Central Oregon state Senators Anthony Broadman and Mike McLane are asking insurance providers to stop non-renewals and policy cancellations of homeowners insurance… based on the maps companies are using to assess wildfire risk.

An Oregon community college loses millions in the temporary spending bill approved this month by Congress.  KBND’s Heather Roberts reports. 

A 51-year-old Bend man was arrested earlier this month on nine felony counts involving child sexual abuse and display of explicit materials.  Justin Noble Sayers was indicted Thursday on the charges stemming from an investigation where authorities determined Sayers would pose as a teenager to get 13- to 16-year-old females to send him sexually explicit images and videos.  Authorities say none of the known victims were from Deschutes County but the investigation is ongoing.

After a deal on preferred location for a new landfill...Deschutes County leaders are searching for another site.  KBND News spoke with Descutes County Commissioner Tony deBone:

A new fire truck is being welcomed to Crooked River Ranch Monday. Mike Thomas spoke with a representative.

The approaching closure of more than 34-thousand acres south of Bend for wildfire fuel reductions has prompted a letter to the Forest Service asking to delay or stop it.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is looking to reduce recidivism at the adult jail.  KBND’s Mike Thomas has the story:

The Redmond School District’s Logan McGinnis says there’s a dashboard on their website to follow the construction timeline.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Bend Parks and Recreation has plenty going on for Spring Break this week. And they’re looking ahead for the summer season too. KBND’s Mike Thomas reports:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is the national organization’s 2024 Platinum Award winner

A program of J Bar J Youth Services… it’s one of 17 organizations to receive this top honor recognizing program excellence… out of more than 230 agencies across the country.

In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon has served 221 youth with one-to-one mentoring.

Oregon Public Schools’ Spring Break is time for rest and relaxation from class.

It’s also potentially a week away from friends…and a break from a safe routine.

KBND News spoke with the Superintendent of Bend-LaPine Schools.

A recent graduate of Heart of Oregon Corps has won a prestigious national award.  KBND's Mike Thomas spoke with him.

Hear the complete interview with Logan Nichol and Heart of Oregon Corps Executive Director Laura Handy here.

picture courtesy of Central Oregon Daily

(Madras, OR) -- A corrections officer at the Deer Ridge Correctional Institution near Madras was hospitalized Tuesday after coming into contact with a suspicious substance. Officers were investigating suspected contraband when the incident happened. The officer received a dose of Naloxone and was transported to a hospital. Officials evacuated the area and shut down the air filtration system as a precaution. Another officer also experienced a reaction and was evaluated on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

picture courtesy of Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal

The Oregon Department of Forestry has released its report on the cause of the Santiam Canyon Fires in 2020.  There was a total of 19 fire reports.  12 of them were caused by Pacific Power equipment, but the investigators found they were all put out by residents or firefighters.  The fires that caused the damage were started by embers from the Beachie Creek Fire that was burning in the Cascades.  Investigators interviewed over 180 witnesses during the investigation.

Deschutes County is planning roundabouts in the Sunriver - Three Rivers area.  Project managers want public input on the unusual designs.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

If you’re heading out on a spring break road trip this month, it’ll cost less to fill up your gas tank, compared to last year.  KBND’s Heather Roberts reports. 

Oregon’s U-S Senator Ron Wyden is in Central Oregon Tuesday holding Town Hall meetings in Prineville and Sisters.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

A 34-year-old Seattle man died at Mt Bachelor Monday after being buried in a tree well.   Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol…Air Link… Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies… and Search and Rescue teams responded to Bachelor’s west side after Deschutes 911 received an emergency SOS text message just after 3 PM Monday.  Investigators determined third parties worked for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to free Benjamin Shelkey from being buried headfirst. Following CPR… Shelkey was transported to the Mt. Bachelor Clinic, where he succumbed to his injuries. While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, and the official cause of death has not yet been determined, circumstances are consistent with snow immersion suffocation, according to the Sheriff’s office.

picture courtesy Central Oregon Daily News

A 50-year old Bend man was killed in an avalanche last Thursday.

Brian Thomas Roberts was among a group of skiers on Mt. Bailey…on a back country excursion through Diamond Lake Resort.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says despite efforts by fellow party members who swiftly dug him out and attempted lifesaving efforts by two nurses on the scene… He succumbed to his injuries in the remote location.

Roberts…a husband and father…was an accomplished skier, and coach.

One additional member of the group sustained a laceration or puncture injury during the avalanche, believed to be caused by a branch or ski pole, but declined ambulance transport.

Bend-Lapine School District release:

SOUTH COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSED MARCH 17 DUE TO HEAVY SNOW

Due to heavy snowfall Sunday in the south end of Deschutes County, we will close our La Pine and Sunriver schools Monday.

Closed schools include:

Three Rivers School

Rosland Elementary School

La Pine Elementary School

La Pine Middle School

La Pine High School

All after-school activities are canceled as well.

School buses will not operate Monday in the Sunriver and La Pine areas, including routes from south county areas to Bend.

Bend-La Pine Schools is monitoring storm impacts for our Bend schools and will evaluate driving conditions through early Monday morning. We will update you with a decision for our Bend schools by 5 a.m. Monday.

About 170 drivers were cited for speeding or other infractions during a multi-agency traffic enforcement detail this week.  Mike Thomas reports:

A bill to protect recreation areas from injury lawsuits advances in Oregon’s legislature.  KBND’s Heather Roberts reports. 

Learning about future developments in Bend is the topic of an upcoming City Club of Central Oregon Forum.  KBND's Mike Thomas spoke with the moderator of the upcoming panel.

This upcoming rodeo season…10-thousand dollars will go to the top performer in Central Oregon’s three professional rodeos: the High Desert Stampede… Sisters Rodeo… and Crooked River Roundup.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

A multi-law enforcement agency traffic safety detail conducted 100 stops on Monday…compared to the usual 10 – 20 per day.  KBND's Mike Thomas has the story:

photo courtesy of Central Oregon Daily News

A Central Oregon outdoors icon Bob ‘Woody’ Woodward has passed away.

The sports journalist and author moved to Bend in 1978.    Among his many contributions to the community…the former Bend mayor was one of the inventors of Mountain Biking.   He also had a big influence growing the popularity of cross-country skiing here.   His knowledge and expertise helped create many of the area’s bike and ski trails…his name is on some of them.   Bob Woodward was 85.

This week…high tech robots and drones will be used on 156 acres of wildfire fuels in Deschutes River Woods.   It’s coming thanks to an Oregon State Fire Marshal grant awarded to Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District number 2. KBND's Mike Thomas reports: