In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🙌 Human Trafficking Awareness Month: at:project Sheds Light on Local Exploitation

⚖️ New Oregon laws for 2024: From DUII changes to wildfire risk map protections

🏛️ City of Bend Hosting Informational Meeting on Phase 2 of Awbrey Waterline Improvement Project

🐶 Pet of the Week - Meet Hailey

📅 Lots of Events

Which Town/City is the oldest established community in Central Oregon?

👇Answer at the end of the Newsletter👇

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Detailed forecast for Northern Oregon Cascades

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Human Trafficking Awareness Month: at:project Sheds Light on Local Exploitation

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and at:project, along with its partners, is taking the opportunity to raise awareness about the issue of exploitation and human trafficking within the local community. Through various initiatives such as training sessions, social media campaigns, and community events, at:project aims to educate Central Oregon residents about the realities of human trafficking, dispel myths, equip them with tools to identify potential victims, and empower them to respond effectively.

at:project, as a local responder in a national effort, receives funding from the Federal Office on Trafficking in Persons and Office of Victims of Crime. They respond to local calls made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and coordinate the Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (ATACO) under the Oregon Department of Justice’s Trafficking Response and Intervention Program. This task force consists of representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office, and various agencies from Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties. As part of J Bar J Youth Services, at:project is the primary provider of comprehensive case management for human trafficking survivors in Central Oregon. In the previous fiscal year, they served 82 clients who were either suspected or confirmed victims or survivors of human trafficking.

To engage the public during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, at:project is offering local training sessions titled "Understanding & Addressing Sex Trafficking in Our Community." These sessions, presented by at:project, are open to community members interested in learning more about how trafficking occurs locally. The training will take place on January 17, 2024, from 5:30-6:30pm at the East Bend Deschutes Public Library. Those interested can learn more and register at at-project.org/events.

In addition to educational opportunities, there will be a local event, "Bingo at Flights Wine Bar," on January 14 at 5pm. This event promises an enjoyable evening of Bingo at Flights Wine Bar in Bend, with every game played contributing to the important cause of supporting at:project. To find out more, visit at-project.org/events.

at:project encourages the community to participate in Human Trafficking Awareness Month by attending these events, following them on social media, and donating to support the basic needs of survivors of sex and labor trafficking. More information can be found at at-project.org.

Human trafficking can happen in any community, and if you suspect someone you know has been trafficked or if you've been trafficked yourself, there is local help available. You can contact the at:project at 541-647-0658 or visit at-project.org for safe and confidential services. Nationwide support is also accessible through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

It's important to note that commercial sexual exploitation is a form of human trafficking, and when it involves a minor, it constitutes child abuse. Suspicion of trafficking triggers a mandatory child abuse report for mandatory reporters, who can contact the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 855-503-7233. For resources and support on a national level, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 888-373-7888.

New Oregon laws for 2024: From DUII changes to wildfire risk map protections

With the new year comes new laws. Several new laws went into effect statewide Monday.

One of the changes is that more substances are included under Oregon’s DUII laws — ones that could impair a driver beyond alcohol, cannabis or other drugs. Police say some over-the-counter medications, including Nyquil, could put a driver at risk of DUII.

“You and I and everybody else knows what it feels like when you’ve taken some Nyquil and you’re a little bit out of it,” said Sheila Miller, communications manager, Bend Police Department. “If you go behind the wheel of a car and drive while doing that and you’re pulled over, you could be subject to a DUI.”

 Continue Reading…

City of Bend Hosting Informational Meeting on Phase 2 of Awbrey Waterline Improvement Project

The City of Bend will host an informational open house on Jan. 9 to share information about phase 2 of the Awbrey Butte Waterline construction. The open house will be held in person at Westside Church, 2051 NW Shevlin Park Road, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Waterline and sewer main construction will begin the week of Jan. 15. Improvements will take place within the Public Right of Way and will be implemented in multiple phases to minimize traffic impacts. Detours will be in effect on Shevlin Park Road and Portland Avenue.

