Pilot Dies at Airshow of the Cascades
The Airshow of the Cascades show ended in tragedy Aug. 27 when a pilot died in a plane crash. According to Airshow of the Cascades' website, Marcus Paine died during his Saturday afternoon performance in Madras. Paine, who hailed from Anchorage, Alaska, had been a pilot for more than 20 years. Paine was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and a former U.S. Army Special Forces Officer, Airborne Master and Jumpmaster. He was piloting a 450 Stearman biplane when he went down around 3 pm. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
A statement on the Airshow of the Cascades website says: "The Paine family and the airshow community appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
The Airshow of the Cascades held its first event in 2000 at the Madras Airport, offering free admission to veterans and children. The annual event provides a space for local organizations to raise money for their programs and scholarships.
Volunteer Connect Closes; Database Moves to Better Together
Longtime volunteer-matching service Volunteer Connect has shut down operations and moved its volunteer database to Redmond-based nonprofit Better Together. Prior to its closure in August, Volunteer Connect matched people with one-time and ongoing volunteering opportunities at more than 140 Central Oregon community organizations. In 2016, Volunteer Connect began focusing on volunteer services for youth, by youth, so a partnership with Better Together – which focuses on improving outcomes for youth from birth to career – was a natural fit.
"I am thrilled that Better Together has stepped up to continue the essential work of offering volunteers an easy and reliable way to connect with meaningful opportunities to serve our communities. We see this as an excellent fit," said Betsy Warriner, founder and executive director of Volunteer Connect.
"We are excited about the opportunity to keep this incredible resource alive, and to build on it in a way that directly serves our current birth-to-career initiatives across the region," said Better Together Executive Director Katie Condit.
Bookkeeper Arrested on Embezzlement Charges
A Deschutes County grand jury has indicted a bookkeeper on charges related to embezzlement of close to $1 million from a local business. Authorities arrested Sherrie Lynn Burge on Aug. 19 after she was indicted on 32 counts of money laundering, 1st degree aggravated theft, aggravated I.D. theft, forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards.
According to the office of Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, Burge had worked as a comptroller and bookkeeper at DENT Instruments since 2012. DENT Instruments is a Bend-based company that designs and manufactures data loggers and energy recorders for energy professionals. Authorities say Burge's alleged ongoing embezzlement took place over the course of four years. Burge was not listed among inmates at the Deschutes County Adult Jail as of Aug. 30.
