Central Oregon Jobs with Justice has received a $3,000 grant from Resist, Inc., a national progressive foundation located in Somerville, Massachusetts, to provide general support for the economic justice work Jobs with Justice does in the community. Central Oregon Jobs with Justice (COJWJ) is a coalition of 19 community organizations and unions that work together for workers' rights, the right to organize, and economic justice. Over 250 Central Oregon residents have joined the coalition since it was organized ... [full story]

Eleven teenagers and their adult counselors from around the country are back on the road again after being rescued by Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers. The group, ages 14 to 17, was with Longacre Expeditions, an adventure travel program for teenagers.  They had rented mountain bikes in Bend around 9:30 a.m. on July 6 and were headed to a campout at Todd Lake.  Later in the day, they encountered trouble, according to Sgt. ... [full story]

Leland Smith resigned from the Deschutes County Home Rule Charter Committee this morning when he sent an email to Edward Fitch, chair, and other committee members. In his resignation dated July 12, he expressed concerns with decisions made by the committee, and disappointment that the committee did not seriously consider other forms of Home Rule charters. The other committee members in addition to Fitch are Dana Bratton (Vice Chair), Kathie Eickman, Scott Waters, Leonard Knott, ... [full story]

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking the assistance of anyone who may have witnessed a possible intentional vehicular assault at TJ’s Quick Stop on Highway 97 in Lapine. The incident occurred at about 12:15 pm on Tuesday, July 11th, in the parking lot, and sent one man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to Sgt. Kevin Dizney, officers who responded to the scene found that a 1983 Ford F-250 pickup driven by Joe ... [full story]

On July 10, only one day after the most recent drowning of Young-Sook Kuga on the Deschutes River in Bend, an Oregon Army National Guard Soldier rescued a young girl from the same fate. Four Oregon Army National Guard soldiers were participating in recruiting activities on Newport Avenue near the river about 5 pm when they saw three children on inner-tubes, with no life jackets, floating downstream dangerously near a spillway.   Newport Ave. Bridge -- ... [full story]

United Way of Deschutes County recently announced a program investment package of $1,003,750 as it unveiled its funding plan for 2006-2007. The bulk of the funds, approximately $800,000, will go to 24 partner agencies, including initial awards to new partner agencies -- Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and El Programa de Ayuda. Another $200,000 in donor directed funds will go to a variety of other agencies specified by donors. Community Impact Chair Terri Rahmsdorff said, "The 31 ... [full story]

In the second Bend accident involving a motorcycle in as many days, the latest ended in tragedy on Saturday evening about 7 pm, July 8th.   A Bend man was killed in a single vehicle accident at Brookswood Boulevard and Rockbluff in south Bend.   The scene of the fatal accident at Brookswood Boulevard and Rockbluff in south Bend. According to Lt. Gary Mack of the Bend Police department, Christopher Galen Smoldt, a 21 year old Bend ... [full story]

A Redmond man was seriously injured this morning at about 7:45 am, July 11th, in a traffic accident involving a motorcycle and a pickup. According to Lt. Jason Rogers of the Redmond Police Department, while riding his motorcycle Jay Digua, age 52, ran into the rear of a pickup stopped at the intersection of Highway 126 E and SE 9th Street in Redmond. Edward Muffley, a 68 year old Prineville resident and the driver of ... [full story]

Wasco County Sheriff’s Office located the missing body of rafter, Danielle Hagler Sunday, July 9 using an underwater camera.  The body of the 17-year-old, who was thrown from her raft with three others on July 6, was lodged against a large boulder in the river.  It was being held there as a result of the extreme water pressure.  “High water and turbulence in the rapids have created hazardous conditions which are hampering recovery efforts,” Wasco ... [full story]

A Bend man was arrested for drunk driving following a 3-vehicle crash on Friday, July 7th at about 5 pm.  The accident occurred on Deschutes Market Road between Bend and Redmond. Two of the three drivers involved were injured, and Deschutes Market Road was closed between Morrill Road and Dale Road for about three hours.  According to Sgt. Vance Lawrence of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the initial investigation indicates that Michael Rowe of Redmond ... [full story]

A Bend man was critically injured on Friday afternoon about 3 pm, July 7, when his motorcycle collided with a pickup at the intersection of O.B. Riley Road and Archie Briggs in north Bend. According to Lt. Darling of the Bend Police Department, preliminary investigation indicates that Jacob T. Ralston, age 34, was riding a 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle south bound on O.B. Riley Road approaching Archie Briggs. John Erhad, a 47 year old Bend resident, was ... [full story]

A 19-year-old Bend man has received a life sentence for killing his adoptive father, according to the Deschutes County District Attorneys Office. Hawkin Groenendaal cried during his sentencing hearing on July 5 and apologized to his family for the murder of William Groenendaal, 58, at his Awbrey Butte home in January 2005. “I screwed up,” he said.  "I've made a lot of bad decisions in my life, but this tops them all," Groenendaal said.    Hawkin ... [full story]

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has asked the public’s assistance to locate a convicted sex offender who absconded from Deschutes County Parole & Probation supervision on July 4th. David K. Hunter is considered to be very dangerous and residents are urged to call 911 if they see this predatory male, especially in the near vicinity of any male or female minors age 1 – 17. Hunter is on post-prison supervision until 5/22/2004 for Sexual Abuse ... [full story]