Looking Back: | Madras Pioneer

Looking Back:

Published 9:52 am Friday, January 9, 2026

100 YEARS AGO

January 14, 1926

Five workmen employed on the development of the large bridge over the Crooked River Gorge narrowly escaped loss of life just lately when a number of tons of the rock broke from the highest of the canyon and fell. These males had been engaged on the footing, 4 of them about 80 ft from the highest, when the rock began slipping. Fortunately, your entire mass didn’t all break free at one time, and solely the rocks hanging over the canyon slipped into the gorge under over the heads of the 5 males. One of the rocks lower the lifeline only some ft from the physique of one of many workmen.

There have been many slender escapes throughout the interval of this building work, however to this point, no casualties. According to the state engineer, that is most likely probably the most harmful piece of building work ever undertaken in Oregon.

Four carloads of metal have arrived, and it’ll take about 20 extra to finish the excessive span. Work of inserting the metal will begin inside the subsequent few days.

25 YEARS AGO

January 10, 2001

Invasive and damaging weed infestations have been an issue for a lot of many years in Jefferson County. Fortunately, the county has a superb weed management program.

In truth, Jefferson County weed management officer Floyd Paye was just lately acknowledged because the weed management supervisor of the yr for 2000.

The recognition comes from the Oregon Vegetation Management Association, a bunch of businesses and people which are concerned in weed management points.

“I was pleased,” Paye stated of the award. “I have to give a lot of credit to the upper management, for the support they’ve given the program.”

Paye added, “We had a good year last year in weed control. We stayed busy and got a lot accomplished.”

Paye is beginning his fifth season because the Jefferson County weed management officer.

During the start of the yr, Paye focuses on residual spraying, after which later – from about April by November – he works primarily on noxious weed downside areas.

The residual weed program includes spraying the areas alongside roads and highways within the county. Noxious weed eradication includes going to particular places of recognized infestations.

The residual program, which lasts about six weeks, helps the noxious program in that noxious weeds usually journey from roadside areas to extra outlying spots, Paye stated.

The county weed program is funded partially by the county highway fund but additionally by varied intergovernmental agreements, in addition to grants.

The Jefferson County weed program, a division of public works, has fairly just a few intergovernmental agreements, Paye stated.

Agencies that contract with the county for weed management embody the Warm Springs tribes, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Crooked River National Grassland and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The cities of Madras, Culver and Metolius additionally contract with the county for weed management.

Paye and Steve Davies, county highway supervisor, have had success just lately in buying grant cash for varied weed management tasks.

In the latest grant cycle, the county was awarded 5 weed management grants. Paye has written extra purposes for tasks throughout the upcoming season.

Grant cash for weed management is awarded by the Oregon Weed Board, a division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The income is supplied by the Oregon Water Enhancement Board (OWEB).

Certain water drainage areas in Jefferson County are of particular significance as a result of they supply habitat for more and more uncommon fish, reminiscent of bull trout.

In Jefferson County, yellow star and Scotch thistle, and knapweed are two of the extra widespread downside weeds, Paye stated.

There are between 500 and 600 acres in Jefferson County which are infested with yellow star thistle, Paye stated. Dalmatian toadflax, which is extremely invasive, has infested about 30 acres, Paye stated.

Weed infestations come to Paye’s consideration in a wide range of methods.

He would possibly spot infested areas as he’s touring across the county. Also, infestation stories come from farmers, hunters and fishermen, hikers and so forth.

Part of the profitable prevention program is schooling, Paye stated: If extra persons are conscious of what noxious weeds appear to be, the extra doubtless persons are to report an infestation.

To present individuals extra details about weeds, the county weed management program has cubicles at occasions such because the Farm Fair, and the Sports and Rec Show.

“Weeds affect everyone from fishermen to farmers,” Paye stated.

Noxious weeds can destroy vegetative shelter over a trout stream or infest a farmer’s crop. Weeds can harm rangeland that’s utilized by livestock and wildlife.

Fortunately, the county has a first-rate weed management program. “Other counties are starting to look at our program to see what we’re doing,” Paye commented.