With an eye toward slower growth Deschutes County could face some tough spending choices in the near future.  County leaders and staff are planning for that now.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

The Deschutes County Republican Party has gotten behind a new plan to end almost all Voting By Mail in Oregon.  KBND’s Rick Worthington reports the groups plan includes Voting in person and proof of US Citizenship.

Firefighters around Oregon are responding to more house fires, and experts are blaming the cold weather.  KBND’s Heather Roberts reports.

Two Redmond transients were arrested Tuesday at a parking lot in Terrebonne by Deschutes County SWAT team members.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

picture courtesy of Central Oregon Daily News

At the Redmond City Council meeting on Tuesday night, the hot topic on the agenda was updating the Safe Parking Program ordinance. KBND's Rick Worthington reports.

La Pine High is among the schools seeing a big rise in graduation rates...District and State numbers came out Thursday.  KBND's Mike Thomas talked to the principal about their efforts to get that percentage up.

 The Redmond School District is addressing how they'll comply with new U-S immigration rules.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

photo courtesy of Oregon Public Broadcasting

In the face of rising hunger across the state, new legislation would extend food assistance benefits to undocumented children and older adults. KBND's Rick Worthington reports.

Cities across Oregon are putting pressure on the Oregon Legislature to help with issues around homelessness ... and funding.  KBND's Heather Roberts reports.

Julie Brown with Bend Parks and Recreation Department

A community needs survey for Bend Parks and Recreation programs is hitting mailboxes.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Bend Fire and Rescue knocked down a shop fire yesterday morning on Highway 20 East of Bend.

The shop building was not occupied at the time of the fire, and the homeowner was not displaced by the fire.

Two water tenders from Alfalfa Fire assisted Bend firefighters. 

Operations took longer because of lack of water supply in the area…so water tenders and portable tanks were needed.  

The fire is under investigation with losses estimated at 50-thousand dollars to the structure and 25-thousand to the contents. 

Lawmakers returning to Salem for the start of the Legislative session this week are being greeted by roadside messages encouraging them to "Free Eastern Oregon" by moving the border.  KBND's Rick Worthington reports.

Bend La Pine Schools identified areas of improvements and actions to take following the incident at a middle school last fall.  Mike Thomas talked to the district about their findings.

The state legislative session, just underway this week, has several bills the city of Bend is watching closely.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Federal prosecutors were ordered this week to investigate state or local officials accused of interfering with the President's immigration crackdown.  But, as Heather Roberts reports, most Oregon police agencies say they won't participate in immigration enforcement. 

Steve Leriche is stepping down after 16 years as District Attorney... and 26 years serving in Jefferson County.  He'll be taking a job in the Oregon Justice Department next month.  KBND's Mike Thomas has the story:

Deschutes County Commissioners got together on Wednesday morning.  KBND's Rick Worthington reports.

More than half of Oregon's hospitals say they are losing money.  As KBND's Heather Roberts reports, they want the Legislature to fill some of the gap.  

24-units designated for workforce housing will soon be available for rent in Redmond.  A ribbon cutting for the Nova Apartments on 5^th street Tuesday brought together city officials, housing advocates, and local developers.

The crews in Bend that would normally be working hard during the cold months to keep snow off the roads have been having a fairly easy go of it this winter.  City Transportation Department's David Abbas was our guest on KBND's Your Town yesterday morning.  Rick Worthington reports:

The Oregon Legislature gaveled into session on Tuesday. KBND's Heather Roberts reports.

Central Oregon's commercial real estate market is poised for even more growth this year.  Brian Fratzke, of Fratzke Commercial Real Estate, says it's happening throughout the region.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

In the Legislative session that begins Tuesday, a group of Oregon lawmakers plan to address the risk of lawsuits public land managers face from recreators.   KBND's Heather Roberts explains:

One of Redmond's top priorities is creating more work-force housing.  A 24-unit downtown apartment complex is set to open at the site of the former Village Squire motel Tuesday.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Conversations about long-term care can be difficult but necessary as our parents get older.   KBND's Rick Worthington explains, there is help available for people when talking with their loved ones about this topic.

An eye-popping number of bills is already stacking up in Salem, ahead of the legislative session.  KBND's Heather Roberts reports on how lawmakers plan to get through them. 

