Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies are asking the public’s help in finding out who is responsible for a rash of spray-painted graffiti that included swastikas and the phrase “White Power” which were discovered Sunday morning at several Sisters-area businesses and roadways. The sheriff’s office received several complaints on the morning of August 26 reporting the criminal mischief, Sgt. Vance Lawrence and Deputy Russell Stanage reported in a news release.  The graffiti consisted of dark red spray-painted ... [full story]

Two boys, a 13-year-old from Sisters and a Redmond resident, 14, have been arrested in connection with three small smoldering arson fires discovered this morning near Hinkle Butte Drive and Lake Drive in Sisters, deputies reported. Cloverdale Fire Department personnel reported one suspicious fire, and Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area about 9 a.m.  An arriving deputy found two additional fires in “fairly close proximity” to the first fire, Sgt. Vance Lawrence and ... [full story]

Albany Police detectives took a 28-year old Albany man into custody at a Portland hospital Saturday afternoon where he has been recovering since allegedly shooting his 58-year old lover and himself in the head earlier this month.  The woman died from her injuries. According to a news release, Joel Jensen and Deborah Davis were involved in an intimate relationship from the fall of 2006 until Davis ended it several weeks prior to the shooting.  On ... [full story]

PRINEVILLE, Oregon — The Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management in partnership with the National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument will be conducting the Branson North controlled burn on approximately 4,000 acres between Branson and Fossil Creek.  Ignition will be between September 4th and October 1, 2007. Fire Specialists indicate the prescribed burn will help improve wildlife habitat, reintroduce the role of fire in rangeland ecosystems, reduce the expansion of ... [full story]

PRINEVILLE, Oregon – Prineville Bureau of Land Management fuel specialist are planning to conduct a controlled burn seven miles south of Clarno near Wagner Mountain between September 4 and October 15, 2007.  Crews will be conducting the burn on about 8,000 acres to improve wildlife habitat, reintroduce the role of fire in rangeland ecosystems, reduce the expansion of invasive juniper woodlands and reduce hazardous fuels in the urban interface. All controlled burns are weather-dependent and completed ... [full story]

Troy Kerstetter resigns after 11 years of service In the lobby of the Humane Society of Central Oregon’s shelter, Troy Kerstetter, animal welfare director announced to his staff that he will be resigning after 11 years of service to the animals and people of our community.   Kerstetter stated that he has achieved his personal goals for returning to the organization in 2000 and leaves the Humane Society of Central positioned as one of the leading ... [full story]

PRINEVILLE, Ore. -- The Prineville Police Department will be conducting a second Pedestrian Safety Operation on August 30, 2007 between 7 a.m. and noon at the intersections of NE Third and NE Court Streets, and NE Third and NW Garner Streets. A similar sting operation was held on August 16 at North Main & NE 6th Street, and North Main & NW 1st Street. Warning signs will be posted prior to entering the Pedestrian Safety ... [full story]

Company Certifies 100th Aircraft Built in 2007 Columbia Aircraft of Bend, Oregon has begun recalling a portion of the approximate 300 employees laid off earlier this month in response to a problem with faulty integrated avionics systems provided by their supplier, Garmin, that made it impossible for the company to issue a Certificate of Airworthiness to customer specifications for delivery. Last week, Columbia recalled about 75 employees when Garmin resumed deliveries of the G1000 avionics ... [full story]

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The 17-year-old son of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and a 22-year-old man have been injured in a Clearwater, Fla., car collision.Hogan's son, Nick Bollea, was behind the wheel of the Toyota Celica Supra Sunday and both young men had to be extracted from the crumpled vehicle, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported Monday.A spokeswoman for Bayfront Medical Center said Bollea is no longer listed as a patient at the facility, and he ... [full story]

ROME - African migrants appear to be taking greater risks to reach Europe, despite a drop in reported numbers, it was reported Monday.Italy and Spain, often the initial destination for those fleeing Africa, report a decrease of one-third or more compared with last year, the International Herald Tribune reported.But the number of deaths, especially from drowning, has remained stable, suggesting that those who try to reach Europe face a more dangerous journey, said Fortress Europe, ... [full story]