With winter storms and cold weather impacting much of the country, the need for supplemental heating is on the rise. Continued reports of deaths and injuries associated with alternative heating products prompts the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) again to warn consumers to exercise extreme caution when using space heaters, kerosene heaters, and fireplaces.  On January 17, a 1-year-old, Westmoreland, N.Y., girl was killed when a space heater in her room ignited a fire. ... [full story]

The City of Bend will hold an Open House on Wednesday, January 31, on the Murphy Road Corridor Study. The Open House will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.   Presentations will take place at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall. The Murphy Road corridor study is analyzing needed improvements to Murphy Road between Third Street on the west, and 15th Street on the east. The public is invited ... [full story]

The City of Bend will hold its second public meeting to discuss the Empire Avenue Extension Project at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30 in the Trinity Lutheran Church Gymnasium at 2550 NE Butler Market Road, Bend, Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the project schedule and design. City staff will take written comments regarding issues and questions about the project.If an individual is unable to attend this meeting and/or ... [full story]

All persons traveling by air into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda -– including U.S. citizens -– beginning January 23 are now required to have a passport to enter the United States, Deschutes County officials remind. The only exception to this change is for people traveling with a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, asylee or refugee document, Merchant Mariners Document, or NEXUS Air card. The travel changes are a result of the Western ... [full story]

Victims of drunk driving incidents are needed to speak on an ongoing panel that helps intoxicated driving offenders realize the pain they’ve inflicted. The talks are coordinated by the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office and held the last Wednesday evening of each month. Attendees are required $25 to attend. The Victim Assistance Program in the DA’s Office facilitates a monthly Victim Impact Panel. The victim panel shares their experiences in front of people who have received ... [full story]

(Deschutes County) The Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997 was first implemented in Deschutes County in the fall of 2004.  A major component of the interface fire protection act is the individual certification cards each homeowner should return to the Department of Forestry within two years of receiving the certification package.  Each certification card identifies the particular owner and home site that meets the standards of the act. Homeowners in Deschutes County, that ... [full story]

(CENTRAL OREGON) -- A seasonal wildlife closure will soon be in effect on high desert public lands east of Bend located on the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The temporary closure is located in Dry River Canyon, which is located north of Highway 20, about 20 miles southeast of Bend. The closure is adjacent to Horse Ridge viewpoint and includes the entire canyon in addition to all public lands within one-quarter ... [full story]

The Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled a public meeting and hearing on a proposed water quality permit to manage discharges from the storm water system in Bend.  Public comment is invited during the session, scheduled for Tuesday, February 6. The permit will require Bend to implement measures that will reduce the environmental impacts of storm water pollution, and is required by the federal Clean Water Act.  Larger cities such as Eugene, Oregon, have operated ... [full story]

The City of Bend is seeking members for its Committee on Accessible Transportation.  The committee’s purpose is to assist the City in identifying, evaluating and prioritizing the various components of fixed route and Dial-A-Ride transit services.The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23 at City Hall in the Council Chambers.  Committee members will initially meet biweekly and then determine a monthly meeting schedule. Qualifications for the appointed positions include: 1)     current residency in the ... [full story]

A public information meeting on the Central Area Plan, Part 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m.  The meeting will take place at the Phoenix Inn located at 300 NW Franklin Avenue. The Central Area Plan Part 2 is a long-term vision for Bend's Central area.  Part 1 created a framework for future development within the historic downtown core, in addition to adjacent areas to the north, east, and south.  Part 2 ... [full story]

Nominations due by Jan. 20th; Celebration to be held March 10th, 2007 Who: The Bicycle Transportation Alliance and its 5,000 members and supporters around Oregon and SW Washington What: Call for nominations for the Alice Awards, which honor great bike advocates, educators, change-agents and activists for their work to make their communities bike-friendly. Where: Awardees will be honored at the Alice Awards & Auction, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. When: The Deadline ... [full story]

Last spring it was necessary to limit the office hours of the Deschutes County La Pine Community Development office due to staff changes. The hours are now restored to four days a week for a greater part of the workday. Hours had been reduced at the La Pine location of Community Development (CDD) due to the promotion of the one Permit Tech in the office.  Finding a replacement for the position was compounded by staff ... [full story]

COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA City of La Pine January 12, 2007 7:00 p.m. South Deschutes County Services Building - Courtroom 51430 S Hwy 97, La Pine, Oregon 97739. Open Meeting Flag Salute Roll Call 1. Approve Minutes: 2. Approve Bills: 3. Unfinished Business: A.  Biomass - Public Input B.  Report on COCIB Grant Application C.  Authorization to obtain post office box. D.  Selection of bank and authorization to approve the necessary bank account forms to ... [full story]