Month: February 2013

The organizer of a gun show in Redmond says this weekend’s event set an all-time record for attendance, likely in the thousands, and said it’s likely due to the talk of gun control and resulting shortage of some weapons. “It’s the threat of no guns,” Oregon Trail Gun Show promoter and organizer Ken Daugherty said

Oregon’s private employers had about 31,230 job vacancies during fall 2012, according to a Job Vacancy Survey recently completed by the Oregon Employment Department, the agency said Monday. During the same month, there were 158,600 unemployed Oregonians, or roughly five unemployed people for each vacancy. In the fall of 2011 there were about 6 unemployed

In honor of International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD), Brooks Resources Corporation is committed to building awareness of corporate-community partnerships and to inspiring other businesses to engage in philanthropy. ICPD was developed by Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and is the only international forum of business CEOs and chairpersons focused exclusively on corporate philanthropy. “It is our

The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Victims’ Assistance Program is seeking donations to be utilized for victims where there is not immediate availability of other resources. These donations will most often assist victims after hours as resource availability diminishes after 5pm. What are we looking for? CLOTHES for adults and kids (can be new or gently

Bend is chock full of roundabouts, and residents of the Old Farm Neighborhood near Reed Market and 15th Street say they like them–except they don’t want one coming to their busy intersection. “There isn’t one on this lane that is in favor of this, they’re all opposed to it,” said resident Alene Hufstader on Thursday.

Unless Congress acts by March 1st, a series of automatic cuts — called the sequester — will take effect that the White House said over the weekend “threaten hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs, and cut vital services for children, seniors, people with mental illness and our men and women in uniform.” Here’s the

On Tuesday, the Geothermal Energy Association will release its annual “state of the industry” report in Washington, D.C., and Oregon could figure prominently in the future of geothermal power in the West. Geothermal power accounts for less than 4 percent of the nation’s energy, but the geothermal industry says that’s changing — and Oregon is

Have you ever wanted to play jazz with a world-class musician? Central Oregon music students were treated to that on Saturday. Musicians, singers, band directors, music teachers, parents and students filled Summit High School’s auditorium Saturday morning to learn how to play jazz like a professional. It’s part of a music education workshop, sponsored by

A long-time senior advocate for the city of Bend was recognized Saturday at a public memorial service. Virginia Reddick worked for many years on behalf of the senior citizens in Bend as president of the United Senior Citizens of Bend. Reddick helped start the Dial a Ride service and was instrumental in getting the Meals

La Pine welcomed home Ashton Eaton Saturday to celebrate the honorary renaming a street they named after the gold medal decathlete. The six miles of Highway 97 through town is now Ashton Eaton Boulevard. City Hall was packed with citizens, all wanting to honor their hometown hero. Eaton, along with La Pine City Manager Steve

A heated discussion over gun control took place outside Rep. Greg Walden’s office in downtown Bend Friday evening. One side said they want universal background checks for gun purchases, while the other said they do not want their Second Amendment rights infringed upon. Members of the grassroots group Organizing for Action said they want Walden

Buying local — it’s a way to support your neighbors and promote sustainable living. Here in Central Oregon, it just got a little easier. Once just a popular local Web address, Central Oregon Locavore now has a Bend postal address. The online marketplace is now a year-round farmers market at 1216 NE Fiirst St. “Last

A powerful winter storm took aim at the Oregon Cascades Friday night, proving to be trouble for drivers. There was much less snow in the Bend area — but trouble there, too. Near whiteout conditions hit Santiam Pass late Friday evening, with drivers reporting very poor visibility. With all the new snow, ODOT was requiring

“How much can we do? What’s the balance between removing that timber and maintaining that for wildlife?” Deschutes National Forest Public Affairs Officer Jean Nelson-Dean of the Deschutes National Forest on Friday. That’s always the question following massive wildfires — and it’s always controversial. “These are critical elements of the natural ecosystem that need to

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson announced Friday that the school district has successfully refinanced its 2007 general obligation bonds, a move that will save taxpayers more than $3.8 million in the years to come. “This refinance does not extend the life of the original obligation, nor does it provide additional dollars for operations or

The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office said Friday it is working with local and national organizations to train for and fund a Deschutes County Veterans Treatment Court. VTCs are specialty courts specifically tailored to address the issues that commonly surround a veteran’s entry into the criminal justice system. In a news release Friday, the office

David Gaede of northeast Bend says he “heard this incredible loud boom” Thursday afternoon and, having lived in Kansas for years, first thought it was thunder. “But when I looked out the window, I saw a garbage truck on a nearby street engulfed in flame,” Gaede said later. Ariel Bushnell, another witness, said she saw

It’s a statistic nobody is proud of: Youth in Deschutes County say they are using drugs and alcohol more than in most other Oregon communities. A new coalition is hoping to change that. The survey statistics show substance abuse is higher for Deschutes County 11th graders than the state average. But the new community group

Teachers know first-hand how difficult it is for a student to concentrate on their school work on an empty stomach. Family Access Network (FAN), a Bend-based non-profit organization comprised of teachers who provides food for local families, can share many a story of hungry youngsters dumpster diving for something to eat before the school bell

Did you know that there is a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary right here in Central Oregon? Visit their booth in the Expo Center at the Sportsmen’s Show and find out why they are here, what they do and how you can become a part of this growing team. There are no minimum service hours,