John William Deptuch, 57, of Glendale, is in the custody of the Douglas County Jail after a series of incidents on the freeway Saturday night. Shots were allegedly fired from a vehicle, leading to a police pursuit in which the tires were flattened on a vehicle operated by Deptuch. The criminal charges against Deptuch increased over the weekend as the investigation continued, according to records of the Douglas County Jail. "Who the hell is that," Deptuch asked the court Monday, as he read the name of an alleged victim from the charging documents. According to court records, Deptuch and his alleged victim did not know one another. The investigation began at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday, with a report that a pickup truck was swerving at erratic speeds while traveling south on the freeway near Curtin, according to court documents. Multiple law enforcement agencies eventually responded to the reports, especially once shots were allegedly fired from the pickup, which reportedly occurred near Oakland. The investigation by the Oregon State Police revealed that while other vehicles were following the pickup, Deptuch fired a pistol towards the other vehicles because he was being followed. Deptuch was alone in the pickup, save for a dog that was uninjured and taken into protective custody. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

John William Deptuch, 57, of Glendale, is in the custody of the Douglas County Jail...

A new agreement will allow Umpqua Community College students to pursue a career in the pharmacy through a partnership with Pacific University. Beginning in the spring of 2026, students at Umpqua Community College (UCC) and Chemeketa Community College (CCC) in Salem can complete their pre-pharmacy work and then transfer into Pacific University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program at the university’s Hillsboro Campus in either of the accelerated three-year or extended five-year pathways. A press release from Pacific University said this partnership will continue the expansion of pathways to clinical programs offered by the school. “This collaboration creates meaningful opportunities for our students to begin their journey toward a career in pharmacy right here at Umpqua Community College,” UCC Chief Academic Officer Danielle Haskett said. "Working with Pacific University and Chemeketa Community College helps us build stronger educational pathways while supporting the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Oregon." UCC and CCC students in the program will have early exposure to Pacific's program through advising, professional engagement opportunities and support in the application process. Eligible students can participate in the Jump Start Early Assurance Program for conditional admission and early connections with the faculty and program. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

A new agreement will allow Umpqua Community College students to pursue a career in the...

Additional hearings have been held in the death of James Wade Gage, but little has been decided. Gage, 60, of Roseburg, was killed Jan. 2 by a single stab wound, according to court records. "We are not contesting at this time. I actually feel like we're making some progress on settling the case," David Hall told the court in a hearing Monday. Hall, an attorney, is representing a juvenile accused of homicide in Gage's death. The juvenile has remained in the custody of the Douglas County Juvenile Department since shortly after the homicide allegedly took place. Monday's court appearance had been scheduled as a detention hearing, required every 28 while a juvenile is kept in custody. Hall's announcement, however, cut the hearing short. The following day, however, was another story. Tuesday's motion was filed by the office of Douglas County Counsel, as opposed to the Douglas County District Attorney's Office which has jurisdiction of the homicide case. County counsel acts as in-house counsel for county offices, in this case the Douglas County Sheriff's Office as well as the juvenile department. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

Additional hearings have been held in the death of James Wade Gage, but little has...

It took him a little bit to make up his mind but Days Creek Charter School Superintendent Joe LaFountaine decided to retire again after 42 years working in Oregon schools. “I've been around long enough to see things evolve, which is always interesting to me, because education is in everybody's life, and everybody has their opinions about it,” LaFountaine said. “Even when I first started in ’83, you had people who are trying to impact education, how it was being done, and you still have that today — people who are trying to bring educational accountability.” LaFountaine began his first retirement in 2020 when he stepped down from his position as regional superintendent of high schools for Portland Public Schools. He said he came out of retirement in 2023 due to being restless and wanting to do something, having already remodeled and landscaped his property, when he was told of the position open at Days Creek. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

It took him a little bit to make up his mind but Days Creek Charter...

The Rose Elementary School campus in downtown Roseburg was alive Monday afternoon with the sounds of children and their families exploring the world of rhythm, sounds and meaningful play. Roseburg Schools held the third literacy night event this year, titled Sounds, Rhythms & Rhymes, inviting families to bring children ages 2-7 to listen to a story, play with a large variety of toys and crafts and use the experience to practice small developmental skills. Roseburg Schools Primary Literacy Support & Early Learning Facilitator Tatum Stedman said the event was intended to show those early literacy skills that build into the sounds of letters, words and phonemic awareness children need to read and write. Stedman said the event works knowing that children have a natural tendency to seek patterns — rhythm and rhymes — as can be seen in nursery rhymes, helping them learn the words and the cadence of speaking. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The Rose Elementary School campus in downtown Roseburg was alive Monday afternoon with the sounds...

