(CENTRAL OREGON) -- A seasonal wildlife closure will soon be in effect on high desert public lands east of Bend located on the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The temporary closure is located in Dry River Canyon, which is located north of Highway 20, about 20 miles southeast of Bend. The closure is adjacent to Horse Ridge viewpoint and includes the entire canyon in addition to all public lands within one-quarter ... [full story]

The Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled a public meeting and hearing on a proposed water quality permit to manage discharges from the storm water system in Bend.  Public comment is invited during the session, scheduled for Tuesday, February 6. The permit will require Bend to implement measures that will reduce the environmental impacts of storm water pollution, and is required by the federal Clean Water Act.  Larger cities such as Eugene, Oregon, have operated ... [full story]

Pacific Power’s Blue Sky customers helping advance renewable energy projects in central Oregon BEND, Ore. -- Pacific Power’s customers who participate in the company’s voluntary Blue Sky renewable energy program are helping to advance two new renewable energy projects in Bend and Redmond. The projects, chosen among dozens of applicants, feature the installation of solar panels that will both generate electricity and educate others about the importance of renewable resources. “The city of Bend and ... [full story]

Play it Again Prom supports senior night parties for Bend Senior High and Mountain View High School It’s time to dust off your blue suede shoes and get ready to dance at the “Play it Again Prom”, an adult event that supports the drug and alcohol-free graduation parties for Mountain View High School and Bend Senior High. The Prom will be held on Saturday, February 10 from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. at Bend Senior High School. ... [full story]

In an email sent to media Tuesday, Rob Corrigan commented on his recent resignation from the Sisters School Board, citing personal reasons and his inability to effectively help improve the schools due to “the current atmosphere and level of distraction.” Following are his comments: ”This note is to let you know that last Friday afternoon (Jan 19), I advised the superintendent and members of the board of my resignation from my position (Seat #2) as ... [full story]

U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty of Portland, Oregon has been killed in Iraq, the Oregon Military Department announced this week. Sgt. Fennerty, 25, was killed Saturday while conducting combat operations against anti-Iraqi forces in the Al Anbar Provice of Iraq when the M1124 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle he was in was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) or roadside bomb.   U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty of Portland, Oregon was killed in ... [full story]

Coming off the most encouraging results ever, Oregon this month begins a new round of unannounced visits to the state's tobacco retailers to check compliance with laws forbidding sales to minors. In the 2006 inspections, clerks at 11 percent of the 489 retailers visited sold to minors, the state's lowest recorded rate in the 12 years of the program and less than a third of the rates recorded during the first two years of inspections, ... [full story]

Good news, another $200,000 Powerball Match 5 ticket was sold in Oregon over the weekend.  Even better news is that whoever bought that ticket, which was sold in Bend, also added the Power Play multiplier option that made their prize worth $1 million! The Power Play multiplier option gives players a chance to multiply any cash prize, other than the jackpot, two to five times by adding an extra $1 per set of numbers played. ... [full story]

A Prineville driver and her passenger avoided injury when her car crashed into a fence after losing control on the gravel shoulder of Highway 27 Monday afternoon, Crook County Sheriff’s deputies reported. Deputies were dispatched to a report of a single-vehicle crash near Les Schwab Fields about 4:25 p.m., Detective Sgt. Travis Jurgens said.  Investigation determined that Brooke Groves, 20, lost control of her gray 1991 Honda Accord in the gravel and slid into a ... [full story]

A joint investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Justice culminated in the arrest of a 29-year old Redmond man Monday afternoon, now charged with 30 counts of encouraging child sex abuse, detectives reported.   Randy K. Schley, DCJ Photo The two-month investigation gathered information suggesting that Randy K. Schley was in possession of child pornography, Sgt. Kevin Dizney said.  Detectives seized a computer during the investigation that was found to contain ... [full story]