Peter Madsen

In the interest of cutting down on fossil fuel emissions and encouraging electrification, the Bend City Council approved a policy proposal on Feb. 18 that would add a scaled fee to the installation of natural gas equipment in residential homes. The fee, which the councilors will vote in April whether to implement, would be set […]

Most people agree that the restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic were a drag. Wearing facial coverings, social distancing and not hanging indoors with others were disruptive necessities in curbing the spread of the virus, which ultimately killed about 1.2 million Americans. Like elsewhere in the state, some Central Oregon businesses were slow in adopting then-Gov. […]

Lev Stryker, the co-owner of Cog Wild, recently stood under the tall stand of ponderosas in front of his bicycle guide company’s office at the LOGE Entrada motel campus, pointing out the perch of a great horned owl.  “There’s three of them in there,” Stryker said. “At night they hoot to each other.”  Stryker will […]

Alex Pretti loved bikepacking. He was also known in his South Minneapolis neighborhood as a friendly guy who enjoyed walking his dog, someone who greeted the folks who passed by. On Jan. 24, while filming U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and helping a shoved woman to her feet, Pretti was pepper-sprayed by ICE agents […]

Ian Cranston appeared virtually with his attorney on Jan. 28 at a hearing at Deschutes County Circuit Court, where Circuit Judge Beth Bagley set future dates for Cranston’s re-trial in the 2021 shooting death of Barry Washington Jr. A new 10-day in-person trial will begin on Oct. 20. A general trial readiness hearing will happen […]

Pattie Gonia, a nationally touring drag queen, entrepreneur and activist for LGBTQ and environmental causes, has been sued by Patagonia, the outdoor brand, for six claims of trademark infringement. The company is seeking a jury trial and damages of $1. The lawsuit may complicate Pattie Gonia’s upcoming national drag show tour, which will visit nearly […]

Snapping a fibula while helping a nonprofit repair a damaged trail. Dislocating a shoulder during cyclocross because the Belgian stair runup is slippery. The Fonz waterski-jumping a shark, biffing it and being eaten by said shark. The first two scenarios illustrate the inherent risks of various outdoor fitness and recreation pursuits. The injuries incurred might […]

In the upcoming legislative session that begins Feb. 2, each lawmaker is allowed to introduce two legislative concepts. The short session runs just 35 days, and there’s no guarantee these concepts will become bills. These are the concepts introduced by local lawmakers. Rep. Jason Kropf, HD-54 LC 273 would make changes to the gun permit […]