Month: September 2019

(Update: Adding more comments, reaction, poll) A potential Oregon ballot initiative, if approved, would slow the roll of automation — starting at grocery store checkout lines. The Oregon AFL-CIO, which represents the state’s unions, has submitted a measure for approval that would limit the number of self-checkout machines in stores to two. Oregon AFL-CIO President

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s first public records advocate announced her resignation Monday, saying Gov. Kate Brown’s office abused its authority and wanted her to secretly work for the governor while giving the impression she was working in the public interest. Ginger McCall said when she accepted the governor’s appointment as Oregon’s public records advocate

(Update: Huber not charged with burglary) A 43-year-old Sisters man who broke down a home’s back door early Monday morning was confronted by a homeowner armed with a rifle, who later held him at gunpoint until Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies arrived, officials said. Deputies were dispatched shortly before 2 a.m. to the report of a

This week, the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment talks about building a digital defense to keep our kids safe from cyberbullies. A 2017 study by the Centers for Disease Control showed that about 15% of high school students say they are bullied online. The bully may pretend to be someone else – such as a

Good Tuesday Morning, Everyone… The slow moving system that brought us cool, drizzly conditions yesterday will stay with us today. We will see scattered rain showers beginning around noon with a possibility of some thunderstorms late afternoon and evening. Highs will be in the mid 60’s and NW breezes will be gentle at 5 -10

The city of Redmond is looking to expand parking in the downtown area and keep up with increasing parking demands by adding new options. The Redmond Downtown Urban Renewal Agency Committee discussed these potential changes at a meeting on Monday night. The city is looking to purchase a vacant lot on the corner of Fourth

Central Oregon recognizes National Suicide Prevention Awareness this week, and there are several events you can participate in. The Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance has partnered with community organizations to bring awareness and provide events and resources to prevent suicide attempts and deaths. The World Health Organization reports that one person takes their own life

Bethlehem Inn’s Transforming Lives Together capital fundraising campaign to rebuild its aging campus has reached its $9 million campaign goal, as the Bend emergency shelter puts the finishing touches on the renovated facility, the organization’s leadership announced Monday. For three years, donors throughout the region have rallied behind the Inn’s campaign to replace its former

Oregon’s long-running success in managing the workers’ compensation system continues, as businesses will see yet another drop in costs in 2020, as the key factor behind annual cost changes dips yet again, officials said Monday. The numbers are indicative of a long-term trend: Employers, next year, on average, will pay $1.02 per $100 of payroll

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A weekend news anchor and TV reporter in Portland is doubling down on her preference for high-waisted pants after a male viewer told her to “dress like a normal woman” in a message sent to her Facebook work account. Maggie Vespa, who works at Portland’s NBC affiliate KGW-TV, posted photos of

A truck carrying an excavator snagged a power line and brought down several utility poles in northeast Redmond Monday afternoon, knocking out power to nearly 900 Pacific Power customers and closing a stretch of road. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Northeast Ninth Street north of Highway 126 and south of Antler Avenue, closing

Happy Monday evening, everyone! Rain showers will stick around through the end of the night. Expect shower chances to taper off around midnight. Overnight lows will be chilly, but slightly above normal for this time of year. Areas like La Pine and Sunriver will see lows dip into the 30s, while the rest of Central

Oregon State University-Cascades on Sept. 28 will host Discovery Day, a community festival including talks, research demonstrations and hands-on activities that showcase OSU’s growing Central Oregon campus. Discovery Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. It is free to the public. The festival will include tours of the

(Update: Expands throughout, focusing on economic impact) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A critical navigation lock at the mighty Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River has shut down because of cracked concrete, meaning huge barges that transport millions of tons of wheat, wood and other goods from the inland Pacific Northwest to the Pacific Ocean for

(Update: More details) While Central Oregon crews continue to watch for smoke from ” sleeper ” fires in the wake of recent lightning, two small fires are being monitored, rather than extinguished, officials said Monday. The Ikt Fire, about six miles southeast of Lava River Cave, has burned about six acres six miles southeast of

Community members, local leaders, school officials and students will join together to celebrate the groundbreaking for Bend-La Pine Schools’ new high school in southeast Bend on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. The new 1,600-seat high school, which is slated to open to students in the fall of 2021, is part of the 2017 school

(Update: NWS confirms small Portland-area tornado; some damage to farm, no injuries; adding photo) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A storm cell that passed over Portland prompted two tornado warnings after trained storm spotters saw funnel clouds north and south of the Columbia River. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that forecasters said the Sunday evening storm that created

Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY), a program of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, is offering a class to prepare volunteers to become mentors for children with an incarcerated parent. After initial training and comprehensive background checks, volunteers are matched with a child in Bend, Redmond, Sisters or La Pine that share similar interests and

The Oregon Public Utility Commission is promoting National Lifeline Awareness Week Sept. 9-13. Oregon Lifeline, a federal and state government program, provides a discount of up to $12.75 on monthly phone or high-speed internet service from select companies for qualifying low-income households. Lifeline helps eligible Oregonians stay connected and provides access to local emergency services,

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Officials say a man died and a woman was hurt when they fell from a 70-foot cliff in southern Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call about 1:30 p.m. Saturday near the Umpqua Hot Springs, about 60 miles east of Roseburg. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says