Month: April 2016

Prineville Reservoir has bounced back , much to the delight of fishermen and others,after officials saw the lowest water level in 20 years last October. Officials from Oregon State Parks say the reservoir reached 100 percent of capacity on Thursday — and water levels could still rise a bit more because of the strong snowpack

Due to what the ski area called “warm conditions and low demand,” the 2015-16 season at Hoodoo is ending on Sunday. The resort said in its announcement that the slopes open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Autobahn Tubing Park will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Ski & Ride School

A 30-year-old Salem man hiking at Smith Rock State Park slipped on a trail Friday afternoon and injured his ankle, prompting a rescue effort, authorities said Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was dispatched around 3:30 p.m. to assist Jerrid Williams, who had slipped on the Misery Ridge Trail, said Sgt. Ronny Dozier, SAR

A Bend company is making waves — and clothes — in a novel way to help bring an end to the sex-slave trade in India. Sudara sells “Punjammies” crafted by women who have escaped from the sex trade, with the slogan: “Made From Home, Made for Comfort.” “We’re talking about a highly sexually traumatized population

Three La Pine residents were arrested and a fourth cited in a drug raid Thursday on a home north of La Pine involving Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit detectives and the agency’s Special Operations (SWAT) Team, officials said. A search warrant was executed around 10 a.m. at the home at 16202 Green Forest

A Crook County Sheriff’s Office search dog team on Thursday afternoon found a 75-year-old Powell Butte man who wandered away from home and had been missing for several hours, deputies said – the first of two Search and Rescue missions of the day. Deputies were dispatched just after 2 p.m. on a report of a

Inresponse to requests from Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and their Senate colleagues, three federal agencies announced plans to release a determination this year about whether to reschedule marijuana. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of National Drug Control Policy responded on

As the April 18 tax return-filing deadline approaches, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., visited Portland’s Matt Dishman Community Center Friday and called on the Internal Revenue Service to increase its efforts to effectively tackle the problem of tax ID theft. As of September 2015, over 600,000 Americans were victims of tax ID theft and the IRS

Deschutes County will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week during the week of April 10 -16. Each April since 1981, The United States Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime has helped lead communities in the annual observance of victims’ rights. During this week, communities across the country promote victims’ rights, honor crime victims

Crook County Commissioner Ken Fahlgren, who is running for the county judge position, reacted Thursday to news that five of his signs in Powell Butte have been vandalized. “It hurts, but it’s just one of those things but people lash out. Sometimes they’re kids, sometimes there are reasons that …, people have issues with things

Redmond School District Superintendent Mike McIntosh announced Friday that Redmond High School Assistant Principal Paul Nolan has been selected as the school’s new principal. Nolan will fill the position currently held by Tony Pupo, who has accepted the position of director of support services for the district at the end of the school year. McIntosh

Last year’s devastating wildfire season underscores the need to take proactive steps now to reduce fire risk in the future—and build fire-adapted communities. That’s why the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is teaming up with Central Oregon groups to provide much-needed restoration on public and private forests in the greater La Pine area. This

Quota International of Central Oregon will host a baby shower benefiting young mothers and their children at Grandma’s house on April 23 rd . Donations for the shower are now being accepted. New baby items of all types are welcome. If you are interested in donating or want to learn more about this community service

Oregon’s two senators and several Democratic colleagues have introduced legislation targeting predatory practices of some payday lenders. On Thursday, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cory

Grandparents beware! One Bend woman is out $4,000 after falling victim to the “grandparent scam.” According to the FBI, these scams have victimized seniors since 2008, and with more people on social media, the criminals are getting more clever. The woman did not want to be identified but did want to share her story to

A raid late last week on a southwest Redmond home led to the arrest of a couple accused of trafficking in methamphetamine – as well as some recently stolen firearms, officials said Wednesday. Three would-be customers who showed up while drug agents were there also were arrested, they added. Detectives with the Central Oregon Drug

Winter is over, so the Deschutes National Forest is resuming its forest restoration project, which will help create a sustainable forest for the long term. The Forest Service just began the 22,000-acre “Rocket Project,” which is designed to restore forest ecosystems, reduce the risk of wildfires and provide economic benefits. Crews were out Thursday morning

It is with extreme sadness and very heavy hearts that we share word that NewsChannel 21 Meteorologist and our friend, Russell Bird, has passed away. Russell was found by police at his Bend apartment late Tuesday afternoon. Police tell us his death was not suspicious. Russell was a graduate of Ohio State University and had

Business Oregon’s Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Committee announced Thursday that it will award $50.3 million in grants to upgrade seismic safety at 41 schools across the state, including two in Central Oregon. The Crook County School District will receive just over $1 million for seismic upgrades to the gymnasium at Crook County Middle School. Meanwhile, Pilot

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has filed formal civil rights charges against Stars Cabaret for unlawful sexual harassment of minors, the Bureau of Labor and Industries announced Wednesday. Respondents may now request a contested case hearing before an administrative law judge. BOLI investigators had previously found that Stars Cabaret unlawfully discriminated against two employees, 13