Month: May 2015

The warm summer-like weather across central Oregon served as a timely reminder that residents can take simple steps to create defensible space and prepare their homes for wildfire. This past weekend marked the first FireFree weekend at Knott Landfill, the Westside Transfer Station and the Box Canyon Transfer Site in Jefferson County for residents to

Spring has sprung — and that means, among other things, baby owls are falling from their nests. It’s fledging season on the High Desert. Many think it’s difficult to see the predators during the day, but in Bend, a family of great horned owls has taken up residence in one of our busiest parks. People

Average retail gasoline prices in Oregon have risen 14.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.94 a gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,307 gas outlets in Oregon. That compares with the national average that has increased 8.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.62/g, according to gasoline price

Central Oregon bees are becoming more active. Spring has sprung, and the bees are pollinating. A farm along O’Neil Highway is helping locals learn about the bees in their backyards. “If they can survive the winter here,” Smudgie Goose Farm owner Rob Deez said, “then they can survive the winter HERE, and that’s what we

Oregonians with complaints about a pesticideincident can now file their concerns online with the Oregon Department ofAgriculture, which has set up a new pesticide complaint intake feature on itswebsite. ODA hopes online reporting ofincidents will make it easier for citizensto provide important information to the agency and result in a more timelyresponse. “We really encourage

The Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club of Bend has awarded $28,912.51 from its 5th annual St. Patrick’s Day Dash event to KIDS Center. “Rotarians helped start KIDS Center 20 years ago and continue to play a vital role in KIDS Center’s ability to help children and families in our community who are dealing with abuse,” said

The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is expected to announce Tuesday whether it will replace the Nordic leg of the U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle race with a short trail run due to this year’s skimpy snowpack. But news sent Monday night to Mt. Bachelor season pass-holders by President and GM Dave Rathbun — that

Fuels specialists are planning a highly visible burn of three units near Sunriver Tuesday, officials said. Ignitions are expected to be finished by the end of the day. Fuels specialists first will burn a 61-acre section adjacent to and east of Sunriver along County Road 40. The next one totals 40 acres and will take

A La Pine man was injured early Monday when his ATV was struck by a deer crossing the road, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Deschutes County 911 received a report just before 1 a.m. of an injury ATV crash on Boundary Road, said sheriff’s Sgt. Ty Rupert. Deputies and La Pine Fire Department medics responded

An early-morning shoplifting case at the Bend Walmart led to a car chase and the eventual arrest of two Bend residents, police said. Bend police and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded around 5:50 a.m. to a report of a theft in progress at the Walmart on Pinebrook Boulevard, said Sgt. Mike Landolt. An investigation determined

Crook County authorities are looking for whoever drained a private reservoir east of Big Summit Prairie, while the landowner is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the vandals, officials said Monday. About a month ago, someone trespassed on private property at the Peterson Creek Reservoir and was able to manipulate the

Four Oregon horses have now tested positive forEquine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), with two of the horses showing neurological symptoms, the Oregon Department of Agriculture reported Monday. It was confirmed last weekthat a Marion Countyhorse had tested positive for EHV-1 and had developed neurological symptoms. The second horse that developed neurological symptoms resided at astable in

Focusing on a key target audience in the Bay Area, the Central Oregon Visitors Association launcheda unique and innovative marketing campaign – with some help from the 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants and a “larger than life” character. The COVA Team, including our new mascot “Biggy,”were visible in forceat AT&T Parkon Saturdayas the Giants

A gunshot was fired during a family dispute east of Bend Sunday night, leading to a standoff and the surrender of 71-year-old man who now faces menacing and other charges, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. to a dispute in the 62500 block of Eagle Road, said sheriff’s Sgt.

Oregon’s record-low snowpack and dry spring have fire officials concerned about drought and the potential for the driest summer wildfire conditions in 25 years. May is Oregon Wildfire Awareness Month, and the Oregon Department of Forestry, Keep Oregon Green, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, and fire educators statewide are spreading the word on

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator John Hoeven, R-N.D. introduced legislation Monday that would bring billions of dollars of investment to state and local government to help grow and repair America’s aging infrastructure. The bill, the “Move America Act of 2015,” would expand tax-exempt private activity bonds and create a new

Robberson Ford, in conjunction with the Crook County School District and Crook County Booster Club, announced Monday a brand-new scoreboard will be erected on the high school baseball field. Robberson Ford is donating about $8,000 for the new scoreboard, which will replace the 22-year old scoreboard that exists today at Pimentel Field. “Giving back is

The Redmond Police Department conducted enhanced DUII patrols throughout the month of April and reported the results Monday. A total of 13 grant-funded overtime hours were worked by three officers during this time. One DUII arrest was made by the officers on the grant-funded overtime shifts. Additionally, the grant-funded overtime shifts were responsible for the

Thousands of singing hopefuls all over the country try out every year to be on NBC’s hit series “The Voice.” One of those hopefuls, awaiting her big chance next month, lives here on the High Desert. Jade Schalk, 18, of Bend has been singing ever since she could remember. With a growing interest and passion

The Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized Bend High School senior James Siemens on Saturday. James was the chapter’s local winner of the NSDAR Outstanding Youth Volunteer for Service to Veterans, the Oregon state winner, and was recently named as the DAR’s National Winner. James served as a Guardian and Team