Roseburg Tracker

Otters At Fords Pond

News, business, sports, food, events, and more from Roseburg Oregon.

Donating to Roseburg Tracker supports local journalism that keeps you informed about the latest news, business updates, sports events, food spots, and community happenings in Roseburg, Oregon. By contributing, you're ensuring that this vital source of information continues to thrive and provide accurate, up-to-date coverage that matters to you and your neighbors.

Your donation helps Roseburg Tracker maintain high-quality reporting and expand its coverage. Local businesses, sports teams, and events all benefit from the spotlight that Roseburg Tracker shines on them. This not only fosters a sense of community but also boosts the local economy by promoting small businesses and local events.

Supporting Roseburg Tracker means investing in the future of your community. With your help, Roseburg Tracker can continue to uncover important stories, hold local authorities accountable, and celebrate the unique culture of Roseburg. Your donation ensures that this essential service remains available to everyone, contributing to an informed and engaged community.

Support Roseburg Tracker

Abraham Finlay

Elijah and I went out to Fords Pond again to see the River Otters a week or so ago and they did not disappoint! They put on quite a display of there hunting skills catching numerous fish while we were...

Elijah and I went out to Fords Pond again to see the River Otters a week or so ago and they did not disappoint! They put on quite a display of there hunting skills catching numerous fish while we were there.

Ryan Finlay

Elijah Finlay

lisa hunter

Moses Finlay

Stefanie Jackson

Aubrey Pooler

Winston, OR — K9 Nike, a Belgian Malinois who has served in law enforcement for more than eight years, will retire from the Winston Police Department on March 1. Born in the Netherlands in 2016, Nike was trained in the Dutch police dog sport of KNPV before serving with the Roseburg Police Department and transferring to Winston in 2022. Over his career, he was deployed approximately 110 times and recorded 65 captures, recovering evidence including drugs, guns, and knives. After retirement, Nike will become an ambassador for the Friends of the Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs. Ownership will transfer to his handler, Officer Cordell, and Nike will live at home with Cordell's family. A community retirement gathering will be held on Friday, March 6, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Winston Community Center, 440 SE Grape Avenue.

Winston, OR — K9 Nike, a Belgian Malinois who has served in law enforcement for more than eight years, will retire from the Winston Police Department on March 1. Born in the Netherlands in 2016, Nike was trained in the Dutch police dog sport of KNPV before serving with the Roseburg Police Department and transferring to Winston in 2022. Over his career, he was deployed approximately 110 times and recorded 65 captures, recovering evidence including drugs, guns, and knives. After retirement, Nike will become an ambassador for the Friends of the Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs. Ownership will transfer to his handler, Officer Cordell, and Nike will live at home with Cordell's family. A community retirement gathering will be held on Friday, March 6, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Winston Community Center, 440 SE Grape Avenue.

Gina Stiffler

Steffanie Moore

Esther Finlay

John Evans

Winston Police Dog Retires After Eight Years of service.

K9 Nike to Retire From Winston Police Department

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging courts dating to the 1950s and 1960s.

The new complex, located in Stewart Park, features eight tennis courts and ten pickleball courts. It replaces eleven courts originally built in 1959 and 1970 that had deteriorated over more than five decades of use. The facility is the only public outdoor court complex in the Roseburg area.

Funding came from three sources: a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks, roughly $500,000 from the city, and $1.25 million raised by the community through the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center, a local nonprofit that has operated for more than 50 years.

Eric Ball, president of the UVTC, said the project traces back to a 2018 master plan developed after the group assessed the poor condition of the existing courts. That plan sat dormant for five years until a member identified the state parks grant opportunity in 2023. The organization applied in April of that year and received the award that November. Construction went out to bid in March 2025, and JRT Construction, based in Oakland, Oregon, began work the following June. The project took approximately nine months to complete.

Ball credited a long list of donors for pushing the community fundraising past the million-dollar mark. Among the larger contributors were the John and Gene Loosely Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Ranco Systems, Lone Rock Timber, North River Boats, and several individual donors. Ball also noted that local pickleball tournaments organized by community members generated significant revenue for the project.

The upgrades extend beyond the playing surfaces. The complex now includes LED lighting for evening play, security cameras, a coded gate-lock entry system, ADA-accessible design, and concrete spectator seating positioned between the tennis and pickleball sections.

Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of local contractors and community investment in bringing the project to completion.

