Month: November 2017

With National Day of Giving 2017 coming up on Tuesday, Mid Oregon Credit Union is encouraging the communities it serves to contribute to the annual Holiday Dough Fundraiser in every Mid Oregon branch to supports local charities that provide food, clothing and shelter for individuals and families in the greatest need during the holidays. Members

SEATTLE (AP) – A judge has ruled against a new income tax on wealthy Seattle residents. King County Superior Court Judge John Ruhl said in a ruling Wednesday that the tax is prohibited by state law. He declined to address whether the tax is constitutional. The Seattle City Council voted unanimously in July to impose a 2.25

(Update: Sentencing set for January) FORT BENTON, Mont. (AP) – An activist who was trying to call attention to climate change has been found guilty of criminal charges for closing a valve on a pipeline carrying crude oil from Canada to the United States. A Montana jury found Leonard Higgins of Portland, Oregon, guilty Wednesday of

(Update: Adding comparison photos) In an effort to raise flows this winter in the Deschutes River, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control said Wednesday it is taking steps to ensure that Deschutes River flows below Wickiup Dam are not less than 175 cubic feet per second through next March. The modifications to winter operations of

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) – Kat Tudor had career-highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds, and No. 18 Oregon State beat North Carolina Central 97-44 on Wednesday for its first road win of the season. The Beavers (3-1) bounced back from a 72-67 loss against No. 6 Notre Dame on Sunday. Oregon State stays in Durham,

For some people, preparing for the Thanksgiving meal means getting ready to debate politics, endure a relative’s relationship advice or defend your pick for the best “Game of Thrones” episode. The Oregon Health Authority suggests another dinner table discussion topic this holiday season: family health history. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared Thanksgiving “Family Health

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) – A Klamath County man accused of multiple attacks on his wife has accepted a plea deal after his original conviction was overturned by the Oregon Court of Appeals. The Herald and News reports 38-year-old Doug Brunnemer of Bonanza pleaded guilty to menacing, strangulation and fourth-degree assault. He will be sentenced next

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – The city of Eugene has hired a law enforcement official from Texas to be its interim police chief. City Manager Jon Ruiz issued the announcement to employees late Tuesday afternoon, saying David James will start early next month and stay until a permanent chief is selected. Pete Kerns retired as police chief in

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Wednesday it is changing some fishing regulations at Wickiup Reservoir, starting next year. The “bonus” bag limit for kokanee will change from 25 to five and the Deschutes River Arm will close Aug. 31 (one month earlier than it did this year). “The new approach is intended

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – United Airlines plans to start direct flights to Los Angeles from two Oregon airports. The airline said Tuesday it will offer twice-daily flights between Medford and Los Angeles International Airport beginning April 9. The Mail Tribune reports the airline hasn’t offered direct service between Medford and Los Angeles since cutbacks following the

Ruffwear, a Bend-based company that makes outdoor gear for dogs and their human companions, is donating more than $20,000 to three Central Oregon nonprofit animal shelters. The funds were raised through Ruffwear’s Warehouse Sale in Bend on Friday, November 17. More than 600 people turned out to find deals on samples, discontinued styles and gently

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A grand jury is scheduled in early December to review the Portland police shooting of an unarmed Tacoma, Washington, man who is suspected of robbing a bank and a cash advance business. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Chase Peeples was released Tuesday from a Portland hospital and booked into jail on a federal bank

Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, said Tuesday he has submitted his two allowed bills for the 2018 legislative session. Both bills were introduced in the 2017 session but did not receive hearings. The first bill (HB 3473/2017) would prevent professors from spiking their PERS retirement amounts with outside employment, which has been allowed under laws passed

Construction on the Larkspur Community Center in southeast Bend could start as early as next summer. The future facility will be connected to the Bend Senior Center on Reed Market Road. Original plans started in 2011, and the Bend Park and Recreation District is finally in the design and development phase. Development Manager Brian Hudspeth

As horrifying acts against the Burmese Rohingya minority and the related refugee crisis continue, Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a bi-cameral congressional delegation just completed a fact-finding mission to Burma and Bangladesh. Merkley was joined on the delegation by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Betty McCollum

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Ruthy Hebard scored 22 points, while not missing a shot, and Lexi Bando added 14 to lead No. 10 Oregon to an 81-40 victory over Eastern Washington on Tuesday night. Hebard, a sophomore who was all-Pac-12 forward last year, went 7-for-7 from the field and 8-for-8 at the foul line for the

Better Business Bureau Serving the Northwest is encouraging consumers and donors to shop smart and give wisely this holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers say they will spend an average $967.13 this holiday season, a 3.4 percent increase from last year’s $935.58. With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving

While many seniors enjoy being able to live independently, the holidays can be a difficult time for those who are unable to spend them with friends or loved ones. In fact, isolated seniors are at greater risk for loneliness, anxiety and depression. This is why the local Home Instead Senior Care ® office serving Central

The city of Redmond is continuing to revitalize its downtown core, and there could be big changes coming to the old City Hall site. Over the summer, the Redmond Urban Renewal Agency asked for proposals. Bill Schertzinger, an architect and longtime Redmond resident, had some initial ideas. The process is in its first stages, but

Central Oregonians reacted Tuesday to the Federal Communications Commission’s announcement of long-expected plans to scrap net neutrality regulations. The repeal would lift rules that stop internet service providers from slowing web traffic and create so-called paid internet fast lanes. For example, companies like Netflix would be able to pay more than a smaller company that