Month: April 2019

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – It may seem like a pipe dream now, but Oregon lawmakers are anticipating the federal government legalizing, or at least tolerating, the interstate transfer of marijuana and have moved forward a bill empowering the governor to enter into agreements with other states for such transactions. Senate Bill 582 was approved by

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon legislators are prepared to offer $2 billion in additional revenue for schools as teachers are preparing a walkout next month to protest the state’s chronic disinvestment in its education system. Members of the Joint Committee on Student Success said on Thursday that the money will go toward educational and mental

Over 50 members of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors attended the 2019 Realtor Day at the Capitol on Tuesday April 2 nd to meet with four Central Oregon lawmakers: Sen. Tim Knopp, Rep. Cheri Helt, Rep. Mike McClain and Rep. Jack Zika. “Being active with fellow Realtors is one key to success for all

The month of April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Prineville Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving. From April 11 to April 15, we’ll conduct a high-visibility enforcement effort called U Drive.

Good Friday Morning, Everyone… A low pressure center well off in the Pacific teams up with a strong westerly flow to bring wind and rain into the Pacific NW today. Central Oregon starts the day with a chance of showers that will develop into rain. It will be accompanied by highs in the upper 40’s

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced Wednesday the Affordable Loans for Any Student Act of 2019 , comprehensive legislation they said would ensure affordable, simple income-based repayment plans for any federal student loan borrowers. The Senate legislation was co-sponsored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard

Senator Jeff Merkley responded to reports that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie told members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday that he will recommend the U.S. Department of Justice not fight a January court ruling that ordered the VA to provide health care and benefits to veterans who served on

Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has welcomed this week’s passage of bipartisan legislation to improve the Medicaid program, including Wyden-backed provisions that fund community-based behavioral health programs and restrict the pharmaceutical industry’s exploitive tactics of taxpayer dollars. The Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019, which passed the Senate Tuesday after passing through the House

Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., sent letters this week to several federal banking and financial regulatory institutions reiterating hemp’s legality and requesting timely guidance and clarification to help ease concerns from lawful hemp farmers and producers about the lack of access to financial services. Senators Wyden and McConnell wrote

A long-awaited, long-debated connection between two busy northeast Bend roads — Empire Avenue and 27th Street – is finally set to move off the drawing board and into reality in the summer of 2020, and familiar concerns from nearby residents also have returned. This is considered Phase 2 of the Empire Corridor Improvement Project. A

The Bend Chamber’s Women of the Year Awards, sponsored by U.S. Bank, is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of the women of Central Oregon. “This year, a record number of nominations were submitted, which is a testament to the scope and scale of women’s impact on our communities, businesses and daily lives,” said

As she makes the rounds on her return to Salem, this time as Oregon’s new secretary of state, you might say this about hog farmer-turned-lawmaker Bev Clarno: It ain’t her first rodeo. “I’m delighted to be here, representing Central Oregon, and I hope I make folks proud,” Clarno told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday, shortly after

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – State wildlife officials say dogs killed 41 ewes and newborn lambs at a farm near Eugene. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Oregon State Police have launched an investigation after the dead sheep were discovered Tuesday at the farm near Eugene. State Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy says dog tracks in

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Senate has approved a measure to abolish the yearly time change and remain on daylight saving time. Lawmakers on Thursday voted 23-4 to skip returning to standard time every fall. Areas in Oregon that are in the Mountain Time Zone are exempt and will still need to reset their

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a 2-year-old girl has been shot in the head in Salem. KATU reports that police were called to the scene about 7 p.m. Wednesday. The girl was flown to a Portland children’s hospital with life-threatening injuries. Salem police said Thursday evening that the toddler remained in critical condition and

(Update: Jury rules murder-suicide) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A coroner’s jury ruled Thursday that two women killed themselves and their six adopted children when they drove off a Northern California cliff last year. The Mendocino County jury deliberated for about an hour before delivering the unanimous verdicts after nearly two full days of testimony. The

The public is invited to comment on the Deschutes County Community Development Department’s proposed work plan for 2019-20 at three upcoming Deschutes County Planning Commission open houses. Open houses will be held: Thursday, April 11, 5:30 p.m.La Pine Senior Center, 16450 Victory Way, La Pine Thursday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.Deschutes Services Center, 1300 NW Wall

Happy Thursday evening, everyone! Rain showers will push back into the region tonight, so expect some wet roads tomorrow morning. We’ll see mostly cloudy skies apart from the showers. Temperatures remain above average and mild in the mid to upper 30s and lower 40s. Winds will be blustery and gust around 5 to 10 miles

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office would like to let everyone know April is a National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Sheriff’s Office along with other agencies around the state and nation will be participating in a State and National Distracted Driving Awareness Blitz. This Blitz will be held on Thursday, April 11. The Crook County

Family Choice Urgent Care in Bend has achieved a near-perfect rating of 4.9 and nearly 600 reviews within just over two years of business. That makes Family Choice Urgent Care the #1 rated and most reviewed urgent care on Google for the state of Oregon. “Consumers read an average of 10 online reviews before feeling