testing Douglas County communications capabilities when traditional cell phone/ Wi-Fi is unavailable. Additionally, during this session, we tested the County’s Starlink and satellite trailer communications equipment to communicate with the Cow Creek Tribe and the communications base station in Reedsport.
The EOC Activation session of the exercise was another functional segment that included testing the county’s emergency operations plan and providing just-in-time-training to a selected EOC staff. When major disasters strike, often the traditional people that typically staff an EOC are unavailable. This exercise provided training to the EOC staff to quickly familiarize them with their assigned role, based on their knowledge, background, and skillsets. After the just-in-time-trainings were completed, Emily and Tyler added injects (tasks) to test the EOC’s ability to coordinate as a team to solve various problems and create a unified plan.
The Mass Care session of the exercise mobilized hospital, public health, mental health, and social services staff to brainstorm capabilities and solutions to mass care needs that could result from a catastrophic incident such as Cascadia. This included exploring ideas, identifying alternative means to maintain essential services such as Meals on Wheels, welfare checks, and maintaining the public health throughout Douglas County.
“The exercise went very well! As with all exercises, we came away with a lot of great ideas and a list of things that we can learn and improve upon. We were excited to be able to utilize our new facility. It is a perfect set up for this type of exercise since it allows us to have large groups of people and different types of equipment in motion with no impact to surrounding businesses or departments. We were able to use flexible spaces in the storage bay, outside in the parking lots, and inside for drills and mock operation centers. We’re grateful to have so many awesome response and recovery partners across Douglas County.” – Emily Ring, Douglas County Emergency Manager.
Douglas County Emergency Management partnered with multiple agencies across the county for IronOR-24. There were 60 individuals actively participated in the Douglas County exercise representing the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Senior Services, Douglas County Planning Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Human Resources, Douglas County Public Affairs, Douglas County IT Department, Douglas County Parks Department, Douglas County Public Works Department, Douglas County Juvenile Department, Douglas County Fleet Division and Douglas County GIS Division, Douglas County Dispatch (911 Communications), Douglas Public Health Network, Douglas County COAD, City of Sutherlin, Glide Fire Department, Roseburg Police Department, Lower Umpqua CERT, Douglas County Central CERT, Douglas County ARES, National Weather Service, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mercy Hospital, Cow Creek Tribe, and OEM. Additionally, CHI Mercy Hospital, City of Sutherlin, Glide Fire Department, and Cow Creek Tribe completed their own internal exercises, along with the county exercise. All these agencies and groups play a vital role in ensuring that our community is prepared for a disaster. Many different state and federal agencies also participated in the exercise including the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon Army National Guard and the U.S Coast Guard.
“We are very excited to report that we received several requests to conduct more exercises like this in the future with community partners!” – Emily Ring, Douglas County Emergency Manager. For more information about IronOR-24 and how you can prepare for a disaster visit OEM at www.oregon.gov/oem/
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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@douglascountupr.gov
Photos © K.Trenkle/Douglas County. Individual photos are available upon request.
Photos –
1 Emily Ring DC Emergency Manager talks about the exercise.
2 Participants in DC IronOR24 exercise listen to a brief on the simulation.
3 Public Works Director Scott Adams leads his operations team through exercise.
4 Commissioner Boice and the Planning Section come up with a plan.
5 Commissioner Tim Freeman organizes his Logistics Team for the exercise.
6 Tyler Conners, Assistant Emergency Manager and ARES board operator receive signals from other locations during the excercise
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2024
Douglas County to Participate in Operation Green Light
Shine a Light of Hope and Support for Our Veterans
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress issued a proclamation on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to celebrate November as Veterans and Military Families Month. The proclamation recognized and invited residents to honor our veterans and military families for the sacrifices they have made for our Country.
In addition to the proclamation, the Commissioners are proud to announce that Douglas County will be participating once again in Operation Green Light. During the month of November - Veterans and Military Families Month the front of the Douglas County Courthouse will be illuminated with green lights to show our appreciation and support for veterans and their families. We encourage everyone to shine a light of hope and support for veterans by placing a green light on their porch or outside light fixture. The green lights on the courthouse will remain on display through the end of November. Along with the proclamation this gesture provides credence of our commitment to our county motto, “In Douglas County, We Honor Veterans!”
Americans have a long and proud history of serving our nation’s veterans, a legacy that continues to this day as our Commissioners and Departments work with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that the former service members have access to the resources they need to thrive. This Veterans and Military Families Month, we join with the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) and other counites, parishes, and boroughs in the U.S.A. with Operation Green Light to show our support for veterans and let them know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.
