Month: May 2015

More than 400 Central Electric Cooperative members in the Tumalo area lost power for two hours or more Thursday night in the third sizable blackout on the High Desert in five hours. CEC officials said more about 430 members lost power around 8:30 p.m. and most had it back about two hours later when a

The father of an inmate who died last December at the Deschutes County Jail, prompting a local and now state investigation, has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Deschutes County, seeking $10.7 million in damages.. An attorney for Edwin Mays Jr., the father of Edwin Mays III., 31, filed the civil lawsuit Tuesday in

A fugitive on the run since eluding a police chase and manhunt when he stole a car earlier this month was found hiding in a northeast Bend home Thursday and arrested after a brief struggle with police, and a woman at the home was charged with hiding him, officers said. Police put a specific detail

Thursday was National Hamburger Day and Deschutes Brewery celebrated with a menu to salute the American sandwich. Head chef Brian Kerr’s choices included three gourmet burgers, cheeseburger soup, and a “hamburger” dessert which consisted of a macaroon, fudge piece, white chocolate, jelly and coconut flakes. Deschutes Brewery has been using Borlen Beef Company for 10

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., released the following statement Thursday after the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to finalize its Waters of the United States rule, which would expand the federal government’s authority over waterways within the U.S. “All across Oregon, farmers, ranchers, and other property owners have been wondering what the EPA would try to unnecessarily

A smoke column at times eerily similar to the Two Bulls Fire that hit west of Bend this time last year could be seen from Pilot Butte and across much of the area Thursday. The column however, was a prescribed burn, not a wildfire. However, it did burn in the same area as last year’s

The Prineville BLM will be getting a major boost from the community on Friday and Saturday at the new Tumalo Canal Historic Area Trailhead. Area neighbors, trail runners, and members of equestrian groups like Oregon Equestrian Trails will be joined by employees from the Prineville BLM for two intense days of trailhead construction and development.

As expected, a 70-acre prescribed burn was conducted west of Bend Thursday, and as also expected, it prompted concern among many who did not catch the advisory of the project issued earlier in the week. Some specific wind and weather conditions forecast for Thursday prompted fuel specialists to schedule the burn in the West Bend

Bend Park & Recreation District has many opportunities available for teenage volunteers to support summer youth recreation programs. Volunteers help from mid-June through Labor Day with youth programs such as Days of Play, Fit Kids, science, art, theater, cooking, fitness, nature and adventure activities. Programs are located at various facilities and parks throughout Bend. Volunteers

Life jackets? Check. Fire extinguisher? Check. Food and water? Check. Boater education card? It’s Friday night at 11 pm and you’re leaving at dawn for the lake when you realize, “Oh no, what! did I do with it. Is it in the boat?” No worries. With the Marine Board’s new online storefront (open 24/7), boat

Deschutes County Adult Parole & Probation announced Wednesday it is entering into a new partnership with the Bethlehem Inn emergency shelter in Bend to take in a small number of offenders released from prison who need transitional housing. In announcing the partnership, officials said the agreement with the Community Justice Department’s Parole and Probation division

Last fall, Oregonians voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use. But with the July 1 change to state law just over a month away, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel made it clear Wednesday: There are still rules to follow — and enforce. In preparation for July 1 st , Hummel issued the following statement:

Annual campfire restrictions will go into effect Monday June 1 on portions of the Deschutes, John Day and Crooked rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook. The No. 1 goal of the BLM is promoting safety, and the river canyons present a combination of limited access, grassy fuels that dry out

For the past several years, Central Oregon has been identified by drug trafficking organizations as an ideal location for outdoor marijuana grows, both on public and private lands adjacent to public lands. “This is becoming an increased concern for the safety of citizens who are recreating in those areas due to the possibility of a

Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets Inc., a Lakewood, Colo., based natural grocery chain, is recalling two lots of Natural Grocers brand Macadamia nuts as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune

Central Oregon drug agents on Wednesday revealed the details of a southeast Bend traffic stop earlier this spring that led the discovery of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment behind the car’s dashboard – and another, empty hidden storage area in the front bumper. Two California men were arrested after a Bend police officer pulled over

State parks throughout Oregon invite the public to camp and play for free the weekend of June 6-7 in celebration of State Parks Day and Free Fishing Weekend. Camping is free the night of June 6 in traditional sites–full hookup (sewer, electricity and water), electrical hookup (electricity and water), and tent sites. Yurts, cabins and

A 37-year-old Madras man was killed Wednesday evening when his SUV drifted across Highway 26 south of Madras, left the road and rolled onto its side, Oregon State Police said. OSP got a report around 6:30 p.m. of the single-vehicle rollover crash near milepost 6, about six miles south of the Highway 26/97 junction, said

Finding a place to live in Bend is not easy. One industry is feeling the trickle-down effect of that, as the storage industry is also at 95 percent capacity. “You know, I pick up the phone and I’m like, ‘I’d like a unit’ — and, ‘No, we’re full,’” Derek Sitter with the Volcanic Theatre Pub

A motorcyclist from Stayton was killed Wednesday when a pickup apparently made a left-hand turn into his path on state Highway 22 east of Gates in Marion County, Oregon State Police said. Lt. Tim Fox said troopers and medics responded to the crash around 12:35 p.m. in front of Niagra County Park. Fox said a