Month: August 2018

(Update: Community coalition expresses concern) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A coalition of community organizations and a group representing more than 50 tribes is warning of the potential for violence at dueling protests between right-wing group and self-described anti-fascists. The coalition said in a statement Friday that the bloodshed could be worse than previous clashes between

(Update: Adding GoFundMe page, comment by visitor) Crook County Parks and Recreation has launched a GoFundMe page to help with repairs and add more lighting to the Prineville Wildland Firefighters Monument, which was vandalized this week, with several pieces removed. Vandals removed pieces of the statue, a walk-through memorial at Ochoco Creek Park dedicated to

(Update: Correcting which road drivers were on) Two drivers were taken to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash east of Bend Friday morning at the intersection of Bear Creek and Ward roads east of Bend, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies and Bend Fire Department medics were dispatched around 10:10 a.m. to the reported crash,

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley asked Travel Oregon on Friday to update its 2017 wildfire study to capture the additional impact of this year’s wildfires on the normally robust outdoor recreation and tourism economy in Oregon. The senators said the agency’s previous research on the impact of the 2017 wildfires was very helpful and

The Oregon Supreme Court published a ruling Thursday allowing the use of the car-dealer “privilege tax” to fund the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, the Department of Environmental Quality said Friday. The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program is designed to provide incentives for more Oregonians to purchase or lease electric vehicles. The rebates are funded

Gov. Kate Brown has declared the Sugar Pine Fire, burning outside of Shady Cove, a conflagration. The declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the more than 21,000-acre fire, officials said Friday. The Office of State Marshal’s Red Incident Management Team is under

Good evening Central Oregon and happy Friday! A beautiful day today across the high desert although it is a bit breezy out there for us at times. We are going to see this trend of cooler temps carry with us through the evening. Winds this afternoon and evening are out of the northwest at 10-15

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced legislation this week to permanently protect the nation’s most pristine federal forests from reckless and inappropriate development that threatens the supply of clean drinking water and critical habitats for endangered species. Here’s the rest of Friday’s news release announcing the bill: “The Trump administration continues to use

The largest field-based study of genetically modified forest trees ever conducted has demonstrated that genetic engineering can prevent new seedlings from establishing. The “containment traits” that Oregon State University researchers engineered in the study are important because of societal concerns over gene flow – the spread of genetically engineered or exotic and invasive trees or

(Update: Adding comments from Bend dispensaries) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Two of the first states to broadly legalize marijuana took different approaches to regulation that left Oregon with a vast oversupply and Colorado with a well-balanced market. But in both states, prices for bud have plummeted. A new Oregon report by law enforcement found nearly

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Animals evacuated to the Josephine County Fairgrounds because of southern Oregon wildfires will have to move because of the upcoming county fair. KDRV reports the fair begins Aug. 15, and Josephine County Emergency Management are thinking of moving the pets and livestock to the Expo in Central Point. Grants Pass was

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon State University student says she believes the school is retaliating against her after she reported that she was raped by a football player. The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports the female student filed a lawsuit against the university this week after it imposed a mutual no-contact order against her. Lawyers at

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., joined by a group of bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee leaders, sent letters Thursday to three opioid manufacturers requesting detailed information about each manufacturer’s role in the opioid crisis. The individual letters highlight the complexity of the opioid crisis, which claims the lives of more than 115 Americans every day, according

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., joined their colleagues this week in introducing a resolution to protect states’ rights to set their own fuel and greenhouse gas emission standards. “While the Trump administration flippantly ignores the clear dangers of climate change, states like Oregon are leading the way with bold action to ensure an

Here’s the city of Bend’s road project and traffic report for the week of Aug. 6-12: Special Events: · Flashback Cruz, August 3 – 4, will take place in Drake Park and downtown Bend, the following should be anticipated on August 4: o Flaggers on Riverside Boulevard by Drake Park, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday it will launch a new electronic licensing system (ELS) on Dec. 1 with the sale of 2019 licenses and tags. With the new system, hunters and anglers can choose to carry their documents electronically (on their smart phone or tablet) and tag fish and wildlife with

The Bend City Council is weighing options for transitioning one of southeast Bend’s unsewered neighborhoods from septic systems to sewer by building sewer lines in the neighborhoods’ streets. This process could influence how other unsewered areas across the city are addressed in the future. The public is invited to a City Council “listening session” from

REARDAN, Wash. (AP) – Mandatory evacuations have been ordered near the eastern Washington town of Reardan because of a wildfire that has already destroyed one structure. The evacuations, which impact about 60 people, were ordered late Thursday. The fire covers about 1.25 square miles (3.2 kilometers). The Lincoln County Fairgrounds is open to assist people

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Authorities have arrested a man accused of stealing wedding gifts from couples in Junction City. The Register-Guard reports Kord and Janell Evenson were victimized last week. Communicating discreetly with guests, Janell Evenson determined that about $2,500 in checks, cash and gift cards had been stolen. Lane County sheriff’s Sgt. Carrie Carver

The Deschutes National Forest is in Central Oregon’s backyard, but with that comes illegal camping and dumping. Trash is strewn about near a forest road, just off Skyliners Road past Phil’s Trailhead. The campsite had newspapers dated from July 20, so people were there only about two weeks ago. The trash included mattresses, blankets, Christmas