A single-lane closure of Shevlin Park Road is required for construction. The direction of detoured traffic will switch as construction progresses. Expect periodic closures of the northbound lanes on the Mt. Washington Roundabout.

Portland Avenue will undergo construction in three stages, starting with the rehabilitation of the existing waterline crossing the Portland Avenue bridge in mid-January. The first stage involves the complete closure of Portland Avenue between Wall Street and Steidl Road. A two-way traffic detour will be routed via Awbrey Road, Newport Avenue and Wall Street.

Final restoration of Phase 2 improvements are expected to be complete in spring 2025.

Selective stormwater improvements and a portion of the voter-approved 2020 Transportation GO Bond Portland Avenue Improvements are being constructed as part of the Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project to take advantage of synergy opportunities.

The information and exhibits from this informational meeting will be also available on the project website bendoregon.gov/awbrey-waterline.

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This week’s pet is from

Herd U Needed a Home Rescue

Meet Hailey

Hailey another 4-month old Idaho Shag mix and sister to Challis is another super sweet dog that likes to lay by your feet or on the couch with you for hours.
Hailey is more timid than her sister, it will take a little longer for her to warm up to you and feel comfortable. However the foster says she is warming up more each day. She is very good in her crate, sleeping through the night and is doing well on her potty training. Hailey loves to get belly rubs!
If you would like to meet Hailey, email hunahapps@gmail.com for an application and a chance at a meet and greet. Located in Central Oregon adoption fee is $400 plus a $200 refundable spay deposit.

About Herd U Needed A Home Rescue

At Herd U Needed A Home Rescue we are passionate about finding the best homes for our rescue dogs. We mainly work with herding type breeds (border collie, heeler, Australian shepherd, McNab), but we often rescue other breeds in need. We are a foster-based rescue, meaning we do not have a shelter. All of our dogs are placed in loving homes while they wait for their forever family to come along. If you are looking for an active, loving forever friend, please check out our adoptable dogs today!

Pet of the Week Sponsored by

What’s Up Central Oregon

Wednesday, January 3rd

• Sidney Joseph @ Crosscut Warming Hut

  Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

  Location: Crosscut Warming Hut No 5, 566 SW Milil View Way

• Sean Alan & The Vibeshiftas @ McMenamins

  Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  Location: McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St, Bend, OR

  Event Details

Thursday, January 4th

• Suttle Lodge's Fireside Concert Series: Megan Diana Fireside Show

  Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

  Location: Suttle Lake Lodge, 13300 US-20, Sisters, Oregon

  Tickets: $10

  Event Details

• The Quons Trio @ River’s Place

  Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

  Location: River's Place, 787 Northeast Purcell Boulevard

Friday, January 5th

• First Friday @ Oregon Spirit Distillers

  Time: 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM

  Location: Oregon Spirit Distillers Oregon

  Event Details

• Psoriasis Coaching & Workshop

  Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

  Location: 1841 NE Division St, Suite 150 Bend

  Event Details

• First Friday Artwalk-Downtown & Old Mill

  Time: 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

  Location: Downtown Bend

  Event Details

Saturday, January 6th

• Wine Bottle Succulent Planters

  Time: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM

  Location: Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, 70450 NW Lower Valley Drive Terrebonne

  Tickets: $40

  Event Details

• Laughy-Bara Comedy Show

  Time: 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM

  Location: Craft Kitchen & Brewery, 62988 Layton Avenue

  Tickets: $10

  Event Details

• Rodeo Champions of America Oregon Royalty 2024

  Time: 5:00 PM

  Location: Terrebonne Grange

  Event Details

• CORK Saturday Morning Coffee Run!

  Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  Location: Thump Coffee - York Drive, 549 NW York Dr suite 200, Bend

  Event Details

Sunday, January 7th

• XC Oregon Learn-To-Ski Day

  Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  Location: Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area, 15811 NF-4615, Bend, OR

  Event Details

Deschutes Public Library Events

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Local Trivia Answer:

Prineville is the oldest established community in Central Oregon, founded in 1877 and officially incorporated as a city in 1880