As professionals and residents in the Roseburg Family Medicine Residency program gathered at Aviva Health on Thursday night, one message rang loud and clear as vital for the future of Douglas County: Support is key. "If there's one thing that sticks with you, let it maybe be this tonight: This is the greatest generation of young people I have ever seen in my career ... they are super talented," Roseburg Public Schools Superintendent Jared Cordon said. "The responsibility we have is to work together (for) these students, so we can live up to their potential." The occasion was Aviva Health's first ever Community Impact Panel, an event designed to help connect members of the residency program with a panel of industry leaders. Ultimately, the goal was to connect future professionals with resources to help them better understand and address Douglas County's biggest issues. Among the issues listed were poverty, food insecurity, housing insecurity, sexual assault and a deficit of child care. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

As professionals and residents in the Roseburg Family Medicine Residency program gathered at Aviva Health...

When Deleta Dickson was younger, her mother Juanita Dickson and aunt Elora Smithey dreamed of opening a restaurant. As the years went on and her mother eventually passed away, the chances of that happening seemingly came and went. In October, Dickson finally got to make that dream a reality when she opened Juanita's Latin Fusion next to 2478 NE Stephen's St. in Roseburg. As the name would suggest, Juanita's is inspired by the life and cooking of Juanita Dickson, who discovered a love for cooking at 5 years old while growing up in migrant camps. Over the years, her home cooking and recipes became a source of family pride. "She just was an amazing cook. She could make something out of nothing all of her life," Deleta Dickson said. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

When Deleta Dickson was younger, her mother Juanita Dickson and aunt Elora Smithey dreamed of...

With no trial date yet scheduled, both sides are busy trying to compile evidence. This week, it was the respondent’s turn. The case is Todd Vaughn vs. Dan Loomis, in his capacity as Douglas County Clerk, and Natasha Atkinson in her capacity of holding Vaughn’s former seat on the Umpqua Public Transportation District’s (UPTD) Board of Directors. Loomis, through attorney John DiLorenzo Jr., is seeking more information from witnesses, including Vaughn. According to filings this week in Douglas County Circuit Court, DiLorenzo is not happy with his depositions of Vaughn and a potential witness, Michaela Hammerson. Under the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure (ORCP) sworn depositions may be taken in civil cases by subpoena, in effect giving all sides of a case a preview of testimony that may be offered if a case goes to trial. DiLorenzo’s filings this week confirmed that he took depositions in September from Vaughn and Hammerson, but also that he wants to do it again. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

With no trial date yet scheduled, both sides are busy trying to compile evidence. This...

SUTHERLIN — A juvenile was detained and there are no reported injuries after an incident Wednesday at Sutherlin High School. The juvenile was reportedly lodged with the Douglas County Juvenile Department, according to the Sutherlin Police Department. Few details have been released, but certain allegations are apparent from the criminal charges, based on a press release from the Sutherlin Police Department. Those charges include two counts of attempting to commit second-degree assault. An attempt under Oregon law occurs when a person takes a substantial step towards the commission of a crime. Second-degree assault occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly causes serious physical injury, or causes a less-than-serious physical injury through the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. According to the Sutherlin Police Department, and an e-mail sent to parents by the school district, a knife was taken from the juvenile. Under Oregon law, a knife can be classified as either deadly or dangerous, depending on the type and construction of the blade. Additional charges listed by Sutherlin police include unlawful use of a weapon, which occurs when a person attempts to use a deadly or dangerous weapon, or possesses such a weapon with that intent. The final charges are menacing, by attempting to place another in fear of imminent and serious physical injury, and stalking, by knowingly alarming or coercing another person through repeated, unwanted contacts. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

SUTHERLIN — A juvenile was detained and there are no reported injuries after an incident...

The Boys and Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley (BGCUV) hosted Fall into Wellness family night Thursday with the intent to allow staff to reconnect with families of the children they see daily, BGCUV marketing director Melodie Branham said. Melanie Suggs said she's been present at the past few family nights, one before summer and one before school began, with children Hailyn and Journy Yoder. She said her children attend the club, but after work she's usually ready to go home to dinner and bedtime. "It's nice to get out and do something fun. It's not during the summer," Suggs said. "We would definitely come again. I didn't even know about it until yesterday, from the kids, because they go here anyway." Food truck Cholos Tacos provided dinner and Umpqua Dairy served ice cream. Thundering Water set up games and inflatables in the gymnasium along with other booths and games from Thrive Umpqua, Umpqua Health Alliance, Umpqua Community Veg (UC Veg) and Roseburg Public Library. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The Boys and Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley (BGCUV) hosted Fall into Wellness family...

A pioneer in the Umpqua Valley wine industry has passed away. Philippe Girardet was the founder of Girardet Vineyards and Winery in Tenmile. The Swiss American was an astrophysics engineer at the California Institute of Technology before moving to Oregon, where he established one of the areas oldest continually operating wineries. When initially visiting the Umpqua Valley, Girardet was reminded of the rolling hills of his homeland. He recognized the area’s viticultural potential after tasting the wines of Richard Sommer, the founder of Hillcrest Vineyard. Having worked in his uncle’s vineyards while growing up in Switzerland, Girardet retained a lifelong connection to wine. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

A pioneer in the Umpqua Valley wine industry has passed away.

Philippe Girardet was the...

