Month: December 2014

A dose of winter weather has already hit Central Oregon and more is sure to come. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to complications from winter weather. For the thousands of seniors living in Central Oregon, cold winter weather may pose a number of risks, some dangerous. Ensuring that seniors are safe and warm can help

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., testified Monday before the International Trade Commission to ensure fair trade practices and a level playing field for Oregon workers and businesses, including SolarWorld. The commission is examining the impact of unfair trade practices by Chinese and Taiwanese businesses as a result of a trade case filed by SolarWorld. The Oregon-based

Photographers, whether amateur or professional, are invited to showcase their photos at this year’s photo contest hosted by the Central Oregon Council on Aging (COCOA). Photos should be of seniors, aged 60 and above, reflecting the personality of the subject. All submissions should include one 8×10 photo, digital copy of the photo (via email or

Fire that tore through a northeast Prineville home Sunday night, causing about $200,000 in damage, was traced to the chimney, Crook County fire officials said Monday. Deputy Fire Chief Casey Kump said crews responded to Northeast Stripling Court, off Owens Road, just after 9 p.m. on reports of flames seen burning through the roof of

Fuels specialists with the Prineville BLM plan to complete two pile-burning projects this week in the Cline Buttes Recreation Area. The burns may begin as early as Tuesday, but specialists will be waiting for appropriate weather and need a new round of snow or rain to limit the potential for fire to spread beyond the

Housing Works will celebrate the completion of modernization work at the Ariel Glen and Healy Heights apartments on Tuesday, along with the grand opening of the region’s first workforce housing-based medical clinic, located at Ariel Glen. Guest speakers at the event will include Patrick Shea, of the U,S Department of Housing and Urban Development, and

The newly created Waterston Desert Writing Prize will annually honor creative and literary nonfiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place, and desert literacy. Inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love of the high desert of Central Oregon, a region that has been her muse for over 30 years, the Waterston Desert Writing Prize

Bend Endurance Academy rock climbers have earned invitations to compete in the USA Climbing Division 1 Bouldering Championships to be held in Reno, NV later next month. Emma Vee McMillin, Lukas Strauss-Wise, Leah Pfeiffer and Forrest Franklin have all secured their spots at the Divisional Championships by finishing in the top seven places in their

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council is pleased to announce improved Cascades East Transit service on Route 18 Mountain Service, now serving Meissner Nordic Park. Nordic skiers can take public transit to Meissner Nordic Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for $9 round-trip or $5 one-way fare. Service to Meissner Nordic Park began December 1st

A 20-year-old Bend woman faces DUII and hit-and-run charges after crashing a pickup into and damaging a power pole in southeast Bend early Sunday, triggering a blackout, then fled the scene on foot, police said. The crash and fallen lines knocked out power to more than 850 Pacific Power customers for at least 90 minutes,

About 21 months after an arson spree left part of a downtown Bend church heavily damaged, the congregation held their first Mass Sunday in the renovated building. Trinity Episcopal Church dates back to 1918 and sits at the south end of downtown. It’s recognized by its bright red doors, and for much of the last

The leader of a group that has for years fought the city of Bend’s water pipeline replacement project said Sunday they are considering whether to appeal a federal judge’s rejection of their claims to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “While we are disappointed with the court’s latest decision, (Central Oregon) LandWatch is committed

According to a study published in the Patient Safety Journal, each year 440,000 people in the U.S. die due to medical errors. That makes it the third-leading cause of death in the country. “I would say medication errors in general are very common,” Bethany Walmsley, executive director of the Oregon Patient Safety Commission, told NewsChannel

A Redmond woodcarver’s shop briefly was ablaze Saturday afternoon after a wood stove caught fire in the store. The flames led to an estimated $25,000 in damages, but fortunately no injuries were reported — and not a single lost carving. Vance Fortenberry is the owner and artist behind the carvings at the Whittle Shop, located

A Madras woman was killed and five other people were injured late Friday afternoon when the woman lost control of her minivan on icy Highway 26 east of Mt. Hood and crossed into the oncoming lane, triggering a four-car crash, Oregon State Police reported. OSP Lt. Josh Brooks identified the victim late Saturday as Kimberly

Bend police Sgt. John Lawrence, who spent more than 14 years in Central Oregon law enforcement, passed away of natural causes, officers said Friday. He was 43. Lt. Kurt Koester issued this announcement of what took place: On, Thursday, December 4 th , at 9:46 pm, Bend Police and Fire Department personnel responded to the

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said it captured and relocated California bighorn sheep at several locations this week to improve genetic diversity among herds and continue efforts to restore this native species in Oregon. Bighorns were captured in the Deschutes and John Day River canyons and in the Branson Creek area of Grant

The Pacific Northwest Region of the USDA Forest Service announced Friday the selection of Stacey Forson as the new supervisor for the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. Forson said she is looking forward to her new role as forest supervisor and the move to Prineville. “I am excited to get to know

It’s been six months since the Two Bulls Fire, and still its start is a mystery. It was one of the earliest fire season starts in Bend’s history. The fire ignited on June 7. “I think the earliness of the fire of that severity took everyone by surprise,” Rich Hoover with the Oregon State Police

We’re still weeks away from the official start to winter, but Central Oregon school districts already are racking up snow days. Jefferson County School District Superintendent Rick Molitor said Friday’s canceled school marks seven days total of closures this year — the highest number in about a decade. Molitor also said that if the district