As a reminder, please join the Commissioners in honoring our veterans today and every day, but especially during the month of November, on Veterans Day and at the 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade in downtown Roseburg, on Monday, November 11, 2024. For more information about the Douglas County Veterans Day Parade visit: https://or-douglascounty.civicplus.com/507/Veterans-Day-Parade-Committee. The proclamation presented on October 30, 2024, is a reminder for our citizens to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice these patriots and their families have made and honor their sacrifices. It also a time to rededicate ourselves to the preservation of our liberties under the Constitution of the United States.
Light it Green for America’s Veterans! For more information about Operation Green Light visit: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans.
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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@douglascountupr.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2024
Commissioners Issue Proclamation in Honor of
Veterans and Military Families Month
(Douglas County, Oregon) – The Douglas County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation today, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to celebrate and honor Veterans and Military Families Month. The proclamation also recognized and invited residents to honor all veterans on Veterans Day and attend the 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade. Board Chair Commissioner Boice welcomed everyone to the meeting and said, “It is always a pleasure to have our Veterans here!” He then presented the proclamation, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that, “since the establishment of the original 13 states, Americans have been willing to fight and die to preserve their individual rights as guaranteed in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and we can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to those heroic men and women who served, were wounded, or died in battle.” A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government website: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/134059616.
“As Commissioner Boice mentioned, it is always one of our favorite days when we get to recognize our veteran community. We are honored to continue to set aside a day to honor Veterans, our annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade and celebrate Military Families Month.” - Commissioner Tom Kress.
Commissioner Tim Freeman presented proclamation certificates to U.S. Military Veterans, Veteran Service and Support Groups, and Military Family Members in attendance: Representative Virgil Osborne, Dan Loomis (US Army), Eric Bagwell (USAF & VDay Parade Chair), John Pierson (USAF, Military Honors by the Pipes & Wreaths Across America), Jim Little (US Navy), Carmen Little, Rick Sciapiti (US Army), Bill Mixon (US Army), Jim Barnett (USMC), Roger Boucock (US Army), Bill Duncan (US Army & VVA President), Bob (US Army) and Cherrie Miller, Nikol Hansen (Roseburg VA), Michael Kurtz (US Army), Neil Hummel (USMC), Larry Hill (US Army & American Legion), Ed Goodman (US Navy & VVA 805), Frank Escalante (US Army & VVA Honor Guard), Lonnie Shields (USAF & VVA Honor Guard), Jason Ainslie (US Army), Mary Newman-Keyes (DC Veterans Service Office), Ron Dukes (USAF, NCO & VVA Honor Guard), Ruth Feliciano (AVVA #805), Cecilia McMillian (National Guard & AWVA President), Heidi Wood (Military Honors by the Pipes), Terry Rudolf (US Navy & VVA Honor Guard), James Horton (US Navy & VFW Oregon - State Surgeon), Jerry Anderson (US Navy, VAC & DCVF), Fran Polmateer (AVFW Aux 4039), Ron Roof (US Navy), Peter Riza (US Army), Jim Gilly (Veteran), Robert Howerton (Veteran), Ron (US Army) & Margaret Silverman, and Doug Page (USMC). Veteran service groups and supporters represented were Douglas County Veterans Forum; Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee; Douglas County Veterans Day Parade Committee; Douglas County Veterans Service Office; Vietnam Veterans of America – Chapter 805, Auxiliary & Honor Guard; American Legion Post 16 & 123 & Auxiliaries; Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2468 & 4039 & Auxiliaries; Roseburg Veterans Administration; American Women Veterans Association; Non Commissioned Officers Association; Military Order of the Purple Heart; Wreaths Across America – Douglas County; and Military Honors by the Pipes.
“There have been some high points in my life and recognized as a Vietnam War Veteran for the Veterans Day Parade is a very high point in my life. I very much appreciate this proclamation from the Douglas County Commissioners. We didn’t get much of a welcome home from Vietnam, so this is fantastic. I hear many veterans say this is not the Country I fought for – but for me Douglas County is exactly the home I fought for. I think Douglas County should be a model & inspiration for the rest of the nation on how to honor veterans. Just as each of us veterans had each other’s backs in the service, we know that Douglas County has our back!” - Jim Little, US Navy Retired, Douglas County Veterans Forum and Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee member.
The 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade is scheduled to take place in downtown Roseburg on Monday, November 11, 2024, beginning at 11:00 am. The Douglas County Veterans Day Parade has a long-standing tradition of honoring our veterans on the Veterans Day Holiday and has been held in Roseburg every single year since 1955. The worthy and steadfast tradition has a well-earned title as “Oregon’s Greatest Veterans Day Parade.” This year the Grand Marshals for the Douglas County Veterans Day parade will be Vietnam Veterans with the theme “Vietnam Beyond 50 Years - Welcome Home.”
