Early Voting Surprise:
A former student from my very first class at Mercy H.S. is on the ballot. Judith Rice graduated in 1974, and served as Chicago City Treasurer for several years. 🇺🇸👩🏽‍⚖️🗳️ #earlyandoften
#CrookCounty

Votes at a glance: Crook County board approves grants, appointments, goals and executive-session directions At its March 4 meeting the Crook County Board of Commissioners approved the acceptance of behavioral-health grant funding, appointed a planning commissioner, adopted FY27 goals and priorities, approved a local drought declaration request for an irrigation district, authorized letters of intent for a real-property negotiation and authorized staff to enter third‑party mediation; several items were uncontested.

Crook County's recent meeting revealed crucial decisions, from accepting vital behavioral-health grant funding to a new planning commissioner appointment and a local drought declaration.

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#CrookCounty #OR #CommunityDevelopment #DroughtDeclaration #CrookCountyCommissioners

Yes. In Creek County, Oklahoma, a judge was removed for using a pen*s pump on the bench during a jury trial. Jurors and counsel couldn’t understand where the sound was coming from, then they did. #CrookCounty yep, judges CAN be removed.

Juvenile services director warns of placement shortages, urges timely diversion and local supports Erica, juvenile department director, described intake steps, the JCP risk assessment, diversion and prevention programs, and warned that limited local placements and possible regional facility closures could push youth into costly out-of-county placements and strain the budget.

Erica warns that potential closures of local detention facilities could lead to costly out-of-county placements, jeopardizing the future of our youth services.

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#CrookCounty #OR #CrookCountyJuvenileServices #CommunityPrevention #BudgetSustainability #YouthAccountability

Crook County directs staff to craft 20-year pilot agreement for West Pineville solar project After public hearing and financial analysis, commissioners instructed staff to draft a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the West Pineville (Cartwright) solar facility at $7,000 per megawatt and to document a negotiated $1.25 million community payment, pending a legal determination on whether the on-site substation is included.

Crook County is taking a bold step towards sustainable energy by approving a 20-year pilot agreement for a major solar project that promises both stable tax revenue and significant community benefits.

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#CrookCounty #OR #CommunityBenefits #TaxRevenueStability #RenewableEnergy

Crook County staff propose draft order to align foreclosure procedures with House Bill 2089 County staff presented a draft order to update Crook Countys foreclosure procedures to conform with House Bill 2089, outlining options to retain or sell foreclosed properties, incentives to return properties to the tax roll, and suggested next steps including drafting standard operating procedures and placing the order on the Feb. 18 agenda.

Crook County is updating its foreclosure procedures to comply with new state law, but the changes may lead to complex challenges and trade-offs for property management.

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#CrookCounty #OR #GovernmentTransparency #PublicPolicy

Crook County approves advisory appointments, mental-health funding agreement and pushes ODOT for safety fixes on Highway 126 The board approved appointments to advisory committees, accepted an intergovernmental agreement and local plan for community mental health funding, and voted to send ODOT a letter seeking temporary speed feedback signs, speed reviews and long-term roundabout funding after a recent fatal crash on US-126.

Crook County just took major steps to enhance community safety and mental health support after a tragic crash on Highway 126!

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#CrookCounty #OR #EmergencyPreparedness #PublicSafety #CommunityResilience #CrookCountyMentalHealth

Crook County commissioners authorize letter opposing Senate Bill 1545, seek more public input After public comment and a reading of a landowner letter, Crook County commissioners voted to oppose Senate Bill 1545 as presented and authorized the commission to finalize and sign a letter outside the meeting requesting withdrawal of the bill and more agricultural and public input.

Crook County commissioners are taking a stand against Senate Bill 1545, urging for more public input and warning that the bill could undermine private property rights.

