CENTRAL OREGON -- A seasonal wildlife closure will soon be in effect on Prineville Bureau of Land Management administered lands just east of Bend, Oregon. The temporary closure is in Dry River Canyon, which is located north of State Highway 20 and approximately 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 mile of the rim of the ... [full story]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Kentucky teenager who lost both feet when an amusement park ride malfunctioned described her ordeal in a deposition filed this week.Kaitlyn Lassiter of Germantown and her family have filed a lawsuit against Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. In the deposition, Kaitlyn, 14, answered questions from lawyers for the park, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported."My future has totally changed," Kaitlyn said, describing her life since June 2007.Kaitlyn's right foot was reattached, although doctors are ... [full story]

CAMDEN, N.J. - New Jersey State Police divers have halted their search for the body of a young mother allegedly killed and dumped in a creek.Jason Laughlin, a spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, said troopers would check the banks of Pennsauken Creek regularly to determine if the body of Felicia Mikels has come to the surface, the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill reported.Douglas Mandichak of Maple Shade has been charged with killing Mikels, 17. ... [full story]

Outstanding High School Senior Recognized A Central Oregon high school senior has been recognized by The Center Foundation as a “High Desert Hero”.  Jennifer Wunder was named the February High Desert Hero by the Board of Directors.  Ms. Wunder is ranked 8th in her senior class at Bend High and takes rigorous advanced placement courses.  She has received a Teddy Award for honors physical Science.    Jennifer Wunder - Feb. 2008 "High Desert Hero" Her extracurricular activities include ... [full story]

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey residents who have already voted by absentee ballot for candidates who dropped out should get another chance to vote, a judge ruled Thursday.Six candidates listed on the ballot for next Tuesday's primary have taken themselves out of the running. They include former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, a Democrat, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, who both withdrew Wednesday.Superior Court Judge Vincent Grasso ruled in favor of the ... [full story]

STROUDSBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania state troopers used dogs Thursday to search highways in the Pocono Mountains for any missing pieces of a body found earlier in the week.By late afternoon, some items that might be evidence had been cataloged, the Pocono Record reported, but no body parts.An autopsy was performed Wednesday, confirming that the body is a woman's. A medical examiner said she died violently and had suffered a number of injuries that could have ... [full story]

SISTERS, Ore. – The Sisters Folk Festival presents the next two concerts in the 2008 Winter Concert Series.  David Lindley will perform on February 10 and Tracy Grammer on March 2 at the beautiful Five Pine Lodge and Conference Center in Sisters. On February 10, multi-instrumentalist David Lindley will perform music that redefines the word "eclectic." Lindley, well known for his many years as the featured accompanist with Jackson Browne, and leader of his own ... [full story]

CINCINNATI - An Ohio man already jailed for drugs faces charges of impregnating his girlfriend's 10-year-old daughter.The investigation began after the girl gave birth to a daughter in November at University Hospital in Cincinnati. The hospital reported the birth to the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services because of the mother's age.On Wednesday, investigators learned that Michael Chaffer's DNA showed him to be the father, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Chaffer is in a ... [full story]

ZIMMERMAN, Minn. - The operator of a horse-rescue organization in Minnesota said the number of neglected horses needing care has gone up dramatically as the economy slows.Drew Fitzpatrick is now caring for 90 horses at the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation in Zimmerman. She told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press Thursday the economic downturn has been tough on horses bought when times were good.Wade Hanson of the Humane Society said calls about neglected horses are running ... [full story]

Law Enforcement agencies from the Tri-County area are joining the State of Oregon in a 14-day “Passenger Restraint Enforcement Blitz” from February 4 - 17, police announced. Local agencies participating will include Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook County Sheriff’s Offices; Bend, Madras and Prineville Police Departments; and Oregon State Police. Participating agencies will provide regular and overtime enforcement of child restraint, safety belt and other moving violations. Oregon’s new child seat laws established the following requirements: ... [full story]