“During the Veterans Day Parade about 15 years ago, was the first time I was ever thanked for my service. I was riding on the Vietnam Veterans of America float, and it made me emotional. It was truly the first time I had ever heard the words thank you. So, it is really important to support our veterans. I was born and raised here in Roseburg. It is the greatest place in the world to live. I want to thank the Commissioners, all my brothers and everyone here today.” – Roger Boucock, U.S. Army Veteran and Vice President, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 805.
The 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade will follow the traditional route through downtown Roseburg starting on the corner of NE Fowler Street and NE Diamond Lake Blvd, turning left onto NE Jackson Street, which becomes SE Jackson Street, turning left onto SE Lane Street, left onto SE Main Street, right onto SE Douglas Avenue and concluding in front of the Douglas County Courthouse. We encourage citizens to make sure they fill ALL spaces along the entire parade route (both sides of the street and sidewalks) to make sure that our participating veterans receive ample accolades for their dedicated service to our county as they move along the parade route. Douglas County Veterans Day Parade applications can be downloaded from the county website here or picked up in the Douglas County Veterans Service Office (VSO) at the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg. Applications can be returned to the VSO or the Douglas County Clerk’s Office. The parade application deadline is Thursday, October 31, 2024, for those that want their entry to be judged.
Additionally, Eric Bagwell, Chair of the Douglas County Veterans Day Parade Committee announced that the 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade will be nationally recognized once again this year, as one of only 56 regional Veterans Day sites selected as the Top 2024 Veterans Day Observances Across the United States, by the National Veterans Day Committee. This is the 69th year that the Douglas County Veterans Day Parade has been awarded this honor.
“My fellow Commissioners and I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all veterans and their families for their unwavering service and sacrifice to our nation. For those of you that have taken time out of your day to join us here, thank you! We absolutely appreciate having you come to the courthouse and give us a chance to honor you in our small way. I want to make sure you hear this from us again, “Thank you for your service”. We truly mean that. We also mean it when we say, “Welcome Home”. Douglas County is home for you!” - Commissioner & Douglas County Veteran Service Office liaison, Tim Freeman.
Please join us in honoring our veterans today and every day, but especially during the month of November, on Veterans Day and at the 69th Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade in downtown Roseburg, on Monday, November 11, 2024. For more information about the parade click on the link here. The proclamation presented today is a reminder for our citizens to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice these patriots and their families have made. It also a time to rededicate ourselves to the preservation of our liberties under the Constitution of the United States.
On a final note, the Commissioners reminded everyone about the upcoming Wreaths Across America event at the Roseburg National Cemetery on December 14, 2024. This year, our local Wreaths Across America committee will make history by placing a wreath on every grave, and we invite citizens to join us by signing up to volunteer. For more information visit tinyurl.com/douglascountywreaths.
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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
Proclamation Attached. Photos © K.Trenkle/Douglas County. Individual photos are available upon request.
Douglas County Fair Board
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Douglas County Fair Board Selects Keith as New Fairgrounds Director
(Douglas County, Ore.) After an extensive recruitment process, the Douglas County Fair Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Ciera Keith as the new Fairgrounds Director. The appointment will be effective at the end of December. She will replace the outgoing Director, Dan Hults, who will officially retire at the end of 2024. In her new role, Keith will oversee the planning, organization, and direction of all aspects related to managing the Fairgrounds Complex. Under the supervision of the five-member Fair Board and in collaboration with the Board of Commissioners, she will work to continue meeting the Fairground’s current and long-term goals of growing and improving the Fairgrounds Complex for the citizens of Douglas County.
“The Fair Board is very excited about selecting Ciera as the new Fairgrounds Director. We believe that with Ciera's energy and her connections across Oregon and through the Western Fair Association, we can harness her enthusiasm and expertise to position our fairgrounds complex as a premier hub for entertainment on the West coast. Together with a dedicated Fair Board we hope to bolster the visibility of our assets including the racetrack, indoor spaces, livestock and horse venues, and the RV Park to be able to attract an even wider range of events. For the past 28 years, Dan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has been a mentor to Ciera. Congratulations to Ciera and thank you Dan for serving our County!” - Lisa Platt, Douglas County Fair Board Chair.
