Arnold Robbins, 55, of Bend Oregon escaped injury on Thursday, June 15 when a pre-existing medical condition apparently caused him to lose control of his 1997 Oldsmobile sedan on Highway 97 south of Redmond. According to a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office news release, the county 911 Dispatch Center had received numerous calls shortly after 5 pm reporting excessive speed, weaving, and careless operation of Robbins’ vehicle. At approximately 5:30 pm, members of the Deschutes County ... [full story]

David Ellis of Lapine was transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend by Airlife late Wednesday afternoon, June 14th after being accidentally shot by his friend and roommate, Chester Detwiler. Ellis, age 50, was seated on the couch in the living room when the accident occurred. Detwiler, in the kitchen, had taken a handgun from its case and began to walk toward Ellis to show the gun when he tripped over a wooden tack ... [full story]

While the housing market in other parts of the country is cooling down, real estate is reeling in Bend. According to new numbers from the government, the Bend area jumped to No. 6 in year-to-year housing for the first quarter of 2006, coming in at 34.7 percent. Bend’s 7 percent increase actually topped the nation’s hottest market, St. George, Utah in year-to-year figures.  The numbers are not based on Bend alone.  Since all of Deschutes ... [full story]

What better way to celebrate a Saturday than to take a big ole’ bite out of Bend.  that’s right, load the family up and head down to The Shops at the Old Mill for the 4th annual Bite of Bend. The event is free and takes place from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.  The food, spirits and entertainment are not to be missed according to Heidi Berkman, the special events coordinator for The Shops at ... [full story]

Festivities Take Place Amid Exciting Airfield Changes At this year’s Bend Airport Day there are more reasons to celebrate.  There has been a whirlwind of changes making the airfield experience better than ever. Saturday, June 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. the airport will be celebrating 64 years of service to Bend and a lot of big changes. “We are at a pretty significant level of expansion at the airport,” said Greg Phillips, the airport ... [full story]

With over 70,000 residents in Bend, it is no surprise that there has been an outcry from the community for public transportation.  It is an issue that has become more prevalent as gas prices rise and the city continues to grow. After facing heavy criticism in the past for not offering a transit system to keep up with the cities rapid growth; the city council met on June 5 giving the okay for work to ... [full story]

The Cascade Winds Symphonic Band presented its spring concert at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon on June 12, 2006.  The suggested price of admission was a donation of canned food.  Contributions from audience members netted 330 pounds of food for Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network (COCAAN), the Regional Food Bank serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties.  The concert presented works by Rimsky-Korsakov, George Gershwin, Harry DeCosta and others.  Future concerts are scheduled for ... [full story]

U.S. Congressman Greg Walden, R-Ore., announced on June 14th, 2006 a $950,000 investment in Roberts Field for terminal improvements at the Redmond, Oregon, airport.  The investment was part of the fiscal year 2007 appropriations legislation for Transportation, Treasury and other agencies.  The investment was specifically requested by Walden. “Central Oregon is one of the nation’s fastest growing regions and, as a result, Roberts Field is seeing tremendous increases ... [full story]

A head-on automobile crash claimed the life of a 17 year-old Prineville resident yesterday afternoon.  Justin Lee Pooschke was deceased at the scene of the accident on Highway 126 near mile post 7 in the Powell Butte Area. Pooschke, driving a small Toyota crossed the center line and crashed into a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer occupied by Virgil Hutson, 78, and Esther Hutson, 71, both of Prineville, who were transported to St. Charles hospital in Bend ... [full story]

The Redmond School Board accepted the resignation of board member Jim Diegel, effective June 30, 2006.  Diegel was appointed to the board in May 2003 to complete the term of Neil Thompson.  He served as vice chair for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years. "Jim has contributed tremendously to the work of the board during the last three years," said Chair Tim Carpenter. "Our discussions as a board have been enriched by his keen insights, good ... [full story]

Results of the Tri-County Homeless Count Conducted January 26, 2006 are Released One snowy January night in Central Oregon, over 17 service providers and more than 50 volunteers conducted a 24 hour, ‘point in time’ count of the homeless population of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties.  This activity, carried out nationwide on the same day, provided a snapshot of Central Oregon’s homeless: who they are, how many there are, what has caused their homelessness, and what ... [full story]

Oregon's Recreation Trails Advisory Council has presented the Doug Newman Memorial Trails Award to long-time trails advocate Jack Remington of Bend, Oregon. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Director Tim Wood presented the achievement award to Remington on behalf of the council during a Willamette River Water Trail dedication on National Trails Day and Oregon State Parks Day June 3. Named in memory of a former council member, the award recognizes significant contributions to the ... [full story]

At 2:46 pm today, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Central Deschutes County.  The warning remained in effect until 3:45 pm. Golfball-sized hail and wind gusts to 60 miles per hour were reported as likely, according to the warning.  For your protection, the Weather Service recommends that residents move to a sturdy shelter until the storm passes. At 2:30 pm National Weather Service Doppler Radar indicated the storm was located 14 miles ... [full story]