The Central Oregon Reserve Law Enforcement Officer Academy held commencement exercises for the class of 2006 in Redmond High School auditorium last Saturday, with 15 graduating. The graduates represent five Central Oregon Law Enforcement agencies including the Sheriff’s Offices of Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, and the Police Departments of Bend, Prineville, and Redmond. In successfully completing the 395 hours of intensive Academy training, each graduate met established performance standards of Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards and ... [full story]

The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee seeks public nominations for deserving individuals, businesses, and agencies to be recipients of the annual Big Chainring award. Since 1996, the award recognizes those that have made a significant contribution towards: Improving bicycling and walking conditions in Deschutes County Encouraging children or adults to walk and ride their bikes Making Deschutes County communities healthier and happier The Committee also includes the Peter Hanson Memorial Award for individuals in ... [full story]

PRINEVILLE, Oregon — The Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management in partnership with the National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument will be conducting the Branson North controlled burn on approximately 4,000 acres between Branson and Fossil Creek.  Ignition will be between September 4th and October 1, 2007. Fire Specialists indicate the prescribed burn will help improve wildlife habitat, reintroduce the role of fire in rangeland ecosystems, reduce the expansion of ... [full story]

PRINEVILLE, Oregon – Prineville Bureau of Land Management fuel specialist are planning to conduct a controlled burn seven miles south of Clarno near Wagner Mountain between September 4 and October 15, 2007.  Crews will be conducting the burn on about 8,000 acres to improve wildlife habitat, reintroduce the role of fire in rangeland ecosystems, reduce the expansion of invasive juniper woodlands and reduce hazardous fuels in the urban interface. All controlled burns are weather-dependent and completed ... [full story]

ArchaeologyFest is an international film mini-series celebrating the wonders of human diversity, culture and environment.  This documentary film series is now in the midst of its 2007-2008 program cycle, appearing in six communities across the state, including Bend.  The series is produced by Archaeological Legacy Institute of Eugene, Oregon, and co-sponsored for your enjoyment by Central Oregon Community College. You will have an opportunity to experience some of the world's finest heritage films about archaeology, ... [full story]

Bus will stop at St. Charles Medical Center at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Mar. 28Bend, Oregon – The “Help is Here Express” bus will be in Bend on Wednesday, March 28, stopping at St. Charles Medical Center at 2500 NE Neff Rd. from 10 to 11 a.m. to help uninsured Americans find programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. Since its launch in April 2005, the bus tour -- sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical ... [full story]

The City of Bend Art, Beautification and Culture Commission is seeking nominations for individuals, organizations and businesses who made significant contributions to the celebration, promotion, beautification or preservation of the City’s arts, culture, natural environment or public spaces in 2006. Award consideration will include residential, commercial and governmental beautification projects, multicultural and historical cultural events and programs, visual, performing and literary art programs and products. This is the first year the annual Beautification award has ... [full story]

Beginning April 8, 2008, the City of Bend will no longer hang door tags for delinquent water utility accounts. The move is a cost-effective measure for the City’s customer service utility program. "The City of Bend has been using the door hanger program for a number of years to assist in the collection of delinquent water and sewer accounts. The program has served us well,” said Paul Rheault, Interim Public Works Director. “However, the ... [full story]

The holidays are coming, and with the season comes the 13th year of Santa Express, a partnership between the Bend Fire Department, the Bend Firefighters Association, and The Salvation Army to provide food, clothing, and toys to families in need in Central Oregon. A new part of Santa Express this year is a one-day Santa Express Coat & Blanket Drive, conducted in partnership with Sportsman’s Warehouse.  On Friday, December 8, stop by the parking lot ... [full story]

Eric King, Bend’s Interim City Manager, this week announced the appointment of Sandi Baxter as the interim Police Chief for the Bend Police Department. Baxter will begin working intermittently in January to begin the transition of Police Chief Andy Jordan vacating his position on March 31. Baxter will officially begin her term as interim Police Chief on April 1. She brings to this position an extensive and diverse background in public safety and in supervision ... [full story]

The Bend Parade of Flags (BPF) program which was developed by a local group of patriotic citizens will display hundreds of American flags in downtown Bend on November 11, Veterans Day, to honor our nation.  160 flags will be erected by the Central Oregon Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (COMOAA), and Boy Scouts of America Troop 25. The flags will be displayed on Wall St., Bond St., Franklin Ave., Minnesota Ave., and Oregon ... [full story]

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has awarded $124,724 to the City of Bend’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) infrastructure project. The City’s application was one of eight proposals approved to receive SRTS infrastructure funding in 2008-2011, and although the SRTS is 100% Federal funding with no match funding required, Bend has approved $50,000 in its 07/08 budget as supplemental and matching funds for the SRTS project. The Oregon SRTS Program had $2.1 million available ... [full story]

Bend Metro Parks & Recreation and Palmer Homes will officially dedicateBend's newest park--Gardenside Park--at a ceremony that will take place on Thursday, September 28 from 4-6 p.m.At nearly two acres in size, Gardenside Park features a patio with coveredpicnic structure and tables, paved walkways connecting to community trails, youth play equipment, restroom facilities and landscaped open space.The event will double as a community celebration, with a barbecue, icecream, balloons and face painting.  Following brief remarks ... [full story]