Caldera Springs resort community has announced that 240 homesites, 75% of all sites available in the entire Caldera Springs community, sold within the first six months.  Demand for homesites in the area adjacent to Sunriver and Crosswater reached a new high at the selection event held in late August. “As the first new resort community in the Sunriver area since 1994, we knew we’d have strong interest, but we never imagined that we’d see this kind ... [full story]

For the 16th consecutive school year, the Bend-La Pine School district has had a significant enrollment increase in its schools. “Initial reports show that we will meet or exceed our initial projections,” said Ron Wilkinson, Deputy Superintendent. “We’ve grown by more than 400 students this year – and that number could rise by the end of the week.”   Becky Crawford instructs her students at Pine Ridge Elementary School - Photo by Richard Burton While the growth ... [full story]

With all the talk of the housing market cooling, many may be surprised at recent statistics from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) that Bend had the greatest one-year increase in appreciation in the nation. The average price of a single-family home grew 1.17 percent in the second quarter in contrast to the first-quarter growth of 2.2 percent. Overall, the second quarter of 2006 had the lowest rate of appreciation since the fourth ... [full story]

Bend is known for its great recreational opportunities and the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District is evaluating options for adding more to the area. Tuesday, September 5, the board voted unanimously in favor of a $48,400 feasibility study that will identify the improvements needed for completing a continuous paddle trail along the Deschutes River.   Deschutes River near The Old Mill - Photo by Richard Burton “There has been a huge growth in the use of ... [full story]

At age 60, Mike Schmidt has accomplished a lot in his life.  He has owned two businesses, fought in the Vietnam War, run a political campaign, worked his way through the ranks of corporate America to serve as VP for a major banking company, raised a family and retired only to come out of retirement again. That is just the beginning of the story for the Oklahoma native come president & CEO of The Bend Chamber ... [full story]

Duck, duck, duck… race over to Drake Park for great family fun that benefits area children in need too. Kids and adults alike are invited to the 16th Annual Great Drake Park Duck Race.   The event gets underway Sunday, September 10 at 11 a.m. What better way to kick things off than with music, festivities and food?  All will be in ample supply.  “There will be food booths, a climbing wall and great live entertainment,” ... [full story]

The body of a rafter missing since Sunday was located and recovered on Tuesday, September 5 just above Box Car Rapids on the Deschutes River, officials said.  A Warm Springs man was rafting with eight friends and family members when his raft flipped over at the top of Wapinitia Rapids. Everyone on the non-guided excursion was thrown out of the raft, but 31-year-old Eligio Santos did not surface.  According to Detective Alan Birchfield with the ... [full story]

Cross-examination, 'Prosecutor and the Media' will be studiedDeschutes County District Attorney Michael Dugan has announced that his office recently received two full scholarships to attend a cross-examination training program at the National Advocacy Center in South Carolina.  Each scholarship covers the costs of the training, including travel, meals and lodging.  There is no cost to Deschutes County.Deputy District Attorney Beth Bagley was accepted into the training program through one of the scholarships.  The training will ... [full story]

Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network (COCAAN) has announced they will unveil a new name that better suits one of the largest local social service organizations in Central Oregon during their upcoming 21st Anniversary Celebration.  The agency has grown from a small non-profit to an organization with over 15 offices, last year providing over 100,000 different services to local residents.  The new name will be unveiled during the 21st Anniversary Celebration to be held at ... [full story]

Right now the weather is warm and pleasant, but before you know it, temperatures will cool off and there will be snow on the ground.  Not only is now a good time to check your furnace and seal up the cracks around windows and doors, you should get your car ready for winter as well.  The colder months ahead can really take their toll on your vehicle, especially if you live up north or in ... [full story]