Local News Archives for 2020-02

Bend Man Escapes Injury In Highway 126E Fatal Wreck

SPRINGFIELD, OR -- From Oregon State Police

On Thursday, February 27, 2020 at approximately 3:36 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to  a two vehicle crash on Hwy 126E near milepost 13. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Kurt Rauch (65) of Springfield, was traveling eastbound on Hwy 126E and lost control while attempting to stop for traffic in front of him. Rauch left his lane of travel, crossed into the westbound lane, and collided with a Ford F350 PU operated by David Doerr (50) from Bend. Rauch sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Doerr was not injured in the crash. Hwy 126E was closed for three hours following the crash.

Bend Police I-D Woman Hit In Pizza Hut Parking Lot

BEND, OR -- From Bend Police Department

Injured pedestrian: Jessica Edwards, 20 year old female, Bend resident

The name of the injured pedestrain in the parking lot of 740 NE 3rd Street (Pizza Hut) on February 26th, 2020 at approximately 2030 hours is Jessica Edwards. She is currently in critical condition, with life threatening injuries, and is being treated at St. Charles Medical Center.   

No citations have been issued and the case is still under investigation.

Submitted by: Lt. Juli McConkey

 

National FFA Program Popular In Bend La Pine Schools

BEND, OR -- Mountain View High has attracted a lot of student interest in agriculture through its National Future Farmers of America program. FFA Advisor Jeff Papke says they have 165 students in the program and he says the biggest benefit is how students learn about the real life realities of farming and ranching. Papke says although many FFA students may not end up owning a farm or ranch, many go on to become educators while others wind up working in businesses that directly serve the agriculture community.

 

TrIple-A Issues Diamond Award List

PORTLAND, OR -- For 84 years, Triple-A has rated the top hotels and restaurants, and only the best make the Diamond Awards list. Triple-A's Marie Dodds says 17 hotels in Oregon and three restaurants made the list. Dodds says they need to be upscale and have extensive amenities.  Locally, Bend's Oxford, Fivepine Lodge and Spa in Sisters and Sunriver Resort made the cut. Oregon restaurants that earned Triple A’s Diamond Ratings include The Bay House in Lincoln City, Castagna in Portland and Newberg's Painted Lady.

Oregon Revenue Department Holds First CAT Meeting (In Bend Monday Night

BEND, OR -- The Oregon Department of Revenue launches a 13-city tour Monday in Bend to educate people about the Corporate Activity Tax. Department of Revenue spokesman Robin Maxey says the idea is to educate people about what the CAT tax is and how it works. He says the CAT Tax return has to be filed by businesses that reach 1-million dollars in commercial activity. However, the first 1-million dollars is exempt so the actual tax is paid only on whatever amount is over 1-million dollars. The meeting is in Science 109 from 6-to-7:30 p.m. at COCC, Monday March 2nd.

 

Education Program About Redistricting At Bend Downtown Library Tomorrow

BEND, OR -- Next year state lawmakers will use census numbers to redraw the boundary lines for Oregon House and Senate Districts and Congressional Districts. But a new organization says state lawmakers have an inherent conflict of interest drawing political boundaries. Candalynn Johnson with People Not Politicians says they’re working to get a ballot measure before voters in November to create an Independent Redistricting Commission. There’s an educational program about the concept of the Independent Redistricting Commission tomorrow afternoon at the Bend Downtown Library at 3 o’clock.

Buehler On Campaign Trail For 2nd Congressional District

BEND, OR -- Bend’s Knute Buehler is campaigning for the Republican party nomination for the 2nd Congressional District. Buehler says he’s a Trump supporter and believes the tax cuts have reduced poverty. Buehler says he is pro-choice but not pro-abortion. He says in the legislature he voted against expansion of public funding of abortion. Buehler also says he’s a staunch supporter of gun rights and the 2nd Amendment and voted against expanded background checks and assault weapon bans.

 

Tree Removal Underway Near Sunriver

SUNRIVER, OR -- The Deschutes County Road Department will work this week and periodically through April to remove 50 trees along roadway corridors near Sunriver. The trees are dead and diseased and pose a public safety hazard. The trees are near South Century Drive east of Sunriver and the Cottonwood Drive corridor north of Sunriver. Drivers using roadway corrdiors should watch for signs and be aware of crews working in the area.

 

Juniper Jackpots Being Burned Near Post This Week

POST, OR  -- The Ochocco National Forest is burning about 150-acres of Juniper Jackpots this week northeast of Post. Forest spokesman Patrick Lair says the Junipers were cut as part of a thinning project to reduce wildfire danger and improve wildlife habitat. Lair says smoke may be visible from the Post area and the Post/Paulina Highway this week.

Wood Shake Roof Fire In La Pine...Again

LA PINE, OR -- La Pine fire crews were called to the scene of as wood shake roof fire Wednesday morning. Fire Chief Mike Supkis says when they arrived a neighbor had a garden hose and was fighting the fire. The blaze destroyed a portion of the roof…again. Supkis says the homeowner was lucky for a second time because the exact same type of fire at the same home on Patken Circle occurred there in May of 2012. Supkis strongly urges homeowners in Central Oregon to replace wood shake roofs.

 

Oregon Supreme Court Justice At COCC Next Week

BEND, OR  - - Central Oregon Community College will present an appearance next week by Justice Adrienne Nelson. Charlotte Gildbride with the COCC Foundation says Justice Nelson is the first African American to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court. Gillbride says Nelson’s appearance is part of the Season of Non-Violence event at COCC which honors Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. Justice Nelson’s appearance Tuesday evening, is full. Nelson’s Wednesday morning speech at 9 o’clock at the Redmond Campus has space available but attendees are asked to register through the COCC Foundation website.

Bend Businessman Charged With Fraud

PORTLAND, OR -- A microbrewery equipment company owner in Bend has been charged with fraud.  The  U-S Attorney for Oregon says 48-year-old Matthew Mulder runs a company called WECAN Brewing Systems. They make custom-built microbrew systems, keg washers and other industrial brewing products. Since 2017, he's been selling products to 23 customers, many of them microbrewery owners. He would entice them to make payments by sending photos of nearly completed orders for other customers. He required large down payments and used the money for personal expenses, to pay off loans and pay suppliers. Mulder was indicted for defrauding customers of more than 800-thousand dollars. His trial is set for April in Eugene.

 

Pedestrian Seriously Injured By Car In Pizza Hut Parking Lot

BEND, OR -- Around 8:30 last night, two people were hit by a car in the parking lot of the Pizza Hut on Third Street in Bend.  A 20-year-old Bend woman was trapped underneath the car, sustaining life-threatening injuries. 40-year-old Paul Lauer of Bend was also struck by the car, but he was able to help Bend Police get the woman out from under the car and into an ambulance. She is at St. Charles Medical Center this morning in critical condition. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified. The driver of the Silver Camry that crashed into them, 26-year-old Jeremy Oprish, is cooperating with authorities. It doesn't appear impaired driving was a factor.  The investigation is on-going.

Deputy Baltzor Cited For Wreck

BEND, OR -- A Deschutes County Deputy has been cited for operating a vehicle which caused a three vehicle wreck. Deputy Clint Baltzor, was headed to a SWAT call in Terrebonne with lights and siren on January 5th . Bend Police Lieutenant Juli McConkey says there were two cars in the left lane and one car in the right lane. The vehicles in the left were unable to get into the right lane. The vehicles in the left lane came into a barrier where the 3 car wreck occurred. Baltzor ended up being cited for his speed of travel. McConkey says state law says an emergency vehicle must not exceed any designated speed limit to an extent which endangers persons or property

 

Redmond School Superintendent Search Completes First Round of Interviews

REDMOND, OR -- The search for a new Redmond School Superintendent has moved through the first round of interviews before the school board. The board will release a list of finalists next week and they will go through another round of interviews in March. Superintendent Mike McIntosh says the school board will name a new superintendent before the end of March. McIntosh is retiring later this year.

