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  • 💖 Local Cause Spotlight - Crook County Historical Society: Guardians of Our Heritage / 🐎American Wild Horse Campaign pledges $5,000 reward in fatal shooting of wild horse

💖 Local Cause Spotlight - Crook County Historical Society: Guardians of Our Heritage / 🐎American Wild Horse Campaign pledges $5,000 reward in fatal shooting of wild horse

Issue #068

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🐎🚨American Wild Horse Campaign pledges $5,000 reward in fatal shooting of wild horse on Ochoco National Forest

🎨Call for Artists: Headquarters Lobby & Terrace – City of Bend Public Works Campus

⛸️🚫Redmond Ice Skating Rink Closes for the Season

🏛️🛠️ Renovations Coming To Crook County's Historic Courthouse

🏛️ Mayor Ed Fitch Charts Path for Redmond's Future in the Face of Rapid Change

🍲Hundreds attend the first annual SOUPer Bowl in Central Oregon

💖Think Wild Offers Valentine’s Day Local Flower & Gift Delivery Service

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

💖 Local Cause Spotlight - Crook County Historical Society: Guardians of Our Heritage

 

Which historic trail passes through Crook County, marking the path of pioneers in the 19th century?

A) Lewis and Clark Trail

B) Oregon Trail

C) Applegate Trail

D) Santiam Wagon Road

 

👇Find the Answer at the end of the Newletter👇

BEND

American Wild Horse Campaign pledges $5,000 reward in fatal shooting of wild horse on Ochoco National Forest

Ochoco National Forest file Horses in Big Summit Wild Horse Territory

Prineville Oregon (February 1, 2024) – Today, the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) announced that it has pledged a $5,000 reward fund in hopes of bringing justice to the case of the brutal slaying of a federally protected wild horse from the Big Summit Wild Horse Territory in the Ochoco National Forest, managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS).

According to the USFS, the black horse was shot twice in the gut seven to 10 days ago. At this time, the Forest Service has not released any further information about the shooting.

“AWHC is offering a reward to bring justice for the violent and senseless killing of a federally protected wild horse from the Ochoco National Forest,” said Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of the American Wild Horse Campaign. “Shooting these protected animals is a federal crime and we stand ready to assist the USFS in any way possible to hold the perpetrators accountable under the full force of the law.”

“The Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition has long advocated for the protection and conservation of the Ochoco Forest wild horses and is deeply disturbed by the recent slaying,”said Gayle Hunt, President and Founder of the Coalition. “We are profoundly grateful to the American Wild Horse Campaign for offering this reward in the pursuit of justice for this beloved wild horse.”

The reward seeks information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for killing a Big Summit wild horse who was fatally gunned down on Forest Road 22 near Walton Lake in Prineville, Oregon

Anyone with information about the incident can call the Ochoco National Forest at 541-416-6500.

Additionally, AWHC is calling for the implementation of a federal task force to investigate a concerning rise in wild horse and burro slayings.

About the American Wild Horse Campaign

The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is the nation's leading wild horse protection organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage.

Call for Artists: Headquarters Lobby & Terrace – City of Bend Public Works Campus

The City of Bend in partnership with Art in Public Places (AiPP) seeks to commission a large-scale work of art for the new Headquarters Building on the Public Works Campus in Bend.

The commission is for a large-scale work of art on three prominent walls in the public lobbies and outdoor terrace of the main Headquarters Building. The lobby is a two-story vaulted space, and the work of art will continue up to the third-floor lobby wall and outside to a third-floor terrace.

The new Public Works Campus, in Juniper Ridge, will be home to five public works departments: Utilities, Transportation and Mobility, Fleet Maintenance, Facilities, and Engineering and Infrastructure Planning. The 35.5-acre site will include offices, meeting spaces, storage facilities, specialized workshop areas and the City’s water lab.

The Headquarters Building will be the gateway for the new Public Works Campus for receiving public visitors or other City of Bend departments arriving on campus, and it is the main intersection for cross-collaboration and interaction between the various departments working on campus. It is the first stop for all public work employees before heading out to their vehicles, warehouse facilities or job sites for the day.

The upcoming buildings for the Public Works Campus are designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects and the contractor is Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company. The 45,500 sq. ft. Headquarters Building will be built using cross-laminated timber. The project is currently enrolled in the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero program.

The community will have the opportunity to view digital renderings and submit their input online or in person in late spring 2024. Fabrication and installation of the work of art will take place over 2024-2025.

The City of Bend dedicates one percent (1%) of the total eligible costs of certain improvement projects to the selection, fabrication, installation, ongoing maintenance, community education, and documentation of public art. The work of art will be owned and maintained by the City of Bend as part of its public art collection.

This is an open call for artists and artist Teams residing in the Northwest and Southwest United States, specifically Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico or Texas. The City of Bend and AiPP are dedicated to nurturing, promoting, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage individuals from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQIA+ artists to apply. Local artists are encouraged to apply.

