Month: December 2014

Three people were taken to hospitals with serious injuries after a nearly head-on crash on Highway 58 in Klamath County Saturday afternoon, Oregon State Police said. OSP investigators believe speed and weather/road conditions may have been factors in the crash, reported shortly after 1 p.m. near milepost 68, said OSP Lt. Steve Mitchell. A preliminary

A long-familiar name to Bend grocery shoppers could soon be replaced, if federal officials approve plans by Albertsons to sell their two stores in the city to Haggen, a Bellingham, Wash.-based grocery chain. Albertsons and Safeway, which announced a merger earlier this year, said Friday they have agreed to sell 168 stores to four buyers,

It seems that everywhere you turn in Central Oregon, there’s an athlete doing something noteworthy — even those just entering their teenage years. Jesse Clayton, 13, of Redmond, recently was selected to the U.S. Archery Junior Dream Team. Clayton never picked up a bow until two years ago, but that hasn’t stopped him from beating

A new study of studded tire use in Oregon shows drivers have changed their habits. The study (www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/Documents/StuddedTireReport2014.pdf) quantifies the current use of studded tires, the pavement damage caused by that use and the cost of repairing the damage. Findings The number of vehicles using studded tires has dropped by 75%:A previous report published in

Bend’s Equine Outreach has dozens of rescued horses. And while safe, it’s hardly a place to call home. “There are too many horses in the United States without homes,” the facility’s Gayle Park said Friday. “And any time we can get one into a home, it’s a big plus.” Park, Gayle Hunt and Cyndi Davis

What happens when a four-legged friend is taken from a Bend home? Well, it’s probably not the type of friend you’re thinking of. A popular poodle poached, right from its front yard. Where could it have possibly gone? Just who could have possibly taken this glowing hound? There’s only one way to find out. On

The Oregon Supreme Court’s ruling that Mt. Bachelor’s liability waiver cannot prevent a paralyzed snowboarder from suing the ski resort has everybody talking — and while the case’s outcome is uncertain, some fear the impact on the industry and those who hit the slopes. The justices ruled that the liability waiver was “unconscionable” and contrary

A new report ranks Oregon as the third-best state in the nation when it comes to protecting animals from abuse and neglect. The Humane Society of Central Oregon currently has its hands full in just one such case. “Right now, we’re sitting with very full kennels with an animal neglect case pending right now,” Lynne

Although it might look nothing short of goofy — back in the day — log-rolling was a serious business. From the tops of floating logs, champions were crowned. And in Lewiston, Idaho in the 1960s, a dynasty was born. “Four women, who in a 14-year period won 11 world championships,” Bend filmmaker Dave Jones said

December is the busiest month of the year for car donations,with donors hoping to get rid of an unwanted car and get that tax receipt before the end of the year. The Center for Car Donations expects to process over 400 donated vehicles this month alone, many of them for local charities here in Central

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) has announced the nomination of eight Oregon students for acceptance to one of the prestigious United States service academies based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character. Walden made the announcement in Medford Thursday with three of the nominees. Members of Walden’s Service Academy Nomination Board—active and retired military

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum on Friday issued the Attorney General’s 20 Worst Charities list, an annual review of non-profit organizations that spend the majority of their donations on administrative costs and hiring professional fundraisers rather than on the cause they support. All of the charities are based outside of Oregon, but solicit donations in

The Deschutes National Forest, Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, and Discover Your Forest will offer snowshoe tours at Mt. Bachelor. In addition to the tours, roving rangers will add to visitor’s enjoyment of the area. As snow conditions allow on all weekends and school breaks, snowshoe tours will be offered from Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 to

If you are looking at a possible career as an Oregon State Police trooper, now is the time to apply. OSP is preparing to hire recruit troopers in 2015 and recruitment has begun. Using the State of Oregon ‘s E-Recruit electronic application system, Lateral and Entry level recruit trooper applications will be accepted starting 12:01

Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., joined Friday with Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and Oregon LGBT leaders to announce his plan to push broad LGBT civil rights legislation in the next Congress. Merkley laid out his rationale and plan for across the board protections for LGBT Americans and announced that he will be working with advocates

Legislation written by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Greg Walden to improve water management and grow jobs in Central Oregon has become law now that the president has signed the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security and Jobs Act. The legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate and House late last week, “delivering Central Oregon a

Bend Fire Department and the Salvation Army have completed this year’s Santa Express. This year’s Santa Express food drive was a HUGE success for the community. Even with hard economic times fallen upon the region, the citizens of Bend stepped forward to help in anyway they could this holiday season. TOTALS: 3,200 pounds of food

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Redmond School District by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). This year marks the twenty-fifth year that Redmond School District has been awarded this prestigious achievement. According to the

Sgt. Ryan Craig was shot in the head in Afghanistan back in 2010. His helmet slowed down the bullet just enough for him to survive the attack. On Thursday, he was reunited with his helmet at a ceremony in Prineville. “It saved my life,” Craig said, holding his helmet in his hands for the first

The cries of innocence from behind bars often fall on deaf ears. And until this past April, there wasn’t a program in Oregon for those who actually meant it. The Oregon Innocence Project was started by a group of lawyers and investigators in the Spring. Since then, they’ve been answering to those cries for freedom,