 

Montgomery Named Principal Of La Pine Middle School

LA PINE, OR -- The Bend La Pine Schools have announced that Matt Montgomery will be the new Principal at La Pine Middle School. Montgomery was the Principal at La Pine High School for eight years before taking over as interim principal at the middle school. Montgomery says he will work to help students at a critical age of their development both academically and socially, to prepare them for high school. The Bend La Pine Schools will now begin the process of hiring a new La Pine High School Principal.  

Helt, Knopp Remain In Salem

SALEM, OR -- Two Republicans from Bend, State Senator Tim Knopp and State Representative Cheri Helt did not join fellow Republicans who walked out of the State Capitol yesterday. The walkout led to the Senate President and Speaker of the House to adjourn their respective chambers due to a lack of a quorum. Republicans walked out over their demand that the Cap and Invest Bill be sent to the voters.   

 

Sherifff's Deputy Ochsner Cited For Wreck

BEND, OR -- A Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputy involved in a wreck last November heading to a  rollover accident, has been cited. Sheriff’s Deputy Kiersten Ochsner collided with a car driven by Megan Truelson on Butler Market Road. Bend Police Lieutenant Juli McConkey says a witness said it appeared Truelson had not completely stopped at a stop sign but the investigation failed to prove that claim. McConkey says state law says an emergency vehicle must not exceed any designated speed limit to an extent which endangers persons or property. Both Ochsner and Truelson sustained minor injuries in the wreck.

 

Livingston Running For Congress

BEND, OR -- Bend City Councilor Justin Livingston announced yesterday he will seek the Republican Party nomination for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by incumbent Greg Walden. The 42 year old Livingston was elected to the City Council in 2016 and has voted against climate change regulation and a gas tax increase. Livingston says he supports President Trump, voted for him in 2016 and will do so again in 2020.

 

Crook County Court Phone System Is Down

PRINEVILLE, OR -- I want you all to know that the Circuit Court phone system is down , and there is no way to reach them other than email and that is extremely limited at the moment.  That number is 541-447-6541.  Until further notice, the number is saying it is disconnected or service is out.  We are receiving many phone calls in our office and IT  has been notified.

Thank you,

Colleen Ferguson

Crook County Court and Administration

Support For Central Oregon To Become Part Of New State Of Idaho

CENTRAL OREGON, -- Support is growing for a proposal to make select counties of Southern, Central and Eastern Oregon part of the state of Idaho. Organizer Mike McCarter says conservative Oregonians are frustrated by democrats ruling the state. McCarter is working to get measures on the ballots in 19 Oregon counties asking voters what they think. The new map would also give Idaho a seaport at Coos Bay. Even if the states approve the new borders, congress will have to give its okay.

Wyden Warns Of Foreign Interference In 2020 Elections

BEND, OR -- On his visit to Central Oregon last week, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden told KBND News he is concerned about election security. He says many states use voting machines with an open connection to the internet. Wyden says that’s like placing American ballots in the Kremlin. Wyden urged the US Senate to take action on three important security measures: paper ballots, regular audits, and cybersecurity standards; but got nowhere. He says there will be foreign interference in the 2020 election, and not just from Russia.

 

Kebler Files For City Council

BEND, OR -- A local attorney has announced a run for Bend City Council. Melanie Kebler is running for the seat currently held by Justin Livingston. The 37-year-old Kebler graduated from Bend High and returned to Central Oregon in 2018 to open a satellite office of the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center, according to the Bulletin. There are four Council seats up for election in November. NOTE; This (Tuesday) morning Justin Livingston announced he is running for the 2nd Congressional District being vacated by Congressman Greg Walden. 

 

City Council Approves Development Code Changes

BEND, OR -- The Bend City Council has voted to change development codes to spur urban housing. City Manager Eric King says code changes will remove barriers to development, including housing, around 3rd Street near downtown. He says they reached out to property owners for input asking which projects could pencil out. King says the 3rd Street area housing would likely be apartments, multi-family and townhomes, and development could begin in April after code changes take effect.

 

BEND, OR -- A 17-year-old Bend girl was seriously injured at Centennial Parking Garage yesterday. Lieutenant Julie McConkey at Bend P-D says the girl was on a skateboard holding onto the mirror of a car being towed up the parking garage by another teenaged girl. For some reason the girl lost her grip and fell and suffered serious injuries. McConkey says the girl was not wearing a helmet but since she’s over 16 she’s not required to wear one. State law however, prohibits people on a non-motorized vehicle, like a skateboard, from clinging to another vehicle.

 

Kiteboard Accident Kills Redmond Man

REDMOND, OR -- A 31-year old Redmond man died Sunday after falling from a Land Kiteboard at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. Zackary Hannan had been Kiteboarding for about a year. He strapped himself in the kite about 11-Sunday morning when an unexpected gust of wind lifted him and the kite about 30 feet in the air. Hannan had not yet put on his helmet and when he fell, his head hit the asphalt. He was taken to Saint Charles Bend where he underwent several hours of surgery before dying.

Fire Destroys Home In Post

POST, OR -- A ranch home in Post was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The Crook County Sheriff’s Office says the owner and ranch workers were trying to save some personal belongings when they arrived.  Neighbors came to help with their own fire-fighting equipment but to no avail.  The property is outside the Crook County Fire District so local firefighters were unable to respond. The fire is believed to have started in a solar electrical box in the garage. The residence was a total loss.

Wyden Promotes DASH Act To Fight Homelessness

BEND, OR -- Oregon Senator Ron Wyden says homelessness here and across the nation must be addressed. On a visit to Central Oregon, Wyden discussed a bill he calls the DASH Act. DASH stands for Decent-Affordable-Safe-Housing for all Act. Wyden says his goal is to get 1-billion dollars committed to the DASH Act. Asked where the money will come from, Wyden says he’s looking at taking back some of the money given to the nation’s wealthiest people under the Trump Tax cuts. He says the DASH Act would divide the 1-billion dollars among all 50-states and give them three years and the flexibility to address the homeless issue.

Helt Bill To Ban Flavored Vaping Products Amended

SALEM, OR -- Republican State Representative Cheri Helt worked for months on a bill to ban flavored vaping products because they are popular with kids. A tobacco lobbyist said the state would lose 25-million in taxes by the year 2023 and that cost Helt’s bill votes. But there was another reason the bill lost support…the American Cancer Society. Helt says the society wants all combustibles banned and came out in opposition to her bill. Helt’s bill has been amended to allow flavored vaping products through a tobacco retail licensing program. She says that way if someone sells to a minor they can lose their license.

Police Arrest Arson Suspect

BEND, OR -- Police have arrested a man in connection with an arson at Crown Villa RV Park on February 9th. Police got a call of a rollover wreck on Powell Butte Highway north of Butler Market Road at 4-30 Friday afternoon and were told the driver fled the scene.  A man was spotted hiding in trees near McGrath Road and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. 59 year old Bryan Lindley of Bend is accused of the arson fire of a motorhome he owns with his estranged wife. Lindley now jailed on charges of Arson, Reckless Endangering, and Domestic Violence.

