Month: April 2015

Retail gas prices are climbing again in Oregon, due to sharply rising crude oil prices, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday. Crude reached its most expensive levels of 2015 last week as supplies built more slowly than anticipated. For the week, the national average for regular unleaded adds seven cents to $2.46 a gallon, while Oregon’s average

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday to better target serious criminals and curb what they consider overzealous prosecutions for non-malicious computer and Internet offenses. The legislation is called “Aaron’s Law” and inspired by the late Internet innovator and activist Aaron Swartz, who faced up

After a strong winter, employment growth slowed across Central Oregon in March — and yet, jobless rates continued to fall, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday. “Despite slower job growth the unemployment rate dropped significantly in all three Central Oregon counties,” said Regional Economist Damon Runberg. In fact, he said,.”Deschutes County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate

Deschutes County Health Services has identified over 20 cases of pertussis in the community since the start of the year, after a 2014 that brought the highest count in 20 years, officials said Tuesday. All of the cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have been investigated by Health Services Communicable Disease staff and

The Bend Marathon takes place Sunday, April 26 . The race begins at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Bend and finishes in the Mirror Pond parking lot. Race organizers will provide detour signs and traffic control on the course. Drivers should expect delays at many locations around town. A full course map is available at http://www.bend-marathon.com/course-info.html

Two escaped burns in Central Oregon over the weekend prompted fire officials to remind residents to take caution in outdoor burning and follow the regulations, in the remaining days that such burning is allowed. Bend firefighters responded to an out-of-control ditch bank burn around 12:50 p.m. on Sunday at a property in the 65000 block

Researchers at Oregon State University said Monday they have invented a new technology that can increase the bandwidth of WiFi systems by 10 times, using LED lights to transmit information. The technology could be integrated with existing WiFi systems to reduce bandwidth problems in crowded locations, such as airport terminals or coffee shops , and

During the weeks of April 26 through May 9 , newly recruited marine deputies and troopers from around the state will converge in Jefferson County for the Marine Board’s annual Marine Law Enforcement Academy. Students will learn marine laws, boat handling in motorized and non-motorized boats, accident and theft investigations, search and rescue and will

Central Oregon is home to beautiful blue lakes and rushing water but hidden in our water are toxic chemicals. And while current levels are low, we now have our best info yet on what’s there — and how much. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality just released the findings of their first toxic chemicals survey.

Bend Endurance Academy announces the opening of their Summer Nordic Training programs for 2015. The training programs are ideal for athletes of a variety ages who are looking to stay fit and active over the summer vacation and start the next Nordic season with a high level of fitness and strength. Program options include four

A 3-month-old Culver boy stopped breathing and died early Monday, despite medics’ efforts to save him, and authorities said the grieving family was cooperating in the investigation. Jefferson County EMS and fire medics were dispatched around 5:50 a.m. to an unidentified address in Culver regarding a 3-month-old infant who was not breathing, said sheriff’s Capt.

The greater sage – grouse ‘s strutting dance is one ofNorth America’sdefining wildlife spectacles, and one that few Americans have ever seen – until now. Now, anew live-streaming video project supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy is offering thepublic a chance to see this amazing display without having to

Firefighters responded Monday afternoon to a large fire that tore through a condominium at Government Camp near Mt. Hood. KGW reports the fire is burning at the Golden Poles Chalet, near Highway 26. Multiple fire agencies responded to the fire. Crews said all five full-time condo residents were accounted for, but they were unsure about

For many Oregon anglers, the 2015 trout season will kick off on Saturday with the opening of several popular fisheries. The early trout opener in April continues to be a tradition with many families, and marks the beginning of the spring fishing season at popular locations such as: Howard Prairie Reservoir in Jackson County. Many

State Sen. Tim Knopp (R- Bend) carried Senate Bill 752 on the Senate floor Monday and the effort to declare biomass “carbon-neutral” sailed through unanimously. SB 752 declares biomass to be carbon neutral, taking a rule previously created by the Department of Environmental Quality and making it law. It is chief sponsored by Knopp and

Hoodoo Ski area has closed after a difficult, low-snow winter, but that’s also allowed its owners to shift gears and open over a half-dozen campgrounds early this spring, they said Monday. Here’s a news release updating the status: The 2014-15 season at Hoodoo Ski Area was one of unusually warm weather, high hopes and very

Two Oregon high school seniors, one from Bend’s Summit High, were among 100 winners nationally from a pool of more than 600 applicants competing this year for a Young Entrepreneur Foundation scholarship award from the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s largest and leading small-business association since 1943. NFIB’s YEF scholarship program is designed to

Sarah Braman-Smith, whose ouster as Madras High principal has sparked controversy in Jefferson County, is one of five finalists for the Sky View Middle School principal’s position in Bend, officials said Monday. The Jefferson County 509-J SD board last week reaffirmed its decision to move Braman-Smith from her Madras principal’s role, saying they wanted to

An alleged drunk driver from Redmond refused to pull over on Highway 97 Saturday night and led police on a pursuit east on Highway 126 to Prineville, where a brief standoff ended with the firing of beanbag rounds and his arrest, Oregon State Police reported Sunday. Around 10:40 p.m., OSP troopers in Redmond got a

Bend was formally dedicated as a Purple Heart City on Saturday during a special ceremony at the Bend Heroes Memorial at Brooks Park. The program featured unveiling of a Purple Heart City sign by two World War II Purple Heart veterans, assisted by nine recipients from the Vietnam War and others from Iraq and Afghanistan.