In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🚨💊Deschutes County Health Services identifies increase in overdose fatalities

❄️ Digging out: Rules for sidewalks, tips to avoid ice berms, ice dams

🦌 Community Meeting Addresses Safety Concerns After Elk Hunting Incident in South Deschutes County

⛽ The gas price fluctuate between $3.29 and $3.79 in Bend

🙌 Local Cause Spotlight - 'In Our Backyard'

😁 Meme of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

How did the town of La Pine get its name?

A) It was named after a French explorer, Pierre La Pine.

B) The name was chosen due to the abundance of pine trees in its vicinity.

C) It was named after the Pine River, which flows through the town.

D) The name was derived from an indigenous word meaning "land of pines."

👇Find the Answer at the End of the Newsletter 👇

BEND

Northern Oregon Cascades (Passes)

Tuesday - Snow and rain. Snow level 2500 feet, increasing to 5000 feet in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Pass winds southeast 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Rainfall amounts a quarter to a half of an inch.

Wednesday - Rain. Snow, mainly in the morning. Snow level 4500 feet. Windy. Pass winds southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Deschutes County Health Services identifies increase in overdose fatalities

Deschutes County Health Services has identified a recent increase in overdose fatalities and want to alert those who use substances and their families and friends to take additional precautions. Four overdose fatalities within a six-day period appear to be linked to the use of fentanyl and in combination with other substances. Please be aware of the signs of overdose.

For information about opioids, fentanyl, and response, visit www.deschutes.org/stopoverdose.

Recognizing and responding to an overdose can save a life. Here are some signs and symptoms of an overdose to look for:

• Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”

• Falling asleep or losing consciousness

• Slow, weak, or no breathing

• Choking or gurgling sounds

• Limp body

• Cold and/or clammy skin

• Discolored skin, especially in lips and nails

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids —including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications — when given in time.

Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. There are two forms of Naloxone that anyone can use without medical training or authorization: prefilled nasal spray and injectable.

If you need Naloxone, please visit participating pharmacies or your local syringe exchange program www.deschutes.org/harmreduction.

The Deschutes County Harm Reduction Program recommends the following steps and strategies for community members: 

1.  Assume any substance purchased on the street may contain unknown substances.

2. Make sure everyone in the area can access Naloxone (aka Narcan) and knows how to administer it.

3. Naloxone is safe. Even if naloxone is given to someone who is not experiencing an overdose, it will not harm them.

Get Support: If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol use, here are some resources that can help:

• Drug and Alcohol Helpline: (800) 923-4357) or Text: ‘Recovery Now’ to 839863. Help line for individuals and family members seeking crisis intervention, treatment referral, and chemical-dependency information. linesforlife.org/alcohol-and-drug-helpline

• Crisis Services: Contact the crisis line by dialing 988 or (541) 322-7500 x9 or call (800) 875-7364 (toll free) or

• Stabilization Center at 63311 NE Jamison Street Bend, OR 97703 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. https://www.deschutes.org/health/page/crisis-services

• Youth Crisis line: (877) 968-8491 Text: ‘teen2teen’ to 839863. A teen-to-teen crisis and helpline for youth and teens. Teens available to help daily from 4 -10 p.m. (off-hour calls are answered by the crisis line) oregonyouthline.org

• Mental Health Care Services: (541) 322-7500 to schedule an initial appointment with the Access Team to access counseling, substance use treatment, peer support services, and more.

Digging out: Rules for sidewalks, tips to avoid ice berms, ice dams

 With Central Oregon’s winter storm now over, it’s time to start digging out. That means plows will be coming through city streets. It also means homeowners and renters need to start clearing their sidewalks.

Avoid ice berms

One of the downsides of having plows come through your neighborhood after a big snowstorm is that they usually leave ice berms in front of your driveway. Clearing these is a lot harder than simply shoveling snow.

One tip often shared by cities to prevent berms is to clear out a pocket of snow on the street from the side of the driveway adjacent the direction of travel. Generally, this is the left side of the driveway. But if you’re on a narrow street, the plow could be coming from the opposite direction.

The City of Bend suggests trying to clear about 20 feet of space ahead of your driveway before the plows come through.

Clear your roof to avoid ice dams

Icicles that form on roofs indicate the formation of ice dams. Ice dams trap water that would normally roll off your roof. If ignored, it can lead to interior water damage in your home.

Deschutes Roofing owner Carlos Simpson told us last week that he recommends using a roof rake or a tool called an Avalanche to clear your roof of snow. The Avalanche has a plastic slide attached, so when you push into the snow on the roof, the snow breaks up and slides down to the ground.