 

 

Scott Schaier Running For Deschutes County Sheriff

BEND, OR -- A 6-year veteran of the Bend Police Department is running for sheriff. Scott Schaier has worked as a patrol officer and is a member of the Central Oregon Response Team and is currently a School Resource Officer. Schaier says his three main goals if elected will be to rebuild public trust…focus on school safety and…build innovative responses to the opioid, homelessness and mental health crisis issues. In 2016 Schaier shot and killed 31-year-old Michael Jacques of Bend after pulling him over for erratic driving. The Oregon Department of Justice ruled they found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Schaier. A civil lawsuit on behalf of Jacques family was settled in 2018 after the insurance company for the City of Bend paid an 800-thousand-dollar settlement.

 

Bend High School Closed Today

BEND, OR -- Bend High School is closed today (Monday) after an explosion at a transformer station outside the school caused damage to the electrical switching room. That was just one of the incidents blamed on high winds in excess of 50 miles-an-hour throughout Central Oregon yesterday. The gusts felled trees in Prineville, Madras, Culver and several spots in Bend. In some cases, trees pulled down power lines causing electricity to be knocked out to almost 3,000 PP&L customers in Bend. 

 

Paving Work Starts On Highway 22; Road To Open Late Friday Or Early Saturday

From the State of Oregon

Statewide, OR—Cleanup crews finished excavating petroleum contaminated soil Thursday at the site of a fuel spill along the banks of the North Santiam River near Idanha – east of Salem and Detroit Lake on OR 22. The spill resulted from a tanker truck crash on Feb. 16 at milepost 63.
In all, cleanup crews dug up and hauled away about 6,200 tons of contaminated soil. Dump trucks took the soil to landfills in Corvallis and Eugene. Booms and other oil absorbent material will be in place, and tended regularly, as long as a sheen is present on the river. The booms will also be checked after storms to make sure that they are secure and that any additional discharged fuel will be caught and removed. About 700 feet of hard and sorbent boom are in the river at the spill site. The Unified Command – consisting of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Space Age Fuel – consulted with natural resource agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and has implemented an erosion control plan to keep sediments resulting from the cleanup out of the river.
Water sampling data shows that concentrations of petroleum chemicals in the North Santiam River are far below federal safe drinking water levels, except in the immediate vicinity of the spill site. Concentrations are declining and there has been no reported impact to downstream water users, and no water intakes were closed. The nearest drinking water intake is about 25 miles downstream, below Detroit Lake. Crews will continue to monitor water quality in the river and report to DEQ regularly, and will increase monitoring following storms.
A nearly 30-mile stretch of OR 22 remains closed in both directions as the road is repaired and repaved. Crews are repaving the highway Friday. The road is expected to open late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. Check TripCheck.com for the current road status.
The closure stretches from the town of Idanha to the highway’s junction with U.S. 20, east of the crash site. During the closure, traffic between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon should take alternate routes.
The spill occurred at about 8 a.m. Feb. 16, when a double tanker truck carrying 10,600 gallons of gasoline and diesel overturned, releasing an estimated 7,800 gallons of petroleum products into the soil at the crash site.
DEQ, EPA and Space Age Fuel, the owner of the tanker, are overseeing the cleanup. Most of the cleanup crews are demobilizing Friday, with the exception of the water quality monitoring team and boom tenders. The team is sampling river water and assessing the riverbank daily, and monitoring groundwater through test wells installed at the spill site.
Agencies central to response support include: the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and NOAA, as well as Marion County, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Department of the Interior and several downstream municipalities.

Bend City Council Approves Resolution Discouraging Feeding of Wildlife

BEN D, OR -- The Bend City Council passed a resolution Wednesday discouraging people from feeding deer and other wildlife…excluding birds.  Central Oregon Daily reports the council hopes the resolution will alleviate the problem. However, if it continues the council could make feeding wildlife a civil violation with a fine of up to 750-dollars. The resolution notes that feeding wildlife can result in attracting cougars and coyotes which creates a risk to both humans and wildlife. The feeding can also result in the spread of disease and parasites.

Prineville Senior Center To Close For Repairs

PRINEVILLE, OR -- The Prineville Senior Center will close next week for some long overdue repairs. The Central Oregonian reports the project includes repairs and replacements to the floors, the roof, parking lot, H-VAC system, kitchen appliances and access ramps. Many of the services offered through the Senior Center will move to other locations during the renovation. It took nearly 4 years to secure federal funding through a Community Development Block Grant. The work is expected to be completed September 1st. 

City of Bend To Conduct Roundabout Testing In Early March

BEND, OR -- A test of metered signals at a busy Bend intersection will be conducted early next month. The test will be conducted at the Reed Market / Bond / Brookswood roundabout early next month. Bend City Manager Eric King says metered signals are a concept similar to metered on ramps to a freeway. He says the goal is to reduce congestion. King says testing of the metered signals will be the week of March 2nd.

Redmond Fire Asking Voters To Support Local Option Levy In May

REDMOND, OR -- The Board of Directors of Redmond Fire and Rescue has voted to put a Local Option Levy on the May ballot. Board President Carroll Penhollow says the levy will pay to maintain the current level of response to fire and medical emergencies. Penhollow says a growing and aging population has led to a 34-per cent increase in emergency calls in the last six years. The levy would also ensure paramedic-level response to all emergencies. In Redmond 85-per cent of calls for service are medical emergencies.

Hugh Palcic Of Sunriver Seeks Democratic Party Nomination For Senate District 28

SUNRIVER, OR -- Sunriver resident Hugh Palcic (PAL-sick) has announced he is running for the Oregon Senate in District 28. The position is now held by incumbent Republican State Senator Dennis Linthicum of Klamath county. Palcic filed as a Democrat and serves as a commissioner on the OLCC. He is General Manager of Sunriver Owners Association and serves on the Deschutes County Planning Commission. Palcic says his goals, if elected, are to improve the regional economy and develop affordable housing.

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SUNRIVER, OR -- Sunriver resident Hugh Palcic has announced he is running for the Oregon Senate in District 28. The position is now held by incumbent Republican State Senator Dennis Linthicum of Klamath county. Palcic filed as a Democrat and serves as a commissioner on the OLCC. He is General Manager of Sunriver Owners Association and serves on the Deschutes County Planning Commission. Palcic says his goals, if elected, are to improve the regional economy and develop affordable housing.

Community Forum Today At La Pine Middle School

BEND, OR  --

From Bend La P:ine Schools

Students, staff and community members are invited to meet the finalists vying for the principal position for La Pine Middle School. A community forum begins in the school’s library at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. Attendees will get a chance to see presentations from the candidates and interact with them.

The finalists are:

Jason Deaner is currently serving as Dean of Students and Athletic Director at La Pine Middle School, a position he has held for four years. Prior to that, Deaner served as a middle school math teacher in Beaverton for three years. He has 11 years total classroom teaching experience.

Mary Doyle is currently serving as Student Services Coordinator and Athletic Director at Three Rivers School in Sunriver, a position she has held for six years. Doyle also serves an elective and intervention teacher at the school. Prior to that, she served as a classroom teacher for 11 years.

Matt Montgomery is currently serving as interim Principal at La Pine Middle School. Prior to that, Montgomery served as Principal at La Pine High School for nine years. Montgomery has 20 years of classroom teaching experience.

The new principal will begin July 1.

