Month: April 2014

Bend’s sewer collection system is near capacity — and in some areas, existing sewer pipes routinely approach overflow levels, city officials said Friday as they outlined projects underway to relieve the problems. The Sewer Infrastructure Advisory Group, a citizen panel charged with finding an affordable solution for Bend’s pressing sewer problems, were presented the results

St. Charles Madras, in partnership with St. Charles Foundation, is continuing its longstanding tradition of providing scholarships to students who currently reside in Jefferson County or graduated from high school in Jefferson County. The scholarship program offers college scholarships worth up to $1,500 each for new, undergraduate or continuing education students enrolled full time or

A former Bend resident has been sentenced to a year in federal prison and ordered to repay more than $300,000 in restitution in a fraudulent refund scheme that also involved taking retaliatory action against IRS agents, prosecutors said Friday. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken sentenced Mark Timothy Ellis, 38, now of Oregon City,

On Monday, construction crews begin work on the asphalt overlay for the following roads in Deschutes County: Innes Market Road: Paving dates are Monday, April 28 th to Monday, May 5 th NE 33 rd Street: Paving dates are Monday, May 12 th to Thursday, May 16 th . Graystone Lane, Tumalo Place and Deschutes

A Metolius man who worked for 11 years as a Madras school custodian has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for possession and distribution of child pornography, although authorities said Friday no evidence was found of any inappropriate contact involving students at the school. Cecilio Galan, 45, was sentenced Thursday in U.S.

A family of seven, including an infant, fled their burning rental home in southwest Redmond Thursday evening before firefighters stopped the blaze, which caused $30,000 damage. Redmond Fire Marshal Traci Cooper said the fire was reported at 5:23 p.m. at 2918 Southwest Pumice Place. Arriving crews found smoke pouring from the front door and attic

“Our alarm went off, our security cameras were on,” said Henry Abel, a sales associate at Bend’s Pine Mountain Sports, said Monday. “That’s the good news. The bad news is that they did leave before the police showed up.” A price tag is all that’s left behind of a $6,000 bike at Pine Mountain Sports

What was once known as Kombucha Mama is no more. That’s because it is now known as Humm Kombucha. “We wanted something that really captured the essence of the company,” Michelle Mitchell, co-owner of Humm Kombucha, said Thursday. The women who started the company five years ago have decided to take their kombucha brewing talents,

Bend Senior High School Principal H.D. Weddel was named Oregon’s 2014 High School Principal of the Year in front of a packed, cheering auditorium of students and staff Thursday afternoon. “I just felt a lot of love, I was humbled and excited, really, I felt loved,” Weddel said later. Oregon Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction

A 30-year-old fugitive was spotted at a home in southwest Redmond Thursday but ran just before police arrived, prompting an extensive manhunt that found him hiding in a garage, police said. Detectives received information around 11:30 a.m. that Blair Jay Vega was at a home in the area of Southwest 20 th Street and Timber

More and more teens are popping the big question — “Will you to go to prom with me?” But for many, it’s no longer just a simple question you can ask in the hallway or even through a text. Now it’s Promposals — the over-the-top way to ask that special someone to the biggest event

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) has awarded a total of $11,998 to six community gardens in Central Oregon to help them increase their growing capacity and outreach to their communities. In return for the funds to help build new raised beds, purchase soil, seeds, and other necessary equipment, the grantees will donate excess food

The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee seeks nomination for deserving individuals, businesses, and agencies to be recipients of the annual Big Chainring award. Since 1996, the award recognizes those that have made a significant contribution towards the following: •Improving bicycling and walking conditions in Deschutes County •Encouraging children or adults to walk and ride

The Bethlehem Inn, Central and Eastern Oregon’s only emergency shelter for both single adults and families, is proud to announce it has been awarded a $5,000 Challenge Grant from the Bend Foundation. “We are thrilled with this endorsement and show of support from the Bend Foundation” stated Gwenn Wysling, executive director of the Inn. “This

On Wednesday night, Bend city councilors directed staff to move forward with crafting plans for a new study of parking downtown, as requested by a merchants group, and possibly examine the situation in other commercial areas of the city. Downtown Bend Business Association Executive Director Chuck Arnold asked the city to do a study. He

An attempted traffic stop in La Pine late Wednesday night led to a brief pursuit, crash and the arrest of a La Pine man, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. A deputy tried to pull over a blue 1994 Toyota Tercel around 11:40 p.m. for a traffic violation (an unsignaled turn) on Burgess Road near Highway

A Bend man and former Wisconsin resident who co-founded three self-help and personal development companies there pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Madison to failing to file tax returns and report more than $1.3 million in earnings between 2006 and 2008, prosecutors said. John Vaudreuil, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, said

The Humane Society of Central Oregon is reminding people to avoid the impulse purchase of live rabbits, chicks or ducklings as Easter gifts. These young animals may be adorable now, but in a short period of time they will mature into adult animals that need daily care for the rest of their lives. Sadly, most

Buying things off Craigslist is just a click away, but many people on the High Desert have learned the hard way that there are plenty of scammers on the Website. Craigslist has been around since 1996. Each year, it seems to get more popular. People can find everything from roommates, to couches, to cars. With

The severe 2013 fire season still fresh in their minds, Oregonians are focusing their efforts on protecting against future wildfires. Approximately 751,672 Oregonians (occupying about 342,000 homes) live in forested areas, making them vulnerable to wildfire. Are you one of them? Get involved by taking part in National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 3