Shoveling your sidewalks

The general rule from most cities is that property owners and renters are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their property. The rules vary from city-to-city, but it’s generally expected to be within a day of the snowfall. It’s generally also requested that the snow be shoveled back onto the owner’s property, not into the street.

Also, be sure to clear the snow around your fire hydrant. And if you have neighbors who are elderly or live with disabilities, consider helping them out by shoveling their sidewalk and driveway.

But know your limits in terms of your own health. According to the American Heart Association, the exertion of shoveling snow may lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.

Here are the posted regulations for most major Central Oregon cities.

Bend

• All commercial properties must remove snow and ice from the sidewalk within six hours of daylight after the snow has fallen

• All residential properties have 24 hours to remove snow after it has fallen.

• When shoveling snow, be sure to keep all of the snow on your property. Snow cannot be moved from the sidewalk into the street.

• The City of Bend’s street crews do their best to keep from plowing snow back up onto the sidewalk however, it may still occur. If the snow plow causes more snow to accumulate on your sidewalk, it is still your responsibility to keep the sidewalk clear.

• Code Enforcement has compiled a small list of licensed contractors who a property owner can hire for snow removal maintenance. Please contact Teresa Stovall at (541) 312-7968 or at [email protected] for more information.

Redmond

• Residents are responsible for removing snow from adjacent sidewalks. Please assist us in providing a safe walking surface for pedestrians. Transportation Division crews do their best to keep from plowing snow back on the sidewalk however, it may still occur. If a snow plow moves snow on to your sidewalk, please know that it is still your responsibility to keep the sidewalk clear.

• Do not shovel, blow, or plow snow from your driveway or sidewalk into the street. Snow should be piled in yard space behind curbing and sidewalks. Moving snow into the right-of-way may cause ice ruts before the street is plowed, making entrance to your home and driving on the road dangerous.

• Park vehicles off-street. Vehicles parked in the street create a hazard for snow plow operators and do not allow roadways to be completely cleared. If you cannot park off the street, park as close to the curb as possible.

• Remove basketball hoops, bicycles, soccer nets and all other personal property from the street right-of-way. These obstructions pose a safety hazard to snow-plowing crews and to the traveling public during snow events. The City is not responsible for damage caused to personal property left in the street.

Sisters

STREETS, PARKING AREAS AND ALLEYS:

• The City of Sisters is asking all residents and business owners to park vehicles off the street during a snow event, to allow our plow drivers to clear streets as wide as possible.

• Please do not put garbage cans out until the morning of collection, so that our snow plows can operate as efficiently as possible during the nighttime hours.

• When the City is plowing, snow may end up as a berm across your driveway (with significant snow it may even cover a sidewalk and/or fire hydrant). We apologize for the inconvenience.

• Unfortunately, this is unavoidable during times with large snow accumulation. Removal of driveway berms and clearing sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent resident and/or business owner.

• Snow removal in alleys and parking areas is the adjacent property owner’s responsibility. The City will focus its limited resources on keeping travel lanes open. When plowing the parking area at your home or business, be mindful of storm drains. Covered drains will create unnecessary flooding. Snow mounds can also reduce visibility to adjacent streets, alleyways, and sidewalks. Please don’t place snow mounds in handicap accessible parking spaces.

• Per City Ordinance No. 473, when the Public Works Department determines that it is necessary to remove snow or widen a street, temporary “No Parking” zones may be established. “No Parking” zones will be signed not less than four hours before the start of the snow removal operation.

SIDEWALKS:

• Many of our neighbors rely on a clear sidewalk to get to and from work or school, or to access the school bus. When a sidewalk has not been cleared of snow and/or ice, pedestrians may be forced to walk in the road, causing a dangerous situation for both the pedestrian and the driver of a vehicle.

• City code requires every property owner or occupant to maintain the adjacent sidewalks in good condition. Commercial properties are responsible for snow shoveling/de-icing the adjacent sidewalks within 6 hours of daylight following the snowfall or ice event. This includes sidewalks adjacent to an empty lot.

• As you clear your sidewalks, remember to remove snow in the bulb-out area and all the way to the street. Please connect to your neighbor so there is no gap between your property and theirs.

• This will vastly improve connectivity and make for a safer town for everyone to enjoy. Please refrain from using Ice Melt or similar products that contain salt because they can damage sidewalks. The City uses bird seed or sand as an alternative method for keeping the sidewalks safe & accessible.

Madras

(1) No owner or person in charge of property, improved or unimproved, abutting on a public sidewalk shall permit:

(a) Snow to remain on the sidewalk for a period longer than the first six hours of daylight on business days after the snow has fallen.

