The City of Bend is Recognized for Innovative Publications, Partnerships and Programs by Two Oregon State Agencies and National Trade Association The Oregon Department of Water Resources, the Oregon Department of Energy and the American Water Works Association recently named the City of Bend as recipient of annual conservation and communication awards. “These awards acknowledge the continued commitment and stewardship of the citizens of Bend and City staff in conserving our energy and water in ... [full story]

A 17-year-old girl with a church group remained missing on late Saturday following a river rafting accident in the Deschutes River about 20 miles south of Maupin, Oregon. Just before 8 pm on Thursday, July 6, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Wasco County Search and Rescue team responded to the area. According to news release issued by the Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Danielle Hagler of Oregon City was in a raft that flipped over in ... [full story]

A tenant accidentally started a fire to his detached garage when he was heating resin-impregnated fiberglass in a cardboard box with a heat gun. According to Captain Chuck Goss of the Bend Fire Department, when units responded to the alarm at 19242 Indian Summer Road about 5:30 pm on July 5th, they found that Michael Seeley had already extinguished the fire with a garden hose -- but not before causing an estimated $11,000 in damage to ... [full story]

The annual summer pet adoption fair will be held Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, in the main conference rooms in the Deschutes Services Center, 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend (located off the Parkway at the Lafayette exit).  “Furry Friends in Need” is jointly sponsored by the Bend Spay & Neuter Project and SNIP House, and the Humane Societies of Redmond, Bend (Central Oregon) and the Ochocos.  The Deschutes Services Center location provides people ... [full story]

A $253 million budget has been unanimously adopted by the Deschutes County commissioner’s office for 2006-2007.  The budget, passed on June 28, allows for additional staff, including three more sheriff's deputies.  However, this years budget officer, Commissioner Mike Daly pointed out that growing demands in the county are still likely to outpace resources due to a lack of state funding.   Commissioner Mike Daly, Commissioner Bev Clarno, Board Chair and Commissioner Dennis Luke The recommended budget is ... [full story]

Looking for a bebopping good time?  Check out the 16th annual Bend Summer Festival hosted by the Bend Downtowners Association and put on by C3 Events. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs until 10 p.m. and continues on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. “The idea of the summer festival is for Bend to get out, stretch their legs during the warmer weather and enjoy downtown,” said Chuck Arnold, the ... [full story]

With temperature soaring upwards of 100 degrees in some parts of Oregon in the past few weeks, many people headed to local waters to cool off.  Several of those summer outings ended in tragedy and now serve as a solemn safety reminder to all Oregonians planning aquatic activities. Two young men, reported to be 20 and 21 years old visiting from out of town, lost their lives in the Clackamas River, near Carver on July ... [full story]

Three new area business people have joined the Bend Downtowners Association Board of Directors. Dion Agee, of King of Sole; Susan Gierga of David Evans and Associates; and Sean McCann of BendNights.com are stepping up to help the association find new ways to market and improve the district. The association’s goal is to bring awareness and improvements to downtown Bend.  From the eclectic mix of unique shops, fine eateries, and art galleries to sprawling Drake ... [full story]

Wonder who is living in the neighborhood and if it is someone to beware of?  As of June 29th a new Oregon State Police website began providing information on over 14,500 registered sex offenders in 36 counties, 700 of which are classified as predatory. The website’s origins date back to September 6, 2005 when Governor Ted Kulongoski signed a bill into law mandating the posting of predatory sex offenders to a public internet site.  Those ... [full story]

West Coast Bank is scheduled to relocate its Bend, Oregon branch to a new facility on July 24, 2006. The new branch at 377 SW Century Drive is located in front of the company's mortgage group, which has housed the branch since 2003. Central Oregon District Manager Mark Beardsley said, "The long-awaited new branch will better serve our clients with a computer kiosk, satellite TV access to business news channels, free consumer and business checking, ... [full story]

A major power outage hit Bend on the evening of July 3rd at about 5:30 pm, knocking out power to over 20,000 Pacific Power customers for approximately ½ hour. A severe thunderstorm rolled through the Bend area Monday, producing lightning that started a series of fires on the Ochoco National Forest, Deschutes National Forest, the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management and private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.  Most areas ... [full story]

A Bend man has been arrested for the armed hold-up of a west Bend clothing boutique and coffee shop robbery, according to police. David Sharp, 20, was taken into custody on June 28 after officers developed information related to the identity of the robbery suspect who robbed the Blue Clothing Store located on NW Galveston. “A guy came into the shop, he was clean cut, shopping for his girlfriend and himself,” according Astacia, who was ... [full story]

Two men were seriously injured Saturday afternoon during a three vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 97 and Jericho Road about 15 miles south of Madras. The lead investigating Oregon State Police trooper expressed appreciation for a U.S. Marine in full dress uniform returning from the funeral for Tom Tucker who helped with first aid efforts for the injured man. On July 1, 2006 at approximately 3:45 p.m., southbound traffic on Highway 97 in ... [full story]