Redmond's new building projects are sprouting up all across town. City leaders are planning for more growth. KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Wildfire the scale of what we are seeing in Southern California is the nightmare scenario for everyone in Bend.  KBND's Rick Worthington reports, the City of Bend is always trying to be ready for Fire in our area.

Oregon’s DMV launched Express Self-Service kiosks in Salem Thursday.  One of the first will be in Bend.  KBND’s Heather Roberts reports from Salem.

The 'Healthy Schools' program is seeing success.  It's now in its 4th year at the 14 middle and high schools in the Bend – La Pine District. KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Central Oregon Community College is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.  KBND's Rick Worthington reports, the Deschutes County Commissioners recognized the anniversary at it's meeting on Wednesday.

640-thousand Oregonians will be allowed to use free software to file their income taxes this year.  KBND's Heather Roberts reports.

Bend's population continues to expand year-over-year...But the police department reports Calls for Service stayed relatively steady. KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

The Oregon Department of Forestry's strike teams have been working alongside CalFire to suppress the wildfires in Los Angeles County. KBND's Rick Worthington has the latest.

According to the latest nationwide date from the CDC, Oregon is among the worst states for flu activity. KBND's Heather Roberts has more. 

Applications for two seats on the Crook County School board will open Wednesday.  Mike Thomas has the report from Tuesday's packed meeting in Prineville.

Organizations supporting farm workers are ramping up efforts to protect immigrant laborers in light of looming mass deportation threats. KBND's Rick Worthington reports, Approximately 1 in 12 jobs in Oregon today are tied to agriculture.  ?

(Picture courtesy of Central Oregon Daily News)

Homelessness, mental health support, education, and climate are the top priorities for Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, based on Monday's State of the State address.  KBND's Heather Roberts reports.

Another member of the Crook County School board has resigned. The three remaining members meet tonight to go over steps to adding replacements. Mike Thomas has the latest from Prineville.

Drug agents in Central Oregon have made a big bust.  KBND's Rick Worthington reports, a Bend man is under arrest.

President-elect Trump has Republicans in Congress working on a massive spending bill covering a wide range of issues.  KBND's Heather Roberts has more from Oregon's only GOP member of Congress.

The city of Bend city held its swear-in ceremony for its new and re-elected councilors this week.
Leaders and city staff are now deciding what they want to accomplish over the next two years.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Something to look forward to this month...Deschutes Public Library says the new Redmond Library officially opens to the public on Monday, January 27th.  KBND's Rick Worthington gives us a sneek peek.

 Ten Red Cross volunteers from Oregon and Southwest Washington are now in southern California to help shelter fire evacuees.  KBND’s Heather Roberts has more. 

Many families hoping to find some relief from expensive housing in our area may have something to look forward to.  KBND's Rick Worthington reports.

Oregon ranks second worst in the nation for access to pharmacies, and rural areas struggle the most.  KBND's Heather Roberts reports that Saint Charles Health System taking matters into their own hands.

The OSU Cascades campus is undergoing major construction...with more in the planning stage.  The Bend university's Chancellor and Dean tells KBND News how the university aims to fund the projects. Mike Thomas reports:

New versions of the Oregon Wildfire Hazard Maps are now out.   KBND's Heather Roberts reports they're intended to help property owners learn their risk of wildfire.  

It's a busy week for Deschutes County.  KBND's Rick Worthington explains.

Credit card companies know how much you spent over the holidays. In the first weeks of the New Year...some are feeling a financial hangover.  KBND's Mike thomas reports:

(Picture courtesy of Central Oregon Daily News)

Crook County Schools will begin negotiations to mutually end the contract with its superintendent...Dr. Melissa Skinner.  The school board decided during a Special Meeting Monday night at a packed Barnes Butte Elementary in Prineville.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

The Bend Police Department issued a warning about an increase in drunken driving incidents.  KBND's Rick Worthington has more on the warning.

Two people were hurt in a Bend shooting over the weekend. KBND's Heather Roberts has more information.

A special meeting called by the Crook County School board is set for tonight (Monday).

Mike Thomas has the latest on the controversy surrounding the district's recently-hired superintendent.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is busy this time of year trying to keep roads open and free of snow.  KBND's Rick Worthington explains, some drivers are not helping.

Two children in Oregon have died from the flu this season, and 474 people have been hospitalized.  KBND's Heather Roberts reports.