(b) Ice to remain on the sidewalk for more than six hours of daylight on business days after ice has formed, unless the ice is covered with sand, ashes, or other suitable material to ensure safe travel.

(2) In the event the property owner shall fail to remove any ice or snow from their sidewalks, and the same becomes hazardous in the opinion of the Street Department for the City, the City may remove such snow and ice or cause the same to be removed and charge the cost of removal to the owner of the property abutting said sidewalk.

(3) In areas where buildings abut the sidewalk, snow or ice shall be placed on the three-foot area of the sidewalk adjacent to the curb. No ice or snow shall be placed on the street or in the gutter where it can block runoff water or impede traffic.

La Pine

• Property owners/residents are responsible for clearing berms, sidewalks, and access to mailboxes.

• Parking is prohibited on snow routes in order for plowing services to maximize snow removal.

Community Meeting Addresses Safety Concerns After Elk Hunting Incident in South Deschutes County

By Jimmy Dean | Rancher's Ridge

Published: January 14, 2024

A community meeting is scheduled for January 16 to discuss safety concerns related to hunting on federal land near Sunriver in south Deschutes County, Oregon. The meeting aims to address residents' worries about shooting in close proximity to residential areas.

Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone will lead the meeting, with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, present to respond to questions and concerns raised by the community.

The meeting follows an incident that occurred two months ago near Sunriver, where a hunter killed a female elk close to homes north of Spring River Road. The incident has heightened concerns among residents, prompting the need for a collaborative discussion on hunting practices in the area.

The gathering will take place at The Door at Three Rivers, located at 56885 Enterprise Drive in Sunriver. For those unable to attend in person, participation is possible through Zoom via the following link: Zoom Link.

The incident that triggered the community meeting involved several upset residents in south Deschutes County reporting that hunters had shot and killed 3-4 elk, with one incident allegedly being illegal. The area where the hunting occurred was perceived as too close to many homes, popular recreation areas, and Spring River Road.

Oregon State Police confirmed responding to a reported illegal shooting of an elk in the Sunriver area on that particular Saturday. The report indicated that a herd of elk had entered Forest Service lands near Spring River Road, an area open to hunting. Subsequently, several hunters arrived at the location, and one reportedly shot a female elk in an area where shooting is not permitted.

Residents expressed surprise at the legality of hunting on a small strip of land between Spring River Road and the Spring River/Deschutes River. Some residents raised concerns about the proximity of homes, recreational areas, and essential facilities to the hunting zone, urging a review of hunting boundaries in South Deschutes County.

Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone clarified that the county lacks jurisdiction over federal land. However, he suggested that residents interested in designating the property as a "no-shooting" zone can submit a request to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Additional concerns were voiced during a La Pine meeting that discussed a community survey on environment and natural resources. Residents and hunters expressed their views, emphasizing the need for a partnership between the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service, and Deschutes County residents to address the cultural and ethical aspects of hunting in the area.

Commissioner DeBone suggested the possibility of convening a roundtable involving various stakeholders, including the Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Hunters Association, area residents, and the county. The roundtable could explore ways to improve signage, establish new no-shooting opportunities, and address safety concerns.

The gas price fluctuate between $3.29 and $3.79 in Bend as of 2024-01-14. Find the cheapest station near you.

The national average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas on Sunday is $3.069, a week ago the price is $3.079 , according to AAA.

In OR the average gallon of gas cost was around $3.668 Sunday, a week ago the price is $3.741, according to information from the American Automobile Association. The average price in Bend was $3.55.

Here's a list of stations and their prices near you. In Bend, the gas price ranges from $3.29 to $3.79 according to GasBuddy.

For other areas - click here to search

This Week’s Local Cause Spotlight is

'In Our Backyard': A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Spotlight on 'In Our Backyard': A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

In a world where the shadows of human trafficking loom large, there's a shining light working tirelessly to combat this atrocity – "In Our Backyard". This non-profit organization, founded by Nita Belles, has become a formidable force in the anti-human trafficking movement, illuminating paths of hope and recovery for victims while educating communities on prevention and awareness.

The Mission

In Our Backyard's mission revolves around increasing understanding and awareness of human trafficking indicators and risk factors. The organization's multifaceted approach includes survivor advocacy, legislative advising, and national speaking engagements to educate on the complexities of human trafficking. Through their efforts, they aim to improve the resilience of youth against traffickers, helping them build stronger boundaries and seek assistance when needed.

A Journey of Impact

What started as a passionate response to a witnessed atrocity by Nita Belles in 2006 has now blossomed into a national crusade against human trafficking. Belles, an author and recognized leader in this field, has brought her expertise to the forefront, advising on human trafficking legislation and collaborating with various stakeholders including law enforcement, survivors, and faith communities.

