It was a routine flyover recently that discovered a marijuana growing operation in the Jack Creek area of the Deschutes National Forest. On September 4 a joint operation was undertaken by the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT), the US Forest Service, Oregon State Police and the Deschutes and Jefferson County Sheriff's Offices to eradicate the plants. Sgt. Mitchell Meyer says about 3600 marijuana plants were seized and later destroyed by a USFS Fire Suppression crew. There was significant environmental damage to the area. In addition to a large amount of garbage and human waste, numerous trees cut down and a water source had been re-directed.

At this time, no suspects have been arrested, but Sgt. Mitchell says they are still investigating the area.

The race for the Bend City Council is heating up. There will be two candidate’s forums sponsored by the Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Business Political Action Committee. Next week four of the eight candidates will participate individually in a Q and A and together on a panel similar to the recent presidential debates. Some topics of interest you'll hear discussed are City spending and taxes, Juliper Ridge, Transportation and local ballot initiatives.The forum is September 11^th. and it's open to the public. It will be held at the Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor Village from 7:30-9:00 am.  Breakfast is included and reservations are needed. Contact Troy Reinhart with the Bend Chamber of Commerce at  388-9888 for more details.

Sprouters Northwest is cooperating with the Oregon and Washington Health Departments and recalling their alfalfa sprouts. Doctor Paul Cieslak with the Oregon Department of Human Services says people in Oregon and Washington have become ill... experience several days of diarrhea… abdominal cramps and fever. It’s tied to Sprouters Northwest alfalfa sprouts. He says it's best to throw away the sprouts because washing them will not destroy the salmonella.

Beginning Monday, there will be extra law enforcement on the roads watching for violators of Oregon’s seatbelt and child restraint laws. The Three Flags Seat Belt Blitz runs for two weeks. During that time, officers will stop you if you or your child is not properly restrained. You could receive a $97 fine along with an education on the law. Officers say statistics show that seatbelts do save lives. Children less than 40 pounds need to be properly restrained in a car seat; rear facing if the child is less than one-year-old or weighs less than 20 lbs. Children over 40 lbs. need to be properly secured by a booster seat used in combination with a lap and shoulder belt until the child is eight years old or 4'9" tall.

The proposed water park and hotel near the Deschutes County Fairgrounds has been put on hold until 2012. The B.G.J.J. Development Group had intended to be in construction on the project by now, but is finding it difficult to get loans and investors in the current economy. Redmond Community Development Director Jim Hendryx says the city recognizes that, and has extended the time for construction for a more realistic date. The facility is to have a domed water park and 370 condos that can be rented out when the owners are not in residence.