Month: April 2016

One day after supporters of marijuana growing and processing in rural Deschutes County released a poll indicating majority support for “sensible” rules and not a fall “opt out” vote, opponents of allowing such operations issued a refutation Thursday and made their case. The Oregon Cannabis Association had said that “By a 2-1 ratio, Deschutes County

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs Ventures and business partner Sentinel Strainwise held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for a 36,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation greenhouse. “The Tribe is embarking on a new and exciting economic development opportunity in the cannabis industry in Oregon,” said Don Sampson, CEO of Warm Springs Ventures. “The purpose of

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a solidly blue state that hasn’t elected a Republican to a statewide office since 2002, the only major partisan race this year that doesn’t have political observers yawning is for Oregon secretary of state. The position is Oregon’s second-most powerful behind the governor, and its critical role in government affairs

Two John Day men were shot and wounded, one critically, at a trailer park in John Day late Thursday night, and a suspect has been identified and interviewed, authorities said. Grant County 911 received a call around 10:49 p.m. regarding the shooting at the John Day Trailer Park, 600 West Main Street, said District Attorney

The Bend Fire and Rescue Community Assistance program was created by the Bend Firefighters Association in 2002, and has helped many in the community in times of crisis. Now, it could use your help to keep on giving. “Firefighters are empowered, when they see an immediate need, to assist that person with Tylenol for a

A fierce, fast fire destroyed a motor home near Highway 97 north of Bend Friday morning, sending up thick, black smoke visible over a wide area, but the occupant escaped unharmed. The fire at the Fun Farm (former Funny Farm) at 64975 Pleasant Ridge Road was reported around 9 a.m., said Bend Fire Inspector Steve

If weather conditions remain favorable, the Deschutes National Forest has several prescribed burns planned for the weekend. Beginning on Saturday, burning will take place in the Metolius Basin outside Sisters and south of Bend, one mile west of Horse Butte. On Sunday, fuels specialists will be igniting a 130-acre burn west of Bend near the

Personal use firewood collection will open Sunday across the Ochoco National Forest and within designated cutting areas on the Crooked River National Grassland and the Prineville BLM. Designated cutting areas within the Deschutes National Forest will open Monday. All areas will remain open through November 30. Firewood cutting permits are now on sale at Deschutes,

Bend Chamber President and CEO Tim Casey has departed the Bend Chamber after 13 years with the organization, it was announced Friday. “Unfortunately, Tim is managing through several health-related issues sustained while he served our country as a flight deck mechanic in the United States Navy,” said Brain Fratzke, chairman of the Bend Chamber Board

The Bend Park & Recreation District said Friday it is about to close the Farewell Bend footbridge over the Deschutes River between Farewell Bend and Riverbend Parks in preparation for its replacement. The bridge project general contractor, Deschutes Construction, is currently mobilizing on site and will take steps to close access to the bridge within

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team is seeing an increase in butane honey oil labs popping up around the region. Investigators said Thursday that honey oil, a very potent form of hashish oil,. is growing in popularity with marijuana users because it gives smokers an intense high. But butane honey oil can also be highly

Redmond Municipal Airport said it became aware Thursday of a change in boarding pass requirements the Transportation Security Administration will be implementing Friday that “may inconvenience and affect a large number of passengers.” “TSA may be unable to accept paper boarding passes printed by passengers effective April 29, 2016,” according to the airport — which

The logic of lugging bottles and cans to the curb for recycling has always been in the dollars and cents. But the belief that it pays to recycle might be nothing more than rubbish. “The overall value from what we collect is probably down about 200 percent from 2008,” said Brad Bailey, President for Bend

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced legislation Thursday they said would protect fish populations and habitats while allowing for continued water supplies for irrigation and other uses in the Pacific Northwest. The Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act (FRIMA) would reauthorize a voluntary, cost-share program the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses to

The Family Access Network (FAN), a nonprofit that improves lives by ensuring all children in Deschutes County have access to basic-need services, announced today that it was awarded a $12,500 Community Impact Grant from New York Life. The grant will support FAN advocate services in local schools, which will enable FAN advocates to connect 125

Better Together, a community movement to ensure success for Central Oregon children from cradle to career, is currently accepting applications to fill 18 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate positions, and 6 full time, yearlong VISTA positions. These positions bring over $160,000 of stipends and scholarships to the Central Oregon region, as well as valuable capacity building

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will open the gate for vehicle access to the Pilot Butte summit on Saturday — but at 10 a.m., two hours later than in the past, so the many morning walkers have time to avoid any vehicle conflicts. The gate will open at about 10 a.m. each day throughout

On Friday, the Redmond Police Department plans to conduct a “virtual ride-along” on Facebook and Twitter. Beginning around noon, Redmond police will post to Facebook and Twitter in near real-time the activities of one officer as he responds to calls for service, conducts investigations and makes traffic stops. Lt. Keith Knight said the department desires

As a new tide of voter disenfranchisement rises across the country, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced a new campaign Thursday to expand an Oregon-style vote-by-mail program nationwide and tear down barriers to voting. “My home state of Oregon has led the nation in making voting more accessible. No one has to take time off work

With the Redmond Airport closure only four days away, officials at the Bend Municipal Airport are getting ready for a higher traffic volume. “All of our tie-downs are full,” Bend Municipal Airport Manager Gary Judd said Thursday. “All of our hangars are full.” Officials at the airport east of Bend said Thursday they are expecting