The Oregon State Police Bomb Squad was called in by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a pipe bomb that was found in the Deschutes River under the bridge on Lower Bridge Row. A fisherman located the device, submerged in about two feet of water, on Friday, June 23rd at 8:30 pm. The OSP Bomb Squad responded to the area from Salem and confirmed that the device, approximately 5 -- 6 inches in length by ½ ... [full story]

A raging fire completely destroyed the interior of a 1,500 square foot building at Bend Plating Inc. Robotics Division on the afternoon of Thursday June 22nd, causing an estimated $1.2 million in damage to the building and contents. Twenty firefighters from the Bend Fire Department responded to the alarm at 520 SE Bridgeford at about 12:30 to find the structure fully involved with heavy black smoke and flames, prompting the evacuation of the immediate vicinity ... [full story]

The St. Charles Foundation announced that it has received an “Expanding the Vision” capital campaign gift of $10,128.19 from Redmond High School students who participated in the recent Mr. RHS Pageant and leadership class. The funds are designated for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and were raised by the students through a campaign they called “Kids Helping Kids,” which included a staff vs. students basketball game, a letter writing campaign to local businesses, and individual efforts. “Our vision ... [full story]

Once a place for gym classes, after-school practice and a haven for students enjoying the outdoors; the Summit High School athletic field now looks more like a battle ground. Riddled with huge sink holes after a massive storm last December, there has been an ongoing debate about how and when the problem will be fixed. The school board wants to pour $150,000 worth of temporary fixes into the school grounds while they decide upon a ... [full story]

Following a two month investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice and the Bend Police Department, a local man was arrested for 25 counts of Encouraging Child Abuse in the First Degree.   Phillip Douglass,         DCJ PhotoPhillip Douglass, 61, of Bend was taken into custody without incident at 8:30 am on Wednesday, June 21st by members of the Bend Police Department, Oregon Department of Justice, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crime Unit. The investigation ... [full story]

A 53 year old Lapine resident, Kenneth Wagner, was shot and critically injured at about 11 pm on Tuesday, June 20th. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to 16022 Strawn Road to find Wagner outside the residence with a gunshot wound to the torso. After deputies secured the scene, Wagner was treated by fire personnel of the Lapine Fire Department and transported by Airlife to St. Charles Medical Center-Bend. As of Wednesday morning, Wagner was ... [full story]

Authorities Offer Advice for Protecting Kids Online Three area arrests, one including a high school teacher, serves as a wake up call to parents that predators are not only lurking on the Internet, but also in their own backyards. June 13, a Redmond man was arrested at his place of business on sex abuse and attempted rape charges.  “The incident was reported to us by a 17-year-old female,” said Detective Shelley Prince.   James Ronald Stipe, 52, ... [full story]

Look though Oregon State statistics and it is clear to see a long-term solution is needed to combat an ever-increasing drug issue.  Many believe the creation of a family drug court in Deschutes County is a good place to start. According to the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission crime rate statistics, between 1991 and 2003 the number of drug arrests in Deschutes County increased from 26.4 per 10,000 of the population, to 53.8 per 10,000 of the ... [full story]

Jo Eva Lunsford had been relaxing on her patio Saturday, June 17, reading a book and thought nothing of having her garage and side door open.  It is what she regularly did when she was going back and forth from the garage to her home in southwest Bend.  “I went inside and headed back towards the bathroom,” Lunsford said.  “I saw this man’s hand on the door as he was closing it.” Lunsford said she doesn’t ... [full story]

State and federal wildlife biologists will be testing wild birds in Oregon this summer and fall as part of a nationwide effort aimed at the early detection of HPAI H5N1 “bird flu” virus in North America. Sampling will focus on several species of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl that are most likely to have interacted with birds from Asia, where the disease has been established, while in the Arctic this summer. Oregon and other states cooperating ... [full story]

On Saturday, June 17th at about 8 pm, volunteers of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit responded to the scene of a hiking accident at Smith Rock State Park near the Red Wall. A 13 year old climber had been hiking in the area above Red Wall and somehow slipped and fell, sliding down a slope an unknown distance before landing on a ledge left of Misery Ridge.  According to a news release ... [full story]

Thousands of athletes and families are lacing up their running shoes and preparing to head down to Pacific Crest Sports Festival in Sunriver. June 23 - 25th the sports festival will be marking its 10th year.  “It’s the biggest event that we do,” said Cameron Dauler, a race manager with AA Sports, Ltd.  It is an event that is both a challenge and fun for everyone in the family. The Pacific Crest Sports Festival includes ... [full story]

Independent candidate for governor, Ben Westlund is on a mission.  The state senator has put tens of thousands of miles on his car traveling from town to town, making appearances, talking to the people of Oregon, speaking at news conferences and dinners all in the hopes of gathering the 18,364 signatures he needs by August 29.  That is what it will take to officially get him into the governor's race and on November’s ballot. He ... [full story]