Month: June 2013

A Powell Butte barbecue stand was destroyed by fire late Saturday afternoon, but while the trailer was a total loss, there were no injuries, Crook County firefighters said. Crook County Fire and Rescue got a call around 4:10 p.m. of a fire at Big Al’s Barbecue, officials said. The fire was called in by a

Bend police and Oregon Liquor Control Commission officials met with downtown business owners this week to discuss recent alcohol-related issues in the area and how to prevent them in the future. Wednesday’s meeting “was an effort to partner with all involved to increase community safety in downtown Bend,” the OLCC said in a Friday news

A Bandon man, allegedly driving drunk with his 5-year-old son, crashed his SUV near Santiam Junction early Saturday morning, sending both to the hospital, and faces a range of charges, including DUII and reckless driving, Oregon State Police reported. A Bandon-area man is facing multiple charges following an alcohol-involved serious injury single vehicle crash that

With the warm weather expected to last through the weekend, Bend police have a familiar, but necessary to repeat warning: Don’t leave your kids or animals locked in your car. They said Friday they’ve seen a recently rise in the number of calls regarding dogs locked in hot cars. Community Service Officer Bob Gaede says

The Sunriver Music Festival is still two months away but young artists in Central Oregon are already performing. Every year, the festival awards money to students who want to continue to take private lessons, go to college or attend music camps. And this year, the festival handed out a record amount. This week, the festival

The Oregon Department of Forestry has sent a strike team of fire engines to New Mexico to help fight wildfires burning there, the agency said Friday. Five ODF fire engines are being trucked to a staging area near Albuquerque, while the crews flew down, officials said. One engine has arrived, and the rest were expected

It’s a controversial topic: Should your kids be immunized before they head to public schools? A bill aimed at tightening exemptions for vaccinations passed the Oregon Senate in a 16-13 vote Thursday, and we talked to some expectant mothers in Bend about their views on the debate. The bill, SB 132A, if it becomes law,

A 57-year-old truck driver from Bonanza was killed on Highway 58 east of Oakridge Thursday morning when his rig crossed an oncoming lane on a curve, struck a guardrail and left the road, hitting several trees, Oregon State Police reported. After family was notified, troopers identified the man as Russel Alan Young. Around 8:30 a.m.,

In his former jobs, Bend Police Chief Jeff Sale has investigated a shooting at the Fairchild Air Force Base Hospital in 1994, and a high school shooting, also in Washington. “Any time you end up at a scene where there’s that amount of chaos, that amount of death, that amount of injury, all contained into

Bend voters could be asked this November whether they want to raise the city’s hotel-motel room tax by 2 percent, generating another $1 million-plus a year for police and fire needs, as well as tourism promotion in Seattle and Northern California, and also grants to arts programs through a “cultural tourism trust.” But several months

During spring and early summer, Oregon’s wildlife are giving birth and raising their young, teaching them what to eat, where to take shelter and how to survive in the wild. During this period, mothers will leave their young alone, often for extended periods of time. The mothers do this so they can feed while not

A colt was born at a Terrebonne horse-rescue operation early Thursday morning, just hours after its mother was seized from what authorities call a neglectful owner. The mare was one of four horses taken into custody by Mustangs to the Rescue, an equine shelter. “He appears very healthy. He is small, and that’s really typical

During lunch at Summit High School, it’s hard to find teens without phones in their hands — and it often carries over to driving. “I have (texted whiled driving),” sophomore Amber Dolinar said Thursday. “It was bad. I ran (off) in the bike lane — it was kind of scary.” NewsChannel 21 held its first

Oregon’s 2012 GDP (real gross domestic product) growth came in at nearly 4 percent (3.95%), an increase ranking the state third in the nation, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. “Our steady GDP growth over the last three years shows that Oregon’s economy is headed in the right direction

The Family Access Network is the recipient of a $4,500 grant from U.S. Bank Foundation to help support a FAN advocate at La Pine Middle School, a high -needs school in Deschutes County. The FAN advocate will connect over 250 children and family members to basic-needs including food, shelter, clothing, heating and healthcare. Stacey Dodson,

Community Presbyterian Church of Redmond, OR is accepting applications through July 8, 2013 for eligible houses to paint in Redmond. The goal of the project is to promote “Love Thy Neighbor” and neighborhood beautification and is designed to help senior citizens and the disabled by painting their homes ~ at no cost to them. Applicants

As the school year comes to a close, the cry “I’m bored!” will begin to be heard throughout Central Oregon. Curiosity and boredom, combined with a lack of direct supervision, can often lead to youth misusing fire. In fact, according to the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, fire incidents involving youth peak during the

More than 1,100 Bend-La Pine Schools students will don caps and gowns this week as they take center stage to accept their high school diplomas. The Class of 2013 has earned more than $10 million in scholarships and awards. Graduation schedules: Mountain View High School, 355 GraduatesJune 6, 7 pmDeschutes County FairgroundsMVHS graduates plan to

At its 12th Commencement on Sunday, June 16,Oregon State University – Cascades will draw a crowd of more than 1,500 family and friends of graduates to the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend and will grant Oregon State University degrees to 167 students planning to attend the ceremony. In total, Oregon State University degrees will be

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined five other senators Thursday in introducing the bipartisan Child Sex Trafficking Data and Response Act of 2013 to improve state and national data on the scope and prevalence of child sex trafficking and bring reforms to better identify and assist victims. “Domestic child sex trafficking is a scourge that must