Month: January 2015

On Thursday, researchers from the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center and Department of Sociology released The High Cost of Low Wages, a new report that details the economic reality for Oregon’s low-wage workers in the post-recession economy. The report found that over 400,000 Oregonians – roughly 25 percent of the state’s entire

More than half of the people who die by suicide nationally see their primary care provider within 30 days of taking their life, with a firearm used most often as the weapon. To help address this issue, a team of researchers from Oregon State University – Cascades received a grant to investigate methods of promoting

Wednesday night’s changing of the guard at Bend City Hall was one of the shortest city council meetings in recent years – just 19 minutes. But what it lacked in depth or drama it more than made up for in symbolism, sub-text – and some politics, too. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Municipal Court Judge

Two weeks after a reported break-in, the Deschutes Veterinary Clinic in Bend remains closed, but the Deschutes County district attorney said Wednesday he is close to a decision on whether it’s a criminal or civil matter. The sudden closure of the clinic late last month caught pet-owner patients by surprise. A notice taped to the

Charlie Hebdo is a newspaper known for its racy cartoons that target extremists of all kinds. On Thursday, extremists targeted them with more than paper and pencil. They stormed into the paper’s office armed with heavy weapons and killed 12 people. By doing so, the terrorists threatened freedom of expression around the world. “Even the

Beginning July 1, the city of Bend will base water and sewer bills on every drop of water you use. So conserving water could save you money, the city said Wednesday as it offered a free water-saving kit and other tools to help do just that. The city is offering its water customers a handful

Housing Works has announced that the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly known as the HUD Section 8 program) will be open January 12 at 12:01am through January 16 at 11:59 p.m. This program is open to low income qualified residents of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties. Applicants must apply online at

On a cold November day inviting aroma’s wafted through the Prineville Soroptimist Senior Center. Not surprising, since it was the annual Thanksgiving congregate meal. But the tempting smells did not just emit from the kitchen. At the other end of the center, Stephanie Russell, SNAP-Ed Coordinator with OSU Extension Service, was creating tasty and nutritious

State lawmakers discussed statewide and regional issues Tuesday night at Deschutes Brewery in downtown Bend, days before the 2015 Legislature is gaveled into session in Salem. New State Rep.-elect Knute Buehler, Sen. Tim Knopp and city of BendlLobbyist Erik Kancler were on the panel for the Bend Chamber’s Town Hall and the 2015 Oregon Legislative

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has launched an online community survey at marijuana.oregon.gov asking Oregonians to share their hopes and concerns about the coming legal market for recreational marijuana. The survey, which is open through next Monday will help the agency plan a statewide listening tour to be announced later this month. “We need to

As law enforcement agencies around the nation ponder whether to deploy body cameras, Prineville police officers are touting five years of experience using the technology and perfecting their policies. Sgt, Jimmy O’Daniel recently gave NewsChannel 21 a look at how the cameras are used and how the data is stored. The department’s camera selection has

In Central Oregon’s tight-knit ski racing community, news of the deaths of Ronnie Berlack, 20 and Bryce Astle, 19, in an Austrian avalanche lhit close to home. “Whenever you lose two young athletes, it’s difficult on everyone,” John Schiemer, executive director of the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, said Tuesday. The two young skiers died

The Deschutes National Forest, Discover Your Forest and Mt. Bachelor invite you to enjoy some family time in the Forest playing with your kids as they become Junior Snow Rangers. From noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, February 22 and March 15, families can attend the Deschutes National Forest and Discover Your Forest

What inspires or motivates you? What keeps you in control of your success? The Shared Future Coalition invites Deschutes County 18- to 25-year-olds to tell your story in a video that is 60 seconds or less. This is the second annual amateur video contest and the theme is “Success Not Wasted – celebrating smart choices.”

In keeping with its commitment to give back to the community, Harry Ritchie’s is holding its first ever Great Exchange Event, which runs through the end of January. During this special event, customers can bring in donations to any one of Harry Ritchie’s 15 stores and receive a 10% discount on their jewelry purchase. Each

Deschutes County is looking for up to three county residents to serve on the county’s Weed Advisory Board. Please apply now and no later than Wednesday, January 28, at 5:00 p.m. Weed Board selections will be made in early February. The Weed Board is an advisory committee to the Board of County Commissioners that: Identifies

City Walls at City Hall is pleased to announce a special juried exhibition of the members of the Young Women’s Artist Group of Bend, titled “New Nature,” a unique twist on contemporary art and nature. The exhibition features work in painting, woodcarving, photography, and mixed media digital art from eleven members of the group, including

Bend Endurance Academy Nordic racer Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess skied his way to first place Tuesday at the USSA Nordic National Championships Classic Sprint being held in Houghton, Michigan. The classic sprint races were originally scheduled to take place Monday, but due to heavy snows and temperatures in the single digits, race officials postponed the races

Oregon State University-Cascades outlined details Tuesday of its new bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, saying it will help fill a need for highly-skilled employees in one of Oregon’s most important industries. OSU-Cascades will begin offering hospitality management classes next fall. The multi-disciplinary degree program will prepare graduates for a wide range of hospitality careers within

The Bend Cultural Tourism Commission has launched its on line grant application for Cultural Tourism grants. There is an option to provide an “intent to apply” form by January 15, 2015, with full applications due March 31, 2015. Guidelines and instructions for both are available at http://visitbend.culturegrants.org/ The commission anticipates making awards in late spring,