Days Creek senior guard Xane Hopkins was selected the Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the Skyline League boys basketball all-league voting done by the coaches. Umpqua Valley Christian's Brian Ferguson received the Coach of the Year honor. Other area players making the first team along with Hopkins were UVC junior Teagan Sprague, Days Creek senior Camden Stufflebeam and Elkton junior Case Boe. For the girls, junior Meagan Hellenthal and senior Avery Renyer of UVC were first-team picks. Other area players on the first team were Camas Valley junior Liberty Sexton and Glendale senior Audrey Kirkland. Powers junior Danika Bushnell was the Player of the Year, while Powers' KamBria Swenson was the Coach of the Year. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

Days Creek senior guard Xane Hopkins was selected the Player of the Year and Defensive...

WINSTON — A drinking water warning is in effect for the next 24 hours in Winston following a loss of water pressure in the distribution system Monday. A notice from the Winston Dillard Water District states potentially harmful bacteria could be present in the water supply, which could make residents sick — particularly those with weakened immune systems. According to the notice, the entire Winston Dillard Water District system is affected. This is the only local system affected. Residents are warned not to drink water without boiling it first. The notice advises customers to bring water to a rolling boil for a full minute, allow the water to cool before using and store the cool water in a clean container with a cover. This water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food and baby formula, making ice of cleaning food contact surfaces. For More Information please visit www.nrtoday.com

WINSTON — A drinking water warning is in effect for the next 24 hours in...

PASCO, Wash. — The Umpqua Community College softball team opened its 2026 season over the weekend with two wins and two losses. The Riverhawks defeated Pierce 15-3 and whipped Wenatchee Valley 16-1 in nonleague games on Sunday. UCC (2-2) lost 23-3 to Walla Walla and 7-5 to Yakima Valley Saturday. Umpqua scored 13 runs in the bottom of the second inning in its victory over Wenatchee Valley. London O'Brien led the 'Hawks at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and five RBIs. Lexie Gidcumb doubled and knocked in three runs. Roseburg High School graduate Cambria Bachmeier pitched the win, allowing four hits and no earned runs with six strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Savannah Crawford and Gidcumb each stroked a pair of hits against Walla Walla. Gidcumb and Bella Garza each had two hits versus Yakima Valley. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

PASCO, Wash. — The Umpqua Community College softball team opened its 2026 season over the...

CANYONVILLE — Abacela Winery, HillCrest Winery, Trella Vineyards and Freed Estate Winery came away with awards Saturday night when the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association held the Greatest of the Grape at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville. The wine tasting event featured representatives from 19 Umpqua Valley wineries each pouring samples of their best red and non-red wines, according to the association's executive director Ali Rodgers. Abacela's 2025 Grenache Rosé won the best non-red wine, and the overall title of 2026 Greatest of the Grape. HillCrest Winery's 2020 Teroldego Reserve won the top red wine. Trella's 2024 Grüner Veltiner was runner up to the best non-red wine title while Freed Estate's 2022 Reserve Merlot was the runner up best red wine. Over the past few years, attendees have been able to vote on their favorite wines and these prizes were awarded to the people's top choices. This year, these wines were chosen by professionals. "The different thing this year is, we had a professional judging earlier in the week to determine who would win the Greatest of the Grape," Rodgers said. Local sommeliers from The Wine Destination, The Secret Wine Society, Mindpower Gallery and Seven Feathers Casino Resort met during the week before the event to test the wines in a double-blind tasting and chose the best non-red wine, red wine and the best of them all. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

CANYONVILLE — Abacela Winery, HillCrest Winery, Trella Vineyards and Freed Estate Winery came away with...