City Manager Nikki Messenger said the project offers a model for future park improvements in Roseburg. She noted that the city used tourism-related funds for its portion of the financing, a decision she described as a first for a project of this scale. The reasoning, she said, was that the UVTC's track record of hosting tournaments would generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending sufficient to justify the investment.

Messenger also said the city is developing a new master plan for Stewart Park and considering additional improvements elsewhere in its park system. She encouraged residents to participate in that planning process.

Ball framed the project in generational terms, noting that children who grew up playing on the original courts, himself included, now have a facility built for the next several decades of youth athletics. Local youth tennis players turned out in force for the ribbon cutting, and high school teams have already begun practicing on the new courts this week.

The courts are open to the public. For inquiries and access information, residents can contact the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center at (541) 673-3429 or visit www.umpquavalleytennis.com. A reservation system for the outdoor courts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and a separate grand opening celebration is planned for later this year. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

The Umpqua Valley Tennis Center is located at 1201 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 2 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging courts dating to the 1950s and 1960s.The new complex, located in Stewart Park, features eight tennis courts and ten pickleball courts. It replaces eleven courts originally built in 1959 and 1970 that had deteriorated over more than five decades of use. The facility is the only public outdoor court complex in the Roseburg area.Funding came from three sources: a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks, roughly $500,000 from the city, and $1.25 million raised by the community through the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center, a local nonprofit that has operated for more than 50 years.Eric Ball, president of the UVTC, said the project traces back to a 2018 master plan developed after the group assessed the poor condition of the existing courts. That plan sat dormant for five years until a member identified the state parks grant opportunity in 2023. The organization applied in April of that year and received the award that November. Construction went out to bid in March 2025, and JRT Construction, based in Oakland, Oregon, began work the following June. The project took approximately nine months to complete.Ball credited a long list of donors for pushing the community fundraising past the million-dollar mark. Among the larger contributors were the John and Gene Loosely Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Ranco Systems, Lone Rock Timber, North River Boats, and several individual donors. Ball also noted that local pickleball tournaments organized by community members generated significant revenue for the project.The upgrades extend beyond the playing surfaces. The complex now includes LED lighting for evening play, security cameras, a coded gate-lock entry system, ADA-accessible design, and concrete spectator seating positioned between the tennis and pickleball sections.Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of local contractors and community investment in bringing the project to completion.City Manager Nikki Messenger said the project offers a model for future park improvements in Roseburg. She noted that the city used tourism-related funds for its portion of the financing, a decision she described as a first for a project of this scale. The reasoning, she said, was that the UVTC's track record of hosting tournaments would generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending sufficient to justify the investment.Messenger also said the city is developing a new master plan for Stewart Park and considering additional improvements elsewhere in its park system. She encouraged residents to participate in that planning process.Ball framed the project in generational terms, noting that children who grew up playing on the original courts, himself included, now have a facility built for the next several decades of youth athletics. Local youth tennis players turned out in force for the ribbon cutting, and high school teams have already begun practicing on the new courts this week.The courts are open to the public. For inquiries and access information, residents can contact the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center at (541) 673-3429 or visit <a rel="noopener noreferrer" class="!text-blue-600 !cursor-pointer hover:!underline" href="http://www.umpquavalleytennis.com">www.umpquavalleytennis.com</a>. A reservation system for the outdoor courts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and a separate grand opening celebration is planned for later this year. Additional details will be posted as they become available.The Umpqua Valley Tennis Center is located at 1201 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 2 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ky Bendele

Roseburg’s rebuilt outdoor Stewart Park complex is now open with eight tennis courts and 10 pickleball courts.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging courts dating to the 1950s and 1960s.

The new complex, located in Stewart Park, features eight tennis courts and ten pickleball courts. It replaces eleven courts originally built in 1959 and 1970 that had deteriorated over more than five decades of use. The facility is the only public outdoor court complex in the Roseburg area.

Funding came from three sources: a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks, roughly $500,000 from the city, and $1.25 million raised by the community through the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center, a local nonprofit that has operated for more than 50 years.

Eric Ball, president of the UVTC, said the project traces back to a 2018 master plan developed after the group assessed the poor condition of the existing courts. That plan sat dormant for five years until a member identified the state parks grant opportunity in 2023. The organization applied in April of that year and received the award that November. Construction went out to bid in March 2025, and JRT Construction, based in Oakland, Oregon, began work the following June. The project took approximately nine months to complete.

