Unemployment rates showed little movement across Central Oregon in August. The Bend metro area held at five percent, slightly below last year’s five-point-one percent. Deschutes County stayed at four-point-eight percent, while Crook County remained at six percent. Jefferson County held at five-point-six percent, down from six percent a year ago. Public-sector hiring helped offset private-sector losses in several industries.

A Powell Butte teenager is facing multiple charges after an early morning crash on Highway 97 south of 61st Street. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says it happened at 4:21 Monday morning, when 18-year-old Seoan Mooney’s 1992 Subaru SVX hit a highway barrier and caught fire. Witnesses reported the vehicle had been speeding southbound before the crash. Mooney was alone and escaped before flames spread. Bend Fire & Rescue put out the fire, while all lanes of traffic were closed for nearly an hour. Mooney was taken to St. Charles–Bend with non-life-threatening injuries and cited for DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and criminal mischief.

Authorities in Warm Springs are investigating after human remains were found Saturday near Indian Health Services on Kotnum Road.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs say police received a report of possible remains around 10:53 a.m. near the facility. Officers responded, along with FBI agents, and confirmed remains were found during a search of the area.

The FBI is now processing the scene with assistance from Warm Springs police. The investigation remains active, and officials are asking the public to stay away from the area while investigators continue their work.

More details are expected as they become available.

Bend Fire and Rescue is making it easier for residents to prepare for wildfire season with a new online assessment tool.

Homeowners can request a free wildfire risk home assessment through Fire Aside, then receive personalized recommendations for defensible space and home hardening.

The platform also lets residents track completed mitigation work over time. Requests are available at bend Oregon dot gov slash own your zone.

 

 

 

A southwest Bend neighborhood is urged to watch out for a bear cub. It was seen near Wildflower Park on River Rim Drive on Wednesday. Police spotted it before the cub ran away. No other bears have been seen. Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has been notified. Police ask people to avoid leaving food and garbage out and to keep pets indoors. Anyone who sees the cub should stay away and report it to non-emergency dispatch.

 

Bend Police say a large group of teens on e-motorcycles created traffic concerns Sunday afternoon after gathering at the Mt. Bachelor Park & Ride, then riding through downtown, Galveston Avenue and westside roads. Callers reported more than 30 riders doing wheelies and ignoring traffic laws. Officers attempted a stop, but many rode off. Three juveniles, ages 12, 14 and 15, were cited or referred to Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice for violations including no license, no helmet and riding on the sidewalk. One e-motorcycle was impounded. Police remind families: riders under 16 cannot legally operate e-bikes, and off-road electric motorcycles are not allowed on city streets.

 

A Silverton woman was rescued after becoming hypothermic on a hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness, Wednesday. Deschutes County 911 received an alert from a Garmin SOS device near Golden Lake. Search and Rescue volunteers responded and hiked more than six miles through high winds, rain and snow, finding the 56-year-old after about five hours. They gave her dry clothes and warm blankets, and helped her walk back to the trailhead. She was able to drive herself into town to rest and recover. 

Deschutes County authorities are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash northeast of Sisters. Deputies say it happened Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 on Wilt Road, east of Fair Mile Lane. Investigators report a white 2018 Ford F-150 was traveling east when it left the roadway on the north shoulder and struck a Ponderosa pine tree. The driver, 82-year-old Frank Halvorsen of Sisters, was pronounced dead at the scene. An 81-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital by Sisters–Camp Sherman medics. The Sheriff’s Office says the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Extreme fire danger continues across Central Oregon, with Stage 2 public use restrictions still in place. Anyone heading into areas affected by recent fires is urged to plan ahead, monitor changing weather, and obey all posted signs. Forest Service spokesperson Kaitlyn Webb says reopened burn areas, including Akawa Butte, may look accessible, but hazards remain. She says people can return, “but if you are going to enter the burned area, you should definitely do so with caution.” Webb tells KBND News wind, rain, ice, and snow can loosen trees, rocks, and slopes, creating unstable and dangerous conditions.

Crook County authorities say a Redmond man has died following a kayaking accident at Prineville Reservoir. Deputies were called Saturday evening after reports of someone in distress in the water north of Powder House Cove Day Use Area. Poor cell service made details difficult to gather. Responders found an overturned kayak near the north shoreline, with a backpack and fishing pole still inside. Search teams, including Airlink, a marine deputy, drone support, and dive rescue crews from Klamath and Deschutes counties, assisted. On Monday, divers recovered 39-year-old Ricardo Toribio Amezcua in about 90 feet of water. Officials believe this to be a tragic accident with no foul play suspected.

A Bend man is in custody after police say a string of burglaries and vandalism targeted local businesses and vehicles Friday morning. Officers arrested 47-year-old James Tharp, Junior after incidents at High Time Vape and Smoke, The Herb Center and Third Street Beverage; where the front door damage alone was estimated at approximately $15,000. Later that morning someone had used large lava rocks to break the windows of five vehicles parked in the area of Northeast Ross and Boyd Acres roads. Nothing was taken from the vehicles. 

Investigators say surveillance showed the same suspect wearing distinctive clothing during the break-ins. Police later found Tharp inside an unoccupied home on Northeast Greeley Avenue, where they recovered about 900 dollars in cigarettes, along with racks, socks, and lighters. He was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on burglary, theft, and criminal mischief charges.