blank – Best Country 103

When Patrick Hull retired as executive director of the Roseburg Veterans' Affairs (VA) Health Care System, it seemed like the endpoint of his career. But after another local health care leader's recent departure, he's stepping back in.

In a media statement, Aviva Health announced Hull was appointed by the organization's Board of Directors as interim CEO. His appointment follows the departure of former-CEO KC Bolton, who stepped down last week.

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and support the Aviva Health team and community here in in Douglas County. Aviva Health plays an important role in providing access to care, and I’m focused on listening, learning and supporting the staff who deliver that care every day," Hull wrote. "There’s a solid foundation in place, and my priority is to ensure continuity, stability and continued focus on our patients and community."

Hull comes into the role with over 30 years in healthcare leadership. Following work as a phlebotomist, her served as the regional health care planning manager and assistant capital asset manager with VISN 10.

Hull also served as the Veteran's Health Administration activations program manager, overseeing a budget between $600 million and $1.2 billion dollars. In Illinois, he was instrumental in merging the North Chicago VA Medical Center and Navy Hospital into the Lovell Federal Health Care Center.

Before arriving at the Roseburg VA Health Care System in 2023, he also served as interim medical center director of the Western Colorado Health Care System in 2019.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

When Patrick Hull retired as executive director of the Roseburg Veterans' Affairs (VA) Health Care...

On Wednesday the Douglas County Board of Commissioners held a meeting in which they approved grant agreements for community services and a park rehabilitation and discussed the drafting of a resolution on homelessness.

Two grant agreements were approved by the board. The first of these is between the county and the State of Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) for $1,071,020 for the Improving People's Access to Community-Based Treatment, Supports, and Services (IMPACTS) Grant program.

According to the CJC, the program aims to address shortages of community services for people with mental health or substance use disorders, possibly resulting in criminal justice involvement, hospitalizations or institutionalizations.

This grant agreement supports programs which service these individuals such as mobile crisis and sobering center resources, detox services and crisis resolution rooms. It also supports Chadwick Clubhouse, an organization providing non-clinical support for people struggling with mental health.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

On Wednesday the Douglas County Board of Commissioners held a meeting in which they approved...

KEIZER — Despite blustery, cold and wet conditions, the Roseburg Indians managed to overcome the Sprague Olympians 10-4 in a nonleague game Tuesday night at Roto Rooter Park at Volcanoes Stadium.

The victory stretched Roseburg's winning streak to seven games and concluded the nonleague portion of the schedule for the Indians.

Roseburg (10-3) returns to Southwest Conference play on Tuesday at Sheldon.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

KEIZER — Despite blustery, cold and wet conditions, the Roseburg Indians managed to overcome the...

On April 10, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) revealed the first 12 projects in Oregon expected to receive Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding, including one affecting Southern Oregon.

The projects, which target needs such as mental health and substance use prevention, chronic disease management and healthcare professional training, are expected to receive a collective $6.5 million in 2026.

To support projects, OHA is directly providing funding to organizations through what the authority calls Immediate Impact Awards. The authority plans to determine exact funding for individual projects by May, following budget negotiations.

“These early projects will help Oregon’s Rural Health Transformation Program succeed in its first year, building a solid foundation upon which we can meaningfully improve rural healthcare access for years to come,” said OHA Health Policy & Analytics Director Clare Pierce-Wrobel.

The funding aims to assist rural areas meet healthcare needs. One of the initial 12 projects is a school nursing access pilot involving the Oregon School Nurses Association and Southern Oregon Education Service District, potentially increasing access to healthcare education.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

On April 10, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) revealed the first 12 projects in Oregon expected...

For nearly 40 years, Music in the Park has provided Southern Douglas County with summer concerts showcasing talent from Douglas County and beyond. This week, they've announced the lineup for the upcoming season's entertainment.

The 2026 Music In the Park series will feature seven concerts in total, featuring genres such as rock, blues, bluegrass and more. The series will run from 6–8 p.m. on Thursdays through July and August at Millsite Park, located at 231 Volunteer Way in Myrtle Creek.

Parking is available and dogs are permitted. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Food vendors will provide refreshments on and off site throughout the series.

According to entertainment coordinator Ted Romas, this year's Music in the Park is a special one. It is dedicated to Lauren Young, founder of Lauren Young Tires, who died last year. This year marks the tenth the company has sponsored the concerts series.

"It's very significant and important in keeping things going and keeping the music free," Romas said of Young's sponsorships.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

For nearly 40 years, Music in the Park has provided Southern Douglas County with summer...

EUGENE — Roseburg sophomore Lana Silvestri was the medalist, leading the Indians to a third-place team finish in a 12-team invitational hosted by Sheldon at Eugene Country Club on Monday.