A full listing of the Call to Artists site context and submission requirements can be found on: artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=12677

About Art in Public Places: Art in Public Places is a non-profit organization that has donated public art throughout Bend, Oregon since 1973. For over 40 years Art in Public Places has created an enhanced visual environment for Bend residents and promoted tourism and economic vitality through the artistic design of public spaces.

Redmond Ice Skating Rink Closes for the Season

Due to continued mechanical issues, crews are unable to maintain the ice surface as required. The City of Redmond has closed the downtown ice-skating rink for the season. It is our hope we will be able to replace the equipment needed to re-open in November 2024.

Renovations Coming To Crook County's Historic Courthouse

by Heather Roberts KBND

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Work is wrapping up on Crook County’s new Justice Center, funded by a $35 million bond passed by voters in 2021. Crook County Judge Seth Crawford expects it will open in June, "And then, to me, the most exciting part will start happening, is refurbishing the old county courthouse, which everybody’s kind of the iconic - I’ve always heard - the most photographed building in Oregon."

The courthouse was built in 1909. With the Circuit Court and District Attorney's Office moving into the new Justice Center, there will be room in the historic courthouse for county offices. But Crawford says, it first needs 21st century upgrades, "We’ve got to find ways to add the ADA, the HVAC, elevators, things that were not required a hundred years ago to the building; and IT, and different things like that, that would be very difficult to retrofit."

However, he tells KBND News, "One of the things that I think we need to do is be extremely respectful to that building and our history, in general. And I think we found a really good way to do that." Crawford says, "We’ve got a really exciting idea of having a building next door, to have a lot of that infrastructure, where we can then keep the interior and exterior of that building as historically accurate as we can." He adds, "I think we’ve got some really good ideas about building next to it, to add the modern amenities and the modern requirements that we have, by law.

But, we don’t have to have serious changes in the actual courthouse."

The new Justice Center will eventually provide more than double the square footage of the historic courthouse. 

Mayor Ed Fitch Charts Path for Redmond's Future in the Face of Rapid Change

Redmond, OR -  In his recent "State of the City" address on February 1, Mayor Ed Fitch emphasized the significant changes that Redmond will undergo in 2024 due to residential, commercial, and industrial developments. While discussing various issues such as homelessness, livability, growth, development, transportation, and water conservation, Mayor Fitch highlighted the need for creative solutions to maintain Redmond's small-town feel.

With numerous projects in the planning stages, Redmond anticipates billions of dollars in investments in the coming years. The city's population is also expected to grow steadily, reaching over 54,000 residents by 2040, up from the current 38,208.

Most of the development will focus on the eastern part of Redmond, with plans for residential homes in the northeast quadrant and commercial development in the southeast quadrant. A 750-acre area near the Redmond Airport is expected to generate 9,000 new jobs in the near future, with 33 projects anticipated to create 3,336 new jobs in 2024 alone. The development of the old Juniper Golf Course in the northeast will further contribute to job growth and private investment.

While projections for job growth in Redmond are not definite, they serve as a useful basis for future planning. Several companies, including Wild Mike's Ultimate Pizza, Western Bus Sales, Diamond Line Delivery Systems, and Nosler gun and ammunition company, plan to expand and bring new jobs to Redmond. However, the timeline for these projects extends over five years or more.

Mayor Fitch emphasized the need for collaboration between state, federal, and local levels to manage the city's transformation without overwhelming its sense of community. Redmond's growth has also led to increased traffic at the Redmond Airport, prompting a $200 million expansion of the airport terminal to accommodate the growing community.

Regarding livability, Mayor Fitch highlighted that a significant portion of property taxes in Redmond goes toward public safety, ensuring that the community remains safe and neighborly. He provided statistics on police calls and mentioned recent homicides and traffic-related incidents in the city.

In conclusion, Mayor Fitch mentioned three city charter amendments that will appear on the May ballot, which include term limits for city councilors, extending the mayoral term, and prohibiting certain family members from serving together on the city council. Fitch believes these changes will modernize city government without radically altering its operation. He plans to run for re-election in November, and any changes to the mayor's term would not affect his current tenure until 2026.

Residents like Carol Storm expressed concerns about the homelessness crisis in Redmond, particularly the challenges of affordable housing. Mayor Fitch acknowledged the city's efforts in addressing homelessness, highlighting initiatives such as Oasis Village and the Safe Parking program administered by Mountain View Community Development.

Road Construction updates:

Hundreds attend the first annual SOUPer Bowl in Central Oregon

The SOUPer Bowl has come to Central Oregon! The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance held the event for the first time at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bend Saturday.

With the paid admission, attendees got to sample soups from over a dozen local restaurants and vote on their favorite.

The winner was Mountain Burger for its Coconut Corn Curry Stew.

“It’s so wonderful to see the community support us, to see the restaurant community support us and I think we all work really closely together and it’s an amazing community here, said Sharon Maier-Kennelly, the executive director for High Desert Food and Farm Alliance.