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#CrookCounty #OR #PropertyRights #PublicInput #CrookCountyAgriculture #LegislativeTransparency

Planning staff reports steady permit volumes; Hidden Canyon and cell-tower hearings scheduled Planning staff told commissioners permit volumes remain near recent averages, described data-center retrofits and apartment closeouts, and flagged a March 11 Planning Commission review of the Hidden Canyon development (including an MOU with ODOT and RMG Destination Resorts) and a Feb. 11 hearing on a Palau View cell tower.

Crook County's planning staff revealed steady permit activity and a key development on the horizon, but concerns are brewing over the timing of crucial infrastructure improvements.

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#CrookCounty #OR #CrookCountyDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #InfrastructureImprovements

Provider warns PacificSource'9s proposed 17% cut could force Crook County to curtail intensive mental-health programs Melissa Thompson of VESTS Care told Crook County commissioners PacificSource is proposing a 17% reduction to the county'9s community mental health contract (about $500,000), a change that could jeopardize intensive services such as ACT, wraparound and in-home behavioral health treatment while providers seek alternate funding.

A proposed 17% cut to Crook County's community mental health funding could jeopardize essential services for the most vulnerable residents.

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#CrookCounty #OR #CommunityHealthServices #CrookCountyMentalHealth #MentalHealthFunding

Museum and library push outreach and digitization; library seeks $650,000 electric bookmobile Sean Briscoe and library leadership reported increased museum attendance and artifact digitization work; the library applied for a $650,000 DEQ grant to replace a diesel bookmobile with an electric vehicle, pending operational charging and service analysis.

The Bell Museum is set to revolutionize its outreach with new exhibits and a massive digitization project, while the county library aims for a greener future with a $650,000 grant for an electric bookmobile!

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#CrookCounty #OR #CulturalOutreach #SustainabilityInitiatives

Roads director outlines bridge package and treatment plan as road PCI falls Brad Haynes told commissioners the county treated roughly 11% of paved roads last year and about 6% this year; he plans a multi‑bridge grant package targeting zero‑match federal funds and a 23‑mile grama seal contract to stabilize pavement condition.

Crook County's Roads Department faces a tough road ahead with only 6% of paved roads treated this year, but a multi-million dollar bridge replacement package could change the game!

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#CrookCounty #OR #CrookCountyRoads #RoadMaintenance #GrantStrategy #InfrastructureInvestment

Sheriff outlines staffing priorities, Axon body-camera rollout and jail programming Sheriff Bill Elliott Boundrichler reported hiring for jail staff, a planned Axon body- and fleet-camera rollout to replace unsupported cameras, a two-year MAT grant for in-jail treatment, and FY25 operational statistics showing decreased arrests and calls for service.

Sheriff Bill Elliott Boundrichler reveals a transformative approach for Crook County's public safety, including a new Axon body camera system and expanded treatment programs for incarcerated individuals.

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#CrookCounty #OR #TechnologyInPublicSafety #CrookCountyPublicSafety

District attorney flags discovery burden, expungement workload and wins for grant funding The Crook County district attorney said new discovery rules and expanding automatic expungements have increased manual processing and storage costs; the office has secured grants including $50,000 over two years for a DA investigator and is implementing Evidence.com to manage digital evidence.

The Crook County District Attorney reveals that new laws are overwhelming their office with digital evidence demands and expungement challenges, but a game-changing solution is on the horizon.

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#CrookCounty #OR #GrantFunding #DigitalEvidence

Community development director: comprehensive plan update, Hidden Canyon resort application, and cell‑tower constraints John Isler told the board Crook County is updating its comprehensive plan (last updated 1978), processing a large Hidden Canyon resort application (225 units in phase one), and facing constrained options on a Pal Butte cell‑tower siting because federal law limits local rejection without technical proof.

Crook County is finally updating its decades-old comprehensive plan, igniting debates over a massive resort and a controversial cell tower – change is on the horizon!