Former Deputy Loses Two Lawsuits Against Sheriff, Won't Appeal

BEND, OTR -- A former Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputy who filed two lawsuits against the department claiming violations of his veteran’s preference rights, has agreed not to appeal. Ronnie Dozier filed lawsuits against the sheriff’s department in June 2017 and again in April 2018. Dozier lost both cases after courts found no evidence he suffered harm and there was no retaliation against Dozier. He has now agreed to pay Deschutes County 10-thousand dollars for his portion of attorney fees the county spent to defend the case. 

County Commissioners Oppose Cap And Invest Bill; Want Issue Submitted To Voters

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously yesterday to oppose the Cap and Invest bill before the Oregon legislature. Commissioner Phil Henderson says the bill will hurt natural resources jobs in Central Oregon. Henderson says the bill should be sent to the voters. Henderson says he would support another Republican walk-out if that’s what’s needed to stop the bill.   Deschutes County Commissioners opposed similar legislation last year during the regular session.

Terrebonne Man Accused Of Attempted Murder In Oregon City

OREGON CITY, OR -- A Terrebonne man is in the Clackamas County Jail for allegedly firing a rifle at a police officer. 32-year-old Beau Wilcox was at his parent’s home in Oregon City with his wife and children last week. The Oregonian reports, police received a 911 call about a man threatening his family. When police arrived, they heard breaking glass. Police say an officer saw Wilcox at the door armed with a rifle. The officer ducked behind a truck in front of the house. Police say Wilcox fired a shot that hit the truck but eventually came out of the house and was threatening. Officers used a Taser to arrest Wilcox who faces attempted murder and other charges.    

OSU Extension Urges Home Canners To Test Dial Gauges

CENTRAL OREGON -- The OSU Extension Service is reminding home canners to make sure to test their Pressure Canner Dial Gauge every year. Glenda Hyde is the OSU Extension Health Educator in Central Oregon. She says the Dial Gauge can wear out from what’s called metal fatigue. Hyde says if the Dial Gauge does not work properly it can cause food poisoning. She says home canners can get their Dial Gauge tested for free at any OSU Extension Service office in Central Oregon.  Drop it off and they’ll call when it’s ready for pick up.

 

Wyden Holds Town Hall Friday In Madras; Will Discuss Homelessness At Bend Roundtable

BEND, OR -- Oregon Senior Senator Ron Wyden is in Central Oregon this week for a Town Hall and a meeting focusing on homelessness. Wyden will host a Town Hall in Madras, tomorrow at 10 a.m. The event is at the Madras Performing Arts Center on Buff Street. He then comes to Bend at 1 o’clock tomorrow for a roundtable discussion about homelessness. Wyden will discuss legislation he is sponsoring to end homelessness for children and families.  The roundtable is at the Deschutes County Health Department on Northeast Courtney Drive  

Police Seize Pound Of Meth During Traffic Stop; California Man Arrested

LA PINE, OR -- A traffic stop last Saturday on Highway 97 north of La Pine led to an arrest and seizure of about one pound of methamphetamine. 55-year-old Andrew Foley of Sacramento, California was stopped for speeding and failing to signal a lane change. During the traffic stop the K-9 Ares alerted to the odor of narcotics. Foley is jailed and charged with Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

 

Jason Kropf Running For Oregon House District 54

BEND, OR -- A Deschutes County Deputy D-A, Jason Kropf, is running for the Oregon House in District 54. The position is now held by incumbent State Representative Cheri Helt.  The 49-year-old Kropf is a Democrat who was elected to the Bend Park and Rec Board in 2019. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

since 2012. Kropf has been a deputy D-A since 2005 and prior to that was a public defender.

Two DCSO Sergeants On Administrative Leave

BEND, OR -- Two Deschutes County Sheriff Sergeants have been placed on administrative leave. Last week Deputy Patrol Sergeant Deke DeMars was placed on paid leave pending the olutcome of an inquiry into alleged agency policy violations.  Yesterday, Patrol Sergeant Kevin Dizney was placed on paid leave pendimng an inquiry into alleged agency policy violations. No other information has been released.

Sunriver Spending $40,000,000 For Renovations & Upgrades

SUNRIVER, OR -- Sunriver Resort has announced its spending $40,000,000 within five years on improvements and upgrades. Managing Director Tom O’Shea says the work at the new Aquatic Center at The Cove has already begun. The center will have a water slide and lazy river with an indoor pool, making it a year-round complex. The Aquatic Center will open Memorial Day 2021. O’Shea says 12-million dollars of renovations to 190 guest rooms and suites has also already started. They will finish about 44 rooms before the summer season then restart the work and finish in time for the first quarter of 2022.Sunriver will also restore the stables building and have new riding trails this year.

 

City Gives 60 Days Notice To Juniper Ridge Campers Today

BEND, OR -- Beginning today the City of Bend will give 60 days’ notice to people camping on Juniper Ridge. The city Property Manager Heme (hem-me) Gomez says there aren’t resources in  Bend where people can go. He says they are working with social service providers and area shelters to determine if they can alleviate some of the problem. Gomez says the residents will also receive a 30-day notice to leave and then a final 24-hour notice. There are an estimated 70 campsites on the 15-hundred-acre Juniper Ridge site. In mid-April constructyion is to start on a sewer line project crossing Juniper Ridge

 

Inmate Dies At County Jail

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Major Incident Team is investigating the death of an inmate that occurred yesterday morning.  Corrections Deputies found 33-year-old Chad Braden Bomar unconscious in his cell after an apparent suicide attempt. Emergency medical from Bend Fire responded and began life saving measures including CPR. Emergency medical arrived but Bomar was dead.  Police say Bomar was celled with another inmate when the incident occurred, and he has been interviewed.


 

Human Remains Found Near Deschutes River Woods

CENTRAL OREGON -- On Monday afternoon a hiker discovered what appeared to be human remains a half mile south of the Deschutes River Woods Area on U-S Forest Service lands. Deputies and detectives confirmed the discovery of human skeletal remains at the scene. A State Forensic Anthropologist will examine the remains to try to determine identity and the cause of death.   

 

Obsidian Middle School In Redmond Closed Due To Power Outage

REDMOND, OR --  Due to a school facility power outage, there will be no school for Obsidian Middle School on Wednesday, February 19. Students who ride the bus will be provided transportation home and all staff members will remain on site until all students are safely home. The cause of the power outage has not yet been determined but Pacific Power is working with the school district to address the cause and solution. 

 

Bethlehem Inn Elects Kevin Link To Board of Directors

BEND, OR -- Bethlehem Inn has announced that Kevin Link has been elected to its Board of Directors. Link is a Manager for SunWest Builders and was directly involved in the planning process for the Bethlehem Inn campus reconstruction project that was completed this past summer. The Bethlehem Inn also thanked two board members who are leaving the organization’s board, David Gilmore and Annette Liebe. The Inn provided shelter, food and case management to more than 11-hundred adults and children last year.

Bend Police Urge Drivers To Be Aware of Pedestrians

BEND, OR -- Bend police are asking the public to be careful and observant when driving in areas where pedestrians are crossing streets and roads. There have been some wrecks involving cars and pedestrians in the north end of Bend. Police say Centers For Disease Control studies show most pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, at non-intersection locations at night. Police urge pedestrians to carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing and cross at a marked crosswalk.

 

 

 

Empire Project Underway; Purcell Bridge Closed For Two Months

BEND, O0R -- The Empire Project is kicking into high gear now that the Purcell Bridge is closed. The Empire Extension from Purcell to the intersection of 27th and Butler Market Road will be finished by early summer.  Project Manager Sinclair Burr says they’ll then install the 2-lane roundabout at 27th and Butler Market by the end of the year. He says next year they’ll finish the Butler Market–Purcell Intersection which may have a stop light or roundabout. The Empire Project carries a total price tag of $23,000,000 dollars.

