Month: September 2014

At its September program meeting, Meyer Memorial Trust’s board of trustees awarded 33 grants plus a program-related investment, totaling $4.5 million for organizations and initiatives across Oregon and Southwest Washington. The latest awards support projects as varied as free dental services for underserved children in Lane and Douglas counties, general operating support for a multi-ethnic

It has been a wet and cool start to fall in Central Oregon, and that is good news for those monitoring fire conditions. As of midnight Thursday, fire danger levels are dropping from extreme to low on federal public lands. “Our indicators look really good,” Kassidy Kern, public affairs specialist with the Deschutes National Forest,

Two young women head to college this fall with scholarships from Bend’s AAUW, the American Association of University Women. AAUW Bend Branch has given scholarships to COCC students since 1969. This year there are two recipients. Shena Ercanbrack from Bend seeks a degree in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University in Corvallis. Her $3,500 scholarship

A young red-tailed hawk was the apparent cause of a power outage affecting 4,500 customers in downtown and west Bend Wednesday afternoon, and a wildlife rehabilitation specialist says there are ways to prevent such encounters. The bird was found dead at the scene. “It’s heartbreaking,” High Desert Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation representative Jeannette Bonomo said

On Monday, construction crews will begin work on the installation of a storm sewer system on 3rd Street in La Pine. Work will consist of the following: Installation of a storm sewer pipe and inlets from the intersection of 3rd Street and Huntington Road west on 3rd Street for approximately 800 feet. The contract completion

Central Oregon Community College has actively resumed the search for the next president of the college. The search has been extended and the new target date for applications is Monday, November 3. Finalists will be interviewed in late January, and the board anticipates the announcement of COCC’s permanent president taking place in February 2015, with

Fred Meyer has told NewsChannel 21 it hopes to build one of its large one-stop shopping stores at U.S. Highway 20 and Cooley Road on the north end of Bend. But the city’s top planner said Thursday the area lacks sewer capacity, so the retailer would need to spend millions on a short-term solution of

In an effort to bring more tourism to Crook County, Commissioner Seth Crawford and representatives of Brasada Ranch recently obtained the support of all county transient room tax recipients and the County Court to renew the county’s inclusion in Visit Bend’s marketing programs. The county first joined Visit Bend’s marketing programs in March 2014 following

The Tumalo State Park campground is closing next Monday for the next several months for a construction project, including new restrooms, Oregon State Parks said. The closure is expected to continue through June of next year, while the day use area remains open, officials said. The project costs approximately $800,000 and will be funded by

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson and members of the district’s middle school naming committee are inviting the community to help name Bend-La Pine Schools’ next middle school. On Thursday, the committee launched an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014NamingMSto collect name suggestions. The survey will remain open through November 4. The new 800-seat middle school is

KPOV 88.9 High Desert Community Radio is holding its fall membership drive October 1-11. KPOV is the only non-profit public radio station originating from Bend, broadcasting throughout Deschutes County and the Prineville area. It is supported by listeners and local businesses and powered by volunteers. The eclectic mix of great music, local news, and thoughtful

Sisters Folk Festival Inc. has been producing events, providing arts education in the public schools and providing scholarships for almost two decades. In that time, staff and board members have wondered just how much of an economic impact the non-profit was having on the local community. But economic impact studies are expensive, and the organization

The city of Bend and contractor Jack Robinson and Sons, Inc. will close the Third Street underpass for approximately 12 hours to perform pavement repair work starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30 and reopening at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Traffic will be detoured along Wilson Avenue, Ninth Street and Franklin Avenue,

Powerful Tools for Caregivers will be offered in Bend through a partnership between Bend Memorial Clinic (BMC) and Central Oregon Council On Aging (COCOA). Powerful Tools for Caregivers is 6-week self-care educational program that provides caregivers with tools and strategies to better handle the unique challenges they face. Family caregivers will benefit from this class

Hunter information booths will be open across central Oregon in early October to provide the public with current fire restriction information on open fires, driving off road, chainsaw use, smoking in the forest, and more. Road closure information as well as map sales and coffee will also be available at most locations. Early fall is

Oregon Labor Commissioner Avakian announced Thursday that a series of 15 upcoming civil rights seminars on housing law will help landlords understand Oregon’s new Section 8 rules and provide an overview of disability protections and other frequent areas of landlord/tenant disputes. Starting Monday, the Bureau of Labor and Industries will offer two-hour seminars around the

Bend resident Leila Thompson lost her cat to a coyote attack. “I’d say she was great company and really was one of my best pals. I travel a lot and I always couldn’t wait to come home and see Ellie,” Thompson said tearfully. She found remains of her beloved 16-year-old cat, Ellie, on Sunday. Ellie

As weather conditions bring more moisture, shorter days, and cooler temperatures, fuels specialists with the Forest Service and BLM will begin fall and winter prescribed burning around the High Desert. Prescribed fires, in conjunction with thinning and mowing, can reduce hazardous fuels, Central Oregon Fire Management Service officials said Thursday. Prescribed fire also is used

On the morning of August 1 st , 2009, 28-year-old Justin Burkhart of Bend left his apartment to grab a bite to eat. His friends told him that there wouldn’t be a place open at that hour of the morning, but the intoxicated Burkhart insisted. He was on NW Broadway Street in Bend, heading to

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., wrote to the U.S. Forest Service on Thursday, expressing concern over a proposal that would require journalists to apply for an expensive permit before shooting any photographs or video in a wilderness area. The full text of the letter is below: Dear Chief Tidwell: I write to express my concerns with