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicInput #SustainableDevelopment #TelecommunicationsPolicy #CrookCountyCommunity

Crook County midyear presentations highlight staffing, funding and deferred maintenance pressures Crook County heard midyear updates from departments Jan. 13; recurring themes were staffing shortages, rising costs, and capital needs — notably deferred maintenance at the fairgrounds and infrastructure projects at the airport and roads.

Crook County's midyear presentations reveal critical staffing shortages and rising costs, all while showcasing impressive accomplishments like the completion of a major Transportation Systems Plan.

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#CrookCounty #OR #InfrastructureImprovements #StaffingChallenges

Crook County holds first hearing on broad land‑use code overhaul amid debate over ‘dwelling’ and ‘kitchen’ definitions At a Jan. 7 public hearing, Crook County officials opened the first of two reviews of Ordinance 357, an omnibus update to Titles 17 and 18. Residents pressed staff on a new definition of “design for occupancy” and a proposed kitchen standard that would affect accessory structures and future ADU conversions.

Crook County is redefining what it means to have a home, sparking heated debates over new kitchen standards and occupancy rules that could change the landscape of land use forever.

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicInput #CrookCountyCommunity #HousingPolicy

Crook County commissioners approve letter urging federal action after livestock losses blamed on lone wolf Commissioners approved a letter asking state and federal wildlife authorities and two senators to support measures enabling removal or other action after repeated livestock depredations by an identified female wolf that commissioners said poses a public‑safety and livestock threat.

Crook County commissioners are taking a stand against a rogue wolf that's been wreaking havoc on local livestock and raising safety concerns for residents.

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#CrookCounty #OR #WildlifeManagement #LivestockProtection #CrookCountyLivestock #PublicSafety

Crook County opposes proposed state‑land sale for data‑center demonstration near airport The board authorized a letter opposing Application APP 0065856 from Triangle Airport Land LLC to acquire roughly 318 acres adjacent to the county airport for a possible data center, citing concerns about airport expansion and industrial land use.

Crook County commissioners have taken a stand against a controversial data center proposal that threatens to disrupt airport expansion plans on 318 acres of state land.

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#CrookCounty #OR #LandUsePolicy #IndustrialDevelopment

SWCD reports major grants and juniper-removal work covering thousands of acres Crook County's Soil & Water Conservation District reported nearly 250,000 acres enrolled in a sage-grouse conservation program, a $115,000 technical assistance grant, a near-$3.5 million America the Beautiful award for ~2,500 acres of juniper treatment, and a pending ~$1 million watershed grant; the board heard the update and had no objection.

Crook County's Soil & Water Conservation District is making waves with nearly $3.5 million in new grants aimed at transforming thousands of acres for conservation and wildfire recovery.

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#CrookCounty #OR #GrantFunding #WildlifeConservation #SustainableLandManagement

Crook County opts out of new Eastern Oregon solar siting rules to preserve local review The Crook County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 17 to opt out of newly issued Eastern Oregon solar-siting rules and pursue a locally led Goal 5 inventory update using a technical assistance grant, preserving county-level review for large solar projects while staff updates mapping and seeks public input.

Crook County has decided to maintain its current solar project review process, opting out of new regulations to ensure a more tailored approach for future developments.

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#CrookCounty #OR #SustainableEnergy #LocalGovAI #CrookCountySolar #CommunityInput

Sheriff's office reports drop in person crimes, notes staffing constraints and jail activity Crook County sheriff's staff reported October data showing a sharp drop in person‑crime reports and declines in arrests, while property crimes edged up and jail bookings and contraband incidents increased; staff cited staffing shortages for reduced proactive policing and requested running year‑to‑date comparisons in future reports.

Crook County's latest public safety report reveals a surprising drop in person crimes but a troubling rise in property crimes and DUI arrests, all linked to staffing shortages.