The South Umpqua High School boys soccer team saw multiple names listed in the Special District 4 all-league voting. Junior Trace Esterbrook and sophomore Raymond Alcaraz were named Co-Players of the Year. August Harrison received the Coach of the Year honor. Forward Braxton Hamilton, midfielder Alcaraz, and defenders Talen Lamm and Esterbrook were all named to the all-league first team. Rhett Wright, Hunter Hudgeon and Cameron Esterbrook made the second team, and senior Vander Deardorff received honorable mention. Other county players on the first team were juniors Louis Rinnert, Caleb York and Jack Anderson, and sophomore Hezekiah Castallanos of Umpqua Valley Christian, and senior Jake Narkiewicz of Sutherlin.

The South Umpqua High School boys soccer team saw multiple names listed in the Special...

GREEN DISTRICT/WINSTON — For Green district motorists and pedestrians, things are getting safer as construction work on the Oregon Department of Transportation's Oregon 42 Lookingglass Creek to I-5 project is progressing into the winter season. Cross walks, walk signals and streetlights are now installed at the intersection of Rolling Hills Road and Grange Road, improving visibility for pedestrians. A new traffic signal is also slated for installation at the intersection. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

GREEN DISTRICT/WINSTON — For Green district motorists and pedestrians, things are getting safer as construction...

For dentist Dr. Alanson Randall, the reasoning behind FREEdom Smiles simple: it feels good to help veterans get the care they deserve. "I feel that we're really luck to be able to provide the services we do to them," Randall said. "I think this is a population that, a lot of times, kind of falls between the cracks. It's always really nice to be able to help out when we can." On Wednesday, Randal's office held FREEdom smiles, an annual dental care day when veterans can receive service completely free. Any kind of procedure was offered, from routine cleanings to tooth extractions, saving veterans thousands collectively in medical costs. According to Randal, last year's event gave out an estimated $59,000 worth of treatment. To further help save on costs for the office, Transcend Dental Lab and Epic Dental Lab helped donate resources and supplies for cleanings as a collaborative effort between dental caregivers. According to Randal, many veterans are unable to access sufficient dental care options, even through veteran medical benefits. FREEdom Smiles was started 25 years ago to help address this issue and give those who've served treatments they may not have received otherwise. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

For dentist Dr. Alanson Randall, the reasoning behind FREEdom Smiles simple: it feels good to...

Just after 3 a.m. Nov. 7, the Roseburg Police Department investigated a report of two suspicious people in a residential area near the west end of town. They ended up with two arrests for alleged crimes that occurred in the past. A report from the Roseburg Police Department does not conclude that the two people were committing new crimes. The report also does not state what made the caller suspicious, other than the time of day. It may not even have been the same two people, since the arrests occurred more than half of a mile away. Less than two weeks earlier, however, Eli John Moore, 23, had been indicted in Douglas County Circuit Court. The charges included burglary, and the cases were nearly three years old. Moore, of Sutherlin, was one of the two people the Roseburg Police Department located in the 2400 block of Northwest Kline Street that morning, while searching the area for the two suspicious persons. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

Just after 3 a.m. Nov. 7, the Roseburg Police Department investigated a report of two...

With a plot centered on murder, betrayal, witchcraft and a ruler's rise to power and eventual fall, "Macbeth" is arguably one of Shakespeares darkest and most dramatic stories. Now, the tragedy comes to life in Douglas County with the Roseburg High School Theater Department's "Macbeth," which presents its own unique spin on the classic. Set in medieval Scotland, "Macbeth" follows the story of the titular protagonist's descent into madness after an encounter with three witches, known as The Weird Sisters. After they tell Macbeth he will one day become king, he and his scheming wife, Lady Macbeth, tragically spiral into madness, murder and deception in an attempt to make the prophecy come true. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

With a plot centered on murder, betrayal, witchcraft and a ruler's rise to power and...

A press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) said that Oregon is now home to a new invasive, destructive tiny beetle. The Mediterranean oak borer (MOB) has been found in multiple places in northern Oregon. "The results show us that, unfortunately, Mediterranean oak borer is firmly and widely established in the northern Willamette Valley," Cody Holthouse, chair of the state’s Interagency MOB Task Force, said. The pest is present in at least six Oregon counties: Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill. The University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources department website states the beetle was found in several valley oak trees in California in 2019 and has since been detected in multiple counties. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

A press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) said that Oregon is now...

SUTHERLIN — City Manager Jerry Gillham, who is set to retire Jan. 1, will be on medical leave for the remainder of his tenure, and Finance Director Tami Trowbridge will take his place until the new city manager is seated next year. The medical leave was discussed at Monday’s city council meeting, which Gillham did not attend. City officials, including Mayor Michelle Sumner, did not disclose Gillham’s medical issues, citing federal privacy laws. Gillham could not be reached for comment. Trowbridge will serve as interim city manager until Sutherlin Police Department Capt. Kurt Sorenson — who was chosen to replace Gillham — takes over in early January. Under the terms of the city charter, Trowbridge will have the “authority and duties of manager,” except she can only appoint or remove employees with council approval. Gillham has been city manager since May 2012. He retired from the Army in 2014, where he served for over 35 years on active duty and reserves, as well as the Oregon Army National Guard. Gillham served two tours of duty in Iraq. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

SUTHERLIN — City Manager Jerry Gillham, who is set to retire Jan. 1, will be...