Local News

For the third time in three days, fire officials and Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies responded to fires involving a motorhome or camper van which then spread. The Sheriff’s Office says two of the incidents were arson. On Friday morning just after 8am, deputies responded to a fire along Highway 97 south of Deschutes Junction. The […]

While The Cram Fire, which has now consumed about 77,000 acres, continued burning about 55 miles northeast of Bend, another fire, much smaller, engulfed an RV and a nearby vehicle at the Temporary Safe Stay Area at Juniper Ridge, a sanctioned refuge for the homeless. At the camp about 4 miles north of Bend, the […]

As thousands of people head to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds this weekend for the Fairwell Festival, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Oregon State Police (OSP), and Redmond Police Department are reminding drivers and festivalgoers to plan ahead, travel safely, and celebrate responsibly.  With large crowds expected for the popular music event, local and state […]

The Old Mill District, known for shops, galleries and restaurants, is adding apartment rentals to its portfolio. In September, construction will get underway to prepare the ground for three new buildings at the northern end of the shopping center. Building X will be 8,700 square feet along the riverfront trail, across from Pastini’s, where the […]

If you find yourself overheating on a summer day, dog in tow, you arguably couldn’t pick a better place to cool off than the newly renovated Miller’s Landing Park, tucked along the Deschutes River in the Old Bend neighborhood. After a six-month renovation that began late last year and involved removing the boardwalk that had […]

The housing market in Bend has slowed dramatically compared to last summer. The latest Beacon report states the median price of a home in Bend is now $693,000, down from the peak of $832,000 in April. The number of homes sold in June was 166, which is higher than a year ago with 145 homes […]

Wildfire Roundup The Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked for two wildfires burning in Central Oregon. The Act has been invoked six times so far this wildfire season. The Cram Fire was reported at 5:30pm Sunday, July 13, north of Madras on Highway 97, south of the juncture with Highway 293. Gusty winds and hot […]

The Cram Fire exploded in size to 64,296 acres. Windy conditions continue posing challenges for firefighters. Today Governor Tina Kotek declared a State of Emergency for Oregon’s wildfires lasting through the end of the year. “Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences. The summer is only gettin hotter, drier […]