Month: November 2017

On Aug. 9, Gov. Kate Brown signed Senate Bill 754 into law, raising the minimum age for a person to legally buy tobacco products, inhalant delivery systems, and tobacco product devices from 18 to 21. Enforcement of the law takes effect on Jan. 1, Deschutes County health officials reminded Tuesday. U nder the new law,

After the illegal shooting of a male trumpeter swan, Chuck, on Thursday in Sunriver, the rest of the swan family — his mate, Gracie, and their four cygnets — have left the Lake Aspen area near the Sunriver Nature Center, officials said Monday amid efforts to bring them back to a safer location. The five

Alarming allegations are coming out against the popular spa franchise Message Envy. Nearly 200 woman claim they’ve been sexually assaulted, several of them in Central Oregon. NewsChannel 21 reported more than a year ago that two women alleged they were the victims of sexual abuse at the Bend location. The women claim that in October

Governor Kate Brown announced Tuesday that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Deschutes County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Presiding Circuit Judge Alta Brady. The governor thanked Judge Brady for her dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Brady’s retirement takes

LAKEVIEW, Ore. (AP) – A Lakeview woman has been arrested on charges of having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old boy more than a decade ago. The Herald and News reported Tuesday that authorities say 39-year-old Ronda Lynn Easton had the relationship with the boy when she was between 26 and 27 in Klamath County during

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A coalition of county and city governments in the central Willamette Valley are close to hiring a coordinator to help manage the region’s growing homeless population. The Statesman Journal reported Tuesday that Salem and Marion County would pay $45,000 each toward salary and benefits, while the towns of Keizer, Monmouth and Independence

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) – Police say the case of a man who shot a goose from a car at a Kennewick park has been given to the Benton County prosecutor for possible charges. The Tri-City Herald reported Monday that the man, who hasn’t been named, could face charges including firing a weapon in the park as

Tree harvesting methods designed to protect streams from soil erosion and sedimentation can be effective in maintaining water quality, scientists have shown in a study in the Oregon Coast Range. By following rules enshrined in the Oregon Forest Practices Act, research in the Alsea River watershed showed that a stream draining clear-cut slopes carried no

Flooding rivers can wreak havoc on homes and roads, but are necessary for healthy ecosystems, research at Oregon State University suggests. The study shows that alterations to rivers’ natural flow patterns – because of dams, diversions and changes in precipitation – cause damage to riparian plant communities and river ecosystems in general. Even minor shifts

SEATTLE (AP) – A Washington state man accused of crashing a vehicle because he was having sex while driving drunk pleaded not guilty to multiple charges. KOMO-TV reports that 22-year-old Michael Tonkin entered his plea on Monday. State police say a 3-month-old baby was in the back seat of the vehicle that crashed while Tonkin and

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Health Authority hasn’t found a new superintendent for the state’s psychiatric hospitals after starting its search almost two years ago. The Register-Guard reported Monday that the superintendent is a top state government position, leading Oregon’s two psychiatric hospitals: the 610-bed facility in Salem and the 174-bed facility in Junction City. Those

Barley has always played second fiddle to hops and yeast when it comes to flavoring beer. Now the grain is ready for its solo. In two studies published this week in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, a research team led by Oregon State University found notable differences in the taste of

During the online holiday shopping season, the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry remind people to be vigilant with their personal information. While shopping for gifts, criminals are shopping for credit card numbers, financial account information, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data that could help them file a fraudulent tax return. Anyone

This holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service looks forward to delivering a great deal of holiday cheer, along with more than 15 billion mail pieces. Consumers trust the Postal Service to deliver secure and economical shipping options. The Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, is working around-the-clock to keep

This holiday season, give your loved ones a year of unlimited access to Oregon’s state parks with an annual day-use parking permit. From Dec. 1-31, holiday shoppers can buy the annual parking permit for only $25–that’s $5 off the regular price of $30. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle. “Give the gift that

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A so-called “cop watcher” who angered Portland police and prosecutors by showing up at their homes has been charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Christopher Ryan Ponte was arrested earlier this month for holding and using firearms in January despite a felony record. Authorities cited Facebook

NEW YORK (AP) – Damian Lillard scored 32 points and the Portland Trail Blazers wrapped up a strong five-game road trip with their third straight victory, beating the New York Knicks 103-91 on Monday night. Pat Connaughton added 17 for the Trail Blazers, who also won at Memphis, Brooklyn and Washington while losing only in Philadelphia.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the Milli and Nash fires that occurred Aug 10 – Sept. 25, SBA Administrator Linda McMahon announced Monday. SBA said it acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received from

Here are the results of Friday’s KTVZ.COM Poll, asking if you plan to spend more, less or about the same as last year on holiday gifts: What do you expect to spend on holiday gifts this year? More than last year – 6% (49 votes) Less than last year – 44% (350 votes) About the

Oregon State University President Ed Ray announced Monday his decision to rename three buildings on OSU’s Corvallis campus while retaining the names of two other buildings. The names of the Arnold Dining Center and Gill Coliseum will not change, the school announced in a news release, the rest of which follows: Ray said that the