Month: February 2015

The Oregon Department of Revenue said Friday it has identified inconsistencies in recently filed state tax returns prepared with third-party tax preparation software, indicating potential fraudulent activity. However, the nationally reported issues with TurboTax software is just one of many scams detected and stopped this filing season by the state’s tax administration agency. “Fraudulent attempts

Since 1990, the city of Bend quadrupled in population, home prices went from cheap to steep, and the once-quaint small town on the High Desert has become a lot busier. A quarter-century ago, the population of the city of Bend was around 20,000 people; currently, Bend boasts a population of more than 81,000 residents. That’s

A cougar seen standing on South Century Drive east of the resort community of Sunriver on Thursday morning prompted a fruitless search and a precautionary warning to nearby Three Rivers Elementary School, which kept kids inside for recess. It was the third such sighting in the area in the past month, police said. Sunriver police

In stark contrast to more subdued growth nationally, Oregon’s export trade continued to show strong performance in December, according to Beacon Economics’ analysis of foreign trade data released Thursday by the U.S. Commerce Department. The total value of Oregon’s exports in December totaled $1.87 billion, a 15% nominal increase over the same time last year.

One of Oregon WinterFest’s most popular events is canceled — and you can blame Mother Nature. It will be the first time since the festival introduced the Rail Jam several years ago that the snow and ski competition has been cut from the activities. WinterFest is still expected to draw thousands of people from around

The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors announced late Thursday it has identified Dr. Anthony R. (Tony) Miksa as the top candidate to become the next president of COCC. Miksa is currently the vice president of academic and student affairs at McHenry County College in Illinois. A team from COCC will visit McHenry County

The Oregon Safety Belt Overtime Campaign is a statewide selective traffic enforcement program that seeks to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries by increasing public awareness of laws regarding the three most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crash injuries: safety restraint use, speed, and impaired drivers. A statewide observation survey in June

Sisters Folk Festival Inc. received a grant award from the Roundhouse Foundation for $11,500 to continue current programming, events, and expand the position of new staff member Kerani Mitchell. “Kerani is a great addition to our team. She’s done an incredible job of working with our volunteers, and we’re thrilled to be able to expand

A southeast Redmond business that makes safety gear for racers and track crews had one key piece of safety gear that saved it from serious fire damage early Thursday – a sprinkler system, officials said. Redmond Fire & Rescue crews responded shortly before 3 a.m. to reported commercial structure fire at the business at 975

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced Thursday they are co-sponsoring a bill to stimulate the growing craft brewing industry in Oregon and nationwide by reducing the excise tax on each barrel of beer brewed by small brewers. The bill, S. 375, the Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act, or Small BREW Act,

Former U.S. congressman Wes Cooley, a Republican rancher from Alfalfa whose fast rise to Salem and Capitol Hill ended when he became ensnared in scandals in the 1990s, has died at a Bend hospital, his wife said. He was 82. In an e-mail to friends, Rosemary Cooley said her husband passed away early Wednesday afternoon

Building on its mission to offer eco-friendly options, Tetherow Resort announces the installation of three electric vehicles (EV) charging stations. Helping to connect the dots for EV charging accessibility for tourists and locals alike, the stations at Tetherow include two Tesla level two 100-amp stations capable of charging any Tesla model car, and a universal

It’s a ski bum’s dream – skiing four days a week or more, and then to compete in an international race in Russia with other like-mind skiers. The difference? Everyone is deaf, including Central Oregon native Nicolas Yopp. Yopp, now a 29-year-old Bend resident, was born hearing — but 12 hours after his birth, things

Ever thought you would make a good cop? Ever thought you had what it takes to be one of the best cops? If the answer is yes — you’re an OSP Trooper. A career as an Oregon State Police Trooper is challenging and rewarding. OSP Troopers provide Premier Public Safety Services to the citizenry of

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined colleague Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Thursday in introducing a bill that would encourage continued research and development of the potential uses of commercial unmanned aerial systems in Oregon and across the country. The bill, the Safe Skies for Unmanned Aircraft Act of 2015, would lift restrictions on unmanned aerial systems

According to local forecasts, the OnPoint Community Credit Union 2015 Oregon WinterFest presented by U.S. Cellular is on track to be one of the warmest on record, and event producers are adapting the schedule to make it more suitable to the weather. Due to the lack of snow available, the event’s ski and snowboard competition,

Beginning next week, the Deschutes National Forest will be closing the road accessing Tumalo Falls to allow the city of Bend to replace the water pipeline. On February 9, the City of Bend’s contractor Mortenson Construction will resume construction on the Bridge Creek Pipeline Replacement Project. The contractor will be installing pipe on Forest Road

Budweiser aired a controversial ad in this year’s Super Bowl. It was entitled “Brewed the Hard Way,” and it mocked craft brews and the people behind them. Many support the ad, but many are appalled. Budweiser has been called hypocritical by other media sources. Anheuser-Busch owns Budweiser, and they also own craft breweries around the

This Valentine’s Day, 240 Dutch Bros. Coffee locations will be collecting nonperishable food for community food banks. Each Valentine’s Day, Dutch Bros. Coffee participates in Dutch Luv Day. Franchisees come along side their community and band together to collect food for their local food banks. All Dutch Bros. locations will collect donated nonperishable food items.

Lawmakers in Salem have introduced a bill that would make paid sick leave mandatory for businesses of all sizes in Oregon. It’s a topic that has many people talking about the potential impacts, good or bad. “I think it’s a great thing,” said one Bend resident. Another person said: “I think it’s awesome. It pushes