Dear Jim: Our wood deck gets hot, almost too warm to be comfortable, in the summer sun. It seems to make adjacent rooms hotter. I am also tired of the maintenance. What decking options do I have to keep it cooler? -Ron H. Dear Ron: An old dark discolored deck can become comfortably warm in the summer. This heat will reradiate in through windows and make your house walls warmer. If the prevailing breezes are ... [full story]

Twenty-two IBL teams will be invited to All-Star Game & Championship Tournament to be held in Elkhart, IN starting on July 13th and ending on July 16th. IBL teams will also enter one participant in both the Three-Point Contest and the Slam Dunk Contest. For ticket and hotel information contact the Elkhart Express at (574) 522-9911. Bend Oregon Central Oregon [full story]

1. Keep an eye on your gas consumption The more aware you are of the amount of fuel that you use the more you can do to try to reduce your gas costs. If you notice that your gas efficiency is decreasing it could be an indicating factor that your car needs servicing. Make weekly comparisons with your fuel log that you keep in you car to see how much your gas consumption is going ... [full story]

Travel will be up slightly this Memorial Day holiday despite high gas prices and increasing vacation costs, according to AAA. AAA estimates that 37.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 0.9 percent increase from last year. Approximately 31.4 million travelers (84 percent of all holiday travelers) expect to go by motor vehicle, a 0.7 percent increase from the 31.2 million who drove a year ago. Another 4.3 million ... [full story]

Increasing numbers of older Americans are creating their own blogs on the Internet these days. A blog is an online journal. You can write your thoughts, your feelings, your opinions on politics - really, anything you choose. One Internet-trend observer notes that out of 54 million bloggers, at least 160,000 are older people, and more sign on each year. OK, so blogging has not quite become the mania of the Social Security set - nearly 60 percent of ... [full story]

As the travel season shifts into high gear in Oregon, law enforcement agencies across the state are taking the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign on the road again. Local police departments, sheriff's offices and Oregon State Police always pay attention to make sure that drivers and passengers are safely restrained in their vehicles. But during the national "Click It or Ticket" blitz May 22 through June 4, they will be watching closely for this ... [full story]

A foreclosure is something that all homeowners definately want to avoid. A foreclosure can have long-term, damaging effects on your credit history because a foreclosue becomes a matter of public record and can stay on your credit for seven years. There are many public and private organizations that are eager to help you out during your financial crisis and hold on to your home. If you are in a bad financial situation, no one can ... [full story]

BEND CITY POLICE BLOTTER A woman was arrested after her two-year-old child was found wandering near her residence unsupervised.  Suspect was found sleeping on her couch and was in possession of methamphetamine. 5/19/06 Four teenage boys were found to be in possession and use of firecrackers in a residential area near Madison & Hollowtree.  5/19/06 A Bend man was arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxicants.  He was leaving K.O.’s south when stopped, and during his ... [full story]

Brushing aside the concerns of mobile home park owners, the Bend City Council on Wednesday held a first reading and vote on an ordinance that would require any owner who closes a mobile home park to pay “reasonable” costs of moving mobile homes in the park up to 100 miles or purchase at real market value any mobile home that cannot be relocated. The proposed ordinance took many mobile home park owners by surprise – ... [full story]

Oregon State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr announced Bend Fire Department's Deputy Chief Gary Marshall as the 2006 Golden Sparky Award winner during the May 19th Oregon Fire Service Meritorious Awards at the Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center in Portland. The Golden Sparky, first awarded in 1977, is the highest award given to the fire service personnel by the State Fire Marshal.  It honors outstanding achievement in fire prevention and fire safety. Marshall's innovative program FireFree! Get in ... [full story]