Month: December 2014

In the latest numbers, Oregon’s export trade maintained its trend of strong growth and the state is on course to have its best export year ever, according to a Beacon Economics ‘ analysis of foreign trade data released Friday by the U.S. Commerce Department. Oregon’s export trade totaled $1.87 billion in October, an 11.8% nominal

Central Oregon’s work week of winter weather ended Friday with still more school closures and delays, as well as slide-off crashes on slick roads. Later, the freezing fog returned in Bend as it lingered in Redmond and points north, canceling more flights out of Roberts Field. Jefferson County 509-J classes were canceled again Friday, as

The first of several public meetings Thursday seeking community feedback revealed widespread support for a new plan surrounding Mirror Pond and the downtown Bend riverfront. A short presentation led by Bend Park and Rec reminded attendees about the plan released a few weeks ago that calls for redevelopment of the downtown waterfront area to raise

Washington Federal Bank on the Eastside of Bend is participating in the Tree of Hope for the 4 th year. Stars from MountainStar Family Relief Nursery are ready to be picked up so that holiday wishes and needs of children and families who would otherwise go without, can be granted. MountainStar Family Relief Nursery Mission

Only 15 days left to donate to the Redmond Toy and Food Drive and donations are off to a very slow start! Please help us in providing a warm meal and presents for those in need this Christmas! We are accepting donations of unwrapped toys for ages 1 through 13, non-perishable food, or cash at

The Ochoco National Forest is urging snowmobilers and other recreationists to be aware of ongoing logging operations and to exercise caution when using the Walton Sno-Park and adjacent forest roads and snowmobile trails this winter. Log trucks headed to mills in Gilchrist and Prineville are expected to continue logging operations at the K9 timber sale

A Sisters woman admitted to St. Charles Bend for treatment of anxiety was given the wrong medication and died two days later as a result, a family member said and hospital officials confirmed Wednesday. The hospital said all employees involved in the tragic sequence of events have been placed on paid leave amid an ongoing

Stressing the major impact hunting and recreational shooting have on Oregon’s economy, a broad group of local and regional leaders representing sporting organizations, small businesses and retailers announced Thursday the launch of a new group: Hunting Works For Oregon. In its announcement, the organization pointed to sportsmen and women as key drivers of in-state commerce,

Applications for the OSU Master Gardener™ Program in Central Oregon are now available. The program targets individuals interested in becoming a trained volunteer who wants to learn and share research-based gardening information. The program starts with 10 classes that meet on Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm, January 17 – April 4, 2015 at

In the final meeting of the Oregon State University Cascades Campus Expansion Advisory Committee on Friday, members of the committee and its task forces will be recognized for their 17-month collaborative effort to advise the branch campus as it plans for a physical campus that meets the diverse needs of the surrounding community, and attracts

Woodgrain Millwork held a job fair Thursday to help find employment for 200 plus employees they recently laid off. More than 30 employers from all over Central Oregon participated in the event at the Crook County Fairgrounds. “It was going to be my last job, you know, until I retired,” Carl Hollinger said. In a

Hunters could be accidentally killing more than just big game. It turns out the lead in their bullets could be killing scavenger birds as well. The most recent victim in Central Oregon is a 1-year-old bald eagle. “I guess a human would see it as a drunk pilot,” Gary Landers of Wild Wings Raptor Rehabilitation

In November, The Oregon Community Foundation Board of Directors approved more than $551,000 in 75 grants to Central Oregon nonprofits. The awards include first-time grants from the Small Arts and Culture program. Recent research revealed that of the 1,468 registered arts and culture nonprofit organizations in Oregon, more than 60 percent have budgets under $100,000.

Although International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day was recognized on November 21, the Deschutes County Health Department is partnering with the Suicide Prevention Task Force to plan a special event this month. This year’s November event included a screening of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s compelling new documentary, The Journey. This movie will be

Planning and preparations are underway for the 2014 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office’s Shop with a Cop program. Shop with a Cop is a joint venture between local law enforcement agencies throughout Deschutes County, and local Wal-Mart stores. Its primary focus is to help make the holidays a little brighter for less-fortunate families, and provide an

The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is hosting their Annual Convention and Trade Show at The Riverhouse Hotel in Bend from Thursday to Saturday, This year’s event kicked off at 9 a.m. on Thursday w ith a Beef Quality Assurance Training & Certification and concludes with a Billy Dean concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday . The

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and 44 other state attorneys general announced Thursday a $3.8 million settlement with Sirius XM Radio Inc. resolving claims alleging that the satellite radio company engaged in misleading advertising and billing practices. Sirius XM also will provide restitution to eligible consumers who have complaints about the problems addressed in the

The Original Pancake House wants to make dreams come true for animals in need this holiday season. Show your spirit and help the thousands of abandoned, stray and abused animals at the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Dine at The Original Pancake House and 5% of sales will benefit the Humane Society of Central Oregon,

Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced Thursday the Secure Data Act to protect Americans’ privacy and data security. The bill prohibits government mandates to build back doors or security vulnerabilities into U.S. software and electronics. U.S. government officials have recently proposed to compel companies to build back doors in the security features of their products. These

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by Portland General Electric in hopes of finding whoever shot and damaged a 500,000-volt power line in Crook County in two recent incidents, officials said Thursday. On Nov. 21, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Portland General Electric that someone had caused damage