This new role is a promotion for Keith, who has worked for Douglas County at the Fairgrounds Complex since 2011. During the past thirteen years, she has worked as a Senior Department Assistant, Event & Exhibitor Coordinator and most recently as the Business & Administrative Coordinator. As the Business & Administrative Coordinator, Keith managed all marketing, promotions, and sponsorships for the Fairgrounds Complex. During her tenure, the Fairgrounds has received several industry awards, including two first-place trophies for its television and radio ads, a second-place award for the fair logo, and a third-place award for the 'Fair Time' advertising poster in the small fair division at the 2024 Western Fair Association Convention and Trade Show. Keith has been the lead representative for the Fairgrounds while serving on committees for the Oregon Fairs Association, International Association of Fairs and Expositions, and the Western Fair Association. Before she joined the fairgrounds staff, Keith worked as a Customer Service Representative and Inventory Purchasing Agent for the Oregon Ophthalmic Group Provider.
“We have one of the best, if not the best, County fairgrounds operations and County Fairs in Oregon. Ciera has been a key contributor to that success, and we are fortunate to have her on our team. We look forward to our award-winning County Fairgrounds continuing to grow and succeed under her leadership.” - Commissioner Tom Kress, Fairgrounds Liaison Commissioner.
Hults has worked for Douglas County at the Fairgrounds Complex for almost 28 years. He was hired as the Food and Beverage Manager in 1998 and promoted to Operations Manager in 2003. Following the retirement of Fairgrounds Director Harold Phillips in September of 2017, Hults was appointed Interim Fairgrounds Director by the Douglas County Fair Board and the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. In December of 2017, he was officially appointed as the Fairgrounds Director. Prior to his time working for the County, Hults spent seven years as General Manager for the Food Service Corporation. In that role, he oversaw all concessions and catering at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Salem. The Fair Board and Commissioners wish him all the best in his retirement.
The Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex is home to the annual award-winning Douglas County Fair, Sportsman Show, Poker Craze and Christmas Fair! Nestled along the Umpqua River in Roseburg, Oregon, the Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex is conveniently located off I-5 Exit 123, minutes away from Downtown Roseburg. The complex boasts their own RV Park, racetrack, onsite catering and over 80,000 square feet of rentable building space. The complex can host any event imaginable. If you are interested in renting or learning more about what the Douglas County Fairgrounds has to offer, visit https://douglasfairgrounds.com/.
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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
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
** Notice 2024/2025 Property Taxes **
Property Taxes Due November 15
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Tax Collection Office has mailed out Property Tax Statements for the 2024/2025 Property Tax year. 2024/25 Property Taxes are due November 15, 2024. To receive a 3% discount and avoid interest and penalties, payment in full must be received or postmarked by November 15, 2024. Second trimester taxes are due February 17, 2025, and third trimester taxes are due May 15, 2025.
Payments can be made in person at the Douglas County Tax Collection Office, Room 205 inside the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon. The Douglas County Tax Collection Office is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday – Friday. The Tax Office will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, in observance of Veterans Day. Please note: Credit/debit card or e-check payments CANNOT be accepted at the Tax Counter. However, we have a public computer in the Tax Office lobby that can be used to access the online tax payment system.
Payments can also be made using the U.S. Postal Service. Due to recent changes with the US Postal Service, mail is often transported out of town for processing and postmark. Be sure to mail your tax payment early or take your payment envelope into the Post Office to receive an official “hand stamped local postmark”, to avoid potential late penalties and loss of discount. Please do not mail cash. Please convert your cash payment to a cashier’s check, money order or personal check.
Additionally, payments can be made using our drop boxes which are located at the front of the Douglas County Courthouse at the base of the steps and in the hallway outside the Dougals County Tax Collection Office. The drop box located in front of the Courthouse will be open until 11:59 pm on November 15, 2024, upon which it will be locked. We ask that you do not place cash in the drop boxes. Please convert your cash payment to a cashier’s check, money order or personal check.
Further, payments can also be made on-line at https://orion-pa.co.douglas.or.us/Home using a credit/debit card or eCheck. If payment is made using this method, there will be a 2.49% transaction fee for credit cards, a $3.95 transaction fee for debit cards and a $3.00 transaction fee for eChecks. We have a public computer in the Tax Office lobby that can be used to access the online tax payment system.
Reminder if you have multiple statements they all will arrive in one envelope. Be sure to take everything out of the envelope to verify that you have all your statements.
Please note, while Douglas County is statutorily required to collect property taxes on behalf of ALL the taxing districts within the County, only about 8% of the total amount collected is retained by Douglas County for use in County operations.
For more information, please contact the Douglas County Tax Collection Office at (541) 440-4253.
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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