Month: February 2016

Deschutes County commissioners have appointed 13 residents to the Marijuana Advisory Committee. The group will provide recommendations to the Commissioners on medical and recreational marijuana land use regulations in unincorporated areas of the county. “We appreciate the public’s interest in helping us address this important issue,” said Deschutes County Chair Alan Unger. “We were very

A law enforcement official living in Crook County was the victim of vandalism related to the Harney County occupation, according to Sheriff John Gautney. Gautney told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday a message was written over the weekend near the officer’s home and was meant to intimidate him and his family. Gautney said the law enforcement

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office collected more than 1,100 pounds of expired or unneeded prescription drugs over the past year. “If they have a death in the family, some older person died, where they have numerous prescriptions and they don’t know what to do with them,” Sheriff Jim Adkins said Wednesday in explaining where the

Legacy Ranches, a Chicago company, has bought a 1,400-acre parcel next to the Prineville Airport, part of which could become the site of yet another large data center. Now the company is asking Crook County and city officials to annex 160 acres of that land into the city’s urban growth boundary. The company is staying

The Tree Farm LLC announced Tuesday that an agreement has been reached with Central Oregon LandWatch, resulting in the withdrawal of an appeal due to be heard by the state Land Use Board of Appeals. In September, Deschutes County commissioners granted a favorable land use decision, which was then appealed to LUBA by LandWatch. In

It still feels a lot like winter at Mt. Bachelor — and has since Thanksgiving, pretty much. But a big warm-up is due soon – how will that affect conditions? I’m up on the mountain today, where they tell me the rising temperatures are only expected to make conditions better for those who enjoy spring

Let the City of Bend help you conserve water and energy this winter. Incollaboration with the Bend Energy Challenge, the City is offering several tools tomake the job easier. Indoor Water Conservation Kits Save water, energy and money with an indoor water conservation kit from the City of Bend’s WaterWise Program. Each kit includes a

Each year, the everyday stress of high school for juniors and senior, is bogged down with applying for the right college. Lillie Spackman, a senior at Bend High said Tuesday, “I will tell you right now, senior-itis is a real thing. And this week is finals week for us, so there’s a lot of studying.”

The Zika virus continues to spread, and it’s spreading in new ways. The spread of the mosquito-borne virus is now a global health emergency. It’s now said to be spread in ways other than mosquito bites. On Tuesday, health officials in Texas said they have identified a case of Zika virus transmitted through sexual contact.

Harney County officials on Tuesday rejected a resignation call from the Pacific Patriots Network and also said they have no authority to detain FBI officials or agents involving in the fatal shooting of LaVoy Finicum or to kick out the FBI, as also demanded by the group. Here’s the full text of the Harney County

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., hosted an Industrial Hemp Expo Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol, bringing together leading policymakers and entrepreneurs in the movement to restore industrial hemp to U.S. agriculture. The expo, which drew more than 100 visitors, featured television personality Montel

NIKE, Inc. and the Nike School Innovation Fund announced the newest round of grant recipients for the 2016-17 school year, including six schools in Central Oregon. With the goal of supporting programs that drive innovation and help make transformative improvements across Oregon in high school success and post-secondary readiness, 71 Oregon high schools have been

Sure, Punxsutawney Phil may be calling for an early spring, but more importantly for area residents, so is Velda, the Oregon Zoo’s African pygmy hedgehog. Velda did not see her shadow Tuesday morning, meaning an early spring could be in store here in the Northwest as well. “Hedgehogs are the real weather experts of the

The city of Bend recently hired Ben Hemson as its new business advocate. Hemson moved to Bend from Portland, where he worked as an advocate for gas utilities in the region. Hemson grew up in the Portland area. He attended Oregon State University and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of

From Burns to Prineville, protesters rallied Monday to demand justice for the death of LaVoy Finicum. “Quite frankly, we’re outraged,” Prineville protester Ezekiel Robinson said. The FBI released aerial footage of the traffic stop and fatal shooting at a news conference last Thursday after rumors and conflicting circulated on social media. Ammon Bundy and several

Next week, the American Red Cross will honor three Deschutes National Forest employees with Health and Safety Heroes awards for using their safety training to save the life of a fellow employee. The award ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the Deschutes National Forest’s Bend-Ft. Rock Ranger District office, 63095

Tax return filing season is open and the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind you to claim your tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” on your 2015 personal income tax returns. Here’s the agency’s news release on the topic, in full: The credit is how the state is returning a more than $402 million tax

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the hiring of Tom Rowley as its Bend Manager, replacing Robyn Sharp in the role, effective January 25. In his role, Rowley will be responsible for supporting EDCO’s mission of creating a diversified local economy and a strong base of middle class jobs in Central

The clock is ticking for marijuana dispensaries to register to pay their recreational pot sales taxes. According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, many dispensaries are taking their time to register. Starting in January, dispensaries were required to add a 25 percent sales tax to the retail price of all recreational marijuana products. The taxes

The 40th annual U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle online registration is now open. Just click to www.pppbend.com and all the information that you need to know is there! The event this year is May 21st. The U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle is a multi sport event that includes Alpine and Cross Country skiing, cycling, running