Explore low-flammable landscapes to protect your land and home from fire risk. Learn more here.

By Janet Eastman | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Ashland residents concerned their home isn’t ready to ward off a fire are inviting wildfire mitigation specialist Charisse Sydoriak to walk their property and show them how they can reduce the likelihood that a blaze will bring destruction.

One way to adapt to what Sydoriak considers inevitable wildfires: Low-flammable landscapes.

Careful selection, spacing and maintenance of plants growing safe distances from a structure can be lifesavers, whether in a wildfire-prone zone or not.

Homeowners who…

Redmond and Portland will see federal investments in emergency preparedness, public safety, and economic development. Learn more here.

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Sens. Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., announced Monday that Portland’s airport will receive a major federal investment to ensure its runway survives a major earthquake, along with other emergency preparedness funds, including $750,000 toward a regional emergency training and coordination center in Redmond.

The funding was among a range of federal investments in Oregon’s emergency preparedness, public safety, and economic development included in the 2022 omnibus spending bill, which has now been signed into law by President Biden, according to the lawmakers’ news release, which continues in full below.

Senator Merkley, a member of…

New rental housing is underway in the area of Wilson Ave. and 15th St. Find out more here.

By Suzanne Roig, Bend Bulletin 

Rental housing is being planned on a 32.75-acre parcel where Wilson Avenue and 15th Street intersect that could be move-in ready over the next couple of years.

Construction could begin in late 2023 after the owners, Evergreen Housing Development Group, move forward with amending the original master plan to remove the commercial development that was previously approved. The Bend City Council adopted the project concept in 2015. The property was listed for sale for $10.9 million and sold in January.

The Wildflower Planned Development will be 574 homes — three-story walk-up apartments, townhomes, cottage-style single-family homes…

Legislation was passed to make daylight savings time permanent starting in 2023. Get the full story here.

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent starting in 2023, ending the twice-annual changing of clocks in a move promoted by supporters advocating brighter afternoons and more economic activity.

The Senate approved the measure, called the Sunshine Protection Act, unanimously by voice vote. The House of Representatives, which has held a committee hearing on the matter, must still pass the bill before it can go to President Joe Biden to sign.

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Bend’s real estate market sees no signs of slowing… Median home sales prices at $740,000. Learn more here.

(Update: Average Bend home sale price is even higher — $879,000)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gas prices aren’t the only thing zooming fast into record territory on the High Desert: Bend’s median home sales price soared $57,000 in February alone to smash the record and reach $740,000, Beacon Appraisal Group reported Tuesday.

The inventory “remains less than a half-month supply,” appraiser Donnie Montagner said, “and there was a significant increase in the number of new (building) permits,” jumping from 37 in January to a summer-like 79 new permits last month.

“In addition to market appreciation, about 64 sales were over $769K,”…

Low snow pack in the mountains and low water levels in the reservoirs are prompting local farmers to request a drought declaration, the earliest on record.

Eight irrigation districts in our area are seeking the drought declaration, because they don’t expect water storage to improve before summer’s heat sets in.

Central Oregon farmers and ranchers and the irrigation districts who serve them already know there’s not enough water in the mountains to keep irrigation canals full during the normal growing season, April through October.

That’s why they are filing drought declarations early.

Thornburgh Resort plans to develop 400 acres of public land by Cline Butte. Attend the public hearing TONIGHT. More details here.

Next week, the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is reviewing a request to sell 400 acres of public land to the developers of Thornburgh Resort.

The proposed resort has drawn widespread criticism from concerned residents across Central Oregon.

Over the past year, there has been mounting alarm over the resort’s proposed water use (using up to 6 million gallons per day) and the effects on fish, wildlife, and nearby groundwater levels.

Hundreds of you have participated in multiple Deschutes County land…

Bend Parks & Recreation is hosting a hiring event today! Find out more here.

Free recreation center pass with interview!

With the busy seasons ahead and increasing recreation operations, Bend Park and Recreation District is hosting a hiring event and invites potential team members to learn more about job opportunities available in the district’s custodial, landscaping, maintenance, recreation and aquatics teams.

The hiring event is scheduled:
Thursday, March 3, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Bend Park & Recreation District Office,
799 S.W. Columbia Street in Bend

At the event, attendees can learn about particular positions, complete applications and participate in on-site interviews. BPRD plans to make job offers on the spot.…

Kah-Nee-Ta has plans to reopen! Find out all the details here.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will partner with Ski Bowl to reopen Kah-Nee-Ta Village, which closed in 2018.

According to a press release, Tribal Council “approved $4.58 million to bring back the popular “fun in the sun” experience for visitors, while greatly expanding the authentic hot springs soaking experiences in the recreational pool areas and Motel, Teepee, and RV lodging areas.”

An additional $1.5 million was approved for to repair the wastewater system that serves Kah-Nee-Ta and local community.

The resort is expected to reopen in 2023.

The rest of the press release is below:

The Tribe is funding the project with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.