The Roseburg Rescue Mission has been an integral part of downtown, and of its unhoused community, officially since 1977 and unofficially for years before that. Monday night, the Roseburg City Council heard a presentation from the mission's board president, Jeff Wikstrom. The summary, and questions, took place within the regular meeting of the Roseburg City Council. Wikstrom recognized his organization has been partly a silent partner in the efforts to address homelessness, but indicated the rescue mission was beginning to change its strategy. "We keep a low profile at the mission," he confirmed. His appearance before the council was to describe what it does, "and to let you know that we are here to cooperate, to help with the homeless situation in Roseburg." Wikstrom went on to describe the rescue mission's past strategies as being primarily geared towards high-barrier clients, or those who are looking and ready to get off the street. In the recent past and near future, however, the rescue mission is recognizing the need for more collaboration. "I'm not completely sure about ADAPT," he said of Adapt Integrated Health Care. "I'm doing a little research, but I want to contact them," because Adapt has purchased a couple motels and has about 53 beds for housing, an opportunity for collaboration between the two agencies. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

The Roseburg Rescue Mission has been an integral part of downtown, and of its unhoused...

For over 30 years, Patrick Hull has served in the health care industry, providing leadership and management to health care projects and organizations across the country. This month, he has retired from his most recent position: executive director of the Roseburg Veterans' Affairs (VA) Health Care System. The News-Review was informed of this development by Jim Little, a member of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Advisory Committee, and Bill Duncan, president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 805. Both sources say they were personally made aware of Hull's retirement roughly a month ago, but were not informed as to why Hull decided to retire. "I talked to him about it last month. He told me he was going to retire, he was going to stay in the area," Duncan said. "He didn't really tell us why, but anyway, he had retired and I wished him the best of luck in his retirement." Little said he was surprised to learn of Hull's retirement, as he was under the impression the now-former executive director would remain in the position longer. "It was kind of a shock to us because he had said that he would probably be with us for another one to two years, which we appreciate because having longevity with our director at the Roseburg VA has been quite a struggle," Little said. In an email to The News-Review, VISN 20 Public Affairs Officer Megan Crowley wrote that the Veterans Health Administration is currently moving forward with a recruitment process. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

For over 30 years, Patrick Hull has served in the health care industry, providing leadership...

PASCO, Wash. — The season is over for the Umpqua Community College women's basketball team. The Riverhawks dropped a 71-57 decision to Peninsula in an Elite 8 game of the Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament at Columbia Basin College on Sunday afternoon. The Pirates (24-4), who won the West Region title, will play defending champion Walla Walla (27-4), a 62-61 winner over Lane, in a Final Four semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday. Peninsula outscored UCC (22-9) by 15 points over the last three quarters. Kimberlee Brown led four players in double figures with 16 points, including four 3-point field goals. Malia Garcia contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Pirates. Alecsis Smith had 12 points, six boards and three assists, and Makena Patrick added 10 points. Umpqua shot poorly, finishing 35.9% (23-for-64) from the field, 28.6% from 3-point range (6-for-21) and 62.5% (5-for-8) from the free-throw stripe. The Riverhawks held a 44-38 rebounding edge, but committed 17 turnovers. Giselle Muffett finished with a double-double for UCC, getting 13 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. She hit three triples. Kaelyn Shoemaker also had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Sydnee Muntifering scored 11 off the bench. The Riverhawks lose only two sophomores — Rebekah Beltran and Muntifering. Ky Foster is a sophomore, but used the season as a redshirt season.

PASCO, Wash. — The season is over for the Umpqua Community College women's basketball team....

TOPEKA, Kan. — Easton Raber highlighted Umpqua Community College's performances with a sixth-place finish in the men's pole vault in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at Washburn University Friday and Saturday. Raber cleared 15 feet, 8 1/4 inches, setting a new indoor PR. UCC's Angel Mendoza finished 15th (14-2 1/2) and Troy Hockett didn't clear a height. Rylan Bryant, a Sutherlin High School product, finished 12th in the shot put (47-8 3/4) for the Riverhawks. In the women's meet, Umpqua's Analise Miller placed seventh in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.72 (indoor PR) after running 2:17.99 in the prelims. UCC's Ellison Huffman was 13th in the pole vault (10-0) and Kaitlynn Bayard finished 15th (9-6 1/4)

TOPEKA, Kan. — Easton Raber highlighted Umpqua Community College's performances with a sixth-place finish in...

