Month: March 2012

The word *lifeline* seems to come up whenever you talk about county timber payments. From paying for schools to roads to even our forests, Oregon counties rely on the money. The federal timber payment program, or the Secure Rural Schools Program, started in 2008 as a way to replace revenue counties used to get from

Cascade Middle School held host to the regional Battle of the Books on Saturday. Teams who won the competition go on to the state leve. A total of 29 teams from three divisions — elementary, middle and high school — were competing for just three slots. The teams included students from Bend, Redmond and Tumalo.

Almost 500 runners began St. Patrick’s Day with a fun family 5K run. The runners had a bit of luck, weather-wise, as it was a little chilly but otherwise, the sun was shining. The Mt. Bachelor Rotary Saint Patrick’s Day Dash is sponsored by Deschutes Brewery. It began at the Deschutes Brewery and Public House

KPOV, Bend’s only community radio station, relies on the community’s help to keep it in operation, and they’re still in need. All this week, they are asking for pledges. Twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, they ask listeners to donate and become members. For those who pledge, you can

Deschutes County’s Knott Landfill throws a free tire collection day twice a year, and Saturday was one of those days. Residents can bring tires, on- or off-rim, and drop them off for free. Normally, the fee for a regular tire is $5, and for a tire on the rim it’s $8. The landfill usually accumulates

Mt. Bachelor will be closed three days every week during the spring skiing season, officials said Friday. A Facebook group called “Community Buyout of Mt. Bachelor” has formed, and more than 1,000 people are getting on board with a plan to run the mountain themselves. The group wants to see Mt. Bachelor become a community

The new, shorter Oregon Legislature session left problems that will have to be addressed in the future, two Central Oregon lawmakers told a Bend Chamber town hall Friday morning. State Rep. Jason Conger and Sen. Chris Telfer, both R-Bend, spoke at a Bend Chamber of Commerce town hall of the successes and challenges in the

A federal-state hazardous material team was wrapping up identification, packaging and clean-up work Thursday at a southeast Bend recycling business that unknowingly bought hundreds of unlabeled chemicals someone improperly left stored at a nearby mini-storage business, officials said. Pakit Liquidators at 903 SE Armour St. contacted authorities when the chemicals, apparently from an old research

Despite its director facing sex abuse charges, the Redmond Proficiency Academy is moving forward. Thursday night, they held an open house for those interested in learning more about the school. About 150 people showed up and learned what charter school had to offer. The tone of the meeting was moving forward and not dwelling on

A popular bronze bird sculpture was stolen from its perch outside a downtown Redmond store, and many business owners said Wednesday they?re angry and they want the piece of artwork returned. The sculpture was a 3-foot-tall blue heron, worth $8,400. Redmond police said it went missing sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Shannon Ecker

Forget bingo and bridge. A Bend retirement home is setting a new precedent, with beer. Wednesday was “Brew Day” at Aspen Ridge Retirement Community in Bend, and for some residents like Paul Jaleski, it can’t get much better. “This is a whole new process,” Jaleski said. “Something I’ve never been aware of before, and in

Last week, we brought you a story about the Good News Clubs, a religious group that operates near many Central Oregon schools. What came next? A firestorm of comments online. A few that caught our attention on our Facebook page: ?If an atheist did the same thing the “Good News Club” is doing, people would

A better way to communicate — that’s what Deschutes County commissioners said Thursday they want for Central Oregon’s tourism agencies. The hope is that events will be coordinated more smoothly, making the region an even better place to visit. Commissioner Tammy Baney came up with the idea. She said she wanted to create a tourism

Acting on tips from the public, four Prineville residents have been arrested on methamphetamine-related charges in a drug raid on a northeast Prineville home across the street from Pioneer High School, authorities said Thursday. Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team detectives, assisted by Prineville police and Crook County sheriff?s deputies, executed a search warrant around 7

The Portland Trail Blazers have fired coach Nate McMillan. The Blazers announced the move on Thursday, one day after a 42-point loss to the Knicks in New York. Assistant coach Caleb Kanales will be the interim head coach. “Clearly, the season to this point has not gone the way we had hoped it would, and

With the gas price roller-coaster running at full speed, many are wondering when — and whether — it will stop. And that can have a big impact on who heads to Central Oregon car dealers, when they may do so, and for what kind of new vehicle (or instead to just keep the old one

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office already is taking care of 54 horses seized in a Powell Butte neglect case in January. This week, a Prineville man was arrested and faces 24 horse neglect charges. That could mean over 75 horses would be in the hands of the sheriff’s office. Officials told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday they’re

After 25 years of helping Central Oregon families in need, NeighborImpact’s executive director is retiring, leaving a lasting legacy through the non-profit’s programs. Sharon Miller has been instrumental in making the private non-profit what it is today. Miller has been with Neighborimpact since it started in the mid ’80s, when it was known as COCAAN

The fireworks are starting early in the surprising and quickly hot GOP primary race between state Sen. Chris Telfer, R-Bend, and challenger Tim Knopp, as the pair tangled Tuesday in a live radio debate over issues ranging from the income tax ?kicker? to legislative redistricting. Several times during their hour-long first joint appearance on news

A 9 a.m. lift opening at Mt. Bachelor may make for an early morning for some Central Oregonians, but for 28 professional ski patrollers, 7:45 is when they are usually headed up the mountain. “Being able to get things going by 9 is the ultimate goal.” said Bob Spittler, assistant ski patrol manager. “Sometimes we