Watching the news the past couple of weeks got me thinking. It seems that most of the country is getting a little more winter than they're used to -- even places that normally don't experience the typical "winter" are getting pounded. With a surplus of ice and snow and painfully low temperatures, a lot of people are ditching the idea of trying to catch bass for the moment and focusing on keeping warm.   A two-time champion ... [full story]

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) on Thursday issued a proposed order to Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Inc., granting a certificate of need for a 138-bed general acute care hospital to be located in Hillsboro at 19400 N.W. Evergreen Parkway. This 15-acre site is the current location of Kaiser's Sunset Medical Office Building. The capital expenditure for this project is estimated to be $280 million. Project approval is contingent on two conditions: ·         Kaiser must ... [full story]

A male fish can size up po­ten­tial ri­vals, rank­ing them from strongest to weak­est, just by watch­ing how they per­form in fights with oth­er ma­les, ac­cord­ing to a new stu­dy.The re­search­ers say their finding pro­vides the first di­rect ev­i­dence that fish, like peo­ple, can use log­ic to learn their place in a peck­ing or­der. The stu­dy, pub­lished in the Jan. 25 edi­tion of the re­search jour­nal Na­ture, in­volved ci­ch­lids (SIK-lids), small ter­ri­to­rial fish from Af­ri­ca.  ... [full story]

"American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America" by Chris Hedges; Free Press; 255 pages; $25.   The chords Hedges pounds out in "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America" might have rung more clearly and carried further before the results of the Nov. 7 elections were in. Still, the problems with this book are more than a case of unfortunate timing: Hedges has constructed a slippery slope and then gone and ... [full story]

Susan Bodilly has been appointed director of RAND Education, RAND Corporation President and CEO James A. Thomson announced today. Bodilly joined RAND 27 years ago and has served as acting director of RAND Education since June 2005. Her primary research interests and expertise lie in K-12 school reform; resource allocation and its impact on reforms; formative evaluation; and implementation analysis. RAND Education conducts objective research and analysis on a variety of topics, including academic testing, ... [full story]

Tiger Woods doesn't have to reach very deep into his heart or mind to find the example of how he wants to be as a dad when his wife, Elin, gives birth to their first child this summer. His late father, Earl, is the only role model he requires. "He was always there. I don't mean physically. He was always there if I wanted to talk to him about anything and everything," Woods said Wednesday ... [full story]

Parent company for Community First Bank recently reported its results for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 Robin B. Freeman, President & CEO stated, “We are committed to being Central Oregon’s only true hometown bank by re-investing 100% of our local deposits right back here in Central Oregon. It is very gratifying to know that the people in this region connect with our philosophy and reward us with their trust that has resulted in this seven-quarter ... [full story]

OCHOCO DISTRICTGENERAL:  Hunters should be prepared for cold, and wet or icy conditions.  Snow accumulations are generally below average, but should be expected above 4000 feet elevation.  Off road motorized travel should not be attempted without proper equipment and checking with local BLM and Forest Service officials regarding motorized access restrictions in effect to protect wintering big game.  PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR WMA:  The entry gates for the North Side Access Road have been shut closing the ... [full story]

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) released the following statement Tuesday evening reacting to the President’s State of the Union Address: “It is very important that the President focused on several key issues that families face every day,” Smith said.  “We need better forms of energy production that won’t strap the family budget, but will power our cars and heat our homes efficiently.  Equally important is the President's emphasis on healthcare.  I am pushing to see ... [full story]

Due to cold weather and icy conditions, angler activity and updates to this week’s recreation report are limited. Contact ODFW at the Deschutes Watershed Office (541) 388-6363 or Klamath Watershed Office (541) 883-5732 for more information. ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-14 inch rainbow trout are fair. Illegally introduced bullhead have had a negative impact on trout angling. Recent snows may limit access. Contact Ochoco National Forest @ 541-416-6500. CLEAR LAKE: Clear Lake, located about ... [full story]