As the old year ends and the new year begins, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year from all of us at the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office. We look forward to helping make 2016 a wonderful and safe year for our county and our community.

And, for our nation, this is an important year in that the Presidential Election will be held in November. During this year, the national political scene will be full of intense debate and opinion regarding our country's economic, social, and defense policies. Regardless of your party affiliation, please share your voice in our democracy and be sure to vote.

The political discussions that will take place remind us that we live in a diverse community where we all enjoy the freedom of expression. It is a privilege for us to live in a country that encourages debate and differing opinions.

While our opinions vary greatly, we share many common goals. Living in a safe community and creating new and better opportunities for future generations are common goals that we can easily achieve by working together. Daily, our community residents come together - despite political differences - to help each other in times of distress and need.

It is my hope that 2016 will be a year when we all more often extend a helping hand to our neighbors, coworkers, family, friends and strangers in need.

Please contact my office if my staff and I can be of assistance.

Sheriff Underwood