 

Redmond School Board In Day Long Executive Session

REDMOND, OR -- The Redmond School District Board of Directors is holding a special day-long meeting today at Comfort Suites at Redmond Airport. The meeting begins at 8-45 a.m. and the Board will immediately go into Executive Session, which is closed to the public. The agenda for the meeting says the board will consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. The agenda also shows the board won’t adjourn until 7-15 this evening. The Redmond School Board is in the process of hiring a new Superintendent to replace Mike McIntosh who retires later this year. 

 

DEQ On Scene At Highway 22 Fuel Spill

IDANHA, OR -- The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is on scene at Highway 22 near Idanha. Harry Esteve at DEQ says the double tanker had 10-thousand-600-gallons of fuel and 7-thousand-871 gallons spilled. He says the remaining 27-hundred gallons was recovered. Esteve says the fuel is getting into the North Santiam River and a sheen is visible a few hundred feet downstream of the crash site. He says there are absorbent booms to try to prevent more fuel from getting into the river, which is the water supply for nearby towns and the City of Salem.  Highway 22 will have to be rebuilt following the removal of diesel and gas fuel contamination of the road. 

 

DEQ Update On Tanker Truck Spill

From The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Statewide, OR—Feb. 17 12:30 p.m.: UPDATE on North Santiam River Tanker Spill

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality continues to oversee cleanup and monitoring near the site of a Feb. 16 truck crash and fuel release on Highway 22 about 60 miles east of Salem.

Of the 10,600 gallons of fuel on board the double tanker, 7,871 gallons spilled and the remaining fuel was recovered. Fuel is discharging from the bank of the North Santiam River and a sheen is visible for a few hundred feet downstream of the crash site.

Crews began excavating contaminated material this morning and will evaluate disposal options.

About 400 feet of hard boom and other absorbent materials are in the river to contain and collect fuel. DEQ will continue to monitor potential impacts to fish and wildlife at and downstream of the site. There have been no reports of impacts to drinking water supplies in the area.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s On-Scene Coordinator and contractors are providing the water sampling data for hydrocarbon by-products at two- and four-mile intervals in the North Santiam River downstream of the crash site.

Oregon Highway 22 will remain closed to through traffic from just west of Idanha to the junction with U.S. 20 (milepost 53-81) until at least Friday or Saturday of this week, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. This morning, ODOT was able to assess the damage and determined that it will take several days to remove contaminated soil and repair the road where the truck crashed.

An area of roadway about 600 feet long needs to be excavated and rebuilt. Motorists traveling to and from the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon can use U.S. 20 and OR 126E as alternative routes.

ODOT Says Highway 22 Closure In Effect Until Friday Or Saturday

HIGHWAY 22 -- From ODOT
OR 22 will be closed to thru traffic from just west of Idanha to the junction with U.S. 20 (milepost 53-81) until Friday or Saturday of this week. This morning, ODOT was able to assess the damage and determined that it will take several days to remove contaminated soil and repair the road where a double tanker crashed Sunday morning spilling thousands of gallons of fuel. An area of roadway about 600 feet long needs to be completely excavated and rebuilt.
ODOT is working at the site along with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hazmat specialists Northwest Firefighters and a construction contractor working for ODOT.
Motorists traveling to and from the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon can use U.S. 20 and OR 126E as alternative routes.

Chris Piper Running For City Council

BEND, OR -- Bend City Councilor Chris Piper is running for the office he was appointed to when Sally Russell became Mayor. Piper says a high priority for him is affordable housing. He says the council has set a goal of 3-thousand housing units to include single family, duplex and triplex housing. Piper was asked if Bend can build its way out of the housing problem. He says he thinks we can, but it won’t be easy nor quick due to the years when not much housing was built. 

COCC Holding Two Major Fundraising Events In Late February

BEND, OR -- Two major fundraising events being sponsored by the COCC Foundation coming up later this month.  Zak Boone at the foundation says Taste of the Town has been around 25 years and the Meal of the Year, 42 years. Taste of the Town is on Friday February 28th and tickets are 40-dollars each. The Meal of the Year event is Saturday February 29th and tickets are 150 dollars each for that Black-Tie event. Tickets available on the COCC web page. Boone says they hope to raise 350-thousand dollars from the two events this year for the COCC Scholarship Fund.

 

 

Man Arrested After Firing Handgun In Apartment

BEND, OR -- Gunfire inside an apartment with two adults and two children led to the arrest of a Bend man Friday night. Police were called a little after 9 to the Golden Pines Apartments on N.E. Purcell Boulevard.  An argument in the apartment led to the firing of a handgun. No one was injured. The handgun was left behind. The suspect was identified as an extended family member, 37-year-old Luis Almanza-Corona, who fled to Redmond.  Just before 10 p.m. the suspect’s vehicle was spotted.  Redmond Police, Sheriff’s Deputies and State Police conducted a high-risk traffic stop. A Sheriff’s negotiator had to talk him into giving up. Almanza-Corona is jailed on weapon, burglary and menacing charges.  

Woman Rescued Near Tumalo Falls

TUMALO FALLS, OR -- A Bend woman was rescued near Tumalo Falls midday yesterday. According to witness accounts, 60-year-old Patricia Mullen was crossing a foot bridge carrying her fat-tire bike when she fell off near the Tumalo Creek Trail and the South Fork trail.  Mullen was unable to make it back up to the trailhead. After about an hour and a half a Search and Rescue Volunteer was able to reach her. 45 minutes later, seven more volunteers rode in on snowmobiles and then hiked a half mile to bring Mullens out.  She was transported to St. Charles for further evaluation.

 

 

 

Bend Man Charged With Burglary, Attempted Burglary

BEND, OR -- A local man has been arrested for the burglary and attempted burglary of two homes in Bend over the weekend. Saturday afternoon a homeowner on SW Millbrook Lane reported more than $10,000 worth of property had been taken.  Police collected evidence linking that crime to an attempted burglary reported earlier that same morning on SW Blakely Road. Last night, the same homeowner on Millbrook Lane called 9-1-1 to report a man was trying to open his front door. The suspect fled but was apprehended with the help of a K-9 unit.  30-year-old Bend resident Brenton Schaumann was taken into custody without incident but had to be forcibly transported to jail on numerous charges.

 

Purcell Bridge Closed; Reopens April 30th

BEND, OR --  The Purcell Bridge will close for more than two months beginning today, through April 30th. The bridge crosses an irrigation canal north of Northeast Butler Market Road south of Empire Avenue. The Purcell Bridge will be widened along with other improvements. Empire is being extended from Purcell and will tie into the intersection of Northeast 27th and Butler Market road with a new, two-lane roundabout. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be affected by the total bridge closure. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

 

Wreck Closes Highway 22

ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: OR 22 is closed 8 miles east of Idanha following a crash involving a semi truck hauling double tankers. The highway is closed between milepost 60 and 81 (Santiam Junction). There is no easy detour for vehicles traveling eastbound on OR 22. This could be a lengthy closure. Travelers will want to avoid the area or use an alternative route.

Oregon Senate Honors Ducks & Justin Herbert

SALEM, OR --Yesterday the Oregon State Senate passed 2 resolutions honoring the 2020 Rose Bowl Champion Oregon Ducks. One resolution recognized the entire team and the other singled out Rose Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player, quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert ran for 3 touchdowns in the win, but Senate President Peter Courtney said it was how Herbert represented his school and his state off the field that makes him special.

