Month: October 2016

If you take a drive down Third Street in Bend it might seem like you can’t even go a mile without seeing a ‘Help Wanted’ sign, but the Bend-Redmond metro area ‘s unemployment rate is still somewhat higher than the state and national levels. “We’re at like 5.4 percent right now unemployment rate,” Oregon Employment

COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) — A hospital in Coos Bay has lifted a quarantine of its emergency room after a 78-year-old patient, her caregiver, two sheriff’s deputies and a hospital employee all developed hallucinations. The Coos Bay World reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/2e8ATGO) that authorities have not yet pinpointed what caused the episodes but they believe it

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The DEA’s top agent in Oregon is so worried about the opioid epidemic and about Fentanyl — which is many times stronger than heroin — hitting the state that just about every time he steps out into the street, he goes packing. Cam B. Strahm, assistant special agent in charge of

A 46-year-old Bend man was sentenced Tuesday to more than 14 1/2 years in prison for sexually assaulting two children, one in Deschutes County and another in Clackamas County, District Attorney John Hummel said. Donald Ray Kuehne was sentenced by Deschutes County Circuit Judge Wells Ashby to a total of 175 months in prison for

WARRENTON, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the conduct of Warrenton police officers. The Daily Astorian reports (http://bit.ly/2dPWJB3 ) that details of the state probe have not been released, but Warrenton police Chief Mathew Workman confirmed two officers are being investigated. He says three officers are on administrative

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A Cottage Grove woman has been given a 10-day jail sentence after admitting that she had sex with her 16-year-old neighbor last summer. The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/2dK3ALX ) that 27-year-old Jessica Jane Bennett was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor. She has the

The two men who are running for the Deschutes County Commission want Central Oregonians to know where they stand on the issues county residents care about. Their race was the debate focal point as the Bend Chamber’s “What’s Brewing” election series continued Tuesday evening. One of the topics debated: the role of county commissioner. Challenger

A Redmond domestic abuser was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for two “vicious assaults” on his wife in the past year, according to Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, who called it “a good day for public safety” in the county. “Prison is not always the answer, but some people earn the right

Oregonians will get their ballots in just a week, and among the biggest initiatives they will decide on is Measure 97, which would create a 2.5 percent tax on corporations that make $25 million in gross sales. Campaign contributions for and against the measure have swelled as the election nears. More than $7 million have

People dumping their trash on the Deschutes National Forest along China Hat Road south of Bend are causing an eyesore that dismays many visitors to the area. Mattresses, bottles and empty propane canisters are only a few of the things you can find dumped on the public lands. Crystal Reece rides ATVs with her family

Central Oregon fire chiefs announced Tuesday that with the recent and cooler and damper weather, along with more of the same in the forecast, the expectation is the area will see the end of the declared wildland fire season on Saturday . “The fire chiefs thank everyone for their vigilance in getting all our communities

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ryan Bundy called his wife Angela to the stand as the defense resumed its case in the Oregon standoff trial. Acting as his own lawyer, Bundy broke down Tuesday before posing his first question, finally composing himself to ask: “You’re my wife, right?” Angela Bundy testified her husband arrived in Burns

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland bakery is being accused of racism for selling an Oreo cupcake they named “Mr. President.” The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://is.gd/77FHwe ) that customers have been leaving Yelp reviews criticizing Fat Cupcake for its “Mr. President” pastry. The cupcake is described as an Oreo Cookie baked inside white cake with cookies

In response to seasonal streamflow reductions on the Upper Deschutes River that annually strand fish in a channel near Lava Island, a coalition of Central Oregon stakeholders has organized a collaborative fish relocation effort that will take place this week near Meadow Camp Day Use area. Each fall, streamflows in the Upper Deschutes from Wickiup

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The state Parks and Recreation Department says Indian Beach at Ecola State Park will remain open despite a reported shark attack. Spokesman Chris Havel said Tuesday that park employees will post advisory signs informing the public a shark was spotted. Oregon State Police say the shark bit 29-year-old Joseph Tanner of

Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest said they will take advantage of recent moisture to start working Wednesday on the Upper Beaver prescribed burn on the Paulina Ranger District. The Upper Beaver burn unit totals about 3,800 acres, located 13 miles north of Paulina in the Tamarack Butte area. Ignitions are expected to last

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A new study on Western forest fires confirms what is already apparent — wildfire seasons are getting longer and more destructive. But researchers with the University of Idaho and Columbia University also say humans are to blame for much of that increase. The study says human-caused global warming contributed an additional

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton aren’t the only people who faced off on Sunday night, as a group of debate watchers were cited for fighting at a Eugene bar. The Register-Guard reports (https://is.gd/tilMWd ) that 65-year-old Thomas Capri says he was watching the debate with a few female friends

Students applying to Oregon State University – Cascades will now be able to apply for admittance to the OSU Honors College. The first cohort of honors students at OSU-Cascades will begin studies in September 2017. The Honors College awards OSU’s most prestigious undergraduate degree, the Honors Baccalaureate. Honors students study in a variety of majors,

With stormy wet weather in the forecast for Central and South Central Oregon, ODOT is encouraging motorists to prepare their vehicles in advance – and encourages everyone to plan for extra traveling time. Adjusting your speed or changing a route based on the weather and being extra cautious all play up the importance of being