Ball credited a long list of donors for pushing the community fundraising past the million-dollar mark. Among the larger contributors were the John and Gene Loosely Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Ranco Systems, Lone Rock Timber, North River Boats, and several individual donors. Ball also noted that local pickleball tournaments organized by community members generated significant revenue for the project.

The upgrades extend beyond the playing surfaces. The complex now includes LED lighting for evening play, security cameras, a coded gate-lock entry system, ADA-accessible design, and concrete spectator seating positioned between the tennis and pickleball sections.

Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of local contractors and community investment in bringing the project to completion.

City Manager Nikki Messenger said the project offers a model for future park improvements in Roseburg. She noted that the city used tourism-related funds for its portion of the financing, a decision she described as a first for a project of this scale. The reasoning, she said, was that the UVTC's track record of hosting tournaments would generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending sufficient to justify the investment.

Messenger also said the city is developing a new master plan for Stewart Park and considering additional improvements elsewhere in its park system. She encouraged residents to participate in that planning process.

Ball framed the project in generational terms, noting that children who grew up playing on the original courts, himself included, now have a facility built for the next several decades of youth athletics. Local youth tennis players turned out in force for the ribbon cutting, and high school teams have already begun practicing on the new courts this week.

The courts are open to the public. For inquiries and access information, residents can contact the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center at (541) 673-3429 or visit 

. A reservation system for the outdoor courts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and a separate grand opening celebration is planned for later this year. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

The Umpqua Valley Tennis Center is located at 1201 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 2 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Roseburg Cuts Ribbon on New Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Facility

The winter steelhead run on the North Umpqua River is off to a strong year, already exceeding last season's full total with roughly two months still remaining.

As of March 2, a total of 6,951 winter steelhead had passed over Winchester Dam. That surpasses the entire 2024/2025 run of 6,221 fish. The current run continues through April 30.

Watch live here: 

https://live.umpquafish.com/

or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWreIhLdNag

The winter steelhead run on the North Umpqua River is off to a strong year, already exceeding last season's full total with roughly two months still remaining.As of March 2, a total of 6,951 winter steelhead had passed over Winchester Dam. That surpasses the entire 2024/2025 run of 6,221 fish. The current run continues through April 30.Watch live here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" class="!text-blue-600 !cursor-pointer hover:!underline" href="https://live.umpquafish.com/">https://live.umpquafish.com/</a>or <a rel="noopener noreferrer" class="!text-blue-600 !cursor-pointer hover:!underline" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWreIhLdNag">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWreIhLdNag</a>

Hannah Finlay

Nearly 7,000 fish counted at Winchester Dam with two months left in the season

The winter steelhead run on the North Umpqua River is off to a strong year, already exceeding last season's full total with roughly two months still remaining.

As of March 2, a total of 6,951 winter steelhead had passed over Winchester Dam. That surpasses the entire 2024/2025 run of 6,221 fish. The current run continues through April 30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWreIhLdNag

Winter Steelhead Run on the North Umpqua Surpasses Last Year's Total

After all of Oregon was finally drought free for the first time in 7 years in 2025, a mild winter has us in pretty rough shape going into spring. Ticks and yellow jackets will likely be worse this spring/summer and river levels will be very low by mid summer. Crater Lake has 37 inches of snow, 59 inches below normal. Typical snowpack up at Crater Lake for today is 96 inches.

March 2025



March 2026

After all of Oregon was finally drought free for the first time in 7 years in 2025, a mild winter has us in pretty rough shape going into spring. Ticks and yellow jackets will likely be worse this spring/summer and river levels will be very low by mid summer. Crater Lake has 37 inches of snow, 59 inches below normal. Typical snowpack up at Crater Lake for today is 96 inches.<h3 class="!font-semibold tracking-tight">March 2025</h3><img class="rounded-lg max-w-full h-auto my-4" src="https://www.jointrackercdn.com/img/w:1500/h:1500/q:75/f:jpg/rt:fit/plain/s3://join-tracker-prod/images/5b0fbf39-8367-409a-905d-88ea54b559b6"><h3 class="!font-semibold tracking-tight">March 2026</h3><img class="rounded-lg max-w-full h-auto my-4" src="https://www.jointrackercdn.com/img/w:1500/h:1500/q:75/f:jpg/rt:fit/plain/s3://join-tracker-prod/images/9b776a70-bdba-4af4-8f89-b06c7f56b52f">

LORD, please show us mercy this summer, in Jesus name. AMEN

Kathy Guentner

A mild winter has left Oregon with reduced snowpack heading into spring, raising concerns about river levels and insect activity later this year.

