In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ Trivia Fun

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

⚠️🛣️ Roundabout closures near Northwest Crossing in Bend

🚨 Domestic Dispute turned into homicide being investigated by Bend Police

⚠️🚘Work zone speed reduction starts this week for Bend North Corridor project

🚲Bend’s e-bike sharing program will continue despite Bird bike’s bankruptcy

📅 Lots of Events

Roundabout closures near Northwest Crossing in Bend

Drivers in west Bend need to be aware of a detour in place through next week. It includes the closure of two roundabouts.

The City of Bend says Cascade Natural Gas will be doing work along Shevlin Park Road from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5. The roundabout of Shevlin Park Road and College Way along with part of Shevlin Park Road west of the roundabout.

There will also be lane shifts and single lane closures with flagging between the College Way roundabout to the Crossing Drive roundabout starting Monday, Jan. 8, followed by a closure of the Shevlin Park Road and Crossing Drive roundabout, the City said.

Drivers are encouraged to use the designated detour route along 14th Street, Galveston Avenue/Skyliners Road and Mt. Washington Drive.

Domestic Dispute turned into homicide being investigated by Bend Police

 Bend Police are investigating a Tuesday morning homicide that they say started as a domestic dispute. A suspect is in custody.

The report came in at about 9:20 a.m. in the 300 block of SE Lee Lane, according to Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller.

That’s a few blocks north of Wilson Avenue and 3rd Street.

Police arrived shortly after the call and found a person who was injured. Despite the efforts of officers render aid, the person suffered fatal injuries, Miller said.

The suspect was found at the scene and taken in the Bend Police Department, according to Miller.

She said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

No other information was released about the identities of the suspect or victim.

The area of Lee Lane and SE Woodland Blvd between 4th and 5th Streets are closed for the investigation. Miller said that is expected to last overnight.

Work zone speed reduction starts this week for Bend North Corridor project

Travelers moving through the Bend North Corridor construction zone on the north end of town on U.S. 97 are likely to notice some changes starting this week. 

Last month, crews shifted the travel lanes and closed two left-hand turns in the area as they continue work on the Bend North Corridor project. Long dark days and wet weather have made seeing the lane shifts a challenge. Starting the first week in January, we will be re-striping the area and adding recessed reflectors into the striping to help people know where they need to be. We will also add rumble strips to the center-line of the highway. 

Plastic delineators have been placed between the north and south lanes on U.S. 97 where left-hand turns have been closed. Some of these markers were recently ripped out by drivers going over them. We urge drivers to heed the closures; they were put in place to improve safety. Stopping abruptly in traffic to make a left turn at a closed intersection is dangerous not only for you but also for everyone behind you. These missing delineators will be replaced. 

In addition to these improvements, we will also be temporarily lowering the speed throughout the work zone. Lower speeds will give travelers more time to navigate the changes and will also improve safety for crews working close to the highway. The speed will be lowered by 10 mph, making the speed limit through most of the area 35 mph instead of 45 mph. The lowered speed limit will go into effect next week. 

The current lane configuration will be in place until April 2024. In April, the northbound lanes will be moved onto the new U.S. 97 alignment at Cooley, southbound lanes will stay where they currently are. The entire project is expected to be complete by the end of 2024. 

Bend’s e-bike sharing program will continue despite Bird bike’s bankruptcy

 Despite Bird Global's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Bend's e-bike sharing program thrives. With 25,000 rides in months and a strong pilot year, the city considers permanence. Bird assures continued service amid restructuring, keeping Bend's 250 e-bikes rolling at $1 to unlock and 45 cents per minute.

What’s Up Central Oregon?

December 27, 2023 (Bend):

• Head Games Trivia Night at Deschutes Brewery (Bend Public House) - 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.

December 28, 2023 (Bend):

• Trivia Night at Worthy Brewing Beers & Burgers – Downtown Bend - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

• Samantha Fish at The Tower Theatre - 7:30 pm.

December 29, 2023 (Bend and Redmond):

• So You Think You Got Jokes – Comedy Competition at Silver Moon Brewing - 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

• Sleepless Truckers LIVE at Blacksmith Public House (Redmond) - 6:30 pm.

December 30, 2023 (Redmond):

• Parker Steers at Elements Public House - 6:00 pm.

• Superball Bell Bottom Rock LIVE at Blacksmith Public House - 6:30 pm.

December 31, 2023 (Bend and Surrounding Areas):

• Hoodoo’s All Day New Year’s Eve Celebration on the Mountain (Sisters) - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Free

• New Years Eve/Day Yoga and Silent Auction for a Great Cause at Namaspa Yoga Community - Various activities throughout the day.

• East Coast New Years Party at Flights Wine Bar - 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

• Mad Hatter Ball at Riverhouse Convention Center - 6:00 pm - January 1, 2024, 12:30 am.

• NYE with Soul’d Out at River's Place - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Free

• 2024 New Years Eve Party – Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards (Terrebonne) - 8:00 pm - January 1, 2024, 12:00 am

• Wanderlust Tours | New Year’s Eve Bonfire on the Snow - 9:00 pm - January 1, 2024, 1:00 am

• Glitter Gala: A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Immersion Brewing - 9:00 pm - January 1, 2024, 2:00 am

• Bubbles & Beats New Year’s Eve Party at Bar Rio Cocktails & Tapas 915 Northwest Wall Street - 10:00 pm - January 1, 2024, 12:30 am.

Deschutes Public Library Calendar

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