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 second-annual South County Girl’s Summit promises a day of fun and exciting activities for young women ages 11 to 16 on March 25. The goal of the event is to empower young women in South County with activities that are positive in nature, healthy and easily available in their home setting. An additional goal is to mentor young women with other adult females in their community. The day of activities will start with a ... [full story]

On Thursday March 20, 2008, Deschutes County will auction 18 parcels of vacant land.  The properties are residential lots in Bend, Redmond and southern Deschutes County. Auction bidding starts at 10 a.m. in the Barnes Hearing Room of the Deschutes Services Center at 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend, Oregon. Bidders may register in advance any business day between March 10 and March 19 at the Deschutes Services Center, Suite 200, second floor.  Interested persons ... [full story]

Fixed mortgage rates increased for the third week in a row, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 6.41 percent. According to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders, the average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.4 discount and origination points. The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage popular for refinancing was unchanged at 5.87 percent, while the average jumbo 30-year fixed rate fell to 7.43 percent. Adjustable mortgage rates pulled back, ... [full story]

The Crook County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol in conjunction with the Oregon State Marine Board has scheduled a Mandatory Boater Education Class and Exam on Saturday, March 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  It will be held at the Crook County Fire and Rescue building rear entrance located at 500 NW Belknap Street in Prineville, Oregon. Marine Deputies will instruct boaters to obtain a Boater Education Card and at the end of the class a final ... [full story]

REDMOND, Ore. -- To meet the needs of a growing student population, safety and aging facilities, the Redmond School Board of Directors approved a bond referendum totaling $110 million at its regularly scheduled meeting on February 27.  The bond referendum will be included in the May 20 election. Passage of the $110 million bond referendum would fund:      1,400-seat high school ($80 million): Build a new high school on the Elkhorn/Canal site that provides a ... [full story]

A 63-year old Prineville businessman was arrested Wednesday after an investigation into reports of “unwanted sexual contact” involving a young woman, reportedly a teenage family friend, deputies announced.   Ron Troutman - CCJ photo  According to Crook County Sheriff’s detective Sgt. Travis Jurgens, Ron Troutman, 63, and owner of the Sears store, was taken into custody about 9 a.m., February 27, after the allegations of the 18-year-old victim surfaced and the investigation resulted in probable cause for ... [full story]

A 51-year old nurse was arrested and charged with assault and other crimes Wednesday after she allegedly used physical force and injured an elderly patient at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon, in an attempt to get the patient to take her medication.   Sharon Gail Souders - DCJ photo  Sharon Gail Souders was taken into custody without incident at her home and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail, Bend Police Sgt. Paul Kansky reported. Souders ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- There has been significantly improved healthcare at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other U.S. military hospitals, government watchdogs told Congress.But, officials of the Governmental Accountability Office told a U.S. House subcommittee there are staff shortages and other issues yet to be resolved."Challenges remain, but the trend is in the right direction," said John Pendleton, acting GAO director of healthcare.Rep. John Tierney,D-Mass., chairman of the subcommittee, agreed the Army had improved the situation ... [full story]

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has not ruled out possibly resuming armed conflict with Israel, a published report said.In an interview with the Jordanian daily newspaper al-Dustur, Abbas said he is against an armed conflict now, but that stance could change in the future, depending on circumstances, Ynetnews.com reported Thursday.Abbas said he demands a unity government that includes Hamas be formed to negotiate with Israel."Hamas entered an election based on the Oslo ... [full story]