Month: November 2012

Citing concerns over anti-leak provisions that would inhibit free speech and damage the news media’s ability to report on national security issues, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Wednesday he’s publicly placed a hold on the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, preventing it from passing without serious debate and amendment. “I think Congress should

Les Schwab Tire Centers Inc. has opened six new stores in California’s San Joaquin Valley and five in Colorado, a trade magazine reported Wednesday. These locations mark Les Schwab’s entry into the Central California and Colorado markets, according to the report on TireBusiness.com from the Bend-based company. Les Schwab held grand opening celebrations Oct. 18-20

Leaders of a collaboration involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC Foundation have selected Project Wildfire as a promising example of the FEMA’s Whole Community approach to emergency management. The Whole Community approach to emergency management engages business, government and nonprofit sectors to integrate the needs,

The city of Bend said Wednesday it has launched a new online service to enhance community engagement and provide a forum for residents to offer suggestions on how to improve the way the city does business. The new Web portal, www.BendVoice.org, is a moderated online discussion forum where residents can offer ideas and comment or

Oregon State University – Cascades will offer free counseling for volunteer community members this winter through the university’s graduate counseling program. The free counseling sessions will provide a community service and allow master’s students to implement and develop expertise under the close supervision of faculty and clinical supervisors. The counseling will be provided by graduate

A lot of questions about the aftermath of the Pole Creek fire prompted the Sisters Ranger District to conduct an informational open house Tuesday night. For two hours, foresters and experts answered questions and a wide range of topics from defensible space to forest restoration. A big focus of restoration efforts is in the Whychus

Bend’s potentially $68 million Surface Water Improvement Project would replace the aging pipeline to Bridge Creek that delivers half of the city’s water supply. But that plan has been on hold since a judge granted an injunction a couple of weeks ago. Now the city has a new proposal to try to get things moving

It’s hard to believe we’re already talking Christmas shopping, but Black Friday is coming up. The Downtown Bend Business Association is urging you to think small before you rush to the big box stores. Inside a brand new store on Minnesota Avenue in Bend, Patrick Wurtz is working on new ways to solve an age-old

Local Rotary Clubs in Bend will kick off their annual Tree of Joy project over the Thanksgiving weekend on Friday, November 23. The Tree of Joy can be found at Santa Land in the Old Mill District, next to Desperado. The Tree of Joy offers a chance to buy presents for children and seniors in

Oregon drivers are seeing a fourth week of double-digit decreases in pump prices, just in time for more to fill ‘er up take to the road for Thanksgiving-week travel, AAA Oregon-Idaho said Tuesday. Both the Oregon and national averages are at their lowest levels since mid July, the organization said. The national average for regular

Oregon State University-Cascades said Tuesday it plans to launch a four-year hospitality degree program that was once offered on the main OSU campus, after receiving gifts totaling $320,000 from the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and hospitality-related businesses across the state. The new degree program could launch as early as September 2013, pending approval by

The seventh annual 104 Hours for Kids promotion on THE PEAK 104.1 (KWPK-FM) is under way at Subaru of Bend. The week-long live broadcast effort collects new, safe and unwrapped toys that will be distributed to less fortunate children in Central Oregon throughout the holiday season. THE PEAK 104.1 Program Director and morning show personality

Bend Garbage & Recycling will be operating on a normal collection schedule on Thanksgiving. Customers who have garbage & recycling collection service on Thursdays should have their carts out by 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The Bend Garbage office will be closed on Thanksgiving and will reopen on Friday, November 23 at 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Nicole MacTavish, Principal of Redmond High School, announced Tuesday that Mark Winger, Redmond High School Career Technical Education Teacher, was named Deschutes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4018 Teacher of the Year. Winger, who has taught in the Redmond School District for 13 years and who teaches Construction and Wood Technology at Redmond High

Redmond Area Park and Recreation District’s Activity Center is moving to SW Canal in Redmond. The Activity Center is scheduled to open in the new location on December 3. We will offer a variety of activities for all ages including toddler activities, sports camps, art classes, fitness classes, and programs for people with disabilities. In

There’s a possible light at the end of the tunnel for Bend’s Community Center after money troubles that nearly forced them to close their doors for good in late summer. “Three months ago, or even two months ago, we didn’t know what was going to happen with Bend’s Community Center,” Executive Director Linda Heatley said

A new report from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality shows just how “green” Oregonians really are. According to the new statistics, all of the tri-county area exceeded goals set in 2009 for recycling. Lane County took the top spot for the highest recycling rate in the entire state, at 61 percent. Jefferson County was

From pounds of dog food to towers of toilet paper, and maybe a dollhouse for the kid’s play room. You can really find everything at Costco, including some loyal members. “We don’t like to spend a lot of time in the grocery store, so we come to Costco and stock up and we have plenty

Central Oregon Republican lawmakers are getting ready for the 2013 session but they’ll face a Democratic majority in the House and Senate. And one local legislator will serve a new role to help Republicans. Powell Butte Rep. Mike McLane will serve as the new House Republican minority leader. The freshman representative served as deputy house

Fire tore through a nearly century-old home off Gerking Market Road in the Tumalo area Sunday afternoon, and while no people were hurt, its contents were destroyed and several pet cats perished, including a bobcat, officials said. On Monday Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said they’d found the cause: a candle left burning, unattended,