Bend Fire and Rescue reminds residents and business owners to please keep fire hydrants visible and accessible during the winter months. The recent heavy snowfall has shown that large piles of snow can obstruct hydrants if care isn’t taken when clearing snow. This is particularly true where streets and parking lots are plowed. Large equipment can’t always direct the snow away from hydrants. You can help by keeping snow cleared away for at least three ... [full story]

The public is invited to give their comments on the law enforcement deadly force plan developed by Deschutes County planning authority, created under Senate Bill 111.  The bill’s purpose is to establish procedures for law enforcement agencies to follow in dealing with use of deadly physical force. Deschutes County’s plan will outline education, outreach and training regarding the use of deadly physical force for law enforcement, attorneys employed by the state or local government and ... [full story]

Don't let the flu bug get you this year; it's not too late to protect you and your family members, Deschutes County Health Department’s Shannon Dames reminds citizens. “Locally, there is plenty of flu vaccine available and residents are encouraged to get their flu (influenza) shot this month,” she said.  Locally, the region’s flu season is yet to peak, and there is still vaccine left to help those who haven’t been vaccinated. Get your flu ... [full story]

Same-sex couples will soon be able to register as legally recognized domestic partners, following passage of the Oregon Family Fairness Act by the 2007 Legislature. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2008, and couples can file forms with county clerks starting Jan. 2, said Jennifer Woodward, State Registrar in the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Public Health Division. Declaration of Domestic Partnership forms and information will be available beginning New Year's Day on ... [full story]

‘Oregon On Duty’ support offered to families while loved ones serve country SALEM, Ore. – To make the holiday season a bit brighter for Oregon families, today Pacific Power joined with Gov. Ted Kulongoski and the Oregon National Guard to remind families of deployed National Guard troops that bill payment help is available if needed through the Oregon On Duty assistance program. To further ensure a warm winter, Pacific Power donated an additional $10,000 to ... [full story]

Each year in the United States, fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in property damage.  Bend Fire & Rescue would like to take this opportunity to remind community members of a few basic fire and life safety precautions to help keep the holidays merry and bright for all: Christmas Trees:  Choose a fresh tree – one with needles that are ... [full story]

A steering committee that includes three Bend City Councilors -Bill Friedman, Jim Clinton and Mark Capell - and a senior manager from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will meet Friday to review evaluation of potential improvements to the intersection of Highway 97 and Cooley Road. The project team will present technical evaluation of the concepts including cost, traffic operations and impacts, as well as feedback from property and business owners, neighborhood representatives, and other ... [full story]

Avoid burning that will create air pollution health problems; separate hazardous materials for proper disposal Oregon residents can dispose of storm debris at several local solid waste facilities and special debris collection sites. Information about disposal options is available at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Web site at www.deq.state.or.us or by contacting Robert Vance at 503-229-5600, 503-229-5393 or 800-452-4011. Find more information about Oregon's severe winter storm efforts on the Governor's Web site ... [full story]

While most of the major coastal highways are open, there are delays and areas in which motorist need to drive with extra care.  Slides and high water have closed or are partially blocking several highways:  Interstate 5 is closed in Washington State from mileposts 68 to 88 (the Chehalis and Centralia areas) due to floodwaters from the Chehalis River; WSDOT and ODOT advise that motorists will not be able to travel I-5 between Portland and Seattle ... [full story]

A precautionary public health advisory was issued Thursday due to the potential for higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters along Oregon's coast following recent wind and rain storms. Increased pathogen and fecal bacteria levels in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources, including storm water runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems and animal waste, and can result in diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes and other illnesses affecting the eyes, ears, nose ... [full story]

As a precautionary measure to minimize exposure to potentially contaminated waters, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division have imposed an immediate closure of both commercial and recreational harvest of shellfish from the beaches, bays, and estuaries from Yaquina Bay north to the Columbia River. The closure will remain in effect until additional sampling and testing indicates that water quality has returned to pre-flood-event levels. The closure does not ... [full story]

Santa Paws will visit Bend on Sunday, December 9, to pose with your pet in an effort to raise funds to benefit the over 4,000 homeless, abused and neglected animals cared for annually by the Bend Humane Society.   The McDonald family makes their annual visit to have a photo taken with Santa Paws to help support the animals in our community. Photo by Dornbusch Photography.Billed as the “purr-fect” opportunity to capture the holiday spirit for ... [full story]

Bend Fire Department’s Santa Express food and clothing drive is heading into Bend neighborhoods December 3 through December 6, 2007. The Bend Firefighter’s Association and Bend Fire and Rescue are working with The Salvation Army to collect non-perishable food items, clothing, and toys for needy families in Bend and Central Oregon. Santa will be riding with the Bend Fire Department through a selection of neighborhoods in Bend collecting food and clothing for the Salvation Army ... [full story]