Month: May 2017

Governor Kate Brown on Wednesday appointed seven Oregonians to a task force to address the Public Employees Retirement System’s (PERS) unfunded actuarial liability. The task force is charged with identifying and ranking options for reducing the PERS liability by $5 billion. “Oregon must keep its promise to retirees, but we must also reduce the legacy

Oregon’s rivers and streams soon will have additional protections following the passage of Senate Bill 3 by the Oregon House Wednesday. Supporters said the legislation strikes a balance between the interests of miners and the conservation of vital native fish habitat. SB 3 ends the moratorium on motorized in-stream placer mining, also known as suction

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Public bodies in Oregon would be prohibited from sharing information about a person’s immigration status and details like addresses, except when required by law, and even asking people about citizenship, under a new bill in the Oregon House. The bill was filed Wednesday by Teresa Alonso Leon, a Democrat from Woodburn,

(Update with sentencing) LAS VEGAS (AP) – A judge called a New Hampshire man a “bully vigilante” and sentenced him to more than seven years in prison for organizing armed backers of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy following a standoff with U.S. agents in 2014. Gerald “Jerry” DeLemus on Wednesday became the first person sentenced to

Cruelty to animals is something Oregonians don’t tolerate, and the Oregon Legislature stood by that philosophy by passing a trio of bills that will crack down on those who commit these horrific crimes, Senate Democrats said Wednesday. The bills range from removing animals from those who are abusive or neglectful to stiffening restrictions for those

Bend-area health leaders and the Oregon Health Authority marked 20 years of tobacco prevention successes in Central Oregon and the state Wednesday by announcing their strategies for the future, including raising the price of tobacco, defending the Indoor Clean Air Act and protecting kids from tobacco. The event, held at the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council

A series of free “pop-up” health education events begins Thursday, providing the Madras and Warm Springs communities with resources to enjoy the summer with healthy bodies and minds. The “4 the Health of It” series includes health screenings and giveaways and runs the first and third Thursdays from June to September. Topics span helmet safety,

(Update: More comments from forest spokeswoman, firefighter) Central Oregon saw its first major wildfire of the season break out just as Memorial Day weekend began, growing to 170 acres west of Bend before it was fully contained on the holiday. Crews were still working Wednesday on Cougar Butte, 11 miles west of Bend, monitoring the

The Deschutes National Forest and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed Wednesday they have posted a warning about a den of coyotes for people recreating near the Phil’s and KGB trails west of Bend. Bend-Fort Rock District Ranger Kevin Larkin told NewsChannel 21 they received calls from people whose dogs had some interaction with

The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association announced Wednesday the date of closing for residential and private lands open debris burning across the tri-county region in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Burning debris piles on private lands in much of central Oregon will not be allowed starting on June 1 this year as the area heads

The Cougar Butte Fire and multiple small incidents over Memorial Day weekend reminded local residents that fire season has arrived. Despite the wet winter and spring months, it’s time to start to focus on preparing your family and yard for fire season. So far, the FireFree events have been a sweeping success demonstrating once again

Here are the results of Wednesday’s KTVZ.COM Poll about how gas prices are affecting your summer travel plans: Are gas prices playing a role in your summer travel plans? Yes – 31% (157 votes) No – 69% (348 votes) Total Votes: 505

Deschutes County Farm Bureau is proud to announce the winners of its 2017 scholarship program. Five students were awarded $1,000, and two earned $1,500. Congratulations to all well-deserving scholarship recipients: Lauren Riback, $1,000 winner; Christian Lisignoli, $1,000 winner; Alexander Cyrus, $1,000 winner; Andrew Stengel, $1,000 winner; Ethan Stengel, $1,000 winner; Cody Nance, $1,500 winner; and

SEATTLE (AP) – A landlord group is suing the city of Seattle over a new law that caps move-in fees for rental units. The Rental Housing Association of Washington filed suit in King County Superior Court Tuesday, alleging the law violates a state ban on rent control. KOMO-TV reports that the law requires landlords to

(Update: OSP corrects date of crash: Sunday, not Thursday) An argument on the road between two Warm Springs residents led to a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 26 on Sunday, according to Oregon State Police, who said it left the pair with minor injuries and something more unusual – both now face DUII charges. OSP

Redmond City Manager Keith Witcosky gave a presentation at a city council workshop on affordable housing Tuesday night on the tools and resources for motivating housing production. The workshop focused on what affordable housing is, who is in most need, how it’s produced and the steps going forward. According to the Affordable Housing Glossary of

Sens.Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined a group of 29 senators Tuesday expressing strong concerns to President Trump that his proposed policies, if enacted, would inflict substantial damage on rural America. Last week, President Trump issued a budget proposal calling for drastic cuts that would undermine the important rural development mission at the U.S.

Many people are worried about how budget cuts proposed by President Trump would affect them. Several agencies and worried residents met with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Tuesday to ask questions and share concerns. Several stories of hardship were shared during the discussion, including that of a man whose medication costs $300,000 a year and

Dylan Sullivan is being accused of “engaging in unlawful activities of a sexual nature” with two students while working as a substitute teacher and assistant basketball coach at La Pine High School between 2013 and 2015, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Tuesday. The two students are underage females. The DA said he has

Dumpsters are at the four corners of La Pine for the kickoff of the Make La Pine Shine campaign. It’s a week-long volunteer opportunity for people to come together to clean their neighborhoods, houses and other areas throughout town. It’s also a way to make members of the community proud of where they live and