▶️ Say goodbye to 1-and-1 bonus, and say hello to the new free throws rules

by Steele Haugen | Central Oregon Daily News
May 31, 2023

Do you remember those high school days on the basketball court?

Game on the line, you get fouled, a 1-and-1 bonus, and nerves out of control because you know you have to make that first free throw at least.

Come this summer basketball season, free throws, a whole new game

“In the new rule, all of the team files will reset at the end of each quarter. On the fifth foul, the team will automatically be awarded two free throws. There’s no more one plus the bonus,” said Assistant Executive Director for the OSAA Monica Maxwell.

The National Federation of State High School Associations recently made the rules and it was adopted by the Oregon Schools Activities Association shortly after

“I think it’s to become more in line with what the college level was doing, sort of what we did with the shot clock. You know, just become more in line with other levels of basketball,” said Maxwell. “I think the more these levels become the same, the easier to transition will be from the level.”

The OSAA is asking schools to start implementing these new rules during summer basketball, and Wednesday was the first practice for Summit High.

“Obviously, at some point, though, we need to be able to look at, you know, logistics of what is this game going to look like and what impact are the rules going to have on us,” asked head boys coach Jon Frazier.

Frazier says he doesn’t think the new rules will have too much of the style of play the Storm like.

“The main one is going to be that shot clock and just understanding, you know, how do we use the shot clock to our advantage, especially in the quarter situations when that shot comes into play, you know, how are we going to take advantage of it to put ourselves in a position to win,” he said.

5-A Oregon player of the year, Pearson Carmichael, committed to playing for the University of Idaho as a junior.

Now heading into his senior season, he has one more year to prepare before playing for the Vandals.

“I mean, I kind of like it,” Carmichael said. “I mean, obviously, first getting ready for college, but I think it’s just good for everyone, just kind of like feel like they’re playing at the next level and kind of like, you know, getting ready for the next step.”

Big changes for players and teams, but it is the fans who may benefit most.

“The change to the 1 to 1 rules, ultimately, I think that’s going to lead to just less stoppages of play for foul shots and just more game action,” Frasier said. “So, you know, I think for fans, for people that are coming to watch games next year, I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun for them, and I think it’s going to improve the game overall.”

▶️ Coaches, players react to shot clock coming to Oregon high school basketball

▶️ Outdoor debris burning season ends Thursday for much of Central Oregon

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 31, 2023

Open debris burning is already prohibited in the city. And starting Thursday, it won’t be allowed in the outskirts, either.

Outdoor debris burning will be prohibited in the outer limits of Bend and Redmond and in the Jefferson County Fire District. La Pine and Sisters-Camp Sherman fire districts were closing their burning seasons Wednesday night.

If you’re not sure about fire restrictions in your jurisdiction, contact your local, state or federal fire agency for specific requirements and closures. The local fire danger level was moved to Moderate on May 25.

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Homeowners are urged to make sure their homes have a good defensible space to protect them from wildfire. More information about creating defensible space and preparing for the upcoming fire season can be found on our website at www.ownyourzonebend.org.

Backyard fires which include warming fires, campfires and cooking fires are typically allowed year-round within the City of Bend and Rural Fire District #2 that surrounds the City, when used within the guidelines set forth in the Bend Fire Department Burning Regulations.

Prescribed burns blog: More burns near Sunriver, Sisters and Crescent Wednesday

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 30, 2023

This is an ongoing blog about updates on prescribed burns in Central Oregon. The most recent updates will be posted at the top.

Prescribed burns for Wednesday, May 31, near Sunriver, Crescent and Sisters. Information from Deschutes National Forest:

Sunriver

Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock and Crescent Ranger Districts plan to continue prescribed burning operations on Wednesday if conditions remain favorable.

Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to continue prescribed burning approximately 10 miles south of Bend and five miles east of Sunriver along Forest Service Roads 9720 and 9721 for 185 acres on Wednesday. A small portion of the prescribed burn will be adjacent to Forest Service Road 9703 which provides access from Lava Lands Visitor Center to Highway 97. No road or trail closures are anticipated; however, drivers should slow down and use caution around firefighters and fire vehicles. Smoke will be highly visible from Bend and Sunriver. Sunriver and south Bend may experience some smoke impacts. Oregon Department of Transportation and flagging personnel will monitor conditions on Highway 97. This prescribed burn is within the Rocket Vegetation Management Planning area and has been previously thinned, pile burned and mowed. The fuels reduction work in this area decreases the potential for catastrophic wildfire to impact Sunriver. Firefighters may continue with ignitions in this area through the week if conditions remain favorable.