 

Deschutes Farm Bureau Offering Scholarships

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Farm Bureau has several scholarships available to high school students who are thinking about careers in agriculture. The Farm Bureau is offering two, one-thousand-dollar scholarships, open to students whose families are voting or supporting members of Deschutes County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau’s Rep Tom Maddux says, they also have two additional scholarships for FFA students. He says those FFA kids in Deschutes County who are interesting in a scholarship, should talk to their advisors. Maddux noted that with the changing times, he’d like to see more young people get involved in agriculture and help preserve some of the traditions of farming

Mortgage Rates Fall..Time To Refinance?

BEND, OR -- Home mortgage interest rates have dropped about one-quarter of one per cent lately. Matt Mitchell at Mid Oregon Credit Union says people considering refinancing a variable to a fixed rate need to look at their circumstances and how the numbers play out. Mitchell says homeowners with a fixed who want to refinance need to consider first how much lender fees, appraisals, titles and recording will cost. Then calculate how long it will take to pay those fees with the lower interest rate to figure out the break-even point. 

 

Sheriff Asks Public For Help Locating Stolen Items

CENTRAL OREGON -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to help them locate items stolen last Sunday.  A burglary in the 65-thousand block of Old Bend Redmond Highway resulted in items being stolen from a garage including a 1997 Chevrolet 25-hundred pickup with Oregon plate V-V-A 725.  Also stolen, a blue trailer loaded with a green Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV. Anyone with information is asked to call the non emergency number at the sheriff’s office.

COCC Board Meets This Afternoon

BEND, OR -- Accreditation and cybersecurity are two items before the COCC Board of Directors when they meet this afternoon. Ron Paradis at the college says they are getting ready for accreditation which occurs every seven years. He says they expect an accreditation team on campus in April. Paradis says the board will hear about cybersecurity and the on-going battle against internet hacks and email phishing scams. The board will also be briefed on the legislative session in Salem and bills that may affect community colleges. Today’s COCC Board Meeting starts at 5-45 at Boyle Education Center.

 

Porter Testifies on Knopp Helt Bill

SALEM, OR -- Bend Police Chief Jim Porter recently testified in Salem in support of a bill to address threats against schools and places of worship and closing a gap in state law between menacing and disorderly conduct. Porter testified in favor of a bill sponsored by State Senator Tim Knopp and Representative Cheri Helt which classifies these threats as a Class A, not a Class B misdemeanor. Porter says under a Class A misdemeanor, adults and juveniles can be held. However under a Class B misdemeanor juveniles can not be held. He says holding juveniles is important so they can be evaluated as most threats against schools and churches are mental health cases.

 

Mid Oregon C-U Urges Taxpayers To File Early

BEND OR -- Tax season is here and Mid Oregon Credit Union urges people to get prepared now to file by organizing necessary documents. Kyle Frick at Mid Oregon says due to fraud issues it is better to file earlier rather than later. He also says make sure all information including bank account numbers have been updated. Frick also says make sure you have records for deductible expenses including mortgage interest, property taxes, medical bills, child care and charitable contributions.

 

Prineville Bar Named In Wrongful Death Lawsuit

PRINEVILLE, OR -- The estate of a man who was killed in a drunk driving wreck in 2017 and a victim who survived are suing a Prineville Bar. The Bend Bulletin reports the estate of Stephan Mitchell Leader-Bowles is suing Horsehoe Tavern. The suit claims the tavern over-served Justin Bittick on his birthday in 2017. Bittick convinced four people to come to his home to party.  At first Leader-Bowles drove the car but got lost. Bittick convinced him to let him drive but drove at high speed and the vehicle rolled. Leader-Bowles and a passenger Caleb Austin Williams died. Two passengers Alex Shaver and Corrine Hatchell survived as did Bittick. The Leader-Bowles estate is suing Horseshoe Tavern for 1-point-25-million dollars. Passenger Shaver suffered a broken neck and is suing for 900-thousand dollars. Bittick is serving 20 years in prison for manslaughter.    

Chamber of Commerce Hosting Panel Discussion Tonight On Biosciences

BEND, OR -- There’s panel discussion this evening about how biosciences are changing medicine and health outcomes. Bend Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Katie Brooks says these Bend companies develop drugs, biotechnology and bioscience that applies new ways of curing disease. She says they use different approaches to treat cancer, childhood  and lifetime diseases such as assisting the body in treating itself including getting new drugs into the body in an efficient way. The panel discussion about biosciences is being held this evening from 5-to-7pm at 10 Barrel East Side Pub. The event costs 25-dollars for Bend Chamber members, 35-dollars for non-members. 

 

 

Bend Police Warn Of Scam Kidnapping Calls

BEND, OR -- Bend Police say they’ve received numerous calls of a fake kidnapping of a child to try to get ransom money.  The scammers are believed to use social media or public information websites to do research. The scammers are calling from outside the country and provide information on the child or the city.  Police say scammers will actually use the child’s name to convince the person it is a real kidnapping. They demand money through a money wire or gift cards. If you get a scam call, police say text the child to verify where they are and not in danger and report the incident to police.

La Pine Woman Charged With Arson

LA PINE, OR -- Deschutes County 911 received a call from a woman reporting that her 5th Wheel travel trailer was on fire early Sunday morning in La Pine. Jessica Adams initially reported that her ex-boyfriend set the blaze, however the investigation revealed it was in fact Jessica Adams who set the fire. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies and La Pine Fire Department personnel responded and extinguished the fire. Adams was arrested by citation and charged with arson. The La Pine case is not to be confused with an arson incident on Sunday at an RV Park in Bend. Police have identified the suspect in that case as Bryan Lindley who has not yet been apprehended by police. 

 

Jacobson Named New Chair Of Bend 2030

BEND, OR -- The Bend 2030 Board of Directors has elected Sally Jacobson as its new chair. She will lead Bend 2030 as it launches a community wide initiative to update the city’s vision looking ahead to the year 2050. The project will launch in mid-year and continue for up to 18-months. Jacobson is a long time Bend resident and serves on the Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee and the organization Build A Better Bend. Jacobson takes over from Jillian Taylor who chaired Bend 2030’s board the last three years.  

Wilderness Fee Permit Prices Drop After Public Complaints

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes National Forest will implement new limited entry permits for day and overnight use of three popular wilderness areas beginning in May. However the fees won’t be as high as first announced last year. The permits will be required for the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness Areas. The day permit will cost 1-dollar and the overnight permit will be 6-dollars, That’s a drop of 4-to-11-dollars per person, per day for permits following widespread negative public reaction. The goal of the permit system is to reduce overcrowding and environmental damage to the backcountry. Permits will be required from late May to late September.

Redmond Hiker Injured When Holstered Gun Discharges

REDMOND, OR -- A man accidentally shot himself while hiking yesterday. Deschutes County Deputies and Redmond Paramedics responded to an area east of Buckhorn Road in response to a hiker with a gunshot wound about 1:30pm. Twenty four-year-old Chad Gatley of Redmond was scouting mountain biking trails with a friend, when his pistol accidentally discharged in its holster—firing a round into his leg. Deputies decided the injury was serious enough to bring in ground and air resources, but ultimately the victim was transported out by ambulance. He was taken to St. Charles Health where he was in stable condition as of last night.

 

Police Looking For Bend Arson Suspect

BEND, OR -- Bend Police are looking for a man accused of setting an arson fire at the Crown Villa RV Park on Brosterhous Road. Police were called about 5-10 Sunday afternoon and when they arrived at the RV park found a 1987 motorhome fully engulfed. It was reported that 59 year old Bryan Lindley of Bend intentionally set fire to the motorhome he owns with his estranged wife. Police says Lindley left the area in a Silver 1999 Nissan Pathfinder Oregon plate 263-DTW. Anyone with information asked to call Bend Police  .