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Umpqua Community College women's wrestling team had two champions and one runner-up in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championships at the Mid-America Center on Saturday. Winning titles for the Riverhawks were freshman Kailey Salazar at 110 pounds and sophomore Bella Ngo at 131, while freshman Myra Presnell finished second at 124. They led UCC to fourth place in the team standings with 168 points. Salazar went 5-0 in the two-day tournament, pinning Murray State's Dixie Holliday in 4:24 in the title match. Ngo won four matches in the tourney, scoring a 10-0 superior decision over Kaylea Beauchamp of Indian Hills in the final. She was selected the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Presnell dropped a 6-0 decision to Indian Hills' Gabriela Avila Diaz in the championship match, finishing 4-1 in the tourney. The Riverhawks got a third-place finish from Brianna Ross (124), fourth from Evelina Juzenaite (145), fifth from Jessica Williams (131), seventh from Addison Canja (160) and eighth from Talia Katzenberger (235). UCC finished with eight All-Americans. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Umpqua Community College women's wrestling team had two champions and...

GLIDE — Since 1960, it's been an annual tradition in Glide to recognize those who embody the best of the community as First Citizen. Over the weekend, two more joined the long list of those who have claimed the title. On Saturday, a crowd gathered to celebrate the occasion with the 2025 Glide First Citizen Award Celebration, where both Bill DeGroot and Kara Weber were announced as this year's recipients of the title and award. DeGroot was recognized for his 15 years of service as the steward of the Glide Veterans Memorial. During that time, 134 additional names have been added to the memorial's wall as he worked to secure grant funding and enlist support for landscaping and upkeep of the memorial. He was also recognized for his service as the administrator of the Wimberly Cemetery, a historic pioneer cemetery that has served as the final resting place of local families since the 1850s. Since 2016, his upkeep efforts and help in securing a land survey for the property have helped to maintain it as a place historic significance for the community. As for Weber, she was chosen for the honor because of her volunteer efforts with the Glide Community Club and Glide School District, helping to plan activities and events and managing the fundraising monthly Bingo Night events. During the holidays, she is the hostess of the Halloween trunk-or-treat and Christmas party events. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

GLIDE — Since 1960, it's been an annual tradition in Glide to recognize those who...

WINCHESTER — If there's one thing Douglas County is known for, it's natural resources industry, such as timber, forestry and wildfire response. This weekend, some of the county's prospective leaders got the chance to show why. The event was the Future Natural Resource Leaders' (FNRL) Career Development Event, which was held at Umpqua Community College (UCC) for the first time Saturday. The annual competition brings together students pursuing natural resources careers to go against one another in friendly competitions. For roughly six hours, students went head to head in events such as log cutting, choker setting, arbor climbing, plant identification, first aid and other challenges designed to sharpen key skills and knowledge in common industrial activities. According to UCC Forestry Program Coordinator Lace Anna Rowe, the competitions do more than just give students a fun time. If they perform well, the FNRL can provide what is known as an IRC certificate, which provides proof of their abilities on a resume. For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

WINCHESTER — If there's one thing Douglas County is known for, it's natural resources industry,...

Facebook Twitter Email Print Save PENDLETON — The Oakland girls basketball team didn't get the start it needed, trailing by 13 after one quarter. The No. 12-seeded Oakers outscored No. 2 Weston-McEwen over the last three periods, but the damage had been done as the TigerScots posted a 52-43 victory in the fourth-place game of the OSAA Class 2A State Tournament on Saturday at the Pendleton Convention Center. Oakland, which went 1-2 in the tourney, placed sixth and finished the season with a 20-11 record. Manaia Wolf scored 13 points for Weston-McEwen (25-3). Adalyn Hall contributed nine points and six rebounds, while Charlotte Hansell chipped in seven points, six boards and five steals. The TigerScots overcame 21 turnovers, holding a 30-10 advantage in points in the paint. "We just had a bad start and that was the difference," Oakland coach Tristan Ivie said. "Their press hurt us and we turned it over, but our girls never quit and made it interesting. I was super happy with the effort. Taking home sixth feels good, they earned that." Sahara Kramer led the Oakers with 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers. Morgan Swearingen had 10 points and six boards, and Lianna Gardner chipped in seven points, five assists and four steals. Weston-McEwen led by as many as 25 in the third quarter before the Oakers got as close as eight in the fourth. Oakland shot 35% from the field and 42% from the free-throw line, and turned the ball over 20 times. Kramer was selected to the all-tournament first team. The Oakers will lose five seniors to graduation — Josie Baimbridge, Kelsie Pfaff, Gardner, Marley Woodward and Avery Hayes. "All of them played four years in the program and it will hurt to lose them," Ivie said. "They were leaders and helped set a different standard for Oakland girls basketball." For More Information Please Visit www.nrtoday.com

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PENDLETON — The Oakland girls basketball team didn't get the...