Month: November 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says authorities are investigating a Chicago woman’s claim that she was bullied on Facebook by a sheriff’s sergeant. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/2g4XBB7 ) that Sheriff Jason Myers says in a statement that an investigation has begun into whether Sgt. James Coleman violated sheriff’s office policy. Liz

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A Salem couple has won $6.8 million in the Oregon Lottery’s Megabucks Jackpot. The Statesman Journal reports (http://stjr.nl/2giIFCi ) that Angela and Brian Feiring won the jackpot Saturday after purchasing a lottery ticket at a south Salem gas station. Lottery officials say the Feirings opted for the lump sum cash payment

This week’s opening of the St.Charles Bend South medical clinic is bittersweet to some patients of the Center for Women’s Health near the hospital on the northeast side of town. St. Charles just announced they’re closing that clinic due to unspecified staffing-related issues. To some, “staffing related issues” is not good enough of a reason

A Redmond smokejumper is fighting for his life after being critically injured in a fall while fighting a wildfire in Alabama. Ray Rubio, a smokejumper with the Deschutes National Forest, was one of many from the area who were sent to an assignment in Birmingham, Alabama, as more than 30 wildfires are burning in the

Oregon has fired head football Coach Mark Helfrich after a disappointing 4-8 season. Helfrich was head coach of the Ducks for four seasons, leading the team to the first College Football Playoff championship game two years ago. But this season the Ducks faltered with a five-game losing streak and the team finished at the bottom

Things seem to be heating up again at the Dakota Access Pipeline. Authorities began blocking roads to protester campsites Tuesday. The action isn’t stopping Warm Springs tribal members Elke Littleleaf and his wife, Alysia Littleleaf from heading east. “We’re heading to Standing Rock because we want to put our voice out there,” Elke said Tuesday.

The Bend Budget Committee is seeking applicants for upcoming openings. The committee is comprised of the seven city councilors and seven citizen members. The committee receives and recommends approval of the city Manager’s proposed biennial budget and budget message, which explains the proposed budget and significant changes in the City’s financial position. Budget committee meetings

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — In a settlement of a lawsuit, the Oregon Department of Human Services has agreed not to house foster children in hotels or its offices unless it is an emergency. In September, lawyers for foster children filed a class action lawsuit alleging DHS broke the law by failing to find them appropriate

SEATTLE (AP) — Federal regulators say simple safety measures could have kept a dockworker from falling to his death aboard a cargo ship in Longview last June. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday cited the dockworker’s employer, SSA Pacific, for what it described as willful safety violations aboard the Forest Trader. The agency

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Eugene police have arrested a man seven days after he held them at bay in a six-hour standoff. The Register Guard reports Tuesday (http://bit.ly/2fO6Fg3) that 26-year-old Joshua Austin Thomas was booked into Lane County Jail late Monday on suspicion of violating parole, menacing, being a felon in possession of a weapon,

Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Tuesday applauded the Senate’s passage this week of bipartisan legislation that he pushed to study the economic benefits of outdoor recreation. The Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Contributions (REC) Act would inform policymakers and business leaders on the number of jobs created and the amount of consumer spending driven by the U.S.

ELGIN, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State Police say they have identified three suspects in the illegal killing of two bull elk in Union County earlier this month. Nathan Crouch, of Elgin remains at large and is wanted for unlawful taking of a bull elk, hunting on enclosed lands belonging to another person, waste of an

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon officials say the executive director of the Oregon Educators Benefits Board accepted pricey meals and gifts from insurance and consulting firms during his eight months on the job. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/2gSryZ4 ) that the board director, James Raussen, was placed on paid leave in September and resigned earlier this

The-Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter in Bend announced Tuesday that it plans to construct a new 18,580-square-foot-building on its site, starting as early as March, having raised most of the needed funding. A capital campaign, which has been quietly in progress for nearly a year, has generated nearly $4 million in commitments to pay for this

Now that the Halloween pumpkin and Thanksgiving turkey have had their turn in the seasonal spotlight, the public turns its attention to another Oregon agricultural product: the Christmas tree. With an ideal climate for evergreens, Oregon has long been the #1 grower of fresh Christmas trees in the nation. Last year Oregon’s Christmas tree production

The holidays are a time to celebrate the joy and warmth of the season with friends and family. In Bend, the local Home Instead Senior Care® office is inviting the community to celebrate with local seniors who may be alone during the holiday season. The Home Instead Senior Care office serving Bend is helping to

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State Police are continuing to investigate human remains found in Klamath County earlier this month. OSP said in a news release Tuesday that officials are awaiting autopsy results on remains found Nov. 4 near Klamath Falls. But car keys, a Ruger .22-caliber pistol and a large knife found near

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Salem-Keizer School District has created a task force to address overcrowding that is expected to occur if enrollment and local population growth continues. The Statesman Journal reports (http://stjr.nl/2gFBnXz ) that the Citizens Facilities Task Force met for the first time Monday to help review the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan

HERMISTON, Ore. (AP) — The superintendent of Hermiston schools says a school bond proposed for the May ballot is needed to ease overcrowding in local schools. The East Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/2gFyNR6) that Superintendent Fred Maiocco discussed the $104 million bond proposal at a meeting with residents Monday. The proposal would come eight years after voters

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District recently completed the process of issuing a general obligation refunding bond to lower the interest expense on the district fire station. District taxpayers approved the issuance of bonds to fund the construction of the headquarters fire station in 2007. Annual interest rates on the bonds issued in 2007 were 4.5%.