Crescent

Firefighters on the Crescent Ranger District will continue prescribed burning up to 75 acres within the Gilchrist State Forest approximately six miles southeast of Crescent and east of Highway 97. The prescribed burn is being conducted on Walker Range Fire Patrol-protected lands through the North Walker Cross Boundary Prescribed Fire Agreement. Forest Service firefighters will be working with Oregon Department of Forestry firefighting resources to conduct the prescribed burn operations. No road or trail closures are anticipated.

Sisters

The Sisters Ranger District plans to conduct a prescribed burn four miles northwest of Sisters adjacent to Highway 20 and three quarters of a mile north of the Cascade Meadow Ranch Subdivision on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, firefighters plan to conduct 115 acres of prescribed burning west of Zimmerman Pit. The prescribed burn will not be right along Highway 20, but some smoke and flames may be visible from the highway. Residents in the Cascade Meadow Ranch Subdivision and the Indian Ford area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. The Forest Service is closely coordinating with Oregon Department of Transportation on this prescribed burn as it relates to the management of Highway 20.

Due to active prescribed burn operations in the area, the Forest Service asks that the public avoid Forest Service Road 2059-500 and Zimmerman Butte on Wednesday and Thursday. We know this is a popular recreational shooting area and we appreciate the support of the public to avoid it during this critical work. Please contact the Sisters Ranger District at (541)549-7700 for alternative suitable shooting areas. Additionally, the Sisters Tie Trail near Indian Ford Campground will also be closed on Wednesday and Thursday for public safety during and directly after burn operations.

This prescribed burn unit is located in a strategic location adjacent to residences, private property, and critical infrastructure, including Highway 20 and recreation opportunities. Implementing this prescribed burn is crucial to meeting the Deschutes National Forest’s obligations within the Greater Sisters Country Wildfire Protection Plan and upholding the Forest Service’s commitment to addressing the Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

If conditions and resource availability shift in a way that the prescribed burn adjacent to Highway 20 is not feasible, Sisters Ranger District firefighters will plan to conduct a 104-acre prescribed burn two and a half miles west of Sisters adjacent to the Tollgate Subdivision, north of Highway 242 and west of Forest Service Road 1008. No road or trail closures are anticipated. Tollgate Subdivision residents are encouraged to keep windows and doors closed to minimize smoke impacts.

Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within a fire-dependent ecosystem helping to stabilize and improve the resiliency of forest conditions while increasing public and firefighter safety. Once firefighters ignite prescribed burns, they monitor and patrol the units until they declare the burn out.

These prescribed burns are occurring within the Central Oregon Landscape, one of 21 focal landscapes identified within the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The implementation of these prescribed burns supports the Deschutes National Forest’s commitment to addressing the Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to reduce severity of wildfires, protect communities and improve the health and resiliency of fire-dependent forests.

Prescribed burns can protect homes from tragic wildfires. Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. Sometimes, weather patterns change, and some smoke will be present during prescribed burns.

What does this mean for you?

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.

All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts
When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights
If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke
Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

Prescribed burn for Friday, May 26. Information from Deschutes National Forest.

Central Oregon – Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plan to continue prescribed burning operations on Friday if conditions remain favorable.

Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to continue prescribed burning approximately 10 miles south of Bend and five miles east of Sunriver along Forest Service Road 9720 for another 76 acres on Friday. Smoke will be highly visible from Bend and Sunriver. Sunriver and south Bend may experience some smoke impacts. Oregon Department of Transportation and flagging personnel will monitor conditions on Highway 97. This prescribed burn is within the Rocket Vegetation Management Planning area and has been previously thinned, pile burned and mowed. The fuels reduction work in this area decreases the potential for catastrophic wildfire to impact Sunriver. Firefighters may continue with ignitions in this area through the week if conditions remain favorable.

This prescribed burn is occurring within the Central Oregon Landscape, one of 21 focal landscapes identified within the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The implementation of this prescribed burn supports the Deschutes National Forest’s commitment to addressing the Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to reduce severity of wildfires, protect communities and improve the health and resiliency of fire-dependent forests.

What does this mean for you?

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.

- All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts
- When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights
- If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke
- Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

Deschutes Co. free hazardous waste disposal events begin Saturday

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 30, 2023

Need to get rid of your hazardous household waste that’s piling up? Deschutes County Solid Waste is hosting a series of one-day collection events this summer so you can get rid of it. The first one is Saturday.