Silvestri carded a 3-under-par 69 over 18 holes. Teammate Raeleigh Travis was 15th with a round of 96.

Sheldon won the team title with a score of 360, two strokes ahead of Grants Pass. Roseburg finished at 369.

On the boys’ side, Roseburg’s Harrison Scott finished 22nd with a round of 82. Graham Fisk was 40th (89).

Carson Krauss of Grants Pass was the medalist with 4-under 68. Sheldon and South Eugene tied for first in the team standings at 314, one stroke ahead of South Medford. Roseburg was 11th (358).

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

EUGENE — Roseburg sophomore Lana Silvestri was the medalist, leading the Indians to a third-place...

SUTHERLIN — The Sutherlin Bulldogs stayed hot on the softball diamond on a cool, damp Tuesday.

Sutherlin took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, then held on for a 5-4 victory over Glide in the Far West League opener for both teams.

The Bulldogs (9-2, 1-0 FWL) have won eight straight games. Sutherlin won seven games total last year under coach Miguel Carrillo.

Freshman Maya Flora pitched the win, allowing eight hits and four runs (two earned) with 13 strikeouts and three walks over seven innings.

Kinzley Hughes and Elizabeth Branton, both freshmen, were the top hitters for Sutherlin. Hughes was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Branton went 2-for-3 with one run.

Sophia Gilman doubled, scored a run and had one RBI, and Chloe Mounts contributed a hit and RBI for the Bulldogs. Gilman and Mounts are also first-year high school players.

Ella Weber was 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Wildcats (3-7, 0-1). Emma Geiger went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs, and Samantha Moyers singled and scored a run.

Weber took the loss, giving up six hits and five runs in six innings. She fanned 11, walked four and hit two batters.

The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader at Coplin Field in Glide Friday, beginning at 3 p.m.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

SUTHERLIN — The Sutherlin Bulldogs stayed hot on the softball diamond on a cool, damp...

SUTHERLIN — Comeback.

The Sutherlin baseball team erased a three-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring four runs to take a 6-5 win over Glide in the Far West League opener on Tuesday.

Freshman Braxton Gary ripped a bases-loaded double to win it for the Bulldogs (6-5, 1-0 FWL).

"It felt good to be on the right side of this series (Sutherlin lost to Glide in the first game the last two years)," Bulldogs coach Bret Prock said. "Our kids didn't let down, they kept competing. It was huge for them to compete and get a chance to win a game like that."

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

SUTHERLIN — Comeback.

The Sutherlin baseball team erased a three-run deficit in the bottom of...

When Roseburg Beauty College closed nearly a decade ago, prospective cosmetologists were left without a local avenue for education. This year, a new business plans to change that.

That business is Opal & Onyx Salon, located at 122 N State Street in Sutherlin. After five months in business, it celebrated its grand opening on April 4, giving old and new clients a chance to see the new space and try out the beauty services on offer.

The business provides several classic beauty services, including nails, pedicures, lashes and aesthetics. In October, tattoo artist Jena Rackley will move in as well, expanding Opal & Onyx's offerings.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

When Roseburg Beauty College closed nearly a decade ago, prospective cosmetologists were left without a...

The Roseburg City Council set an ambitious agenda for Monday night's regular and study meetings. A primary topic was prioritizing the efforts of city staff in addressing the unhoused community, but the overwhelming majority of speakers from the audience had other ideas.

Other momentous topics were the celebration of multiple city volunteers, in a proclamation of Volunteer Recognition Month, and a finalization of the cooperative project with Umpqua Community College on the medical education center.

The audience, however, wanted to continue last month's discussion regarding the possibility of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement potentially seeking office space in Roseburg.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The Roseburg City Council set an ambitious agenda for Monday night's regular and study meetings....

For Nicholas “Nick” Mitchell, moving from California to Douglas County in 2018 was not a culture shock. The Fallbrook, Calif. native grew up in an unincorporated, agricultural community and told The News-Review he understands the role that agriculture plays in rural communities.

On Nov. 25, 2025, Mitchell filed to run for Douglas County Commissioner, in the Position One seat currently held by Commissioner Tom Kress, who has filed for re-election. Additional candidates for Position One are Devlan Sorensen and Lorrie Wick.

Although Mitchell works in technology now, he did not necessarily grow up that way. As he told The News-Review, he spent his childhood summers in the barns of county fairs, showing the champion sheep and cattle he raised in large fairs as far away as Los Angeles and San Diego.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

For Nicholas “Nick” Mitchell, moving from California to Douglas County in 2018 was not a...

Not only was Brandy Stone born and raised in central Douglas County, so too were...

