News

Man arrested after stolen vehicle chase: A Redmond man with felony arrest warrants was taken into custody after a failed traffic stop and a pursuit at 8:20 p.m. on Jan. 25, in Redmond, according to a sheriff’s office news release. A sheriff’s deputy located an unoccupied 2014 Ford Focus that was reported stolen earlier in the day and while the deputy waited for assistance, a man — later identified as Ryan Fischer-Salt — entered the vehicle, failed to stop as directed and left the car on foot, officials said. Fischer-Salt then took a second vehicle and initiated a chase by the sheriff’s department that ended near Cline Falls Highway and Becker Road. Fischer-Salt was apprehended with the assistance of a K-9 unit and was taken into custody without further resistance. He faces nine charges.

Two Arrested in Kidnapping Case: Alisha Bryden, 36, of Crooked River Ranch, and Jeremiah DeGraw, 37, of Modesto, California, were arrested Jan. 27 and face charges related to the kidnapping of two adults they lived with, over a monetary dispute, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Deschutes Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Sisters Chevron after two adults reported they were kidnapped and had just been released by the suspects. The victims provided a vehicle description. The suspect vehicle was reportedly last seen heading eastbound on Highway 20 from the area. An Oregon State Police trooper located the suspect vehicle on Highway 20 in Tumalo and, with the assistance of deputies, conducted a “high-risk” traffic stop on O.B. Riley Road near Hardy Lane. Officials said Degraw, Bryden and Bryden’s 9-year-old daughter were taken from the vehicle without incident. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is requesting any witnesses to this incident to contact the nonemergency dispatch number at 541-693-6911, to provide a statement.

School District Hires New Public Information Officer: The Redmond School District has selected Rainier Butler of Dillon, Montana, to serve as its public information officer. Butler most recently served as the public relations manager for the University of Montana Western, and previously served as a communications coordinator for Snohomish County, Washington, and as spokesperson for a former speaker of the Oregon House. He replaces Kelly Jenkins, who left the district in December after serving nearly four years in the position.

Jericho Road awarded grant: Jericho Road, a Redmond-based nonprofit that provides food and housing assistance, has been awarded a $7,000 grant from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Reservation Foundation of Canyonville. The Cow Creek Foundation is dedicated to supporting child-oriented programs throughout the state of Oregon. The money will be used to provide homeless and hungry individuals, families and children free, hot meals as well as weekend food bags distributed through the Redmond School District.

Events

The Mule Deer Classic Banquet: Join The Oregon Hunters Association on Saturday, March 11 at the Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center for the 25th annual Mule Deer Classic Banquet and Fundraiser. The social hour will begin at 4 p.m. with games, raffles, a preview of live auction items, and bidding on silent auction items followed by a buffet-style dinner. Raffle items include more than 25 firearms and other prizes, and auction items will include hunting gear, trips, artwork, golf and more. Registration forms are available at: http://bit.ly/2kLitTS. Call 541-330-6218, 541-480-9848, 541-388-8478 or 541-420-4318 for more information.

2017 POLAR PLUNGE BENEFITING SPECIAL OLYMPICS OREGON: Donning costumes and swimming attire, hundreds of people are preparing to take the plunge into the frigid Deschutes River at 10 a.m. Feb. 11 at Bend’s Riverbend Park for the 2017 Oregon Law Enforcement Polar Plunge presented by Fred Meyer. The Redmond Police Department’s team, Pol-ICE, is among those scheduled to take part. Participants will raise more than half a million dollars statewide, benefiting Special Olympics Oregon. People wishing to take the plunge for Special Olympics Oregon can register at www.PlungeOregon.com. Participants can also challenge co-workers, competitors and friends to join them in plunging by issuing a “BearChallenge” using social media photo tools.

Central Oregon Postal Collective to meet: The club affiliated with the American Philatelic Society will host a meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Redmond Karate building located at 515 Cascade Street. The meeting on Saturday will discuss valuing stamps. For more information, contact Steve Bucknam at 541-447-2678 or visit the Central Oregon Postal Collective on Facebook.

Business

Redmond Chiropractic Associates expands staff: Dr. Brandon Christy is the newest addition to the staff at Chiropractic Associates in Redmond and is now accepting new patients. A Central Oregon native, Christy returned to the area with his wife and 2-year-old-son after he graduated from Western States in 2016. He will be available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the office located at 117 NW Larch Ave. across from the St. Charles Emergency Room parking lot. Call 541-548-4014 to schedule your next appointment.

Kudos

Local students make George Fox dean’s list: The following students from Redmond made the Dean’s List for George Fox University: Samantha Biever, senior, organizational communication; Tianna Brown, freshman, management; Gatlin Cyrus, sophomore, information systems and management; Sommer Kirk, senior, elementary education; Raeann Morelli, senior, engineering; Caleb Reynolds, sophomore, economics; Kati Viscaino, freshman, communication arts. Additionally, Lexie Merrill, junior, philosophy, of Terrebonne, made the list.

Redmond Proficiency Academy Robotics Team wins FIRST Tech Challenge Team Robotics Competition: Redmond Proficiency Academy’s FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Team No. 6727, “Roberto,” won the Central Oregon League Tournament on Jan. 21 in Bend. Team No. 6727 also won the PTC Design Award for its innovative lift design. This award is given to teams that are able to innovate and incorporate industrial design elements in their robot. RPA’s other FTC Robotics Team No. 5627, “The Robotics Quasar Alliance,” was the Finalist Alliance Captain and won the Think Award for its original programming and design documentation in its engineering notebook. The Think Award is given to the team with the best engineering notebook, which contains the development history and explanation of the robot, including both software and mechanical designs. The teams’ performances and achievements advanced both teams to the Super Qualifying Tournament on Feb. 11 in Hillsboro, where they will compete with other top-ranked teams from around the state with hopes to advance to the Oregon FTC State Championship.