Month: July 2012

A newly created “How to Start A Community Garden” manual was produced by the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council as part of their Cultivating Local Food project funded by the Meyer Memorial Trust to support Oregon-based food system projects. The manual describes a community garden; its benefits; and tips for growing and preparing food in Central

Demand for electricity in the Northwest continues to recover from the recession of 2008, growing slowly but steadily by about 1.2 percent per year over last two years, according to an analysis by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The power council analysis also shows that 81 percent of that increased demand — 516 out

ODOT is advising motorists to be watchful for heavy traffic in and near Sisters this weekend as the Sister’s Outdoor Quilt Show takes place on Saturday. Motorists can expect up to 30-minutes delay on US Highway 20 in both directions near Sisters, and a temporary detour beginning near downtown Sisters. On Saturday, ODOT will close

A family in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing is celebrating as they are now new homeowners, thanks to Housing Works. The family of four was all smiles Tuesday as four different entities celebrated the organization’s latest home. Tuesday afternoon, there were two new kids climbing the jungle gym and resting on a nearby park bench. “It was

Due to numerous fire-related highway closures in southeast Oregon, the state Department of Transportation advised motorists Tuesday to avoid travel in the area if possible, until conditions improve. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the following highway sections were closed due to fire / smoke:: –U.S. Hwy. 95 between Burns Junction and the Nevada border (MP

A fire destroyed a shop outbuilding at a Terrebonne home Tuesday evening, causing about $200,000 in damage and leaving the family looking for their lost dog. Redmond firefighters were called to 9328 NE Fifth Street, east of Highway 97 and west of Smith Rock State Park, and arrived to find the fully-involved outbuilding, with heavy

More hot, windy weather challenged firefighters Tuesday on several large rangeland fires in Eastern Oregon, the largest estimated at 50,000 acres after it jumped and closed a highway into Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management’s Vale District reported multiple lightning strikes around 6 p.m. Sunday. The Long Draw Fire, located about 20 miles south of

The onset of high wildfire danger has prompted Oregon Department of Forestry to tighten public fire prevention restrictions in its Central Oregon District. Effective at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. These restrictions apply to private and non-federal public forestlands in 12 counties including Harney, Morrow, Grant, Wheeler, Gilliam, Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson, along

The driver of a van carrying 10 contract wildland firefighters fell asleep and the van collided nearly head-on with a semi-truck on Highway 126 west of Prineville early Tuesday, critically injuring one passenger, Oregon State Police reported. The other nine firefighters in the van were treated and released, and the van driver was cited, troopers

With the recent completion of a multi-year, $20 million resort-wide renovation, Seventh Mountain Resort said Tuesday it “has once again positioned itself among the upper echelon of Central Oregon destination resorts. “ And while the Resort celebrates its 40th anniversary as one of the region’s founding destination resorts, the property that many Northwest travelers grew

Four Central Oregon arts organizations received Oregon Arts Commission grants totaling $32,000 for fiscal year 2012-13. This year’s round of grants, totaling $1,254,500 statewide, were distributed to Oregon arts organizations through Operating Support, Arts Services, and Arts Learning programs. Arts Central received $7,500 for its arts education programs, including VanGo, its mobile community outreach project,

Lightning storms that passed through much of Central and Eastern Oregon over the last couple of days sparked about 1,000 lightning strikes in Central Oregon — but as heavy rain and hail also fell in places, few fire starts were reported, unlike areas to the east. The precipitation varied from very little to just under

The Downtown Bend Business Association announced Tuesday five new businesses starting up and a record occupancy rate for the second quarter of the year. Occupancy reaches 94 percent, up from the first quarter of 2012, and sets a record. The rate is based on the number of leased retail/restaurant spaces in the downtown district. “Downtown

Just a short drive from Central Oregon ski racers, competitive snowboarders and winter lovers flock to Mt. Hood during the summer months. This ski resort is the only one in the nation that can provide year-round skiing and snowboarding. Jon Tullis of Timberline lodge said it’s because “the Palmer Snow Field technically isn’t a true

Crook County Health Department officials said Tuesday they have been notified that the sick cat that bit a Crook County man in early June has tested positive for plague at the CDC laboratory in Fort Collins, Colo. Paul Gaylord became critically ill with the plague after being bitten by while trying to help his sick

Pacific Power customers choosing to support renewable energy through the award-winning Blue Sky Habitat program are directly helping restore Oregon native fish habitat in the Rogue, Sandy and Santiam watersheds with work managed by The Freshwater Trust. Projects in these watersheds received more than $105,000 from the Blue Sky habitat program this year. Work is

Oregonians who have long-term care insurance now have the right to have their claims paid promptly and to appeal an insurance company decision to deny benefits. The changes are due to a 2011 law that became effective for people who buy new policies starting July 1, 2012. For those with existing policies, the law is

The Deschutes County Road Maintenance Department will be chip sealing the Powell Butte Highway from the Deschutes County line to mile marker 13, beginning Wednesday and ending on Thursday. Operations will run both days from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A pilot car will be guiding traffic through the job site, but travelers should

For the first time ever, Bend played host to the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships for the Northwest Region, which wrapped up Sunday. The regional meet is typically held in Salem but this year, Summit High was host to the four-day event. There were some impressive accomplishments during the meet, including one athlete

Lighting has hit the High Desert for the second day in a row, causing some to be on edge as fire danger continues to rise. When these storms move overhead, Bend firefighters are ready and waiting to help. But they do ask that you be prepared as well. “Stay out of the way of lightning,”