Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists are planning to take advantage of weather conditions to conduct a series of controlled burns near Crescent this week. The burns will begin today, and are located about four miles south of the Highway 97-Highway 58 junction. Fuels specialists plan to underburn approximately 400 acres. The nearest subdivision, Two Rivers North, is located several miles away.Smoke may be visible from Highways 97 and 58, but is not expected to impact ... [full story]

SISTERS, Ore. —Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, are planning a 37-acre controlled burn near Sisters today. The burn will be located approximately six miles northwest of Sisters near the junction of Highway 20 and Indian Ford Road. This project is adjacent to the 100-acre underburn that occurred last week. Flaggers and a pilot car will be in place in case smoke should impact Highway 20 at any ... [full story]

An asphalt overlay project on Cline Falls Highway from Tumalo Road north to Highway 126 will limit traffic to one lane and may cause delays lasting 20 minutes, the Deschutes County Road Department announced. Construction crews will begin work on Monday, April 30, with project completion expected on June 1, said George Kolb. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes whenever possible during construction times of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information is available ... [full story]

Judge Alta Brady will speak May 1st The League of Women Voters invites the public to hear Judge Alta Brady discuss the new court which was started to hear drug cases in a family court environment. The luncheon will be on Thursday, May 3rd, at the Hong Kong Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. with the speaker beginning at noon.  The Hong Kong Restaurant is located on the Corner of SE Third and Wilson in Bend.  Purchasing ... [full story]

Outdoor burning within the City of Bend will close April 20th, Friday evening at dark.  Gary Marshall, City of Bend Fire Marshal said outdoor debris burning restrictions were lifted for 20 days within April to allow City residents to burn small piles of yard debris.    Outdoor Burning will continue to be open outside the City of Bend within the Deschutes County Fire District #2 boundaries.  Residents of the Fire District are reminded that Burning Regulations ... [full story]

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) advisory committee will attend the Warrenton High School Fisheries and Facility dedication ceremony as part of their meeting April 27 and 28 in Astoria. The Advisory Committee will meet from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 27 and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 28 at the Duncan Law Seafood Center, 2021 Marine Drive, Suite 200. In addition to attending the ... [full story]

BEND, Oregon — The Deschutes National Forest will open several areas to personal-use firewood cutting on April 16, while the Ochoco National Forest and the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management firewood cutting areas will open May 1. Firewood cutting maps and permits can be purchased beginning April 16 at Forest Service and BLM offices, and several vendors.  The cost is $10 per cord of wood, with a two cord minimum.  Last year, ... [full story]

In an effort to educate the community about creating a defensible space around their homes to reduce wildfire risk, a FireFree Fuels Reduction Demonstration project is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17. The project site is located above Hillside Park on 12th Street in Bend. By creating a minimum of 30 feet of defensible space around a home, homeowners can increase their chances of their home surviving a catastrophic wildfire. This interagency cooperative project, between Bend ... [full story]

Powder House Cove on Prineville Reservoir near Bowman Dam closed for construction on Tuesday, April 10. The day-use recreation site will remain closed through October. The construction is part of a major renovation that includes a new park entrance off Highway 27, new access roads, expanded parking lots, a second restroom building and a double-lane boat ramp. "Work on the boat ramp will begin this fall when the lake is low enough," said Prineville Reservoir ... [full story]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The national recall of pet food that is suspected of killing hundreds of dogs and cats around the country – and making numerous others ill – is a difficult puzzle to solve because there are not yet reliable tests for the suspected toxin in the food, and uncertainty even remains about what contaminant is responsible. Scientists around the country are still trying to determine the exact cause of the poisoning and many suspect ... [full story]

Consumers should consider eggs a potentially hazardous food One of the foods most closely associated with the Easter holiday season is also one of the foods that can easily lead to illness, if not handled or prepared properly. But by following a few common-sense rules, consumers can safely enjoy what marketers call "the incredible edible egg.""Eggs are a perishable food that can sometimes carry the bacteria Salmonella enteritidis," says Ron McKay, administrator of the Oregon Department ... [full story]

Normally sold for $25, the discounted day-use pass will be sold for $20 through the month of April. Passes may be purchased at all Oregon G.I. Joe's locations, major Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) offices, several Friends' group interpretive stores and selected local businesses and chamber of commerce visitor information centers throughout the state. A list of participating vendors is available online.Both the 12-month pass and a 24-month alternative may also be purchased by ... [full story]

Is your dog the best-behaved and well-mannered dog in Central Oregon?  Is he or she a dead ringer for Toto from The Wizard of Oz? Do your friends always say your dog should be in the movies, in commercials, or on stage? Well, here’s your chance. Redmond High School (RHS) will be presenting the musical version of The Wizard of Oz May 17th to May 20th and they are looking for that one special “Toto” to ... [full story]