Empowering through Education and Advocacy

"In Our Backyard" recognizes the power of knowledge in preventing human trafficking. Their educational initiatives span across different sectors, including schools, law enforcement agencies, and faith-based organizations. One notable achievement is their distribution of 78,000 Freedom Stickers, aimed at spreading awareness and providing vital information in public spaces across all 50 states.

Partnership and Collaboration: A Key to Success

The organization believes in the strength of partnerships, working alongside local and national entities, non-profits, and government agencies. This cooperative approach has been instrumental in legislative efforts and anti-human trafficking operations.

Financial Integrity and Accountability

Reflecting their commitment to transparency and accountability, "In Our Backyard" has been recognized with a Four-Star rating by Charity Navigator, scoring an impressive 97%. Their financial health, governance practices, and policy adherence stand as a testament to their dedication and trustworthiness.

Looking Ahead

In Our Backyard continues to build on its achievements, focusing on expanding their STOP HT Project for prevention in schools and the Convenience Stores Against Trafficking program nationwide. Their efforts signify not just the fight against human trafficking but also the restoration of hope and dignity to survivors.

Get Involved

Our community can take pride in supporting "In Our Backyard". Whether through volunteering, educating oneself and others, or donating, every effort counts in this critical fight. Their website, inourbackyard.org, offers more information on how to get involved and contribute to this noble cause.

Together, we can stand alongside "In Our Backyard" to bring light to dark places and hope to those who need it most. Let us join hands to support their mission and make a tangible difference in the lives of those impacted by human trafficking.

LINKING ARMS ACROSS AMERICA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

facebook

What’s Up Central Oregon

Tuesday January 16th

YOUNI BINGO 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Riverhouse On The Deschutes 3075 N Hwy 97 Bend Tickets $10 Event Details

Paint And Sip 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Initiative Brewing 424 NW 5th Street Redmond Tickets $48 Event Details

Ana Popovic - Internationally renowned guitarist 07:30 PM  Tower Theatre 835 NW Wall Street Bend Tickets $35 - $65 (plus Fees) Event Details

Wednesday January 17th

Lilli Worona And John Shipe - folk Americana 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM High Desert Music Hall 818 SW Forest Avenue Redmond Free

Bevel Putting Mayhem This is a fun bracket-style, head-to-head disc golf putting competition that happens Wednesday nights at Bevel! Sign-ups are from 5:30 - 5:50pm with First putts at 6:00pm 911 SE Armour Rd. Bend Event Details

Thursday January 18th

The Cabin Fever Expo Jan 18th - 20th 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM Deschutes Fairgrounds 3800 SW Airport Way Redmond Event Details

The Brothers Reed @ McMenamins 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM McMenamins Event Details Free

Friday January 19th

Friday Night Lights @ Hoodoo 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM  Hoodoo Oregon              Event Details

Wine Workshop Series: Alpine Wines 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM Flights Wine Bar 1444 NW College Way Bend Tickets $20 Event Details

Sunny War And Chris Pierce 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM The Belfry 302 E. Main Avenue Sisters Tickets $20 Event Details

Prohibition Party @ High Desert Museum 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM High Desert Museum Oregon Tickets $20 Event Details

Saturday January 20th

Snowshoe With A Ranger - FREE 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM Mt Bachelor Event Details

Sidney Joseph plays rock and soul infused with the blues 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM Crux Fermentation Project 50 SW Division Bend Free

Improv Showcase 500 @ Open Space Event Studios 07:30 PM Open Space Event Studios  220 Northeast Lafayette Avenue Bend Tickets $20 in advance $28 at the door Event Details

Free Skate Ski Clinic Intermediate/Advanced 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Beginner 10:30 AM - 12:30 AM Class size limited to 25 for each session Registration needed Event Details

Sunday January 21st

The Cabin Fever Expo 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM Deschutes Fairgrounds 3800 SW Airport Way Redmond 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:

How did the town of La Pine get its name?

A) It was named after a French explorer, Pierre La Pine.

B) The name was chosen due to the abundance of pine trees in its vicinity.

C) It was named after the Pine River, which flows through the town.

D) The name was derived from an indigenous word meaning "land of pines."

Answer:

B) The name was chosen due to the abundance of pine trees in its vicinity.

While the name Deschutes originated from the French des chutes, contrary to popular assumption the name La Pine is not French.

Plated in 1910, La Pine was built next to and absorbed the tiny town of Rosland. The new name was created in reference to the abundance of pine trees in its vicinity. Until 2006, La Pine held the distinction of being the only unincorporated town in the State of Oregon, meaning it had no governing body other than Deschutes County. Voters finally approved incorporation in November 2006.