According to emergency radio traffic Thursday, and a press release from the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), cooler weather and rain Thursday afternoon were assets in controlling multiple wildfires that occurred during a lightning storm.

The kinetic afternoon for firefighters began around 1:30 p.m. when the Kellogg Rural Fire Department responded to a natural cover fire in the 8000 block of Tyee Road in Umpqua, west of Sutherlin. They found a fire measuring approximately two acres, moving at moderate speed uphill in steep terrain.

DFPA arrived at approximately 2:13 p.m. with fire engines and assumed command and responsibility from the Kellogg Rural Fire Department. By end of business the fire had been confirmed at a size of 1.8 acres, but was successfully surrounded by firefighters with fire breaks, plumbed with fire hose, mopped up and turned back over to the owners.

Meanwhile, DFPA crews were also responding to Bear Creek Road, approximately 20 mies south in an area west of Roseburg and north of Tenmile, where an industrial operator fire was being fought with resources by a private landowner.

According to DFPA, this second fire was measured at between 15 and 20 acres, and for operational purposes was named the Baby Bear Fire. DFPA crews arrived to find the flames to be occurring mostly within the boundaries of the industrial operation, and without spreading into the adjacent stands of timber.

DFPA reportedly called for additional help, and was assisted by the Coos Forest Protective Association. By the end of business Thursday, the combined fire crews had surrounded approximately 60% of the affected area with fire breaks.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

According to emergency radio traffic Thursday, and a press release from the Douglas Forest Protective...

When the Umpqua Valley Comic Fest was cancelled in late 2025, pop culture enthusiasts were left without an occasion to celebrate their interests. Last weekend, after months of planning, those enthusiasts finally got their chance.

Sutherlin High School Unified Comic Con, which brought together fans of comics, movies, video games, anime, tabletop gaming and more to share their love for all things nerd culture.

The event was organized by students and educators in the Sutherlin School District's special education and arts programs following the closure of Umpqua Valley Comic Fest.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

When the Umpqua Valley Comic Fest was cancelled in late 2025, pop culture enthusiasts were...

The Roseburg Indians combined for 26 hits and overpowered the South Eugene Axe in a Southwest Conference baseball doubleheader sweep Friday night at Champion Car Wash Field.

The Indians had to overcome early deficits in both games, but finished with big wins that ended early due to the 10-run mercy rule. The opener went to Roseburg 13-3 in six innings and the Tribe claimed a 14-4 victory in the nightcap in five innings.

South Eugene (0-11, 0-5 SWC) made the trip to Roseburg a day early as the game times were adjusted to avoid forecasted wet weather.

Roseburg (9-3, 6-0 SWC) has now won six consecutive games and is one of two teams with unblemished conference records.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The Roseburg Indians combined for 26 hits and overpowered the South Eugene Axe in a...

COOS BAY — Roseburg, Glide and Camas Valley won events in the 24th Prefontaine Rotary Invitational track and field meet at Marshfield High School on Saturday.

The Roseburg boys 4x400-meter relay team of David Schmid, Caden Moon, Joseph Latham and McLane Stedman posted a victory in 3 minutes, 24.17 seconds. Schmid finished first in the 200 (22.44), Latham won the 800 (1:59.43) and Emery Hurtienne took first in the high jump (6-4).

Glide got wins from Collin Groth in the long jump (21-6 1/2, PR) and Kara Anderson in the girls shot put (35-6, PR). Camas Valley's Jaiden Adams won the girls 800 (2:27.81, PR).

The Roseburg boys finished second behind Crook County in the team standings with 72 points. Glide tied with Crook County for second behind Bandon on the girls' side with 54 points.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

COOS BAY — Roseburg, Glide and Camas Valley won events in the 24th Prefontaine Rotary...

SALEM — The No. 4-ranked Umpqua Community College baseball team bounced back from a 12-inning loss in the opener with a 3-2 win over Chemeketa in the second game of a Northwest Athletic Conference South Region doubleheader on Friday.

The Storm pulled out a 4-3 victory in the first game. UCC (19-11, 15-9 South) is percentage points ahead of Lane (21-11, 11-7) in second place behind Linn-Benton (26-4, 16-4) in the league standings.

Shiloh Wilson hit a sacrifice fly to score Aiden Metzker with the winning run for UCC in the top of the seventh inning in the nightcap.

Ty Hellenthal, a former Umpqua Valley Christian standout, went the distance on the mound for the Riverhawks. The freshman right-hander gave up five hits and two runs, striking out two and walking one.

Trevor Ratliff went 2-for-3 and Taylor Davis was 2-for-4 for Umpqua. Ratliff ripped a solo home run in the second and Jackson Thomsen came home in the fourth on a sacrifice bunt by Jaxon Marble.

