Month: August 2026

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. — The November election is beginning to take shape in Deschutes County, with local candidate filings finalized and election officials now turning their attention to ballots, voters’ pamphlets and some important upcoming dates.

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison says the county now has its slate of local candidates for November.

That includes races for county commissioner, sheriff, clerk and treasurer, along with city council and mayoral contests across the county.

“Everything as of Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. became finalized,” Dennison said. “And now we have our full slate of local candidates that will be on the ballot in November.”

Election workers are now moving into the next phase of preparations.

“The ballot content is again final locally,” Dennison said. “We’re waiting to hear from the state who those federal and state position candidates are.”

Once all of that information is in hand, Dennison says the county can begin putting together ballots for voters across its different districts and preparing the countywide voters’ pamphlet.

Two dates voters should know

For voters, the next major deadline comes October 13.

That is the voter registration deadline for people who still need to register, including new Oregon residents who have not yet registered and younger voters who may not have pre-registered.

Then comes another important date just one day later.

“October 13th is that deadline,” Dennison said. “And then the very next day, October 14th, is the day that we’re going to be mailing ballots to voters — to all voters.”

Despite broader conversations surrounding elections across the country, Dennison says Deschutes County is preparing for November under Oregon’s existing election laws and procedures.

“As of right now, like I said, it is business as usual,” Dennison said.

And he offered a simple reminder for voters heading into the fall:

“The vote by mail is still alive and well in the state of Oregon.”

For Deschutes County voters, that means watching the calendar, keeping an eye on the mailbox and getting ready to cast a ballot this November.

Watch the video above for more from Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison on what voters should know ahead of the November election.

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The skies over Madras will come alive with precision jets, aerobatic maneuvers, and historic warbirds as the 26th annual Airshow of the Cascades returns to the Madras Municipal Airport Friday and Saturday.

Organizers describe the event as more than an airshow. The two-day festival combines aerial performances with aircraft displays, rides, a car show, live music, food and drink vendors, and activities for children.

According to the festival’s official website, the event attracts an average of about 20,000 visitors each year.

This year’s aerial lineup includes the Patriots Jet Team, Undaunted Airshows, a microjet performance, aerobatic pilot Yuichi Takagi, and aircraft from the Erickson Aircraft Collection.

The Patriots Jet Team is a civilian-owned, six-jet precision aerobatic team flying L-39 aircraft. Its pilots include former members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

Visitors will also be able to see more than 40 privately owned fly-in aircraft expected from around the country. Owners and pilots will display their planes and talk with attendees along the flight line.

“You show up thinking you’re going to just come for an airshow,” Airshow of the Cascades board member Isaac Fisher said. “I’d say get here the second the gates open because we have so much to look at. You can come, and you can touch the airplanes. You can meet the pilots, you can ask them questions, and everything’s approachable here.”

Fisher has attended the event since he was 5 years old. He said meeting pilots and standing close to historic aircraft helped make the festival memorable for him as a child.

“I was so enamored by the airplanes and being able to be so close to these pieces of history and being so impressed by what they could do,” Fisher said. “It almost defies physics, what they’re up there doing.”

For people who want to experience aerobatics from inside an airplane, Specialized Aero Works will offer 30-minute rides in a Super Decathlon, a basic aerobatic and tailwheel trainer. The flights cost $295 and can be adjusted for passengers who want a milder introduction or a more intense experience.

Mike Kloch, the company’s CEO and chief flight instructor, has flown for about 35 years and is a former Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot. He said the rides can include loops, hammerheads, and other maneuvers.

“The thrills from people’s faces when we give them rides is really great, and there’s always great performers and a great crowd, so everything here is really great,” Kloch said.

One of the featured acts, Undaunted Airshows, pairs Stephen Christopher in a red-and-white RV-7 with Todd Rudberg in an orange RV-8. Their performance will open with a simulated aerial dogfight, followed by close formation flying and choreographed maneuvers.

“No matter how sad or upset or worried you are about life, it all disappears as soon as the engine starts,” Christopher said. “It’s just magical. Flying is amazing.”

Rudberg said the performance will end over the crowd with scissors and tight turns.

“One of us is going to win,” Rudberg said. “Come find out who.”

The festival’s ground attractions include the Les Schwab Car Show, static aircraft displays, the Erickson Aircraft Collection, live music on two stages, and more than 50 vendors. Fisher said organizers planned bounce houses, train rides, ice cream, and other activities for children.

Friday’s gates open at 1:00p.m., with static displays, the car show, food and drink vendors, and the Erickson Aircraft Collection available during the afternoon.

Live music begins at 4:30 p.m., Precious Byrd takes the north stage at 5:15 p.m., and a fish-and-chips dinner will be served to the first 1,000 people beginning at 5:30p.m.

Aerobatic performances begin at 7:00p.m., followed by an intermission at 8:30p.m. and fireworks at 9:00p.m. Precious Byrd returns after the fireworks, and the festival closes at 11:00p.m.

Saturday’s gates open at 9:00a.m. The day begins with an Elks breakfast, static displays, the car show, and food and drink vendors.

Live music begins at 10:00a.m., afternoon aerial performances start at 1:00p.m., and the airshow closes at 4:30p.m.

General admission is $23 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 through 12, before ticketing fees. Children 5 and younger receive free general admission when accompanied by an adult.

Active-duty, retired, Guard, and Reserve military members also receive free general admission with a military- or VA-issued identification card. Admission to reserved or VIP areas costs extra.

Tickets are available online and at the gate. Organizers recommend bringing a lawn chair or blanket, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable shoes, and an extra layer for Friday evening. Pets are not allowed, except for service animals, and outside food and drinks are prohibited.

The festival is held at the Madras Municipal Airport, 2028 NW Berg Drive. The complete schedule, festival information, and visitor guidelines are available on the Airshow of the Cascades website.