Fire(Update: Adding video, comments by occupant)REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A birds’ nest sitting atop an outdoor light apparently ignited a fire early Thursday morning that caused $35,000 damage to a duplex in the Eagle Crest area west of Redmond, fire officials said.Redmond Fire & Rescue units were dispatched around 1:40 a.m. to the two-story duplex in the 7000 block of Southwest Robin Court, Captain Ken Brown said.Fire officials said the Portland-area couple staying in the condo had set up a telescope on their deck to look at the moon Wednesday night.Brown said they had broken down the...…Fire(Update: Adding video, comments by occupant)REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A birds’ nest sitting atop an outdoor light apparently ignited a fire early Thursday morning that caused $35,000 damage to a duplex in the Eagle Crest area west of Redmond, fire officials said.Redmond Fire & Rescue units were dispatched around 1:40 a.m. to the two-story duplex in the 7000 block of Southwest Robin Court, Captain Ken Brown said.Fire officials said the Portland-area couple staying in the condo had set up a telescope on their deck to look at the moon Wednesday night.Brown said they had broken down the...WW…

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Officials say protesters in Portland launched commercial grade fireworks at police in another night of rioting and even used a mortar in their attacks.Portland police say two officers were injured and 16 people were arrested.The demonstrators marched to a police union building Sunday night, blocked the road and set dumpster fires.Authorities declared that the protest a riot and forced several hundred people away from the building, which houses the union of the police officer's union.Protesters got inside the same building Saturday night and a fire started...…PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Officials say protesters in Portland launched commercial grade fireworks at police in another night of rioting and even used a mortar in their attacks.Portland police say two officers were injured and 16 people were arrested.The demonstrators marched to a police union building Sunday night, blocked the road and set dumpster fires.Authorities declared that the protest a riot and forced several hundred people away from the building, which houses the union of the police officer's union.Protesters got inside the same building Saturday night and a fire started...WW…

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Land Trust announced Thursday it has purchased and protected 1,123 acres of land along Whychus Creek northeast of Sisters: Rimrock Ranch, which includes rugged canyons, pine and juniper forests, and nearly two miles of the creek.“The owners of Rimrock Ranch began working with the Land Trust in 2003 to conserve this unique property," said the land trust's founding director Brad Chalfant."From the outset, our shared long-term vision for Rimrock Ranch was that the Land Trust would one day own and...…BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Land Trust announced Thursday it has purchased and protected 1,123 acres of land along Whychus Creek northeast of Sisters: Rimrock Ranch, which includes rugged canyons, pine and juniper forests, and nearly two miles of the creek.“The owners of Rimrock Ranch began working with the Land Trust in 2003 to conserve this unique property," said the land trust's founding director Brad Chalfant."From the outset, our shared long-term vision for Rimrock Ranch was that the Land Trust would one day own and...WW…

Agency says it expects to repeal the rule, once no longer neededSALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Seeking to extend protections for workers against COVID-19, Oregon OSHA said Monday it is proposing a permanent rule that largely maintains – with some improvements – the risk-reducing workforce measures required by the current temporary emergency rule.It would replace the temporary rule that is set to expire on May 4.The proposed permanent rule will receive virtual public hearings later this month and in early March.Although the rule must be adopted as a permanent rule, because the law does not allow a...…Agency says it expects to repeal the rule, once no longer neededSALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Seeking to extend protections for workers against COVID-19, Oregon OSHA said Monday it is proposing a permanent rule that largely maintains – with some improvements – the risk-reducing workforce measures required by the current temporary emergency rule.It would replace the temporary rule that is set to expire on May 4.The proposed permanent rule will receive virtual public hearings later this month and in early March.Although the rule must be adopted as a permanent rule, because the law does not allow a...WW…

To protect habitat, reduce threat of development near Mitchell, Painted HillsMITCHELL, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Blue Mountain Land Trust announced Friday it has acquired a conservation easement on 6,798 acres of property in Wheeler County. With this easement, BMLT more than doubles its protected acreage, to 13,298 acres across southeastern Washington and eastern Oregon.The easement was purchased last month from Terry and Peggy Long of Mitchell. The property is adjacent to the Painted Hills National Monument. Its protection will provide and preserve contiguous habitat for elk, mule deer,...…To protect habitat, reduce threat of development near Mitchell, Painted HillsMITCHELL, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Blue Mountain Land Trust announced Friday it has acquired a conservation easement on 6,798 acres of property in Wheeler County. With this easement, BMLT more than doubles its protected acreage, to 13,298 acres across southeastern Washington and eastern Oregon.The easement was purchased last month from Terry and Peggy Long of Mitchell. The property is adjacent to the Painted Hills National Monument. Its protection will provide and preserve contiguous habitat for elk, mule deer,...WW…

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon faces an 11% drop in state revenue from the previous biennium as the coronavirus pandemic triggered a shutdown order and a consequent drop in tax payments, state economists reported Wednesday.General Fund and other major revenues have been reduced relative to the March forecast by $2.7 billion in the current biennium and $4.4 billion in the 2021-23 budget period, state economist Josh Lehner said. (Read the full forecast report .)Lehner said the current recession is the deepest on record in Oregon, with data going back to 1939, but is expected to be shorter in...…SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon faces an 11% drop in state revenue from the previous biennium as the coronavirus pandemic triggered a shutdown order and a consequent drop in tax payments, state economists reported Wednesday.General Fund and other major revenues have been reduced relative to the March forecast by $2.7 billion in the current biennium and $4.4 billion in the 2021-23 budget period, state economist Josh Lehner said. (Read the full forecast report .)Lehner said the current recession is the deepest on record in Oregon, with data going back to 1939, but is expected to be shorter in...WW…

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Wednesday over $450,000 in earthquake research grant funding for Oregon.The grants will be administered by the U.S. Geological Survey, and will be allotted to Oregon State University, Portland State University and the University of Oregon. The schools will receive $84,964, $87,243 and $282,262, respectively.“The best way to handle a crisis—from a pandemic to a national disaster—is to be prepared,” Merkley said. “As Oregonians continue to prepare for the inevitable Big One, these grants will contribute to the...…WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Wednesday over $450,000 in earthquake research grant funding for Oregon.The grants will be administered by the U.S. Geological Survey, and will be allotted to Oregon State University, Portland State University and the University of Oregon. The schools will receive $84,964, $87,243 and $282,262, respectively.“The best way to handle a crisis—from a pandemic to a national disaster—is to be prepared,” Merkley said. “As Oregonians continue to prepare for the inevitable Big One, these grants will contribute to the...WW…

The state saw nearly a 40% sales increase, compared to last MarchBEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- According to Oregon's Liquor Control Commission, marijuana sales in the state reached nearly $85 million last month. That's more than a $20 million increase, compared to last March.Creative Crops Rec, a medical marijuana dispensary in Bend, has been operating a curbside pickup and delivery option since Gov. Kate Brown issued her stay at home order.Denise Drazil, a co-owner of the dispensary, credits her business's success to those new procedures. Despite Creative Crops Rec being closed to the public, the...…The state saw nearly a 40% sales increase, compared to last MarchBEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- According to Oregon's Liquor Control Commission, marijuana sales in the state reached nearly $85 million last month. That's more than a $20 million increase, compared to last March.Creative Crops Rec, a medical marijuana dispensary in Bend, has been operating a curbside pickup and delivery option since Gov. Kate Brown issued her stay at home order.Denise Drazil, a co-owner of the dispensary, credits her business's success to those new procedures. Despite Creative Crops Rec being closed to the public, the...WW…