A Scappoose woman died early Monday morning after losing control of her vehicle and rolling end-over-end several times on Interstate 84 about thirteen miles west of Boardman, Oregon State Police (OSP) reported. Tamera Denise Smith, 48, was traveling east on I-84 near milepost 151 when the accident occurred about 6:40 a.m. March 19, troopers said.  According to witness statements, Smith was in the left lane passing a large truck when her vehicle drifted onto the ... [full story]

Bend residents Steve Emery, President and CEO of Earth2O; and Pamela Hulse Andrews, founder of Cascades Arts & Entertainment magazine, are among six Oregonians chosen Salem –Governor Kulongoski today announced the appointments of Steve Emery to the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission, Pamela Hulse Andrews to the Trust for Cultural Development Board, Dewey Darold to State Plumbing Board, Dr. Lauren Acton to Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board, Richard Van Beveren to Trimet Board ... [full story]

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in February compared with 5.2 percent in January, according to a report released today by the Oregon Employment Department. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in February and 4.6 percent in January. In February, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 7,000. This was the largest monthly gain since December 2005 when 7,800 jobs were added.    Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey Data)Payroll employment rose substantially ... [full story]

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded a $15,000 household hazardous waste grant to Crook County to develop a comprehensive, countywide plan which will determine how to best deal with household hazardous waste and other related hazardous waste collection, storage, recycling and disposal needs.  The county will use the funds to evaluate options for dealing with all aspects of household hazardous waste and conditionally exempt small quantity generators of hazardous waste, including wastes ... [full story]

Two Bend men charged with attempted murder Two Redmond residents were dragged out of their vehicle, beaten, stabbed, and robbed Sunday evening in northeast Bend, leading to the arrest of two women and three men from Bend — two for attempted murder, authorities reported.   Top (L) Delfino Bravo Rosas, (R) Ricardo Bravo Rosas – both men are charged with attempted murder. Bottom (L) Monica Arias Magallanes, (R) Adelina Madrigal – DCJ Photos. Not pictured: Emmanuel ... [full story]

PORTLAND, Ore.--Catholic parishioners in western Oregon will receive notice this week of a proposed settlement in the class action lawsuit in the bankruptcy proceedings of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The Archdiocese of Portland filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on July 6, 2004. On July 22, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order in a lawsuit certifying parishes and parishioners as a class of defendants. At issue in the lawsuit is whether Catholic parishes, ... [full story]

Solar water heating is affordable, and low-income family champion NeighborImpact has partnered with Cascade Sun Works to prove it. During the week of March 5th, Curci’s company installed the solar water heaters in eight apartment units at Healy Heights. The estimated reduction in heating burden comes from the fact that, as Colleen Neel, Home Weatherization Specialist put it, “We can get the energy from the sun for free, for that which we currently pay Pacific ... [full story]

(Salem) – Secretary of State Bill Bradbury announced today that the 2007-08 Oregon Blue Book will be released on Wednesday, March 21. Secretary Bradbury will honor the amateur photographers who won the contest for the book’s cover at a morning event in his office, to be followed by a book signing at the Capitol Gift Shop from noon to 1:00 p.m.  “The Oregon Blue Book is really a unique publication – and one that I’m ... [full story]

Two Prineville residents were found safe and sound Friday evening after they spent the night in the Ochoco Mountains when their vehicle became stuck in a snow drift and had mechanical problems, deputies reported. Crook County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an “overdue” motorist about 10:15 p.m. Thursday, March 15, said Detective Sergeant Travis Jurgens.  Ryan Bertini, 18, and an unidentified juvenile female left the Prineville area about 3:40 p.m. that afternoon to ... [full story]

SAN DIEGO - Ten years ago next week, one of the strangest events in San Diego County history exploded into the public's consciousness. For several days, it was the biggest news story in the world. It began unfolding the afternoon of Wednesday, March 26, 1997, during a period when the Hale-Bopp comet could be seen in the night sky.   HEAVENSGATE - 'We didn't know what to expect going in there,' said sheriff's Deputy Robert Brunk, ... [full story]