Month: June 2016

Soon, rock chucks will be all over downtown Redmond, but these will be creatively decorated — and standing still. The city of Redmond is launching their summer-long rock chuck sculpture installation on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m with an unveiling event at Wild Ride Brewing in downtown Redmond. Over 20 rock chuck sculptures were painted and

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Counci Board of Directors announced Mondaythe appointment of Karen Friend as interim executive director effectiveJuly 1. Currently, Friend serves as the transportation manager and deputy director of COIC. Current Executive Director Andrew Spreadborough announced his resignation earlier in June. With over 19 years at COIC, Friend has managed numerous departments including

Equine Outreach volunteer Natasha Johns knows exactly what it takes to train a rescue horse. “Just trying to gain trust to get the horse to where they can be adopted,” Johns said Monday. She also knows that “horses are expensive.” Which is why the non-profit was shocked to find that their rent for their 20

Central Oregonians are coming out in support for the shooting victims in Orlando. Several communities across the nation held candlelight vigils for the victims and their families, and the message in Bend was clear: Hate will not bring down the LGBT community. “We need to be here for each other. That is how we’re going

Many in the Central Oregon LGBT community awoke Sunday to news of a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida. “It was earth-shattering. It was absolutely earth-shattering,” said Cait Boyce, the president of PFLAG. The attack has made Paige Matthews, festival director of Central Oregon Pride, question just how far the gay rights movement

Oregon’s total employment will grow by 260,200 jobs between 2014 and 2024, according to newly released projections from the state Employment Department. The 14 percent increase in employment includes private-sector gains of 233,300 jobs, growth of 11,400 jobs in government, and an additional 15,500 self-employed Oregonians. In addition to job gains from economic growth, another

Another major sign of progress in stopping the nearly 2,100-acre Akawana Fire burning southwest of Lake Billy Chinook came Sunday as authorities lifted all evacuation notices for nearby homes, as crews brought the fire to 80 percent containment. But officials warned it’s still just the start of what promises to be a busy wildfire season.

Next week, Deschutes County will honor two local leaders for their efforts to make Deschutes County bicycle and pedestrian friendly. The County’s 2016 Big Chainring Award recipients are: Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Bryant, ODOTBryant, who serves as ODOT’s Region 4 Manager, is being recognized for his efforts to implement the area active transportation plan through

BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) – Baker County is considering proposals from companies interested in mining for gold in dredge tailings on county-owned land. The Baker City Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1VViKiu ) that several mining companies have previously contacted Baker County about the 1,900 acres of tailings east of Sumpter. Their interest was spurred by record-high gold

Arts Central announced Monday that it is the recipient of a $15,000 grant award from The Collins Foundation to expand its staff and upgrade equipment, all to deliver enhanced services throughout Central Oregon. The Collins Foundation exists to improve, enrich and give greater expression to humanitarian endeavors in the state of Oregon and to assist

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregonhas made a $15,000 donation to The Center Foundation, the Central Oregon non-profit announced Monday. The Center Foundationplaces certified athletic trainers in the Bend, La Pine, Sisters, and Prineville high schools, and provides outreach to rural and private high schools. Regence’sgift will help support sports medicine programs in local high schools

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A robot submarine is roaming around the ocean floor off the Oregon Coast in an effort to detect any geological activity underground, and researchers are offering a live stream of the underwater view. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/1U8zuU2) that a 64-meter vessel operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust and its remotely operated

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Marion County authorities are investigating a shooting in southeast Salem. The sheriff’s office said early Monday that deputies responded after the victim started banging on doors asking for help. The man was taken to Salem Hospital; his name, age and condition have not been released. The sheriff’s office has yet to

JOHN DAY, Ore. (AP) – A Grant County man who spent a night in jail after he was wrongly arrested received a $12,000 settlement after threatening to sue. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://is.gd/Ax5vQd ) a deputy arrested the man for initiating a false report after he called to report gunfire. The district attorney, however, decided not

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Police in Oregon’s capital will keep ceremonially-folded American flags on hand to present to families of deceased veterans. The Statesman Journal reports (http://stjr.nl/1VUXysS ) that Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says several flags are now stocked in police fleet supervisor vehicles. Salem Police Officers Chad Galusha and Adam Waite, both veterans,

A motor home apparently stolen overnight in Culver was found burning northwest of Prineville Sunday morning, prompting Crook County sheriff’s deputies to investigate it as arson and call in an Oregon State Police arson detective. Deputies responded shortly before 11 a.m. to the reported motor home fire in the area of Northwest Lamonta and Grimes

The FBI Portland Division said late Sunday it “continues to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in assessing LGBT-associated threats.” “At this time we have no information regarding any specific credible threats to any LGBT communities or organizations in Oregon,” said a statement released by FBI Oregon spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele.

NewsChannel 21 will have complete local and national team coverage of today’s Orlando shooting at 6 p.m. on KFXO, due to Stanley Cup hockey on NBC, including live coverage of a candlelight vigil planned downtown this evening. Central Oregon Pride and the Human Dignity Coalition will hold a vigil for the Orlando shooting victims starting

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Sunday ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff immediately until sunset on Thursday i n honor of the victims of the Orlando shooting. “Tragically, what we are waking up to in the United States today is that the growing number of mass shootings in the

A traffic complaint about a dangerous driver on Highway 20 west of Bend Saturday afternoon led to a brief police chase and an Albany man’s eventual arrest, thanks in part to an Oregon State Police pilot’s eye in the sky, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. It all began around 1 p.m., when county 911 dispatchers