Month: June 2017

In cooperation with ODOT, Central Oregon law enforcement agencies, including Bend Police, Redmond Police, Black Butte Police, Oregon State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting an enhanced patrol Friday afternoon on Highway 97 near Lava Butte. The operation is planned from noon to 4 p.m., at a time when many are

The city of Redmond’s novel Maple Avenue Bridge climbing route, brought down to Earth by liability issues, returns to the recreation arena with a reopening at sunrise on Saturday, city officials announced Thursday. The climbing route was established under the arch of the bridge in 2015, considered a challenging, overhanging sport climb that is a

Regulated Closure restrictions will take effect Friday at 12:01 a.m. for lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Central Oregon. These lands include private, municipal and state lands protected by the Central Oregon District. Warm summer temperatures over the last few weeks have dried forest fuels, increasing fire behavior and the potential for

Wickiup is almost filled up. Central Oregon Community College’s residence hall, Wickiup Hall, is nearing its August 1 application deadline for the 2017-18 academic year and registered students interested in housing are encouraged to begin the application process now. The 320-capacity building first opened in the fall of 2015. Last year, it was full for

The U.S. Forest Service issued a final decision Wednesday green-lighting an extensive motorized trail system that would add 137 miles of new off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails to the existing network of 674 miles within the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon, including areas of old growth forest, according to conservation groups who filed an immediate

Volunteer firefighters with Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 have already started off with a busy fire season, responding to nine fires across the county just since Saturday. One of them broke out Wednesday afternoon, as officials said a 4-acre brush fire started when a truck backfired on Southwest Elk Drive west of Madras. The

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Republican Rep. Julie Parrish says she’s launching a statewide effort to derail a critical $670 million health care tax approved last week to fund Medicaid. Parrish confirmed her plans this week to challenge House Bill 2391, a tax package on health insurers and providers that was approved by the Oregon Legislature

Governor Kate Brown announced Thursd ay that she will fill the pending vacancy in the Crook County district attorney position and began the process of seeking interested applicants. Pursuant to ORS 8.640, Governor Brown intends to fill the vacancy by appointment, as provided in Article V, Section 16 of the Oregon Constitution. The vacancy was

Starting early next week, a contractor will begin removing hazardous trees in the Cultus Lake Campground and Day Use sites. The sites have been closed to the public since June and are expected to reopen in late July, once the trees are fully removed, officials said Thursday. On Monday, Kornish Forest Contracting of Bend will

(Update: More from Redmond businesses on minimum wage hike) The One Street Down Cafe has been a part of the Redmond community for the past 7 years. General Manager Corey Whalen said he is conflicted about an upcoming minimum wage hike. While they like to see their employees get a raise, they have a hard

Here are the results of Wednesday’s KTVZ.COM Poll asking people if they believe government should keep raising the minimum wage: Do you think government should keep raising the minimum wage? Yes – 39% (184 votes) No – 61% (292 votes) Total Votes: 476

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say crews have recovered the body of an 11-year-old boy days after he drowned in the Willamette River near Salem. KOIN-TV reports (https://goo.gl/qdyFCZ ) when Nehemiah Wilson was swimming near a boat ramp at Wallace Marine Park when he went under the water Friday afternoon. The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office

GASTON, Ore. (AP) – Authorities are seeking the public’s help after a bald eagle was injured in an apparent shooting west of Portland. Oregon State Police say officers responded to an area north of Gaston Wednesday morning for an injured bald eagle. Police followed the bird through thick brush, a swampy marsh area and through

(Update with new gaming ordinance getting council approval) For more than three decades, social gaming has been illegal in Sisters. The only problem is, no one apparently knew it. A weekly poker night at an iconic Sisters business uncovered the outdated rules and helped to pen new ones. “I’m sure poker has been played here

After moving six times in the last 12 years, BMS Technologies feels it’s finally found a permanent home. The Bend mailing services company just purchased a lot in the industrial park area of Juniper Ridge in Bend for just over $1 million. The lot — the first sold at the controversial city-owned site in years

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – State health officials say 440,000 Oregon residents could lose health care under the U.S. Senate’s proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, potentially causing the state’s uninsured rate to triple to 15 percent by 2021. Proposed cuts to federal Medicaid funds would also shift more than $6.2 billion in costs to

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a 6-year-old boy in southern Oregon was flown to a hospital after his parents discovered him in the trunk of a car, suffering from a heat-related illness. KDRV-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2shPQlu ) police in Medford are trying to determine why the boy was in the trunk of the compact car on

Join the City of Bend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 , during the Bank of the Cascades Bend Summer Festival to see City equipment, experience interactive displays and learn more about your city. Geared towards families and fun, the City’s displays will include Police K9 dogs, fire engines, snow plows

Here are the results of Tuesday’s KTVZ.COM Poll, asking how often people visit businesses along Bend’s Galveston Avenue: How often do you visit businesses along Bend’s Galveston Avenue? More than once a week – 2% (10 votes) A few times a month – 9% (39 votes) Rarely or never – 89% (408 votes) Total Votes:

The Fourth of July is only six days away, and fireworks sales are quickly ramping up. But do you know what goes into setting up a stand, how much money it makes or any of the rules and regulations? The rule book is lengthy, when it comes to fireworks in Central Oregon. From storage to