In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🐕🐈🐐🐇Bend’s Fourth of July Pet Parade will mark 100 years

🎆 Lots of July 4th Happenings

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

😎Prepare, be aware and stay safe while exploring the great outdoors this summer

📰Deer Ridge Correctional Institution reports in-custody death

📰 Bend Current, Newsletter for the Community, June 2024

🔥Central Oregon District enters High Fire Danger July 1

🚫Temporary Public Use Fire Restrictions (Effective July 1, 2024)

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

Darlene 3 Fire | June 27, 2024

🚧 Road Closures

🧑‍🚒⛑️ Fire & Rescue News

💥Fatal Crash - HWY 126 - Crook County

🔥🏠 Late night fire destroys a home in Crooked River Ranch

⚖️ Crime News

⚖️ Deschutes County Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

🚨Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit Arrest Redmond Man

📰 Community News

💖🐎“Mustangs to the Rescue”, other groups help find, rescue escaped horse in east Bend

😁 MEME of the Day

BEND

Events Sponsored By Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon

Bend’s Fourth of July Pet Parade will mark 100 years

July 4th Pet Parade

In partnership with the City of Bend, the July 4th Pet Parade is a community tradition since 1924. The parade was canceled in 1943 due to World War II and in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Lot’s of July 4th Happenings, check out Central Oregon Local Live Events Calendar for all the Details

Prepare, be aware and stay safe while exploring the great outdoors this summer

SALEM, Ore.— Warmer weather has arrived, and Oregonians are eager to hike, camp, boat, climb and explore. In recognition of Search and Rescue Month, several state agencies are sharing best practices on how to keep outdoor adventures safe for people and Oregon’s scenic landscape.

“Oregon is one of the best places in the world for outdoor adventure, and we want everyone to get outside and discover all our state has to offer,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “We encourage everyone to prepare for their adventures to stay safe and minimize their impact on the communities they visit. Please stay safe and have fun exploring!”  

On average, more than 1,000 Search and Rescue (SAR) missions are conducted each year in Oregon, and during the last decade, 99% of people needing SAR assistance lived outside the county where they were rescued. Lack of preparedness was often the common denominator.  

“Our SAR teams rescue many folks who are often inexperienced, overconfident and unprepared for the reality of the situation,” said State SAR Coordinator Scott Lucas. “We find people who set out for a hike wearing flip-flops and shorts and carrying no water. They might take an unmarked trail, get disoriented or take a fall, and they could be lost for days.”

Whether traveling for a few hours or a week, people should know their physical limits and plan for activities that won’t exceed their experience. Before heading out, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management recommends the following best practices:

• Know the trail and conditions – research the trail thoroughly and get accurate directions to the trailhead.

  • Check weather and any park alerts.  

  • Check road conditions on Tripcheck.com or call 511.  

  • Know campfire restrictions at Oregon State Parks as well as public fire restrictions.

  • Download maps to a cell phone or print them in case there is no cell service.  

• Make a plan and tell someone – make sure they know your route, the exact trail name, possible side destinations and when you plan to leave and return. This information is vital for search and rescue if they need to come looking for you.

• Practice situational awareness – stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on trail markers and landmarks so you can provide those details in an emergency. (This includes Oregon Beach Access Numbers on the coast).

• Listen to your body – know your limits when selecting hikes and when you’re on the trail.  

• Watch for hazards – if you see signs of bad weather, wildfires, dangerous wildlife activity or other potential hazards, adjust your plans. Never feel bad about turning around early. Have a plan B.

• Stay on marked trails – straying off the path or following social trails increases the risk of getting lost or injured. It also increases the risk of fatal falls.  

• Respect trail closures – safety signs and barriers. They are placed there for your safety. Disregarding them can have deadly consequences.

  • Exercise caution when crossing streams or navigating steep terrain – never climb on logs or turn your back on the ocean.  

• Pack the Day Hike 10 Essentials – include proper equipment, extra food, water and supplies.

• Follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace – minimize your impact.

• Stay in touch – There might not be cell coverage and reception on the trail.  

  • Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones.  

  • If you are using your cell phone, keep the battery fully charged and switch to airplane mode to conserve battery until you need it.

  • Consider a personal locator beacon (PLB) like InReach or SPOTS, if you need to call for help.

• Prepare for the weather – layer up, wear appropriate footwear for the terrain and carry an emergency blanket. 

  • Bring sun protection and lots of water of hot days: Tips for hot-weather hiking.  

  • Have an emergency kit and cell phone charger in your vehicle.    

• Practice water safety – before you go out, plan ahead and check water levels, obstructions, tide information, local regulations and boating access before heading out. The Oregon State Marine Board’s (OSMB) website has a lot of planning resources

  • A map of life jacket loaner stations to borrow if you don’t have your own.  

  • Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.  

  • OSMB recommends people recreate with others so they can provide aid more quickly if the unexpected happens.  

  • In 2023, there were 13 recreational boating fatalities where 11 victims were not wearing life jackets; seven were paddlers, one in a sailboat, and six were in motorized boats.

The Oregon State Park system is one of the most popular in the U.S. with more than 52 million day-use visits per year, so it’s no surprise it sees an uptick in visitors throughout the summer months. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) recommends that visitors stay on designated trails to stay safe. Following social trails or forging your own increases the risk of getting lost, getting injured or experiencing a fatal fall.  

“Even the most beautiful landscapes can be hazardous. We encourage visitors to stay on designated, marked trails to avoid injuries and potentially deadly falls. It’s also important to respect safety signs, trail closures and barriers to enjoy parks safely and responsibly,” said OPRD spokesperson Stefanie Knowlton.”

Oregon State Parks post notices online for park and trail closures as well as tips on how to hike safely.  

Oregon’s SAR program supports the broad spectrum of search and rescue operations throughout the state, including coordinating state and federal agencies involved in search and rescue activities and providing on-scene search and rescue efforts when requested. There is no charge for SAR calls, but if community members would like to help support SAR teams, they can purchase a 1-year or 5-year Oregon SAR card. Purchases help fund search and rescue training, equipment and missions across Oregon by contributing to the Search and Rescue Fund. The fund is managed by the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association.  

As always, in case of emergencies, dial 9-1-1; most Oregon counties also accept texts to 9-1-1.

Deer Ridge Correctional Institution reports in-custody death

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Steven Dietrich Illmann, died June 22, 2024. Illmann was incarcerated at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) in Madras and passed away at a local hospital. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the medical examiner will determine cause of death.

Illmann entered DOC custody on June 16, 2022, from Lane County with an earliest release date of August 31, 2026. Illmann was 60 years old. Next of kin has been notified.  

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,500 individuals who are incarcerated in 14 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

Bend Current, Newsletter for the Community, June 2024

Accessible and Effective City Government City Council Update

• An Update from Councilor Anthony Broadman

• Listen In: How Development Helps Fund Infrastructure

Public Safety

• Fireworks: Just Say No

Transportation & Infrastructure

• Navigating Third and Wilson: A How-To

• Save the Date! Hawthorne Bridge Open House

Affordable Housing & Sustainable Development

• City of Bend Awarded $5 Million to Create More Affordable Housing

Environment & Climate

• Tree Code Changes: Preserving Trees in Bend

Upcoming Event: 

• Save the Date for CityFest!

  Don’t miss out on raffles, activities, and opportunities to connect with your local elected officials! Join Mayor Kebler, Bend City Councilors, and City of Bend staff to celebrate our City and talk about planning for Bend’s future.

  Thursday, August 15, 4:00pm-7:00pm, 9th Street Village, 911 SE Armour Road, Bend, OR, 97701

Central Oregon District enters High Fire Danger July 1

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Starting Monday, July 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District, the district’s fire danger level will be “High,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be II (two) in MH-1 (portions of Hood River and Wasco counties). 

With continued high temperatures, winds and drying fuels, the district is issuing public restrictions and regulated use closures in recognition of the increasing fire danger in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. 

With that in mind, the Central Oregon District restricts the following activities: 

• Use of fireworks and blasting is prohibited. 

• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.

• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in designated areas. Propane fire pits and camp stoves are allowed but require one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher on site.

• Chainsaw use and mowing of dried grass is prohibited, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. One hour fire watch required.

• No smoking while traveling through or working in any operation area.

In addition to the fire prevention requirements Under IFPL II (two), limited shutdown, the following activities are not permitted between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., except as noted: 

• Power saws may operate at loading sites;

• Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws;

• Cable yarding

• Blasting

• Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal

Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks. Check the full list of restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx. 

For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://odfcentraloregon.com/.

The less human-caused fires we have, the less the district’s resources are strained. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org.

Darlene 3 Fire Update | June 30, 2024

June 30, 2024 10:00am

Central Oregon – All containment lines on the Darlene 3 Fire held overnight, and the 3,889-acre fire is now 60% contained. Increasing containment and keeping the fire within its current footprint remain the primary focus. Crews will continue to identify and extinguish hot spots within 100 feet of the entire perimeter creating a cool, black line around the fire.  Additionally, repair of fire suppression activities will begin to rehabilitate dozer lines and other impacts in the interior portion of the fire.