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#CrookCounty #OR #CrimeStatistics #CrookCountyPublicSafety #CommunitySafety

Crook County advances draft OHV ordinance, schedules public hearings Crook County staff presented a draft off‑highway vehicle ordinance that would allow licensed commercial OHV access on certain county roads, require safety briefings and limit liability exposure; commissioners favored a phased approach and asked staff to align definitions with state standards before two public hearings.

Crook County is considering new regulations for off-highway vehicle use that could change the way you enjoy the trails—are you ready for the ride ahead?

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#CrookCounty #OR #RecreationalAccess #PublicSafety #CrookCountyOHV

Residents press Crook County on Knife River operations and alleged well impacts; county and state say investigations ongoing Multiple residents told the Board of Commissioners they have seen permit violations, settling-pond dumping and changes to well water since Knife River resumed mining operations. Planning staff said the county has filed complaints and is using enforcement tools; state representatives said agency questions and a DOGAMI response will be posted and the

Residents are demanding accountability from Knife River after alarming reports of permit violations and potential contamination of domestic wells in Crook County.

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#CrookCounty #OR #WaterQuality #CrookCountyAggriculture #CommunityConcerns

Crook County commissioners approve proclamations, budget corrections and land-use change; authorize VOCA signature and $5,000 contribution At its Nov. 5 meeting the Crook County Board of Commissioners approved a veterans proclamation, authorized the district attorney to sign a VOCA grant agreement, corrected a budget scrivener's error, adopted a supplemental budget for carryover projects and approved a zone change for about 20 acres in the Pal Butte area. The board also approved a $5,

Crook County's latest board meeting brought significant changes, from honoring veterans with Operation Greenlight to approving a crucial budget amendment and a land-use transformation in Pal Butte!

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #CrookCountyVeterans

Crook County adopts 2025 Transportation System Plan with Juniper Canyon and Powell Butte projects The Crook County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 3-54 adopting a new 20-year Transportation System Plan (TSP) that lists Juniper Canyon widening alternatives, Powell Butte/Highway 126 roundabout projects and new language addressing agricultural vehicle mobility; staff said the plan positions the county for grant funding and future project

Crook County's new 2025 Transportation System Plan is set to transform local roads with vital safety upgrades and agricultural considerations—will it ease the congestion you've been facing?

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicSafety #CommunityPlanning #InfrastructureDevelopment

Crook County reviews library core services; commissioners discuss outreach, bookmobile and room fees County staff and library personnel reviewed the Crook County Library core‑service draft, discussed circulation and program metrics, the underused bookmobile, outreach to rural communities and possible policies on reserving and charging for the library's community room.

Crook County is reimagining its library services to better serve rural communities, but what does that mean for the future of the bookmobile and community outreach?

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#CrookCounty #OR #DigitalAccess #LifelongLearning #CommunityEngagement #CrookCountyLibrary

Crook County reviews health department’s core services, funding sources County staff and the Crook County Health and Human Services director reviewed the department’s core service groups — health protection and response, clinical access, family health services — and discussed funding sources, reporting pathways and mandated duties to the Oregon Health Authority.

Crook County is taking crucial steps to enhance community health by reviewing its health department's core services and funding strategies—find out how your health services are shaped!

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicHealth #HealthFunding #CommunityWellbeing

Commissioners Discuss Transportation System Plan and Roundabout Proposals in Juniper Canyon Commissioners review roundabout designs and connectivity improvements for Juniper Canyon transportation plan.

Crook County Commissioners are tackling critical transportation issues, including proposals for a safer Calview Highway 126 intersection that has the community buzzing with concern.

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicSafety #CommunityEngagement #CrookCountyInfrastructure

Community Discusses Alternative Access Plans for Juniper Canyon Transportation System Residents express support for vetting additional access routes through Juniper Canyon.

The Crook County Board of Commissioners is at a crossroads, debating crucial access routes in Juniper Canyon that could impact emergency services and community safety.

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#CrookCounty #OR #PublicInfrastructure #CommunityEngagement #EmergencyAccess