Residents can drop off the following:

Oil and latex paints and stains
Thinners, solvents, fuels
Oil soaked rags and absorbents
Pool and spa chemicals
Garden products (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.)
Vehicle fluids (coolants, lubricants, fuels, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.)
Propane tanks and camp stove cylinders
Aerosols (paints, garden sprays, cleaners, etc.)
Mercury and Mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats, etc.)
Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs
Rechargeable batteries
Household cleaners

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What’s not accepted:

Business-generated hazardous waste
Medical waste
Explosives, fireworks, ammunition
Compressed gas cylinders (propane tanks and cylinders are accepted)
Barrels

Business-generated hazardous waste, medical waste, explosives, fireworks, drums, compressed gas cylinders and barrels will not be accepted.

Here are the dates and locations

Sisters

Saturday, June 3
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sisters Recycling Center
328 W. Sisters Park Drive

Redmond

Saturday, June 17
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
3800 SE Airport Way, Lot B

La Pine

Saturday, July 15
9 a.m. -1 p.m.
La Pine High School
51633 Coach Road
Front parking lot

For more information, call the Department of Solid Waste at (541) 317-3163.

▶️ Fisher, Lava Bears fly past Comets, move on to semifinals game

by Steele Haugen | Central Oregon Daily News
May 26, 2023

The No.2 ranked 5-A softball team in state, The Bend Lava Bears took care of business against Crater on Friday, earning a 7-0 victory.

Bend now takes on Lebanon at home on Tuesday.

In 4-A the Crook County Cowgirls took on the top-rated Henley Hornets and held their own, losing 9-8.

In baseball, Ridgeview lost to West Albany 8-2 in an away game.

Also traveling, the Mountain View Cougars who lost to Wilsonville 4-1.

At the 4-A level, Crook County lost to No. 1 ranked Scappoose 8-1.

In 3-A, Sisters lost to Cascade Christian 9-2, and the La Pine Hawks fell to Banks 8-4.

Prescribed burn near Sunriver, Crescent Thursday

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 25, 2023

The following is information on prescribed burns planned near Sunriver and Crescent for Thursday, May 25:

Central Oregon – Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock and Crescent Ranger Districts plan to continue prescribed burning operations on Thursday if conditions remain favorable.

Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to continue prescribed burning approximately 10 miles south of Bend and five miles east of Sunriver along Forest Service Road 9720 for another 300 acres. Smoke will be highly visible from Bend and Sunriver. Sunriver and south Bend may experience some smoke impacts. Oregon Department of Transportation and flagging personnel will monitor conditions on Highway 97. This prescribed burn is within the Rocket Vegetation Management Planning area and has been previously thinned, pile burned and mowed. The fuels reduction work in this area decreases the potential for catastrophic wildfire to impact Sunriver. Firefighters may continue with ignitions in this area through the week if conditions remain favorable.

Firefighters on the Crescent Ranger District will continue prescribed burning within the Gilchrist State Forest approximately six miles southeast of Crescent and east of Highway 97. They hope to accomplish 37 acres. The prescribed burn is being conducted on Walker Range Fire Patrol-protected lands through the North Walker Cross Boundary Prescribed Fire Agreement. No road or trail closures are anticipated.

What does this mean for you?

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.

- All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts
- When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights
- If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke
- Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

▶️ Deschutes Co. Houseless Response Director Purrington resigns after 9 months

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 23, 2023

The director of the Coordinated Houseless Response Office (CHRO) in Deschutes County is stepping down less than nine months after taking the job.

Deschutes County announced Tuesday night that Cheyenne Purrington’s last day will be June 9. Central Oregon Daily News obtained a copy of Purrington’s resignation letter.

“As the sole Office employee for many months, I gained important insights into the Office’s functions and dysfunctions – as it moved from concept to reality. I’m mindful that ours is just one of several pilot communities funded as part of an untested idea, with the goal of determining what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change. I accepted this position in that spirit of learning, collaborating and bending the curve on homelessness at a regional scale,” Purrington wrote.

The letter includes a number of recommendations Purrington has for the office going forward.

“So, in conjunction with this repositioning plan and after careful consideration, I’m resigning from the role of Director. I’ve been honored to serve the residents of Deschutes County and will continue to champion the incredible work underway throughout our community,” she wrote.

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Purrington stepped into the leadership role of the new office last September. It’s stated goal was to make Central Oregon’s houseless response system stronger.

