On Tuesday, September 5, the Bend-La Pine School District will begin its 2006 schedule of classes. This will increase both the traffic and pedestrian volume in school zones. The Bend Police Department is reminding drivers who commute through these areas to be aware of the increased numbers of children who will be present in these areas. Oregon Law has recently changed in regards to school zone postings. ORS 811.111 requires drivers to drive 20 mph ... [full story]

Local law enforcement will trade in their handcuffs and badges for serving aprons at Red Robin as part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign. During the fundraiser, law enforcement representatives will collect tips from restaurant guests, which will be used to benefit Special Olympics Oregon. The event will be held Saturday, September 30 from noon to 8 p.m. at all 15 Red Robin Gourmet Burgers locations in Oregon, including the Bend restaurant at ... [full story]

The City of Bend, Oregon has announced that two newly-installed traffic signals will be activated on Tuesday, August 29 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Flaggers and signage will be in place to control traffic through the work zones, at 27th Street and Medical Center Drive, and also at Medical Center Drive and Mary Rose Place. ... [full story]

The City of Bend’s Police Department is accepting applications for its fall Citizens’ Academy program. The instructional program begins on September 26th.  The academy instruction is held each Tuesday night for an eight-week period. Instruction begins at 6:00 p.m. and concludes at 9:00 p.m.Police officers will focus on different police related areas during each session. Topics include: computer crimes, narcotics, traffic enforcement, SWAT, detective work and more.  Interested citizens should call Steve Esselstyn at 322-2976 ... [full story]

Multivitamins and supplements support brain function, strong immune systems, regular sleep cycles and kids’ overall health As parents are shopping with their kids to get ready for the new school year, there are some things that are even more important to consider than new jeans, shoes, notebooks and backpacks – food and supplements to support brain health, keeping children healthy, focused and happy, and ultimately setting them up for success in the classroom. Tricia DiPersio, ... [full story]

In college, Fire Chief Larry Langston had dreams of becoming a teacher.  He attended Colorado State University as an undergraduate and graduate student where he earned his degree in biology. Just as he planned, he taught high school biology and coached the wrestling and baseball teams.  However, at the age of 21, a new interest began to take root, an interest in fire fighting. “I spent five summers in Montana fighting wild-land fires while I ... [full story]

COCC Community Learning Registration Starts Soon Registration for Central Oregon Community College’s Community Learning—formerly known as Continuing Education—fall classes will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5. Class schedules are being mailed to all district residents. The schedule includes more than 250 new and regular noncredit offerings. Classes in computers, fitness, business, language, gardening and art are held in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. Online courses in computers, language, writing, business, health care and ... [full story]

Winning Over Anger and Violence has elected Julie Gray Nash asSecretary of the Board. She is a mortgage broker with Bank of the Cascades in Bend, Oregon.Ms. Nash is currently a board member of the COCAAN Homeownership Advisory Board and Habitat for Humanity's Capital Campaign. She also served as past president and member of the Board of Governors for The Community Theatre of the Cascades.WINNING Over Anger and Violence has provided counseling services for 19years ... [full story]

A memorial service is being held for Marine Lance Cpl. Randy Lee Newman, a Bend native who died August 20, while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. In a press conference on Wednesday, Ramona Newman invited the public to attend her 21-year-old son’s memorial service on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Hooker Creek Expo Center in Redmond. Standing in front of the family’s home, Newman shared how proud she was of her ... [full story]

The Puzzle fire in the Willamette National Forest has expanded to more than 5,200 acres and there is 0 percent containment. The Puzzle fire has been just that, puzzling for both firefighters and investigators.  “They don’t know how it started,” said Jamie Paul, an information fire officer.  The blaze is burning six miles east of Marion Forks and two miles northeast of Marion Lake.    Photo by Matt Gomes    Photo by John Pendergast It has been spreading to ... [full story]