News Stories Thu., May 31, 2018

The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting an open house on Monday to provide information about the U.S. 97 Redmond to Bend project at its regional headquarters in Bend. The public is invited to talk to the project team, learn more about the safety project and provide input. The U.S. 97 Redmond to Bend project will address safety on a nine-mile corridor of U.S. 97 between the cities of Redmond and Bend. The project will identify and prioritize safety improvements for the corridor. The design of the selected improvements is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, with construction anticipated to begin in 2020. You can also give your input by visiting www.US97RedmondBend.org to participate in a virtual open house from June 4 – June 24.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Faced with a backlog of applications for recreational marijuana licenses, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission says it will set aside any applications received after June 15 until the pileup is cleared. The commission says it has issued almost 1,900 recreational marijuana licenses since April 2016 as well as almost 29,000 marijuana worker permits. The agency says the pace of application submissions has not eased, causing the review process to lengthen. To power through the backlog, the agency says it will temporarily shift employees to focus on renewals and applications that have already been submitted. The Oregon Legislature is expected to look at the issue next year.

Each summer, around a thousand people across the country are killed in crashes caused by teen drivers. AAA says parents can make a big difference in bringing those numbers down this summer. More than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in across the nation in 2016 during the 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That is an average of 10 people per day – a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year, according to data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Leading factors in crashes involving teen drivers include speeding, impairment and distraction. While you may assume the leading distraction for teen is devices, it’s actually other passengers according to AAA Foundation Research. Nighttime driving is also a significant factor. AAA encourages parents to educate their teens and themselves about risky driving behavior.

The Bustin’ Buffalo Basketball Camp for boys and girls who will be in 1st thru 8th grades is coming up June 11-14 from 9am to noon each day at Madras High School. Registration can be done on the first day of camp – the cost is $50, however, there is a discount if you register by tomorrow. Forms are available at the MHS office.