In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🚨🏫 Authorities Confirm Social Media Threat to Central Oregon Schools Not Credible

🚨🐶 La Pine Animal Neglect Investigation Leads to 37 Dogs Seized

👧 Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) Program Offers Winter Mentor Training

📅 Lots of Events

What is Prineville, Oregon, famously known for?

A) Being the birthplace of the world's first rodeo

B) Hosting the largest annual tulip festival in the Pacific Northwest

C) Being home to the first Facebook data center in the Pacific Northwest

D) Having the oldest continuously operating courthouse in Oregon

👇Answer at the end of the Newsletter👇

We’d love to hear your thoughts on C.O. Local Buzz! Are there any specific topics or features you’d like to see more of in our newsletter? Please click the button below to share your suggestions and feedback with us.

Detailed forecast for Northern Oregon Cascades

Thursday

Rain, snow. Snow level 4500 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Pass winds southwest 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Rainfall amounts a tenth to a half of an inch.

Thursday Night

Rain and snow. Snow level 3000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Pass winds west 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent. Rainfall amounts a tenth to a quarter of an inch.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain. Snow level 2500 feet. Pass winds west 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain. Snow may be heavy at times after midnight. Snow level 2500 feet. Pass winds southwest 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Authorities Confirm Social Media Threat to Central Oregon Schools Not Credible

Central Oregon - A wave of concern swept through several Central Oregon communities on Tuesday morning after a threat of violence at local schools surfaced on social media platforms. However, law enforcement agencies quickly determined that the threat was not credible and had originated from a Portland IP address, easing fears among parents and families.

The initial threat appeared on Snapchat but rapidly spread to other social media platforms, including Facebook, triggering a flurry of concerned calls to schools, police departments, and emergency dispatch centers across the region. Deschutes County dispatchers reported a significant increase in call volume on Tuesday morning due to the alarming threat.

Redmond Police Lieutenant Eric Beckwith clarified that the social media post included a stock image of a gun, which was identified as "quite old." Beckwith stated, "The IP address is linked to Portland. We've been able to determine it's not a credible threat." He emphasized the personal investment of many officers in the safety of local schools, as they have children attending them. Law enforcement agencies collaborated to increase their presence around schools as a precautionary measure.

Such threats, both on social media and fast-spreading warnings, are not uncommon, according to Lieutenant Beckwith. He stressed the importance of open communication in these situations, even though it often leads to increased concerns and students being kept at home.

Warm Springs Police, in collaboration with the FBI, launched an investigation into the social media threat, emphasizing that no specific school had been identified as a target at that time. They urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

The FBI in Oregon, represented by Special Agent in Charge Kieran Ramsey, discussed the prevalence of such hoax threats, stating that they have successfully held individuals accountable for such actions in the past.

Around 9 a.m., Bend-La Pine Schools informed families of the situation through a statement, reassuring them that it was safe for schools to operate as usual based on the information provided by the Bend Police Department.

The Redmond School District also maintained open communication with parents, stating that law enforcement recommended continuing school as usual and would provide additional security measures as a precaution.

RSD spokeswoman Holly Brown confirmed that the threat was still under investigation by law enforcement officials.

Concerns about the threat led to a noticeable absence of about one-third of students from Redmond schools on Tuesday. Bend-La Pine Schools also reported an impact at the high school level, with some schools experiencing higher-than-usual absence rates, likely due to the timing around the holiday break.

While authorities took swift action to ensure the safety of students and staff, Warm Springs K-8 Academy Principal Lonnie Henderson praised law enforcement for their dedication and encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to local law enforcement for guidance.

Incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of swift and thorough investigations to ensure the safety of students and staff in the face of threats, even when they are determined to be non-credible.

La Pine Animal Neglect Investigation Leads to 37 Dogs Seized

La Pine, Oregon – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has concluded an animal neglect investigation in the 52000 block of Wayside Loop in La Pine, resulting in the seizure of 37 dogs and the arrest of 48-year-old Dessie C. McIntire on a multitude of charges related to animal cruelty.

This investigation was launched in response to a series of animal-related complaints that had been lodged against McIntire over an extended period. Complaints ranged from dogs at large, noise disturbances, dogs living in deplorable conditions, and even several reported dog bites, including one incident involving a deputy during an attempted arrest.

Over time, McIntire had received nine Deschutes County Code Violations for her dogs' mistreatment and neglect.

The critical turning point in this case occurred on December 21, 2023, when deputies responded to a complaint of dogs running loose in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered an elderly homeowner residing with 14 dogs that had been abandoned on the property. These dogs, ranging in age from young adults to puppies as young as 8 weeks old, were living in dire conditions, lacking food, clean water, and shelter from harsh weather conditions.

Moreover, many of the dogs displayed aggressive behavior, had not been vaccinated, and were unlicensed. The elderly homeowner was incapable of caring for the animals and had not consented to taking responsibility for them. As a result, deputies immediately seized 11 of the dogs and transported them to the Humane Society in Bend. Subsequently, an investigation into Animal Neglect II and Animal Abandonment was launched.

The investigation was marked by further incidents of dogs running loose and additional dogs being seized. On December 29, 2023, McIntire was located in La Pine, where authorities found an additional 20 dogs living in deplorable conditions on the property. Realizing the gravity of the situation, McIntire willingly surrendered these dogs to law enforcement, and they were transported to Brightside Animal Hospital in Redmond.

In total, 37 dogs were removed from McIntire's custody and placed in local animal shelters to receive the care and attention they desperately needed.

McIntire now faces multiple charges, including Animal Neglect in the Second Degree (a felony with three counts), Animal Abandonment (29 counts), and Unlicensed Dog (13 counts). She was cited and subsequently released pending further legal proceedings.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting instances of animal neglect and cruelty. It also highlights the dedication of law enforcement and animal welfare organizations in safeguarding the well-being of animals within the community.

Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) Program Offers Winter Mentor Training: Make a Difference in a Child's Life

The Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) program, a project of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, will be offering their Winter Mentor Training. This class will be on Saturday, January 13, from 9:00 to 12:30 and will cover program polices, Q&A from a current volunteer, the impact parental incarceration has on kids, and mentoring skills.

Mentors are matched up with a youth in their local Deschutes County community and spend 2-3 hours per week doing trips to the library, rock climbing, hiking, ice skating, grabbing snacks and playing board games. But most importantly, providing a stable and dependable adult for a child in a time of great need.

For information about this program - Click Here

What’s Up Central Oregon

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

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

Click here to let us know about your upcoming Event!

Follow us on facebook

Local Trivia Answer:

C) Being home to the first Facebook data center in the Pacific Northwest

Prineville gained notable recognition when Facebook chose it as the location for its first data center in the Pacific Northwest. This move brought significant attention and economic growth to the area.