As the travel season shifts into high gear in Oregon, law enforcement agencies across the state are taking the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign on the road again. Local police departments, sheriff's offices and Oregon State Police always pay attention to make sure that drivers and passengers are safely restrained in their vehicles. But during the national "Click It or Ticket" blitz May 22 through June 4, they will be watching closely for this ... [full story]

The Deschutes County Sheriffs Office issued a warning Friday about a possible donation scam involving its Search and Rescue unit. Sgt, Dan Swearingen said a Prineville resident reported receiving a phone call around 3 p.m. Thursday in which the number was blocked and listed as out of the area. The caller had an East Indian accent and requested a money donation to "Air Search and Rescue" out of Bend, Oregon. The resident reported this information to the Crook County ... [full story]

T.J. Maxx, the nation's largest off-price retailer, will open a store in Bend, Oregon on Sunday. The 28,000-square-foot store will be located in Bend River Promenade, 3188 North Highway 97 and will open with a larger accessories department than a typical T.J. Maxx. Grand opening hours are 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Regular store hours will be 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sunday. The store will add about ... [full story]

Brushing aside the concerns of mobile home park owners, the Bend City Council on Wednesday held a first reading and vote on an ordinance that would require any owner who closes a mobile home park to pay “reasonable” costs of moving mobile homes in the park up to 100 miles or purchase at real market value any mobile home that cannot be relocated. The proposed ordinance took many mobile home park owners by surprise – ... [full story]

--Virus May Arrive In Oregon This Year-- Deschutes County’s Health Department has released this year’s West Nile Virus Comprehensive Plan. The report was prepared by the Communicable Disease division of the Department and includes the County’s plan to inform the public about West Nile Virus prevention. The report reflects that the County remains proactive by continuing to survey the area for West Nile Virus mosquitos. The Four Rivers Vector Control, contracted by Deschutes County and surrounding cities, ... [full story]

The Oregon State Police (OSP) are doubling the number of Drug Detection Canines assigned to the Patrol Services Division with the addition of two narcotics detection dogs that will be working out of the Springfield Area Command office and central Oregon. The canine handlers and dogs are currently undergoing a two-week Basic Handler School in the Medford-area, and should be working with their new partners at their respective offices around the first of June 2006. ... [full story]

Oregon State Police crash reconstructionists are continuing the investigation into Sunday afternoon's fatal traffic crash that resulted in the deaths of four people on Highway 26 about eight miles east of Government Camp. Investigators have advised that some witnesses have been in contact for statements, and additional witnesses are asked to call to provide information related to this investigation. The fatal crash occurred May 7, 2006, at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Highway 26 near milepost 63.7. ... [full story]

Four people died in a motor vehicle crash on Highway 26 near Government Camp on the afternoon of Sunday May 7, 2006. The crash occurred at approximately 1:20 PM on Highway 26 near milepost 64 (eight miles east of Government Camp, Oregon). A black 1999 BMW operated by Andrey Blashishin age 22 of Portland, Oregon had been eastbound on Highway 26 when it crossed the centerline and struck a silver 2004 Dodge Intrepid operated by ... [full story]

It's often said the three most important words in real estate are "location, location, and location."  Well, here at Bend Weekly, we believe the three most important words in journalism are "local, local, and local." Or you might say our mission is to put the word "community" back into "community journalism." Readers will soon be able to decide for themselves if we accomplished our mission, because Bend Weekly will make its much-anticipated debut Thursday, June 1st, at ... [full story]

Students from Mountain View High School and Redmond High School, along with area health professionals will have an opportunity to learn about the newest heart device therapies in an unusual venue: an 80-foot semi truck traveling education unit parked on the St. Charles Medical Center • Bend campus. The Medtronic Therapy and Procedure Training Center Mobile Unit contains two virtual surgical implant labs with advanced simulation systems, which allows St. Charles to bring high-tech training ... [full story]

Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network (COCAAN) announced today the dates scheduled for the Giving Table Online Auction.  The eBay event will run from Sunday, May 7th to Saturday, May 13th. Each year, the local  the local restaurant community comes together to help fight hunger and homelessness by participating in the Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network’s (COCAAN’s) Giving Table fundraiser. This year, however, we have changed the concept from an eat out night at participating ... [full story]

Three of five licensed businesses in Bend failed a recent Oregon Liquor Control Commission compliance test by selling alcoholic beverages to a minor. Two inspectors and a minor volunteer conducted the test as part of the agency's program to control underage drinking, which is a serious problem in Oregon according to a news release from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.  In a compliance test, minor volunteers age 18-20, try to buy alcohol from licensees or their ... [full story]

Mt. Bachelor Village Resort, Bend's luxury resort located within the city limits, announced today it will offer guests a complimentary $50 Shell gas card with every two night stay. "Many of our guests come from the Pacific Northwest and northern California areas," said Michelle Marquis, Director of Sales and Marketing for the resort.  "They generally come by car, and we want to find a way to help them subsidize their travel costs so that they can ... [full story]