Month: August 2017

Gas prices are climbing in locations along the path of totality of next Monday’s total solar eclipse. Demand for gasoline has already been very robust, due to a healthy summer travel season. Add about a million eclipse viewers in Oregon and 500,000 in Idaho, and that creates even more demand for fuel. “For the week,

The anticipation for the total eclipse is building, and for 30 Post Offices in Oregon and one in Southwest Washington, that excitement will be celebrated with special local postmarks available on Monday , Aug. 21, the date of this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. The commemorative postmarks will be applied free to envelopes, cards or any other

The number of visitors to Bend is projected to increase due to the upcoming eclipse. In response, the city of Bend is encouraging city water customers to reduce water use where possible. “We’re expecting a large number of visitors in the coming days which will increase water demands throughout our service area,” said Water Conservation

The Prineville Police Department, in an effort to streamline response to non-emergency calls, will be closing their “walk-in” lobby on Friday, August 18 th and Monday August 21 st , in anticipation of heavy call loads during the eclipse. Here’s the rest of Tuesday’s announcement: We are encouraging everyone to call the non-emergency number if

The Redmond Senior Center will be CLOSED August 17 , 18, & 21 due to expected eclipse traffic, officials said Tuesday. Meals-on-Wheels will not be delivered August 17 -22. Frozen meals are being delivered ahead of time, they said..

(Update: Tuesday evening fire status) The Central Oregon Dispatch Center in Redmond received two new smoke reports Tuesd ay , resulting in one fire that was contained at a half-acre, but recent lightning- and human-caused blazes are keeping hundreds of firefighters busy. Here’s COIDC’s Tuesday evening update: An incident management team has arrived from the

Whether you plan on embracing the eclipse or hunkering down and waiting for it to be over, you’re still going to need to eat. Madras grocery stores are working to make sure you won’t be greeted by empty shelves when you walk through their doors. Grocers said Tuesday there’s no magic formula to know how

A 20-year-old Redmond man has been arrested on charges he contacted a 15-year-old Redmond girl by text message and social media, providing sexually explicit photos of himself and suggesting they meet, police said Tuesday. Police received the report Monday of a possible luring of a minor for sexual conduct, said Detective Sergeant Hank Majetich. Rose

(Update with comments from homeowner) Bend firefighters stopped a brushfire that began at a pump house Tuesday morning near Rickard Road, knocking out water service to about 15 homes, officials said. The fire, reported just after 9 a.m., began at a pump house that supplies drinking water to 15 homes in the area. Sparks fell

(Updated to include impact on hikers) Fires across Central Oregon and the danger of more are closing down trails by the dozen, and that includes popular spots up and down the McKenzie Pass and Cascade Lakes highways. To some, wildfires pose all sorts of risks to lives, homes and wildlife. But to others, they’re just

The Ochoco National Forest and Prineville District BLM will be staffing an information booth to assist visitors coming to Central Oregon for the 2017 total solar eclipse. The main intention of the booth will be to share fire prevention information and tips for having a safe and enjoyable camping experience to eclipse visitors. The booth

Central Oregon drug agents on Tuesday released the details of a Madras raid nearly three months ago that resulted in the seizure of more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as a stolen gun and nearly $17,000 in cash. A Madras man and Prineville woman were arrested at the time. The details of the

A 31-year-old unlicensed Bend day care operator, accused of leaving nearly a dozen children alone in her home for hours during trips to a gym or tanning salon, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the 122 charges against her, including criminal mistreatment and reckless endangerment. An April 10 trial date was set for January Neatherlin, who

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A bill signed by Oregon’s governor has reclassified personal-use possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs as a misdemeanor from a felony. Among its supporters are the police and sheriffs’ associations, which said felony convictions include unintended consequences, including barriers to housing and employment. The bill signed Tuesday morning by Gov. Kate Brown

Due to the anticipated increase in traffic, garbage collection for all customers in Crook County will begin at midnight starting Monday , August 14th running through Friday , August 25th . Collection days will not change, they will just be earlier. Please remember to leave extra space with parked vehicles that normally might not be

Over 30,000 people are expected to descend on Big Summit Prairie the weekend of the Aug. 21 eclipse. All those people need to get there somehow, and the only way in and out is Highway 26. And in addition to the traffic congestion the festival could cause, there’s been concern the sheer amount of people

Lake Billy Chinook is expected to be a popular place to view the eclipse, so authorities and a resort are preparing as best they can. The Cove Palisades Resort and Marina is getting ready to welcome an influx of people for the eclipse weekend and the day of the eclipse. Clay Gibson, a manager at

Bend’s Pilot Butte no doubt will be a grand viewing spot for the Aug, 21 eclipse — as long as you lace up your hiking shoes, as the road to the summit will be closed to vehicles that Sunday and Monday, officials said Thursday. Here’s the full announcement:: The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is

The total solar eclipse is just 11 days away, and some people plan on “getting out of Dodge,” so to speak. But a father and son in Madras are doing just the opposite. Madras City Councilor Bartt Brick and his 92-year-old father, Eugene, are preparing to finally watch an eclipse together. The two men put

Deschutes National Forest officials said Monday they are preparing for an influx of visitors to the forest for the solar eclipse. While only a small portion of the forest will be in the path of totality, there will be several temporary road closures in place to promote public safety, minimize conflict and protect natural resources.