Month: July 2016

In one of the largest animal rescues in Oregon history, the Oregon Humane Society on Wednesday seized 245 pet birds, including many exotic species, from a Damascus resident under investigation for animal neglect. Many of the birds were housed in overcrowded cages filled with feces and waste that was sometimes several inches deep, OHS said.

The Bend Park and Recreation District announced Thursday is is shifting Deschutes River floaters to a new, improved portage path at McKay Park and the Bend Whitewater Park, starting Friday evening. River users now will be able to exit the river prior to the Colorado Avenue bridge and after a short walk around the bridge

Oregonians are hitting the road for summer vacation, but they may need to keep a closer eye on their credit cards. The Beaver State ranked third for identify-theft rates across the country in 2014, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission. Only Florida and Washington had higher rates. Kyle Frick, vice president for

Many dogs become lost on the High Desert, often prompting intense searches to find them. A Bend veteran of the war in Afghanistan had been looking for his service dog in training since he ran away near Camp Sherman almost two weeks ago. After numerous tips, a happy reunion came Thursday. Shaak-Ti (pronounced shock-tea) became

It was a special moment for Ian Nolan. Thursday afternoon, the 12-year-old from Connecticut was reunited with his new hero, a Bend fire paramedic who saved his life earlier this week. The Nolan family was on vacation visiting family in Central Oregon when a life-threatening incident occurred. On Tuesday afternoon, the boy suffered an allergic

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday night it’s received more complaints of citizens being contacted by scammers claiming to work for the Sheriff’s Office and requesting money by pre-paid card to clear supposed warrants. The sheriff’s office said it is actively investigating this scam. If you receive any calls of that type, you’re asked

Cancer: Arguably the most terrifying word in the English language. And for one Bend man, that word became a scary reality recently. Colby Atkinson celebrated his 22nd birthday on Wednesday at home, doing chemotherapy. Colby was a young and healthy man hit with a debilitating disease, but he and his family are doing their best

High-tech solutions don’t always save the day when you get lost in the woods, but for one father and son camping in the Ochocos, it was a texted photo – and the GPS information it contained – that helped lead Crook County searchers to the pair, the sheriff’s office said Thursday. Deputies took a report

An Oregon State Police trooper was justified in fatally shooting a Bend man who assaulted a High Desert Museum employee on May 31 and moments later, after she got free, charged at the trooper with a knife, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel announced Wednesday. Hummel held an afternoon news conference to release the findings

A 36-year-old Prineville man arrested earlier this year on rape and sex abuse charges involving a juvenile was arrested again Tuesday in southern Oregon, accused of violating a no-contact order in the case, Prineville police said Wednesday. Warren Arthur Doescher Jr. was arrested by Douglas County sheriff’s deputies in the town of Azalea on a

Social media blew up this week after a runaway dog was taken to BrightSide Animal Shelter in Redmond. He was then put up for adoption. The owner, Shonalie Oakes, said the shelter refused to give her dog back to her. But it all ended well Wednesday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Oakes cried, “I feel

In the coming weeks, construction crews will install asphalt overlay on Arnold Market and Baker roads, Deschutes County officials said Thursday. The schedule: Arnold Market Road from Billadeau Road to Gosney Road. This project will occur fromJuly 11toJuly 22. Baker Road from the Highway 97 overpass to Brookswood Boulevard. This project will occur fromJuly 25toJuly

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah militia group leader with ties to Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges alleging he tried to blow up a federally owned cabin. William Keebler, 57, is accused of scouting a mosque, a Bureau of Land Management office and U.S. military facilities as possible targets

For firefighters, saving lives is part of the job. But now the Bend Fire Department wants to teach the community to do the same. “Having the public start CPR the minute they recognize it’s cardiac arrest is key to people going home to their families,” said Petar Hossick, an engineer and paramedic with the department.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said Wednesday he was disappointed the Senate voted to close debate on legislation that would prohibit states from requiring GMO labeling. Instead, he said, it would institute weak federal requirements that would make it virtually impossible for ordinary consumers to access information about genetically modified ingredients in their food: “How can

One in seven households in Oregon struggled to afford food last year, according to a new survey conducted by Gallup. Although more than 14 percent of families still struggled with hunger at some point last year, the rate has been steadily decreasing since the Great Recession. In 2010, one in five families was food insecure.

The Oregon Health Authority announced Wednesday the launch of a youth marijuana use prevention campaign. The campaign’s goal is to prevent or delay the initiation of marijuana use among Oregon’s 12- to 20-year-old population. After the legalization and ongoing rollout of recreational marijuana, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 4014 and SB 1597, which provide OHA

Mt. Bachelor announced Wednesday the official opening of the Bike Park will take place on Friday, with lift-served riding from the top of Pine Marten lift. “There are still sections of snow and ice that have yet to melt from the upper trails,” said Stirling Cobb, the resort’s marketing and communications manager, “but we are

Deschutes County commissioners voted Wednesday to impose public use restrictions on unprotected and county-owned land, effective immediately, to curb the threat posed by human-caused wildfires. Unprotected lands are defined as unincorporated lands that are not a part of a Rural Fire Protection District or protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Land owners can visit:

The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday night for three people after more than 12 hours of searching for survivors of a downed aircraft near Brookings. John Belnap, the pilot, his son Max, 17, and a friend, Ryan Merker, 17, remain missing after the reported plane crash of a 1964 Cessna 172F, officials said.Other items