One person was killed early Sunday morning after their pickup left the roadway, crashed into two trees, and caught fire about five miles west of Prineville on Highway 126E, Oregon State Police (OSP) reported. Shortly after 1 a.m. April 8, a small pickup with one occupant was eastbound on Highway 126E near milepost 13 when, for unknown reasons, it drifted onto the shoulder.  The pickup traveled about 200 feet, then veered back onto the road, ... [full story]

Oregon State Police (OSP) and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department are seeking the public's help in identifying whoever is responsible for the theft of a valuable bronze plaque that was in tribute to Rex T. Barber at the Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint. The plaque was placed at the viewpoint after the Oregon legislature renamed the new bridge over the Crooked River on U.S. Highway 97 the "Rex T. Barber Veteran's Memorial Bridge". ... [full story]

A drunk Redmond man armed with a realistic bb-pistol went to the Terrebonne home of an acquaintance, causing the frightened women and two children who were home at the time to flee, then barricaded himself inside for almost five hours before surrendering to the SWAT team early this morning, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies reported.   Peter Joseph Caswell – DCJ photo It was shortly after 9:30 p.m. Thursday when a husband received a phone call from his ... [full story]

A 34-year Prineville man was arrested Wednesday and is charged with 18 counts of rape, sex abuse, and sodomy in connection with abuse against his 10-year-old stepdaughter, police reported.   Randy Maidens – CCJ photo The Prineville Police Department was first made aware of the situation Wednesday when they were notified by the Child Welfare Division of the Department of Human Services, Prineville Police Chief Eric Bush said. An interview with the suspect at the police station led ... [full story]

Police are looking for two men – one brandishing a handgun -- who held up a Redmond motel early this morning then fled on foot.  Efforts to locate the suspects, including using a police dog in their search, were unsuccessful. Shortly before 4 a.m. April 5, Redmond Police Officers and Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies responded to The Hub Motel at 1128 NW 6th Street to a report of an armed robbery, Redmond Police Officer Nathan ... [full story]

Two Prineville teenagers were taken into custody Saturday following an investigation of criminal mischief near Wildcat Campground in the Ochoco National Forest, accused of shooting a number of signs and causing $800 in damage, Crook County Sheriff’s deputies reported. A traffic warning sign was placed on the road near the campground Saturday, March 31, where County search and rescue personnel had assembled for a training exercise, Detective Sgt. Travis Jurgens said.  Hours later, a vehicle ... [full story]

Located on the Warm Springs Reservation, Pelton Round Butte Hydro Project Now in Exclusive “Low-Impact” Club The largest hydroelectric project totally inside Oregon’s borders is now officially generating green power, with a designation achieved by only 26 hydro plants in the United States.   Pelton Round Butte Dam – photo courtesy warmsprings.com On March 28, the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) Board certified the Pelton Round Butte project as low impact, based on an array of planned ... [full story]

A traffic stop in southwest Redmond Sunday morning led to a car chase, a collision with a police vehicle, a suspect fleeing on foot, and ultimately the arrest of a man accused of over a dozen different crimes, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies reported. A deputy stopped a maroon Jeep Cherokee near SW Canal Boulevard and SW Wickiup Avenue in Redmond shortly after 10 a.m., April 1, Sgt. Joe DeLuca said.  When the officer went back to ... [full story]

Two Redmond residents were killed Saturday afternoon when their all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) failed to round a curve and went head-first over an embankment into an empty canal on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property east of Redmond, deputies reported. Debbie Schubert, 45, and Donnie Moody, 31, were pronounced dead at the scene by Redmond Fire and Rescue paramedics, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joe Deluca and BLM Law Enforcement Ranger Crisafi wrote in a news release. Shortly ... [full story]

Detectives arrested two Bend men Thursday afternoon when they were observed allegedly selling drugs in Redmond, then followed with raids at the suspects’ Bend home and another residence in Madras.  During a search of the suspects and their vehicle, one-quarter pound of crystal methamphetamine and $2,000 cash were seized.   One-quarter pound of crystal meth was found in the vehicle’s glove compartment – CODE photo    Jeronimo Pineda-Pineda (left), Alberardo Diaz-Garcia (right) – DCJ photos In a month-long joint ... [full story]

A 26-year old Sisters man was arrested for drunk driving early Friday morning after his vehicle crossed over the centerline while rounding a curve and crashed into an oncoming pickup, deputies reported. Neither driver was hurt in the collision that happened shortly before 1 a.m. west of Camp Polk Road on Highway 126 in Sisters, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Sgt. Vance Lawrence said.   Jason Johnson – DCJ photo Preliminary investigation determined that Jason Johnson, 27, was traveling ... [full story]

In April, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) will make significant progress toward a dedicated, local program to lead economic development for Prineville and Crook County.  The effort is a partnership between EDCO, the Prineville/Crook County Chamber of Commerce, Crook County, the City of Prineville, and local businesses.  The partnership is the result of more than two years of collaborative community discussion, preparation, and funding efforts. Modeled after a similar partnership EDCO and Redmond Economic ... [full story]

The first Oregon Chapter Pajama Program pajama and book drive was a wonderful success with over 1,000 items donated by local residents during the month of February. Collected pajamas and books will be distributed to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) for the Foster Home Program, as well as to other local agencies who serve Deschutes County children in need.  With the help of the 2007 Leadership Redmond Pajama/Team and Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver ... [full story]