After all of Oregon was finally drought free for the first time in 7 years in 2025, a mild winter has us in pretty rough shape going into spring. Ticks and yellow jackets will likely be worse this spring/summer and river levels will be very low by mid summer. Crater Lake has 37 inches of snow, 59 inches below normal. Typical snowpack up at Crater Lake for today is 96 inches.

Oregon Faces Challenges After Mild Winter

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A man is presumed drowned following an incident in the South Umpqua River on Friday.

On Friday, February 27, 2026, at approximately 7:23 a.m., Douglas County 911 dispatchers received a report of a man stranded in the middle of the South Umpqua River yelling for help.

The Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple other agencies responded to the area and located the man in the river near Portland Avenue. Rescue boats from Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Oregon State Police, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched.

Initial responders attempted to coordinate a rescue, which was only accessible by boat due to the swift current. As boats were responding, the victim lost his grip and was swept downstream. Deputies attempted to throw a rescue rope to the man, but the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. The victim eventually went under the water and did not resurface.  

Recovery attempts continued for several more hours unsuccessfully. Additional search efforts will continue in the days ahead.

Through the investigation, deputies learned the man had attempted to cross the river in a raft, using a stick to move propel himself across the river. The identity of the victim is unknown at this time.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon State Police, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Roseburg Fire Department and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.


Via DCSO.

Man Presumed Drowned in South Umpqua River

The Olsrud family, which has owned and operated Sherm's Markets since 1967, is planning to sell the company, including its four Southern Oregon grocery stores and warehouse.

The chain was founded by Sherm and Wanda Olsrud, who opened their first store, Sherm's Thunderbird Market, in West Medford. It expanded to Klamath Falls in 1974 and added a Food 4 Less location in Medford in 1985. In April 2000, the company purchased the struggling Food World in Roseburg, keeping much of the original staff and converting it to a 24-hour warehouse-style operation.

The decision to sell follows the passing of both founders, Sherman in 2019 and Wanda, who died in late December at the age of 100. Their eldest son Steve, who has led the company in recent years, has been working on a succession plan.

It is important to note that a sale of the company does not necessarily mean store closures. The future of individual locations, including the Roseburg store, will depend on who acquires the business and what plans they have going forward.

The Olsrud family has been a major supporter of communities across Southern Oregon for decades. In Douglas County, the company has donated to the YMCA, Music on the Half Shell, CASA, United Community Action Network, Wildlife Safari, and other local organizations. The family is also well known for donating tens of thousands of pounds of food to regional food banks each year and gave $12 million to the Asante Foundation in 2022 for the Olsrud Women's and Children's Hospital.

The company employs more than 600 people across its locations, and is known for the loyalty and longevity of its staff.

Photo by Abraham Finlay
——————————————-
A message from Bob Ames, General Manager:

“Message to our customers.

Sherm’s would like to confirm that our stores are up for sale.  Our goal is to find that right partner that will keep the stores operating just as they have for many years.  Serving the community and taking good care of our 500 plus employees.  Steve Olsrud, who has run the company for almost 30 years, is 78 years old and has chosen to work on this succession plan to try and accomplish this.  Steve’s desire is to keep the company operating in the same manner it has been operating for many years.

We plan on this company being around for many years.

We love this community and appreciate how very good you have been to us.  The generations of families who have done business with us have just been amazing and is very much appreciated.

Per Steve Olsrud it is business as usual.

Go Sherm’s

Sincerely,

Bob Ames
General Manager
Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets, Inc.”

Otters At Fords Pond

Related

K9 Nike to Retire From Winston Police Department

Roseburg Cuts Ribbon on New Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Facility

Winter Steelhead Run on the North Umpqua Surpasses Last Year's Total

Stay up to date

More Stories

K9 Nike to Retire From Winston Police Department

Roseburg Cuts Ribbon on New Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Facility

Winter Steelhead Run on the North Umpqua Surpasses Last Year's Total

Oregon Faces Challenges After Mild Winter

Man Presumed Drowned in South Umpqua River

Olsrud Family to Sell Sherm's Markets and Grocery Stores

Stay informed