Nonprofit donating pads, tampons to schools

A Bend-based nonprofit is donating menstrual pads to middle and high schools and plans to continue providing them each month.

The Bend Diaper Bank has distributed more than 800 menstrual pads at Bend-La Pine Schools in the past 10 days, according to a press release. Founder Amanda La Bell said she learned that teachers and administrators had been paying for menstrual supplies out of their own pockets to ensure students had access to them in emergencies, and the Diaper Bank could donate items on a monthly basis.

Menstrual supplies will be available in the nurse’s office, the main office or the attendance office, depending on the school.

People who want to donate pads and tampons for students can take them to the Diaper Bank at 497 SW Century Drive, Suite 120, or Babyphases at 759 NE Greenwood Ave. The Diaper Bank also accepts monetary donations through its website, clothforall.org, and its Facebook page, Bend Diaper Bank.

Webcams give airport users parking lot status

The Redmond Airport website now includes parking lot webcams and banner alerts that are updated every 30 minutes with parking availability. The parking updates are meant to assist travelers during spring break, when travel is expected to increase.

“It is important for travelers to understand we may reach our parking capacity during spring break, and we encourage them to seek alternative arrangements, such as taxis, shuttles, ride-sharing or asking friends and family for help,” said Zachary Bass, airport director, in a press release.

Passengers are also encouraged to arrive at the airport two hours before departure to ensure ample time to get through security screening. Airline ticket counters at Redmond Airport close 40 minutes before departure, and passengers will not be allowed to board later than 15 minutes prior to departure.

The current paid parking rates are $1 for 30 minutes and $2 per hour after that. The maximum fee is $10 per day. Parking is free on the seventh consecutive day.

In addition, the curb in front of the terminal is for active loading and unloading only. Vehicles are not allowed to wait at the curb and violators can be fined $50. The Cell Phone Waiting area is located across the street from the Airport along SW Salmon Avenue.

Woman gets probation for animal neglect

The Bend animal shelter founder arrested two years ago on numerous neglect charges will avoid prison.

Jeanette Bonomo, co-founder of the High Desert Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, was sentenced last week in Deschutes County Circuit Court for providing substandard care to animals housed at her shelter.

Judge Wells Ashby assigned Bonomo 24 months of monitoring by the court and 80 hours of community service, along with a provision to not possess wildlife or engage in wildlife rehabilitation.

Bonomo, 44, and shelter co-founder Jeffrey Dean Cooney, were arrested in August 2016 following a yearlong investigation by state officials into accusations of neglect. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife had been tipped off by former volunteers of the facility, located at a converted residence on Neff Road in northeast Bend.

Authorities described poor conditions for the shelter’s animals — primarily birds — including enclosures too small for inhabitants and inadequate food and water. Animals were seized and either relocated to other shelters or euthanized.

Cooney still faces 19 counts of second-degree neglect. He is scheduled for trial next month

— Bulletin staff reports