 

 

Beck Denied Parole for Fourth Time

SALEM, OR -- A man convicted of murdering a woman jogger near Camp Sherman has failed for the fourth time to win release from prison. 70 year old Roger Beck asked the Oregon Board of Parole to rule he was likely to be rehabilitated but the board said no. The Oregonian reports the board decided Beck has failed to accept responsibility for his role in the murder of 35 year old Kaye Turner which happened on Christmas Eve Day 1978 near Camp Sherman. The parole board found Beck has continued to deny responsibility and has been promoting a conspiracy theory involving six different people, which they ruled shows Beck does not have the maturity or stability to be released.

 

Sunriver Trails To Connect To Trails in West Bend, Protect Elk Habitat

SUNRIVER, OR -- The Deschutes National Forest is going to expand a trail from the Sunriver area and connect it took trails west of Bend. Kassidy Kern at the Deschutes says the trail will be designed to move the people who use it from elk habitat areas. She says the new Sunriver Trail will accommodate mountain bike and horseback riders and hikers. The Deschutes is partnering with Central Oregon Trail Alliance and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to design and build the new trail.

 

 

Bend Will Be First Site Of Revenue Department CAT Meetings

BEND, OR-- The Oregon Department of Revenue is holding 13 public meetings in March to provide businesses with information about the new Corporate Activity Tax known as CAT. The first meeting is scheduled to be held in Bend on Monday March 1st at Central Oregon Community College from 6-to-730 p.m. The Corporate Activity Tax imposes a point-57-per cent tax on gross receipts greater than 1-million dollars after subtractions. The meetings will give business taxpayers an opportunity to comment on temporary rules before they become permanent in April.

City Of Bend Preparing To Help Homeless At Juniper

BEND, OR --  The Bend City Council is moving to resolve issues arising from homeless camps at Juniper Ridge. Mayor Sally Russell says the camps underscore the affordable housing problem in the region and says it is time for those living there to move on to a more safe and stable living situation. She says there are on-going sanitary and safety issues at the site. Russell says they city is working with stakeholders to provide  resources to help people at Juniper Ridge move on sooner rather than later.

 

Car Hits Power Police, Driver Leaves The Scene

CENTRAL OREGON -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department is looking for the driver of a car that hit a power pole about 11-45 last night. Police say a 1997 BMW 318 slid off Deschutes Market Road near Dale Road and hit the pole on the left side of the car. Police say the road was not icy and weather was not a factor. The driver was not on scene. Police searched the area on foot and used a K-9 and a thermal drone to try to find the driver without success. Central Electric Co-Op evaluated damage to the pole. The sheriff’s office says they’d like to locate the driver to discuss the incident. 

 

 

Two Men Arrested, Charged With Armed Robbery

BEND, OR -- Bend Police have arrested two men in connection with an armed robbery last Sunday night near Butler Market and Northeast Ross Road. Detectives identified 21 year old  Xadde (ZAA-DEE) Chisholm as a person of interest that night. Later, police determined that 18 year old Cole Speirs had conspired with Chisholm to commit the robbery. At about 3-15 yesterday police stopped the two men in Speirs car near Northeast 8th and Greenwood. The two were taken into custody. Evidence from the robbery was recovered during the arrest. Speirs is charged with Robbery, Conspiracy, Weapons and Drug charges. Chisholm is charged with Robbery, Conspiracy and Menacing.

 

Murphy At Brosterhous Intersection Closes Monday Until May

BEND, OR -- The City of Bend will close the intersection of Murphy Road and Brosterhous Road on Monday and the intersection will be closed until May. Central Oregon Daily reports the city shared detour options with the community at an Open House this week. The project includes reconstruction of parts of Murphy Road to three lanes, upgrading roundabouts and adding train track overcrossing. The project began in January 2019 and will impact different sections of Murphy Road until the summer of 2021. More information is on the city of Bend’s website.

 

 

Snowpack Shows Improvement Since First Of Year

BEND, OR -- The January snow and rain helped improve the Upper Deschutes Crooked Basin snowpack. Scott Oviatt at the Natural Resources Conservation Service says it is now at 92-per cent of normal. He says however storm fronts moving through the area recently seem to be rotating between much cooler to warmer and that could reduce the snowpack at mid to upper mountain elevations. Oviatt says the amount of rain and snow in our area since the beginning of the water year on October 1st is lagging behind at 77-per cent of average.

$190 Million Transportation Bond Going To Voters In May

BEND, OR -- The Bend City Council voted unanimously yesterday to send voters a $190,000,000 Transportation Bond measure in May. The funds will pay for traffic flow, east-west connections, neighborhood safety and transit infrastructure improvements. Councilors also adopted a resolution to establish a bond oversight committee to track and report on project expenses, schedule, and progress---if the measure passes. The bonds would be repaid by an annual assessment on real property, estimated to cost property owners an average of $0.47 cents per $1,000 of assessed value each year of the repayment period. Mayor Sally Russell says the cost would amount to about $170 per person per year.

UPDATE: Missing Homeless Bend Man Found

Updated Release by Sgt. Bailey at 10:30 am

Mr. Jordan has been located safe in the Juniper Ridge area near Cooley Rd/NE 18TH Street.  Thank you to everyone who kept an eye out and shared tips with us on possible sightings.
 

Released by: Sgt. William Bailey – Public Information Officer

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Missing Person: Glenn F. Jordan (AKA Smokey)      Age: 58          Bend, Oregon

NARRATIVE:

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on a missing Bend area man.  Glenn  F. Jordan of Bend has been reporting missing after not showing up for an appointment in Bend on Monday.  Additionally, Mr. Jordan’s phone is off and he has not contacted friend(s) as he normally does on a daily basis.  DCSO detectives have confirmed Jordan was last seen at Home Depot in Bend at noon on Sunday, February 2, 2020. (Attached photo is from video surveillance obtained by detectives from Home Depot)

Jordan is described as a 58-year-old white male, 5’6” tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds.  He was last seen wearing black pants, black shirt and a brown jacket.  Jordan is reported to homeless and frequents businesses at the north end of Bend.  Today, detectives located his campsite and it does not appear he has been there recently.

 

Community Talk About Absenteeism On Friday At Bend Library

BEND, OR -- Representatives from the Oregon Department of Education will be in Bend on Friday to talk with families about absenteeism. The listening session will start at 5 p.m. at the Downtown Bend Library. Families will be asked about what causes their kids to miss school and how the state can fight the problem. High rates of absenteeism have been linked to many students failure to graduate from high school. The education department has a website called ever day matters dot org with more information.  

Warfighter Outfitters Holding Fundraiser This Saturday

BEND, OR -- The 3rd Annual Warfighter Outfitters Benefit Dinner is Saturday at the Bend Riverhouse. Founder and President, Brett Miller says they have more than 200-thousand dollars of fair market value items for the silent and live auctions including a wall of guns. He says Warfighter Outfitters is all an volunteer group with zero paid or salaried employees. He says all money raised is used for food and fuel for a wide range of outdoor excursions for any veteran who signs up. Tickets for the event are 50-dollars each which starts at 430 Saturday with a live auction at 7-30.

