Month: February 2014

Fire destroyed a home in southwest Bend Tuesday night — and the smoke alarm battery was dead — but the smell of smoke awakened the sleeping mother, and she and her three young kids narrowly escaped the blaze, officials said Wednesday. They also said the cause of the fire was traced to an iguana enclosure

It’s something Sisters resident Don Pierce Jr. had done many times, stepson Jon Randall said Wednesday – but this time, it went horribly wrong. A 5-gallon gas can he was using to try to kick up a faltering warming fire instead ignited and exploded in his hands, leaving him with fatal burns and critically injuring

Sara’s Project is presenting a simulcast of Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington’s 16 th annual Breast Cancer Issues Conference on Saturday, March 1 at the St. Charles Bend Conference Center. The conference runs from 8 to 3:30 p.m. and the $15 registration fee includes a light breakfast and lunch. The conference will simulcast

Plans to build a new amphitheater in Sisters are just beginning, and the reviews over the idea are mixed. The city is proposing to build a 3,3000-seat facility off Lotus Street near Barclay Drive and Larch Street. “The idea of an amphitheater came out of some of the community visioning processes that were happening in

Amid swirls of snow, state Rep. John Huffman (R-The Dalles) accepted a Golden Apple Award on the front steps of the Oregon Capitol Tuesday . The award was presented by the Oregon Virtual Public School Alliance. It commemorates Rep. Huffman’s longstanding legislative efforts to expand education choice for parents and students throughout the state. “It

The American Red Cross is helping people affected by the frigid cold air covering two-thirds of the country, including communities in the Cascades Region as weather reports forecast freezing temperatures, strong east winds, sleet and light snow. To stay safe during this dangerous weather, the American Red Cross recommends: Wear layers of lightweight clothing to

Communities throughout Oregon – particularly ones with limited funds – now have a new option to help them finance much-needed wastewater and other water treatment improvement projects. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission has unanimously approved amended state rules which allow for longer-term financing for projects eligible under the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles will now waive the behind-the-wheel driving skills test for any student who successfully completes a driver education course approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Currently in Central Oregon, the ODOT-approved course is offered through High Desert Driver Education, a program of the High Desert Education Service District in

With an FAA certification in sight for its new aircraft and more jobs on the way, Epic Aircraft is stretching its wings for a major expansion. The certification will allow Epic Aircraft to build 100 percent of its new aircraft, the E1000. Epic also plans to add 30 employees in coming weeks, and moving forward

Oregon’s federal and state lawmakers offered mostly positive reaction to a $1 trillion farm bill that easily passed in Senate Tuesday afternoon, sending it to President Obama’s desk for his signature. Portions of the bill offer energy-cost savings, dropping the price of insurance on organic produce,and more funding for specialty crop grants. The bill also

A Bend High School student is about to show off her singing talents at one of the world’s most famous venues. Freshman Katie Wise was selected for the 2014 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Wise will take the stage this Sunday, along with other high-rated performers from across

Oregonians are buckling up at their highest rate ever: more than 98 percent of Oregon’s motoring public uses safety belts. Unfortunately, that leaves a percentage of people who don’t buckle up – and who are twice as likely as belted occupants to die if the vehicle they are in crashes. In 2012, 61 of Oregon’s

About 20 protesters took to the streets of downtown Bend on Monday night to voice their opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline Project. Their message to President Obama was clear. “Our main reason is to apply pressure on President Obama to remind him that this decision is in his hands. He needs to decide no

The American Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors to help restock the blood supply this February. Severe winter weather throughout January across much of the country forced the cancellation of about 770 Red Cross blood drives, resulting in more than 25,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. “Blood products were distributed to hospitals as quickly

Oregon business owners have a new resource to inform their marketing strategies and expand their customer base. The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDCN) has launched a market research service for businesses throughout the state. The Southern Oregon University Market Research Institute, through a grant from U.S. Bank, will be headquartered at Southern Oregon

A tiny minnow that lives only in Oregon is set to become the first fish ever taken off U.S. Endangered Species Act protection because it is no longer threatened with extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday that the Oregon chub has recovered, 21 years after it went on the endangered species list.

Thomas “T.J.” Spear, on Tuesday announced his candidacy for Judge of the Deschutes County Circuit Court (11th Judicial District), Position 5, currently held by retiring Judge Barbara Haslinger. Here’s the rest of his announcement: Thomas Spear is an experienced attorney who believes every person deserves fairness and respect in the judicial system. He brings a

Saving Grace will be honoring Teen Dating Violence Awareness this month. February is National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month and it is critical that we take this time to remember that domestic violence is not just a problem for adults. One in three adolescents in the US will be a victim of physical,

The Camp Fire Central Oregon Board of Directors is pleased to announce four new members. Carolyn Eagan joins Camp Fire’s board as the new president, and Russell Ali, Jacob Fain and William Kemp are new board members. A seasoned nonprofit board member and the City of Bend’s Business Advocate, Eagan brings strategic planning skills and

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council is providing community garden grants up to $2,000 throughout Central Oregon. Grant applications are available beginning February 3, 2014 and are due March 7, 2014. Contact Holly Hutton at hollyhutton55@gmail.com for more information or an application, or visit http://coic2.org/community-development/food-systems/ This is opportunity is part of Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) Cultivating