Continue Reading 

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Fatal Crash - HWY 126 - Crook County

Crook County, Ore. 28 June 24- On Friday, June 28, 2024, at 7:24 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-126, near milepost 6, in Crook County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Honda Civic, operated by Humberto Ruiz Vargas (24) of Prineville, drifted off the side of the roadway with the passenger side tires entering the gravel shoulder as it negotiated a left hand curve. The Honda overcorrected and crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and was struck on the passenger side by a Nissan Rogue, operated by Summer Ann Zimmerman (39) of Redmond. The vehicles came to rest on the eastbound shoulder with the Nissan rolling to its passenger side.

The operator of the Honda (Ruiz Vargas) was life flighted to an area hospital where he was declared deceased.

The operator of the Nissan (Zimmerman) and passenger, Harley Rose Isaacson (22) of Redmond, were both seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Crook County Fire, Redmond Fire, Crooks County Sheriffs' Office, Redmond Police Department, and ODOT.

Late night fire destroys a home in Crooked River Ranch

A fire late night causes extensive damage to a home in Crooked River Ranch, leaving residents displaced. 

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue along with crews from Redmond Fire, Cloverdale Fire and Jefferson County Fire & EMS responded to a home on SW Sage Hen Rd. for a reported explosion and structure fire around 11:50 p.m. Saturday night.

The homeowners reported waking up to the sound of an explosion and walked into another room to find a wall of flames.

Firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed with flames coming from the back of the house and through the front door. Fire crews were able to contain the blaze to the main portion of the house saving the family’s attached garage and shop, including a family vehicle. With no fire hydrants in the area firefighters relied on water tenders to shuttle water to the fire.

The fire caused $530,000 in damage. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is undetermined. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family due to fire and smoke damage throughout the home.

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone to ensure your important personal items are stored in a readily accessible area in the event of an emergency.

Deschutes County Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison for possessing 20 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Isaac Kitashima, 48, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents, from August 2020 through June 2021, Kitashima and co-conspirators conducted a multi-state drug trafficking operation. Kitashima used associates to assist with the purchase, shipment, and transport of methamphetamine between California, Oregon, and Hawaii. 

In August 2020, Kitashima hired a co-conspirator to drive a shipment of methamphetamine from California to Oregon. An Oregon State Police trooper attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver initially yielded to the stop but then fled at a high rate of speed. The trooper pursued the vehicle, which was later found abandoned. A search of the vehicle located almost 20 pounds of methamphetamine, along with items identifying Kitashima. 

Between February and May 2021, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Postal Service (USPS) intercepted multiple packages of methamphetamine intended for Kitashima’s distribution into Oregon and Hawaii. 

On August 19, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Kitashima with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute. On September 2, 2021, DEA and Maui Police Department executed a search warrant on Kitashima’s residence in Makawao, Hawaii, where he was arrested. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine and firearms in the residence.

On February 27, 2024, Kitashima pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. 

This case was investigated by DEA, USPS, Oregon State Police, and Maui Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Delph. 

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit Arrest Redmond Man

Redmond, OR – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement agencies, has arrested a 67-year-old Redmond man on multiple charges related to the distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

On June 27, 2024, Max Hite was taken into custody after a comprehensive investigation triggered by numerous Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These tips indicated that accounts on various social media platforms were distributing CSAM. Following several subpoenas and search warrants, Hite was identified as the operator of these accounts.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hite’s residence on the 6000 block of SW Jaguar Avenue in Redmond, OR. The operation involved detectives from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit, Criminal Investigations unit, Street Crimes unit, Digital Forensics unit, Oregon State Police ICAC detectives, FBI, Redmond Police Department Digital Forensics, and the United States Marshals Service.

During the search, investigators learned that Hite was working on Odell Butte in Crescent, OR. Detectives seized several digital devices from Hite’s home before traveling to Odell Butte, where they located and arrested Hite. He was subsequently transported to the Deschutes County Adult Jail and booked on the following charges:

- 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (ORS 163.684)

- 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (ORS 163.686)

- 1 count of Encouraging Sexual Abuse of an Animal (ORS 167.341)

Additional digital devices were seized from Hite upon his arrest. Authorities plan to obtain further search warrants to analyze these devices, which may result in additional charges being filed.

Sergeant Thomas Lilienthal emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation and the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies in apprehending Hite and ensuring the safety of the community.

For further updates, please refer to official statements from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

“Mustangs to the Rescue”, other groups help find, rescue escaped horse in east Bend

Video Below

Mustangs to the Rescue and other local animal organizations came together this week to find and rescue an escaped horse in east Bend, luring the young bay mare into a trailer with the help of another, friendly horse, Duncan.

Deschutes Public Library Events

Follow us on facebook