BEND, OR-Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon University and the Oregon Institute of Technology are combining their respective specialties to win the bid for Oregon's first branch campus, to be located in Bend.

SALEM, OR-The changes, effective before the end of the year, are meant to ensure that cities are putting land inside their boundaries to good use before expanding into farmland.

RENTON, WA-The Cugini family and Vulcan Northwest Inc. are close to a purchase deal for the 20-acre mill property that would put billionaire Paul Allen in control of a large chunk of the city's southeastern waterfront.

PORTLAND, OR-Neither Heathman Hotel Group president Bruce Fery nor Rim Corp. CEO Mark Burden returned calls seeking comment Monday, but local real estate sources in the hospitality industry say the deal is close.

ALAMEDA, CA-The city is trying to expediate the building permit proces by allowing contractors and homeowners to use the Internet to obtain electrical, mechanical, reroofing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning permits.

WOODINVILLE, WA-A retail village, an inn and a restaurant are being planned on 3.5 acres near the Redhook Brewery and Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. It could open as early as next spring.

BEND, OR-The chain restaurant is taking space in The Shops at the Old Mill District, a 150,000-sf entertainment and retail center being built on the east bank of the Deschutes River.

AUBURN, WA-A pair of oxygen bars will open here in the coming months, in the existing Spunky Monkey restaurant and bar on Second Avenue and at the soon-to-exist Juice Jive and Breathe on Cross Street.