The leftover soup was donated to The Family Kitchen.

All funds from the SOUPer Bowl event will benefit High Desert Food and Farm Alliance and is planned to be held again next year.

Think Wild Offers Valentine’s Day Local Flower & Gift Delivery Service

This Valentine’s Day, Think Wild is partnering with local businesses to offer local, sustainable gifts and delivery services throughout Central Oregon.

Each Valentine’s Day gift package includes a local, handmade dried or live bouquet from Stumpmunk Farms and a native wildlife card from local photographer Sue Dougherty at Offleash Photography. Additional items such as toffee from Holm Made Toffee Co, local honey from Broadus Bees, Think Wild mugs, private wildlife release certificates, and enclosure naming opportunities are available as well. Delivery service within Central Oregon can be added for an extra fee. Funds raised support local wildlife conservation, education, and rehabilitation.

To purchase a Valentine’s gift, visit Think Wild’s website (thinkwildco.org/valentines-day) and order by Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Orders can be picked up at Think Wild at 62410 Erickson Rd. in Bend between 8am and 3pm on Tuesday, February 13 or Valentine’s Day, February 14. Deliveries will take place on Wednesday, February 14 before 5pm.

About Think Wild:

Think Wild is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission is to inspire the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, outreach and education, and conservation. We provide veterinary treatment and care at the wildlife hospital, staffed by expert wildlife rehabilitation staff, animal husbandry volunteers, and our staff veterinarian. Wildlife conflicts or injuries can be reported to our Wildlife Hotline at 541-241-8680, which is monitored seven days a week from 9am to 3pm.

 

 

Upcoming Events

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Special Fundraiser Event coming up for one of our favorite Non-Profits

Tuesday February 6th

Wednesday February 7th

Thursday February 8th

Friday February 9th

Saturday February 10th

  

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 Crook County Historical Society: Guardians of Our Heritage

Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future

Thank you for taking a moment to explore the Crook County Historical Society (CCHS) with us. In this Local Cause Spotlight, we'll delve into the invaluable work carried out by this non-profit organization right here in our community.

Discovering the Crook County Historical Society

The Crook County Historical Society, founded in 1968, is a beacon of preservation and celebration of our community's history. At its core, CCHS is committed to safeguarding the stories, artifacts, and memories that form the tapestry of our local heritage. As we journey through time, their dedication ensures that the chapters of our past continue to resonate with the generations of today and tomorrow.

Preservation at Its Heart

The heartbeat of CCHS lies in the preservation of historical treasures. With meticulous care, they maintain an extensive archive filled with photographs, documents, letters, and more. This archive isn't just a repository of facts; it's a living testament to the lives, triumphs, and challenges of those who came before us. It serves as a crucial resource for researchers, genealogists, and history enthusiasts alike.

Community Engagement

CCHS is firmly rooted in our community, and they work diligently to engage us all in the rich tapestry of our history. Their calendar is adorned with events, exhibitions, and educational programs designed to bring history to life. From local history talks to interactive exhibits and guided tours, there are countless opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with our shared heritage.

Championing Preservation Projects

The society actively champions preservation projects that ensure our history remains accessible and relevant. Notably, CCHS has recently completed the restoration of the historic Millican Depot, a cherished relic that now stands as a symbol of our heritage, welcoming visitors to explore its fascinating past. The society continues to work tirelessly on maintaining and restoring other historical sites throughout the county.

Your Opportunity to Contribute

If you're inspired by the mission of CCHS and want to play a part in preserving our community's history, there are several ways to get involved. CCHS welcomes volunteers with open arms, whether you have a passion for organizing events, an affinity for history, or simply a desire to support their noble cause. Becoming a member offers a deeper connection and insight into upcoming events and projects.

Supporting CCHS

The Crook County Historical Society relies on the generosity of our community to sustain its efforts. Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to the preservation of our history. To make a tax-deductible donation or to learn more about how you can contribute, visit their website here

The Crook County Historical Society is a cornerstone of our community, diligently working to preserve and share the history that makes our county unique. By supporting their efforts, we honor our past and ensure that the stories of those who came before us continue to inspire and educate generations to come.

Thank you, CCHS, for your unwavering dedication to our heritage. Together, as a community, let's rally behind this noble cause and preserve our history for generations to come.

Please visit our Sponsor/Partners for Local Cause Spotlight ⬇️

Which historic trail passes through Crook County, marking the path of pioneers in the 19th century?

A) Lewis and Clark Trail

B) Oregon Trail

C) Applegate Trail

D) Santiam Wagon Road

Answer: D) Santiam Wagon Road

The Santiam Wagon Road, passing through Crook County, is a historic route that was crucial for pioneers in the 19th century. It facilitated westward expansion and the settlement of the Oregon Territory by providing a vital connection for immigrants and goods. The road's significance lies in its role in the development and economic growth of the region, helping to establish communities and trade routes.

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