Month: December 2013

Central Oregon unemployment levels continued to fall in November, while seasonally adjusted hiring is up across the High Desert, the state Employment Department reported Monday. The Bend Metropolitan Statistical Area (Deschutes County) posted its largest retail gains in November going back over 10 years. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in all three Central Oregon

Searchers battling high winds and freezing rain Monday evening found a Eugene snowshoer who headed out alone Sunday to climb Broken Top, west of Bend, and ended up spending the night, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. A concerned friend called county 911 dispatchers around 2:20 p.m. on Monday to report that Michael Holmes, 25 was

A survey of Americans’ attitudes toward the use of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” to access natural gas and oil found that half of those surveyed knew little or nothing of the issue – and those that did were split almost evenly on whether to support it. Fracking has become an increasingly important and contentious issue

The Oregon State Marine Board and the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association presented statewide awards to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and deputies during their annual banquets this month. The Oregon State Marine Board recognized the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office with an award for the Safety and Maintenance of our boats and related equipment. They were

The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is excited to announce that they still have spots available in the Stevenson Youth Program (SYP). This program is designed to foster a lifelong appreciation for the sport of cross-country skiing, love for the outdoors, and a basic understanding of our amazing winter environment. In the SYP, skiers 2nd

KPOV High Desert Community Radio has received a $10,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation for the second year of a capacity-building project. Kathleen Cornett, Vice President of Grants & Programs stated, “KPOV serves as the only nonprofit non-commercial media outlet in Bend and the region. OCF is proud to support KPOV’s fundraising and capacity-building

To complete necessary waterline work, the City of Bend plans to close Neff Road between Purcell Road and Williamson Drive from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 3, If necessary, the work and detour will continue from 5 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 4, 2014. The City of Bend Utility Department needs

An injured California woman was flown to a Bend hospital for treatment early Monday after a rollover crash on icy Hwy. 20E about 60 miles east of Bend, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies were dispatched shortly before 6 a.m. to the crash near at milepost 61, near Hampton, said Lt. Chad Davis. An investigation

Pronghorn, an Auberge Resort, recently announced a $20 million investment today for a new guest lodge, spa and enhancements to existing facilities that will be completed by early 2015 with the primary objective of enriching the resort amenities and services that will be available to both members and resort guests. The new hotel will be

Your local Boy Scout troops are excited to begin the collection and recycling of Christmas trees in your community the weekends of December 28th & 29th and again on January 4th & 5th. We request a donation of at least $5 but will gladly accept any donation over that amount. All the money raised from

Rural communities are in line to receive millions in additional Secure Rural Schools funding, after the White House determined that mandatory budget cuts known as “sequestration” will not apply to the program for payments going out early next year, Oregon Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter DeFazio announced Monday. Wyden, who chairs the Senate

Combined Communications is pleased to announce the conclusion ofthe 2nd Annual WILD 107.7 Giving Tree, presented by Hayden Homes and First Story. Wild 107.7 staff handed out Christmas presents to almost 200 local in-need children this holiday season. Listeners nominated families that they knew were struggling, which resulted in 198 names on the WILD Giving

Ingredients:2 teaspoons whole clovesZest of one orange2 quarts apple cider1 teaspoon allspice1 teaspoon grated nutmeg2 cups dark rum3 cinnamon sticks Directions: In a medium pot combine all ingredients except the rum. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the rum. Ladle into mugs. Serve

INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE… It certainly is a nice improvement over silence to report that Building Permits for new homes were up 5.2% in September, 6.2% in October, and are now up 13% in the past year. The multifamily sector is hot right now, accounting for most of the monthly increases and

Peppermint bark is a holiday favorite. Easy to make. delicious on it’s own or crumbled in hot chocolate or even as an ice cream topping for an easy winter desert. Good fun to make with the kids too! Ingredients: Crushed candy canes, to yield 1 cup 2 pounds white chocolate Directions: Place candy canes in

When winter comes to Bend it’s no reason to stop mountain biking. I thinkyou will find some of the nicest conditions of the year after winter setsin. There are lots of trails, and very few people. The lower trails in thePhil’s area can remain snow free for much of the winter but don’t feargoing higher.

The city of Bend wants to hear from residents, business owners and others on how to create a vibrant future for the Central District. The Central District is described as the area along Northeast Third Street, between Revere and Burnside avenues. A public workshop is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January

Good-quality hay is a lifeblood for horse-lovers, farmers and ranchers across the High Desert and elsewhere. And the Internet is a lifeline for those seeking to buy or sell anything – including hay. But the ever-present dark side of the Web – scams – led to a more than two-year investigation and court case that

If you’re into model train collections, this was the weekend for you. That’s because area “Train Man” Michael Larvich returned for his annual showcase at the Deschutes Public Library in downtown Bend Some of the pieces to the set date all the way back to the 1920s. Although he’s never worked on a real train,

President Obama on Friday named 102 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, including Kerry Morton, a kindergarten math teacher at Bend’s Pine Ridge Elementary School. Morton has been with the school district since 2002, teaching at La Pine Elementary School and now Pine