Mortgage rates were mixed this week, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate inching upward to 5.23 percent. According to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey, the average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.47 discount and origination points. The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage rose to 4.76 percent, while the average jumbo 30-year fixed rate dropped sharply to 6.52 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were all over the map, with the average 1-year ARM rising to ... [full story]

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Budget Update:  District personnel, budget task force and association representatives continue to refine the cost-saving concepts for the 2009-10 budget shortfall, which is anticipated to be as large as $7 million.  All options such as staff, salaries, electives, programs, school calendar, extracurricular activities, etc., are under consideration; however, NO DECISIONS have been made.  It was noted that the district is building its budget on the worst case scenario ($7 million deficit).  ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- Oregon Community College is presenting a college fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 8, at the Mazama Field on the COCC Bend campus. The fair will offer information, exhibits and demonstrations featuring the college's one- and two-year career and technical programs, such as aviation, criminal justice, fire science, forestry, massage and dental assisting. Demonstrations and campus tours offered at 11 a.m. noon and 1 p.m. Workshops will also be ... [full story]

Central Oregon Community College is offering a "Getting Started" workshop at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, in the boardroom on the second floor of the Boyle Education Center on the Bend campus. This is an opportunity for prospective students to meet with COCC and OSU-Cascades admissions representatives to find out about application requirements, financial aid and scholarships, student services and more. Interested students can join in a Bend campus tour after the presentation. Reservations ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- The Central Oregon Symphony, directed by Michael Gesme, will present its spring concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9; Monday, May 11; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, in the Bend High School Auditorium. Doors will open 45 minutes before the performances. Although offered free of charge, tickets are required. Treat your favorite mother to a special concert featuring works by Beethoven, Prokofiev and Dvorak. The concert will open with ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- Do you or someone you know, live with a health condition that impacts your daily life? A six-week workshop for achieving a healthier way of living is offered in Sisters and Bend, and begins May 12 for people living with ongoing health conditions.  The Living Well with Chronic Conditions program was developed and tested at Stanford University and is designed to complement and enhance medical treatment and disease management of chronic illnesses ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Commission on Children & Families seeks qualified candidates for Commission openings as well as volunteers for action teams and special projects. The Commission is a lay citizen board that is composed of up to 17 residents of Deschutes County. The Board achieves their charge by bringing together citizens, service providers and policy makers to address local needs and to find long-term solutions. The Commission's goal is to ensure all ... [full story]

NEWPORT, Ore. – Fishing for Pacific halibut with two friends last spring Kelly Corbett was the last on in the boat to hook up, but you know the saying, “last the best….” “It took me 15 minutes to reel him in,” said Corbett, who lives in Seal Rock. Her fish was 54 inches long and weighed around 77 pounds, more than three times what the average Pacific halibut caught off the Oregon Coast weighs. And, ... [full story]

NEWPORT, Ore. – Starting May 1, saltwater sport fishers will be able to put one more groundfish in the marine fish daily bag – the highest bag limit since summer of 2005. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission last week approved a change to increase the bag limit from six marine fish to seven effective May 1. The marine fish bag includes rockfish and other species such as greenling and cabezon. The increased bag limit ... [full story]

LA PINE, Ore. -- The La Pine Rural Fire Protection District Budget Committee will hold a work session on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. to review and discuss the proposed 2009/2010 budget.  This meeting will be held at La Pine Fire District's Main Station at 51550 Huntington Road in La Pine, Oregon. All citizens are invited to attend. This meeting will be held at La Pine Fire District's Main Station at 51550 Huntington Road ... [full story]