Kyle Sheller was 2-for-3 for the Storm (7-27, 6-18).

Chemeketa scored the deciding run in the first game when Chase Saunders drew a bases-loaded walk off UCC reliever Josh Jackson in the 12th, plating Slater Tsuma.

The Storm overcame a three-run deficit, tying the contest with three runs in the ninth. Brodan Curtiss had a two-run double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Joe Vaccaro.

Sheller was 2-for-5 for Chemeketa. Davis was the lone UCC player with multiple hits, going 2-for-6 with two RBIs.

Douglas High School product Tristan Ledbetter started for the Riverhawks, allowing five hits and three runs over 8 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out four, walked two and hit one batter.

UCC has this week off and returns to league play on April 22 with a home doubleheader against Clackamas.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

SALEM — The No. 4-ranked Umpqua Community College baseball team bounced back from a 12-inning...

The Roseburg Indians got the job done on the softball diamond Friday.

Roseburg finished with 28 hits and completed a series sweep of last-place South Eugene with a pair of easy wins, 15-0 in four innings and 14-1 in five, in a Southwest Conference doubleheader at the RHS field.

Both contests were stopped early due to the mercy rule. The Tribe improved to 9-5 on the season and 4-2 in the SWC.

Two freshmen, Emma Cole and Madison Moss, shined for Roseburg at the plate in the first game. Moss was 3-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, while Cole went 2-for-3 with three runs, four stolen bases and one RBI.

Sierra Sutton was 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Indians. Danika Opp went 2-for-3 with three runs, and Cadence Ellenwood scored twice and knocked in two runs.

Harlee Agee and McKenzie Moss combined on a four-inning no-hitter. Agee struck out six, walked two and hit one batter in three innings, and McKenzie Moss struck out the side in the fourth.

In Game 2, the Singleton sisters produced six hits between them. Ciera Singleton went 3-for-4 with a run and Terra Singleton was 3-for-3 with a triple, three runs and an RBI.

Mackenzie Moss was 2-for-2 with two RBIs in the contest. Ellenwood was 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI, run and two stolen bases, Cole went 2-for-4 with two runs, and Sutton tripled and knocked in three runs.

Mackenzie Moss pitched the win, giving up four hits and one run. She fanned six, walked three and hit one batter.

Lola Woodward was 2-for-3 for the Axe (2-10, 0-6).

Roseburg is off this week before resuming conference play at Sheldon on April 21.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The Roseburg Indians got the job done on the softball diamond Friday.

Roseburg finished with...

Clothing, shoes, toys, bottles, books, breast pumps, bottle sterilizers, carriers and cribs: For the past five years, Peppypotamus has provided parents with these supplies and more.

By the end of Spring, that all changes.

On April 7, Peppypotamus announced on Facebook its Roseburg location is closing. The remainder of the store's stock will consolidate to the original Peppypotamus location in Eugene.

According to co-owner Victoria Sanne, the store is aiming to close by the second week of May, but an exact date of closure is not finalized.

"With heavy hearts, we’ve made the decision to close our Roseburg location and consolidate in Eugene location," reads the Facebook post. "This shop has meant everything to us, the memories, the families, and all of you. We are so incredibly grateful for your love and support over the years."

Peppypotamus functions as a trade where parents can bring in unwanted child care supplies and receive store credit to purchase used items for far lower prices than retail. Customers can still use unspent credit accrued from trades at the Eugene location.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

Clothing, shoes, toys, bottles, books, breast pumps, bottle sterilizers, carriers and cribs: For the past...

The new housing market in Roseburg is a bit of a mixed bag, with a dearth of homes built last year, but signs point to a significant number of new homes coming in the not-to-distant future.

Last year only nine detached single-family homes were approved to be built in the city, and another five are pending. That totals 14 new homes in the works, a far cry from what’s needed to accommodate the population growth that has been forecast for Roseburg, according to a 2019 housing needs analysis that was conducted for the city.

That analysis looked at the anticipated population growth 20 years out — from 2019 to 2039 — and determined the number of new housing units that would be needed to provide lodging for everyone.

Within that time frame, based on population projections, there needs to be 2,678 new dwelling units, for an average of 134 new units a year. There were only a total of 26 new dwelling units built or approved in the city last year, including single homes, townhomes and apartments.

The numbers for approved or pending homes in 2025 were: 14 detached homes, three manufactured homes, five duplexes (totaling seven units), one accessory dwelling unit, one residential unit in conjunction with commercial use and zero townhomes, according to an annual housing report compiled by the city.

For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The new housing market in Roseburg is a bit of a mixed bag, with a...