“We thank Cheyenne for her service and her work to establish the Coordinated Houseless Response Office,” said Nick Lelack, Deschutes County Administrator.

Deschutes County and the Cities of Bend, La Pine, Redmond and Sisters are recipients of House Bill 4123, which is providing $1 million in grant funding for houseless response. But certain goals must be met.

Purrington told Central Oregon Daily News Monday the office is on track with the grant requirements. She claims over half of the goals are completed, but more could be done if she had more help. Purrington said she is the only full-time member of the office and said she has requested two full-time staff members aside from herself.

We also spoke with the CHRO board’s chair and vice-chair, Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair and Bend City Councilor Megan Perkins, who gave varying answers as to how effective Purrington and the office has been.

Purrington previously served as the Executive Director of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless in California.

▶️ 5 illegal marijuana grow sites busted in Bend, La Pine; 2 people sought

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 23, 2023

More than 650 pounds of marijuana flower and 630 marijuana plants were seized as Central Oregon drug detectives and SWAT searched five locations in Bend and La Pine Tuesday morning. Two persons of interest remain on the loose.

The investigation, which the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) says lasted several months, started with tips from the community about a Bend man operating a marijuana grow on Berg Lane in north Bend.

An investigation by the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement team (DCIME) and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team (CODE) included surveillance on the man. DCSO said detectives identified a large criminal organization that also had property in northwest Bend and La Pine.

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Tuesday morning, CODE, DCIME and Deschutes County SWAT moved in with search warrants at these locations:

800 block of NW Newport Ave, Bend
63000 block of Berg Lane, Bend
16000 block of Dyke Road, La Pine
52000 block of Polar Drive, La Pine
52200 block of Polar Drive, La Pine

DCSO says 665 pounds of processed marijuana flower and 630 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized. Detectives also allegedly seized a large amount of money and found evidence of interstate trafficking and financial crimes.

Several people were detained and interviewed. Some arrests are pending Grand Jury indictments, DCSO said. Their names are being withheld until the investigation is finished.

However, detectives are still looking for two people of interest in the case

Daniel Liautaud, 36, of Bend
Jackson Liautaud, 31, of La Pine

Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call Detectives Dustin Miller or Tony Ramos at 541-693-9111 and reference case 23-25857. Do not attempt to arrest or detain them.

Police: Sunriver vandalism suspect may have also hit Corvallis

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 23, 2023

Sunriver Police have released new photos of a male suspected of vandalizing properties in the area. These new photos are from an incident in Corvallis, taken five days before the Sunriver vandalism.

The new images show what appears to be a white male wearing a gray hoodie, yellow and black flannel shirt and gray pants. The words “Jesus Loves U” is spray painted in light blue paint on the sidewalk. A second photo shows the person holding a can of the same color paint.

There’s also a photo of someone wearing an Oregon State University sweatshirt.

Sunriver Police tell Central Oregon Daily News these photos were taken May 8.

They believe it’s the same person involved in vandalism near Ponderosa Road, Fremont Crossing and the Sunriver Village on May 13.

The low-quality images from Sunriver show the suspect walking. It shows someone wearing a black, hooded jacket and white or gray pants.

Police are asking anyone living in the Sunriver areas mentioned above to check their home surveillance cameras for additional footage from Saturday, May 13, between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

If you have any information or footage of the suspect, you’re asked to call Sunriver Police at 541-593-1014.

▶️ Free shredding, medication and U.S. flag disposal event Saturday in La Pine

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
May 19, 2023

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is holding another shredding event in La Pine Saturday. It’s where residents can shred documents, dispose of prescription drugs or other medications and properly dispose of old American flags.

DCSO and Republic Services will be holding the events on the following dates from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Saturday’s event is at 51340 US 97. It’s the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office sub-station.

Two more events are planned this summer:

July 22nd, Sisters: 703 N Larch Street, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sisters
September 16th, Terrebonne: Terrebonne Elementary School at 1199 B Avenue

The events are for residential items, not for businesses.

People who show up are asked to limit their documents to no more than four boxes. If you have more, you’re asked to call Republic Services at 541-352-2263 to determine how to dispose of your items.

DCSO says it can take paper clips and staples but cannot take plastic bags or three ring binders.

Medications accepted are prescription, patches, ointments, over the counter, vitamins, samples, and medications for pets. No sharps, thermometers or inhalers are allowed.

If you have an old, tattered American flag you wish to dispose of, you can do it at these events.

Food donations are also accepted during the event, which DCSO says will go to a local food bank.