January 25, 2024 4:15 a.m. 

Suspicious activity just west of Sutherlin Wednesday night led to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office alerting some residents and asking that they lock their doors and stay in their homes.

A reverse 911 was sent out around 7:00 p.m. to people living in the area of the Oak Hills Golf Club, Church Road, Schudeiske Road and nearby areas. The DCSO message said law enforcement was searching for an armed suspect. He was described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and was wearing dark clothing.  The message said the man had fled from law enforcement. Residents were asked to call 911 if they saw a suspicious man matching the description.

Due to Wednesday night’s situation, all Sutherlin School District bus routes west of Interstate 5 are cancelled for Thursday, according to a district announcement Wednesday night.