Partially blind La Pine senior may be forced to move after 20 years, unless permit granted
After 20 years living and working on a La Pine property, Mary Clendenin is at a crossroads.
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‘It all comes back to safety’: Draft Wickiup Junction plan tackles a variety of issues
The area known as Wickiup Junction sits on Highway 97, as you head into La Pine from the north, where the road turns into two lanes and there are developments on both sides of the road. The Oregon Department of Transportation and city of La Pine are working to finalize a plan to make the area safer and more efficient.
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Cascades Academy senior lands helicopter at school, inspiring kids to aim high, just as he was
On Friday, high school senior Jackson Junkin of Cascades Academy in Tumalo landed a helicopter on the school’s athletic field on Friday — and it wasn’t the first such event there.
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DA Hummel launching pre-charge diversion pilot program for young first-time offenders
Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel announced Thursday that his office will officially launch the Deschutes County Emerging Adult Pilot Program on July 1, a pre-charge diversion program for young adults that he said “will provide first-time offenders between the ages of 18-24 the opportunity to redirect their lives onto a more positive pathway.”
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Deschutes County Solid Waste holding household hazardous waste disposal events
Deschutes County’s Department of Solid Waste is hosting special one-day collection events in Sisters, La Pine and Redmond this summer where residents can drop off household hazardous waste for free.
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Amid drought, some S. Deschutes County homeowners say their wells are drying up
A serious drought, low snowpack and more homes being built in the area means the water supply is low for some in southern Deschutes County. Some residents are seeing their wells are drying up. But they can’t just drill deeper. Most property owners need to dig an entirely new well, to hit more water.
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Recent decline in COVID-19 patients good news for short-staffed St. Charles
Officials at St. Charles Health System are breathing a cautious sigh of relief after going into this typically busy holiday weekend short-staffed and at full capacity, and reaching out for the county and state help.
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La Pine man killed in pickup crash into Little Deschutes River
A La Pine man died Saturday night after his pickup truck left the end of Bridge Drive, hit a fence and landed on its side in the Little Deschutes River, soon catching fire. An off-duty Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy in the area tried to remove the driver and put out the fire, but was unable to do so.
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Bend man killed in Hwy. 97 rollover crash south of La Pine
A Bend man was killed Saturday night in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 97 south of La Pine, Oregon State Police reported.
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Deschutes County road construction update: Week of May 30-June 5
– Here is Deschutes County’s road construction update for the week of May 30-June 5.
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‘Put your campfire out’: Memorial Day weekend raises wildfire risk in Central Oregon
Central Oregon campers, hikers and those who recreate are sure to be out this weekend for Memorial Day amid stellar, even summer-like weather. With camping comes campfires — and this dry spring has brought a higher risk for wildfires.
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Deschutes County budget grows with federal relief aid; several big projects on the way
Deschutes County has released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The total proposed budget, including county service districts, is $634,746,104, which represents an increase of 23 percent increase from last year’s adopted budget.
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Rickard Road set to close for road project
The Deschutes County Road Department plans to begin road construction on Rickard Road between Gosney Road and U.S. Highway 20 next Tuesday and a road closure begins the following Monday.
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Nick Lelack named new Deschutes County administrator
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to name Nick Lelack as the county’s next administrator. Lelack, who currently serves as the county’s Community Development Department director, is expected to transition into the role in September.
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Three Bend teens seriously injured in early-AM crash on Skyliners Road
Three Bend 16-year-olds were seriously injured in a rollover crash early Thursday morning on Skyliners Road west of Bend, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said, adding that alcohol appears to be a factor.
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Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo is ‘Back in the Saddle’ this summer after 2020 cancellation
The Deschutes County Fair & Expo said Thursday it is excited to announce the return of the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo this summer, with a logical theme after last year’s COVID-caused cancellation: “Back in the Saddle.”
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ODOT hosting virtual events for public input on future of Hwy. 97-Baker Road interchange
As Central Oregon keeps growing, adding traffic to Highway 97 throughout the region, the Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking public input in its long-range planning process for the Baker Road interchange south of Bend, at Deschutes River Woods.
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Deschutes County commissioners to ask Gov. Brown for drought status declaration
On Wednesday, the Deschutes County Commissioners moved closer to officially declaring a state of emergency for the ongoing drought in Central Oregon.
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Sen. Jeff Merkley holds Deschutes County virtual town hall
Sen. Jeff Merkley held a virtual town hall Tuesday, answering questions from Deschutes County residents.
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Hummel, Oregon lawmakers endorse criminal justice, police reform bill to reduce racial disparities
Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel joined several state legislators Tuesday in expressing their support for a criminal justice and police reform bill, endorsing the measure on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death.
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