Local News

KWSO News for Wed., Jan. 7, 2026

Posted on by elizabeth.smith
07
Jan

High School Hoops: Madras boys and girls fall to Crook County

Both Madras varsity basketball teams traveled to Prineville on Tuesday to take on Crook County in non-league preseason matchups, but the night looked and felt more like a postseason showdown. Fans from Crook County, Madras, and Warm Springs packed the gymnasium to capacity for what has grown into a strong rivalry over the years.

The opening game featured the Lady Buffs, who came in evenly matched with the Cowgirls. Madras led by as many as 14 points during the contest, but with under five minutes to play, a stretch of untimely fouls and turnovers allowed Crook County to surge back and tie the game with just over two minutes left.

Two clutch free throws by Dida Stacona gave Madras a narrow 53–51 lead with just over a minute remaining. On Crook County’s next possession, with time winding down, the Cowgirls knocked down a three-pointer to take the lead. With less than two seconds left, the Lady Buffs were unable to get off a shot before the final buzzer.

After the game, head coach Heath Alexander said that while the loss was tough to swallow, it was still a great game for the girls and for the community. “Really tough loss, but really proud of our team, proud of our community for showing up. That was a heck of a high school basketball game. A couple little mistakes, but you know what? We battled for every minute, and I’m super proud of this team.”  Coach Alexander says they are getting ready for their next opponent and then league play. “We’ve got goals to win a league championship, and we’re on pace to do that. Just keep your head high. We battled every single minute. I’m proud of them. They’re proud of each other, and we’re more connected than we’ve ever been. So, as we come out, we’re going to practice hard tomorrow, get after a good swing on team on Friday, and just keep it rolling.”

In the nightcap, it was the White Buffalo boys taking on Crook County, and Madras found things tough from the opening tip. Crook County’s 6-foot-10 senior Bryce Lowenbach took control early, scoring the Cowboys’ first 12 points and setting the tone.

Madras tried to battle back but was clearly outsized and outmatched by the Cowboys, who entered the game ranked number one among all 5A teams in Oregon. Despite the challenge, Madras head coach Nick Brown said his team played hard and never gave up. “I mean, anytime you play the number one team in 5A, it’s going to be a battle. And from the start, I thought we competed well early. And they go on a good run there at the end of the second quarter. And then, again, another one in there in the second half. But, again, that’s just a really well-coached team and a really, really talented team. That’s a really tough one for us tonight, I think. Bryce is really tough to deal with. When he goes 6-10, he can step out and shoot the three. He can block shots. He can do it all. So, again, one of the better players in 5A, if not the best, and just a big credit to them and what they do.”

Next up for both teams is action against Sweet Home this Friday. The girls are on the road and the boys will host the Huskies. The game will be broadcast live with tip off at 7pm.

 

SNAP recipients in nine additional Oregon counties have more time to replace food lost during recent storms

Households in nine additional Oregon counties — Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Josephine, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla and Wasco — now have more time to report lost or spoiled food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to recent storms and power outages.

If you live in one of these counties and lost food bought with SNAP benefits because of recent storms or power outages, you may be eligible for replacement benefits.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has extended the reporting deadline to 30 days for people whose food was lost or spoiled due to power outages that occurred on Dec. 17, 2025. Households in the counties listed below have until Jan. 16, 2026, to report food losses and request replacement SNAP benefits.

Counties included in the extended deadline:

  • Baker
  • Benton
  • Clackamas
  • Clatsop
  • Columbia
  • Coos
  • Crook
  • Deschutes
  • Douglas
  • Hood River
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Josephine
  • Klamath
  • Lane
  • Lincoln
  • Linn
  • Malheur
  • Marion
  • Morrow
  • Multnomah
  • Polk
  • Tillamook
  • Umatilla
  • Wallowa
  • Wasco
  • Washington
  • Yamhill

If your food was lost because of the storms or power outages, you can request replacement benefits in any of these ways:

  • Calling 800-699-9075, relay calls welcome
  • Filling out a request form and emailing it to benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
  • Visiting a local ODHS office
  • By mail: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
  • Online: Log in to your ONE Online account

Once approved, replacement benefits are added to the household’s existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The maximum replacement amount is the cost of the food lost, not to exceed the household’s normal monthly SNAP benefit.

 

Central Oregon weather

Today Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Snow level 2000 feet rising to 2600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then a chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

elizabeth.smith