My father is a man for whom the glass is always half full. Maybe even more than half. I have often wondered if this attitude comes from being a boy during the Depression or from serving in the infantry during World War II. Perhaps it comes from growing up on a farm with eight brothers and sisters, resourceful parents, open skies and rolling prairies. Or perhaps it is simply the way God made him. “It’s not the ... [full story]

With congressmen allegedly accepting bribes, drug-runners crossing the border and Osama bin Laden on the lam, the FBI has a lot on its plate. So it seems a bit odd that agents just spent two weeks looking for Jimmy Hoffa. Remember him? The Teamsters kingpin with alleged Mafia ties vanished in 1975 and hasn't surfaced since, though for a while postmortem Hoffa sightings were second only to Elvis apparitions. Hoffa's remains are thought to have been ... [full story]

The Redmond School Board accepted the resignation of board member Jim Diegel, effective June 30, 2006.  Diegel was appointed to the board in May 2003 to complete the term of Neil Thompson.  He served as vice chair for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years. "Jim has contributed tremendously to the work of the board during the last three years," said Chair Tim Carpenter. "Our discussions as a board have been enriched by his keen insights, good ... [full story]

The Bend-La Pine School Board will consider adjustments to the school calendar at their June 13 meeting. A review committee has recommended that elementary and middle schools continue releasing students early on Wednesdays, giving staff time for collaboration and school improvement initiatives. However, the committee has suggested that the school improvement time at the high schools be consolidated with work days at the end of the quarter and at parent-teacher conference times. For the 2005-06 ... [full story]

Results of the Tri-County Homeless Count Conducted January 26, 2006 are Released One snowy January night in Central Oregon, over 17 service providers and more than 50 volunteers conducted a 24 hour, ‘point in time’ count of the homeless population of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties.  This activity, carried out nationwide on the same day, provided a snapshot of Central Oregon’s homeless: who they are, how many there are, what has caused their homelessness, and what ... [full story]

Oregon's Recreation Trails Advisory Council has presented the Doug Newman Memorial Trails Award to long-time trails advocate Jack Remington of Bend, Oregon. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Director Tim Wood presented the achievement award to Remington on behalf of the council during a Willamette River Water Trail dedication on National Trails Day and Oregon State Parks Day June 3. Named in memory of a former council member, the award recognizes significant contributions to the ... [full story]

At 2:46 pm today, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Central Deschutes County.  The warning remained in effect until 3:45 pm. Golfball-sized hail and wind gusts to 60 miles per hour were reported as likely, according to the warning.  For your protection, the Weather Service recommends that residents move to a sturdy shelter until the storm passes. At 2:30 pm National Weather Service Doppler Radar indicated the storm was located 14 miles ... [full story]

Toyota put its RAV4 through a growth spurt for 2006, adding 14 inches of length so it could offer a third-row seat and a bigger cabin. And what was once a nimble four-door runabout has seemingly become a one-size-fits-all, entry-level SUV that has moved up in price. I recently tested a RAV4 Sport 4WD with a 166-horsepower four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission, and while I liked the contemporary styling, the overall package didn't give the impression ... [full story]

Everybody's dirty. Either they have gulped down steroids or injected themselves with human growth hormone or popped amphetamines from jars labeled "Good," "Better" and "Yowza!" Or they have chosen to stay silent despite knowing teammates and opponents who cheat, making them guilty by association. As we learn more and more about Major League Baseball's latest performance-enhancing headache - this involving Jason Grimsley, a reliever with a career 42-58 record whose only notable accomplishment was pilfering Albert Belle's ... [full story]

The fourth annual LibertyBank Balloons Over Bend launches this weekend, but not without some questions over how taxpayer funds were allocated for the popular event. The high-flying event takes place June 10 and 11 at Summit High School at 6:30 a.m. If that sounds too early, there is an evening alternative.  Night Glow, presented by Kirby Nagelhout Construction, will be held at Pilot Butte State Park starting at 6 p.m. on June 10 with live ... [full story]