Children's Immunizations Must Be Up To Date By February 19th

BEND, OR -- Parents in Central Oregon whose children don’t have up-to-date immunizations are receiving letters from local health departments reminding them to get children vaccinated. The Supervisor of the Deschutes Communicable Disease Program, Jill Johnson says if immunization records are not up-to-date, children won’t be allowed in school or day care. She says Deschutes county has a high rate of non-medical exemptions for vaccinations. Johnson says to get an exemption parents have to take a required step which includes watching a video about the risks and benefits of vaccines. Exclusion Day is Wednesday February 19th.

 

 

Bend Homeless Man Reported Missing

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is seeking any available information about a Bend man who has gone missing. Glen Jordan was reported missing after not showing up for an appointment in Bend on Monday. Friends tried reaching him on his cell phone and the line was disconnected. Jordan was last seen at Home Depot in Bend at noon on Sunday. He is described as a 58-year old white male, 5’6” tall weighing 120 pounds. Jordan was last seen wearing black pants, black shirt and brown jacket. His campsite was located by detectives, but does not appear to have been visited for some time. Anyone with information or knows of his current whereabouts is asked to contact the non-emergency dispatch line.

 

Will Kasner Murder Trial Be Delayed?

BEMND, OLR -- The murder trial of 50 year old Joanna Kasner is supposed to start February 26th but it could be delayed. Kasner wrote a letter to the judge stating she had fired her attorney. The attorney says that isn’t true. The Bulletin reports between now and the trial Kasner could accept a plea deal or, be sent to the State Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation. Kasner is accused of gunning down a neighbor, 59 year old Valerie Peterson in January 2019 in Bend. Peterson was walking her dogs and police believe Kasner called over to her saying she wanted to pet her dogs. Kasner then allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Peterson and one of her dogs. Kasner pleaded not guilty in September.  

Transportation Advisory Committee Seeks New Members

CENTRAL OREGON -- The Regional Public Transportation Advisory Committee needs some new members. Cascades East Transit operates fixed route bus and connector service for travel between Bend, Redmond an all outlying communities in the tri county region. The advisory committee meets once every other month. It provides input to the Central Oregon Integovernmental Council on transit issues while educating the public about the value of public transit. Applications are due in by 5pm tomorrow, Wednesday. Applications can be picked up at the Hawthorne Station in Bend or the Redmond Cascades East Office on Antler Avenue.

 

Applications Available For Bend Police Community Academy

BEND, OR -- Applications are being taken for the Bend Police Department Community Academy which meets in the Spring. The class meets once a week for nine weeks and educate citizens about how the department carries out its mission. Topics include Narcotics, Traffic, SWAT, K9’s and Officer Survival. Students who graduate become eligible to become Bend Police Department Volunteers. This year the Community Academy is from March 31st to May 26th. The Tuesday classes are from 6-to-9 p.m. Applications are available at the Bend Police Department.

 

Redmond Woman Dies In Rollover Wreck

CENTRAL OREGON -- A 32 year old Redmond woman died in a rollover wreck on Alfalfa Market Road near Todd Road about 9-45 Sunday night. Police say Rachel M. Hedges was eastbound on Alfalfa when her Subaru left the road, then overcorrected and rolled multiple times. Hedges was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Police say icy road conditions contributed to the crash. The investigation continues.

Redmond Holds Community Meeting On Comprehensive Plan Thursday Evening

REDMOND, OR -- Last year the City of Redmond reached out to citizens to ask for their input as they began the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan for the first time in two decades.  Assistant City Manager John Roberts says, "We did a community engagement process and enlisted 22 community groups through community conversations and focus groups, to draw feeback on a variety of things such as what they value, what amenities they like most and how they'd olike to see the city grow." Roberts says at this week’s vision update meeting, citizens can comment on land use scenarios and the goals they’ve developed. He says the Redmond Comprehensive Plan 2040 projects the population will increase from about 30-thousand now to more than 50-thousand people by 2040. The Vision Update Meeting is from 6-to-730 at Redmond City Hall this Thursday evening.

 

Five Central Oregon Arts Groups Get State Grants

BEND, OR -- Five arts organizations in Central Oregon have been awarded Operating Support Grants from the Oregon Arts Commission. Grants were awarded to Bend Film Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, Sunriver Music Festival, High Desert Museum and Tower Theater. The total of the five grants is more than 41-thousand dollars and range from 44-hundred to more than 18-thousand dollars. The grants are for Operational Support, meaning the money can be used for anything the arts organizations need from paying an electric bill to adding staff.  

 

Mark Owens New Member Of The Oregon House

REDMOND, OR -- A former Harney County Commissioner is the newest member of the Oregon House. Republican Mark Owens is a small business owner from Crane and was sworn in late last week at a Redmond Church. The Oregonian reports Owens was chosen by Eastern Oregon county commissioners to replace Vale Republican State Representative Lynn Findley in House District 60. Last month Findley was appointed to the Oregon Senate seat vacated by Cliff Bentz who is running for Greg Walden’s seat in Congress. Before he was appointed, Owens had filed to run for Findley’s house seat.

 

Prineville Disposal Sold To Republic Services

PRINEVILLE, OR -- A family-owned garbage disposal company in Prineville has been sold. Republic Services bought Prineville Disposal after the sale was approved by the City of Prineville. Republic Services bought Bend Garbage and Recycling last year. The Bulletin reports Prineville Disposal was owned for 43 years by Gary and Sally Goodman and later their daughter and husband, Emily and Steve Holliday. The franchise agreement awarded to Republic means any changes to rates or collections has to be approved by the city of Prineville. 

 

Governor To Name Judge To Replace Retiring Judge Forte

SALEM, OR -- Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Forte is retiring at the end of the month and Governor Kate Brown plans to fill the vacancy. Last summer there was a vacancy on the Deschutes County Circuit Court and the governor interviewed candidates for that position. She says she will use the list of candidates from last summer who applied and were interviewed to fill the vacancy when Judge Forte retires.      

 

Redmond Police Use Narcan To Save Man's Life; Bust Alleged Drug Dealer

REDMOND, OR -- Redmond Police say they were able to save a man’s life a by using Narcan. Police were called last Wednesday to a possible drug overdose where they found an 18 year old man unconscious, without a heartbeat and not breathing. Police used the Narcan and the man was revived and later released from a hospital. Investigators learned the man had taken a potentially lethal dose of Opiods he allegedly got from 18 year old Albino Jose Reyes. Police used a search warrant and found evidence of drug dealing including crack cocaine, LSD, prescription drugs, 6-thousand cash and a handgun. Reyes is jailed on weapon and drug charges.   

Marion County D-A Slams Three Police Recruits For Risking Another Recruit's Life

SALEM, OR -- The Marion County D-A has released a report stating three police recruits risked the life of a fourth recruit to save themselves. The report says in October, four recruits at the Police Academy decided to practice defensive tactics. The Oregonian reports Joseph DeLance, Dylan Hanson, Austin Daugherty and Dustyn Matlock were in their rooms when Matlock grabbed DeLance by the biceps. Matlock was knocked unconscious and awoke in extreme pain. The report says DeLance, Daugherty and Hanson told Matlock he was okay, to take ibuprofen and sleep it off. Matlock ended up with body tremors before a fifth recruit took Matlock to a hospital. He was diagnosed with a brain bleed, cervical spine fracture and broken wrist. Doctors said if Matlock had gone to sleep he might have died from brain swelling. The director of the Departm,ent of Public Safety Standards and Training, Errik Gabkliks says, "We have to do our own scrubbing of information to see what occurred."  DeLance is now on administrative leave from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department.  Austin Daugherty is Sheriff Shane Nelson’s son. He and Dylan Hanson are now on administrative leave from the Oregon State Police.  

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