Month: December 2013

Proceeds from the 18th annual Gingerbread Junction at Sunriver Resort, a charity event where members of the community build gingerbread home displays, raised $5,045 to build a real home through Newberry Habitat for Humanity. This worthy organization will use the funds to help build a home for a qualifying family in the La Pine area

Starting in the new year, Oregonians will have a choice: buy local firewood, or to buy firewood that comes from elsewhere that’s labelled pest-free. The Oregon Legislature passed the new firewood law in 2011, to stop invasive species like the Emerald Ash Borer from gaining a local foothold. It’s taken the state Agriculture Department a

The Oregon Department of Revenue is reminding smokers that the tax on cigarettes will increase on January 1 Legislation enacted in the special legislative session this fall increases the state tax on a standard, 20-count pack of cigarettes by 13 cents: from $1.18 to $1.31. “Ordinarily, the consumer pays the tax as a part of

The weather couldn’t seem to make up its mind what it had in store for Oregon in 2013. The state saw drought and the wettest September on record, as well as withering heat and sub-zero temperatures in the Willamette Valley. An early December storm dropped several inches of snow on Corvallis, yet snowpack levels in

As Oregon prepares to see its minimum wage increase in the new year, the Bureau of Labor and Industries on Thursday issued the following five things to know about the state’s minimum wage: Nearly 100,000 Oregon workers will see wage increases starting January 1 st . Oregon’s minimum wage will increase from $8.95 to $9.10

Disasters can strike quickly and often without warning. Businesses and organizations that are prepared are better equipped to handle emergencies. This is why the American Red Cross is providing free disaster preparedness training and tools to local companies, organizations, and government agencies. Free Disaster Preparedness Training for Management and Leadership Staff This comprehensive training is

Volunteer Connect invites Central Oregonians of all ages to sign up for the fifth annual regional Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service! On Jan. 20, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers throughout Central Oregon will honor the legacy of Dr. King by joining hundreds of thousands of other Americans in volunteering for

U.S. Bank and the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation are hosting the U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle Logo Contest. The public is encouraged to visit the downtown Bend U.S. Bank branch December 26th through January 6, to vote on their favorite logo. The winning logo will be featured on all U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is currently participating in a statewide traffic safety campaign focusing on DUII enforcement during the 2013 holiday season. The campaign will continue through January 2, 2014. As part of the campaign, the sheriff’s office will increase traffic patrols directly focusing on DUII related investigations. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office along

The driver of a pickup truck stolen in Yamhill County led police on an early Christmas morning pursuit over Santiam Pass and into Central Oregon that ended when it hit “spike strips” flattening the tires and the driver crashed into a tree, then ran into the woods off Highway 20 west of Sisters, eluding an

A SUV crashed into a power pole in Deschutes River Woods on Tuesday and two men inside fled the scene, triggering a Christmas Eve power outage of several hours for nearly 1,300 residents and an extensive search that led to the arrest of a suspected illegal immigrant, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies were dispatched

The holiday spirit was felt throughout Central Oregon Christmas Day. Many people spend Christmas with family, opening gifts, slicing up a roasted ham and drinking eggnog near a fire. Others choose to spend part of their time helping those who might not be so fortunate. “I’m 6 feet tall, but it makes me feel 8

Bend police said late Tuesday they were seeking tips from the public to find whoever stabbed a 23-year-old Bend man in the chest at Drake Park during a fight involving several people late Monday night. Officers responded around 11:20 p.m. Monday to the reported physical dispute involving several subjects at Drake Park, said Sgt. Dan

A citizen’s driving complaint Monday night helped Oregon State Police find an SUV near the Bend Airport and arrest a Washington state man on a DUII charge, as well as for possessing nearly a pound of marijuana, troopers said. Just before 7:30 p.m., an OSP trooper stopped a 1992 Nissan Pathfinder displaying Washington license plates

A fast-moving fire described by neighbors as a massive fireball destroyed a mobile home in southeast Bend Monday evening and spread to two neighboring homes and several trees, forcing evacuations causing no injuries, officials said. Firefighters responded shortly after 5 p.m. to the fire reported at the home in Space 6 of the Patio Mobile

An 88-year-old Redmond man was injured and cited Tuesday afternoon after he ran a stop sign at a northwest Redmond intersection and his car was struck by another, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies were dispatched shortly after 2 p.m. to the reported crash at the corner of Northwest Way and Coyner Avenue, assisted at

“Who knew?” says Bend-based U.S. Allegiance president Steve Crawford. “People from Japan, Germany, Belarus, Russia, Brazil and China were shopping our ITRACKEDSANTA online store last year. The worldwide popularity of NORAD Tracks Santa is astounding!” Since 1958, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) based at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has provided the

These last few weeks of December, you will see a stream of cars lined up at each of Goodwill’s local donation sites. From a rush of donors looking for their last possible tax deduction for 2013, throughout its 15-county service area, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette expects to collect as much as 5.5 million

BrightSide Animal Center is one of the winners in the Petco Foundation’s Holiday Wishes grant campaign, the foundation announced Monday. The shelter will receive a grant of $25,000. The Petco Foundation, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Ellen DeGeneres and her natural pet food company Halo, Purely for Pets, announced a total of $500,000 in grants. Winners

Central Oregon Dutch Bros. Coffee locations and community members raised $4,028 on Friday , Dec. 6, for their annual Buck for Kids Day. To raise funds, all eight locations donated $1 from every drink sold to the Bend-La Pine, Redmond and Sisters school districts . “We had such an incredible Buck for Kids Day this