Month: March 2013

State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said Monday he is set to push reforms to Oregon’s programs and methodology to improve Medicaid payment integrity. If passed, Senate Bill 753 could potentially save the State of Oregon millions of dollars each year, with minimal costs to implement this element to the program, Knopp said. SB 753 extends

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries announces the appointment of Dennis Luke to the department’s Governing Board. Luke represented Oregon House District 54 from 1993 until 1999, then served as a Deschutes County commissioner from 1999 to 2011. He has been active on a variety of boards and commissions in Central Oregon, including

Oregon State Police arrested a 52-year-old Madras man on DUII and assault charges after his car struck a Madras woman in a downtown crosswalk, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries, authorities said. Police and medics were called to Sixth and Oak Street, just east of Highway 97, around 9 p.m., Jefferson County authorities

Oregonians over age 50 are concerned enough about aging gracefully that “long-term care services and supports” rank second on their list of top priorities — right behind “the economy and jobs.” That comes from a new statewide survey by AARP Oregon. Ninety percent of those surveyed said it is important to have choices for how

Mario Mendoza of Bend celebrated after competing in his first U.S. Snowshoe Nationals. The Central Oregonian finished third in the men’s 10K race Saturday at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park. “This is my first time doing snowshoeing,” Mendoza said. “It was really tough, and really hard.” With Mendoza’s third place finish, he now has a spot on

If it’s true that, as the movie title said, “all dogs go to heaven,” a Redmond man’s German shorthaired pointer named Hunter had an express pass when he passed away recently — just a week before he was to be inducted into the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame for helping save the life of his

From city governments, to law firms, to clothing stores — in just eight days, Central Oregon has put its money where its mouth is, securing $350,000 in pre-paid ticket pledges for new non-stop flights between Redmond and LAX. “For me, it was a no-brainer,” Vanilla Urban Threads owner April Lawyer said Friday. It’s here today

Economic Development for Central Oregon announced late Friday afternoon that they have met Friday’s $350,000 goal for pledges for the Airline Travel Bank, just hours before the deadline set by American Airlines. Thus far, $81,000 has been collected in checks and other payments. The pledge initiative is a key element in establishing direct service between

A La Pine couple staying at a friend’s house had gone to bed but was not asleep early Friday when they smelled smoke, officials said. That may have saved their lives, as well as their dog and the home. However, a quick response from a nearby fire station limited the damage, they added. La Pine

As of last month, the Deschutes County Building Safety Division has assumed responsibility for plan reviews and inspections of all projects in the city of Sisters for compliance with the State Building Code. Building Division staff are available in Sisters City Hall four hours a day and in the Bend Community Development Department office five

Four Bend residents face drug charges after a raid earlier this week on a southeast Bend home, where several people were smoking methamphetamine as officers moved in, authorities said Thursday. Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team detectives, assisted by Bend police, executed a search warrant around 6 p.m. Tuesday at a home at 147 SE Fourth

A variety of cats at the Humane Society of Central Oregon are hoping a little luck helps them find a new home during the St. Catrick’s Day adoption special on Saturday, March 16 th . For very little green, you can get lucky and find a new feline friend for only $7. Make St. Catrick’s

An early New Year’s Day stabbing of a man and woman during a fight at a northeast Bend apartment has been solved with the arrest of a Bend man, police said Friday. Police were called to Apt. 204 at the Reserves at Pilot Butte, 21312 Hwy. 20, around 4:30 a.m. Jan. 1 on a 911

The Deschutes National Forest will construct of a 6-mile, multi-use paved path connecting Sunriver, Newberry National Volcanic Monument and the Deschutes River Trail following approval of the project Thursday. The 10-foot-wide multi-use path will provide visitors and residents the opportunity to safely walk or bike between the three popular tourist destinations, the agency said, and

The Oregon education system is going through what’s being called a “transformation,” but what do all the changes really mean? On Saturday in Corvallis, teachers, school administrators and other staff members from around the state will hear from experts and share their views. Lily Eskelson, vice president of the National Education Association, will address the

Last November, a 12-year-old La Pine boy thought all he was sick with was mono. But as his fever progressed for weeks, Collin Ellingson’s doctors discovered it was actually a rare form of lymphoma cancer he was battling. Collin, his mom Susan Lott and his sisters were in Seattle this past weekend for the 2013

Dozens of Central Oregon high school students learned what it takes to be an athletic trainer on Thursday. The Center Foundation held a class where instructors showed basic injuries, how to treat them, and what kind of careers are available. Summit High School soccer player Jordan Collinsworth said she’s had her fair share of injuries.

Larry Fulkerson had a question: Why is Deschutes County asking residents to renew a 911 levy at the same tax rate as before, when they have millions of dollars in reserve? The referred-to funds include $2 million in undirected reserves, and more than $7 million earmarked for future capital projects. “We need to trust government,”

Bend Park & Recreation District is thinking summer! Early registration for summer recreation camps and programs begins March 25th, allowing families to get a jump on planning summer activities. Camp and program descriptions and schedules will be available for review online beginning March 22nd at www.bendparksandrec.org. Popular summer programs include outdoor and overnight camps, sports

As spring and the Easter holiday approach, Central Oregon public health departments are reminding everyone that chick handling is a very common source of Salmonella. Salmonella bacteria are easily spread from chicks to humans. Humans may become infected when they place their hands on objects that have been in contact with the stool of chicks,