In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather 🎦

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

💨🌳80-foot tree crashes into La Pine house

🏘️ ❄️ Oasis Village Provides Refuge from Winter Storm

🦌🏘️💥Community Concerns Over Hunting Safety on Federal Land Near Sunriver

🪴Only the most hardy hemp farmers are still in production in Central Oregon

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

What is the name of the largest volcano in the Cascade Range?

A) Mount St. Helens

B) Mount Rainier

C) Newberry Volcano

D) Mount Hood

👇Find the Answer at the End of the Newsletter 👇

BEND

Northern Oregon Cascades (Passes)

Thursday

Rain, snow and freezing rain. Snow level 5000 feet, increasing to 6000 feet in the afternoon. Snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches. Ice accumulation of up to one quarter of an inch. Pass winds southeast 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Rainfall amounts a half of an inch to one and a half inches.

Thursday Night

Rain, snow, freezing rain with a slight chance of sleet in the evening, then freezing rain likely with possible rain, snow and sleet after midnight. Precipitation may be heavy at times in the evening. Snow level 7000 feet. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Ice accumulation of up to one half of an inch. Pass winds east 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Rainfall amounts a tenth to three quarters of an inch.

80-foot tree crashes into La Pine house

by Peyton Thomas Central Oregon Daily News

La Pine, OR - An 80-foot tree crashed directly on top of a home while a La Pine family was asleep during last week’s high winds — a home they were preparing to put on the market.

“One o’clock Friday morning, it woke up to the whole house, shaking around the back,” homeowner Shaun Grab said. “Made sure my kids were OK, came back here and noticed both these trees had fallen on my house.”

The Grab family says it could’ve been worse.

“That main beam took most of the fall, which I believe saved us from having the tree fall completely through the house,” he said.

Although it may look at a distance like two trees, Grab tells us it was one tree that split. Branches from the large tree now poke through multiple rooms of their house.

The timing is terrible. They were just getting ready to sell the house. Now that will have to wait — and the wait is expensive. The family says they recently lost their home insurance.

“We were kicked off insurance couple of months ago due to the fire hazards out here,” Grab said. “We’re just a little farther out from the fire stations than they would like us to be.”

Relatives started a GoFundMe for Shaun and his family to afford the repairs.

Oasis Village Provides Refuge from Winter Storm, Welcoming First Residents in Redmond

Redmond, OR - Oasis Village, a new shelter in Redmond, has welcomed its first residents just in time, with 17 people now living in 15 small cabins. They moved in right before a winter storm hit the area. One of the residents, John, who was previously living in an area known as "Dirt World," expressed that Oasis Village is a significant improvement and described it as "500 times better" than his previous situation. Many of the residents at Oasis Village were previously from "Dirt World" and other camps, and they are grateful for being able to bring their pets with them, creating a sense of community.

The heated bedroom shelters at Oasis Village are seen as a significant improvement, providing residents with a comfortable and quiet place to sleep, unlike their previous noisy and often disruptive living conditions. John also praised the case-workers and volunteers who are assisting residents in finding permanent housing, noting their kindness and support. Additionally, the facility offers amenities such as a kitchen with refrigerated storage, a dog run, and a community garden, making it a comprehensive and welcoming transitional housing solution.

Oasis Village was made possible through a combination of government grants, private donations, support from businesses, churches, civic groups, and schools, highlighting the collaborative effort to address homelessness in the community. Residents began moving into the shelter on January 10th, providing them with a safer and more comfortable place to call home.

Community Concerns Over Hunting Safety on Federal Land Near Sunriver

Sunriver, Oregon - A gathering was held Tuesday night in Sunriver, bringing together concerned residents, hunters, and officials to address the pressing issue of setting boundaries for hunting activities on federal land. The primary concern revolves around the safety of neighbors near Sunriver, particularly those residing to the south of the area.

The meeting, which drew a diverse crowd, was expected to focus on rifle hunting of elk near Spring River. However, it became evident that shotgun bird hunting on federal land was also causing apprehension, as it was perceived to be too close to private property.

The safety of shooting high-powered rifles in a confined area was a significant point of discussion. "Shooting those high-powered rifles in a very confined area is actually the issue that we're trying to deal with," expressed one attendee.

The sentiment was echoed by others, with concerns raised about shooting within 150 yards of someone's house, which many deemed unsafe.

Representatives from Oregon State Police, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife were present to listen to the community's grievances.

County Commissioner Tony DeBone emphasized that the responsibility lies with the person who pulls the trigger but also acknowledged their right to hunt. The debate extended to questions about reckless endangerment and the potential risks to individuals' lives.

Despite some attendees being lifelong hunters, they felt compelled to consider the safety of recreational areas like Spring River, leading them to contemplate ceasing hunting activities in the region. Many residents admitted to accommodating elk on their properties throughout the year.

The complexity of establishing hunting limits was acknowledged, especially concerning jurisdiction. Commissioner DeBone committed to investigating the possibility of expanding the no-shooting zone along the river corridor.

The Deschutes National Forest agreed to provide guidance on the feasibility of permanently designating the area as a no-shooting zone following a request.

In response to the concerns raised, the public is exploring the creation of a community petition and considering legal action to address the issue.

Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone, who led the gathering, expressed his commitment to balancing the safety of communities with the rights of hunters. He emphasized the importance of identifying actionable steps to address the situation.

The area in question, situated on Forest Service land in South Deschutes County, has a history of 150-yard "no-shooting" zones near subdivisions. However, community members argue that hunting still occurs near residential areas, posing various dangers, including stray bullets hitting homes.

Commissioner DeBone's position is one of understanding both sides of the debate and encouraging community advocates to continue pushing for tangible actions that ensure safety while preserving hunting traditions.

The concerns surrounding hunting on federal land near Sunriver came to the forefront last November when several residents reported incidents of hunters shooting and killing elk, including one reportedly done illegally. The proximity of these activities to homes, popular recreation areas, and Spring River Road further exacerbated these concerns.

As the community grapples with this issue, it remains committed to finding a resolution that strikes a balance between safety and the rights of hunters.

Only the most hardy hemp farmers are still in production in Central Oregon

Story by Suzanne Roig The Bulletin

Despite tons of potential uses for the sturdy plants beyond deriving CBD flower and tinctures, very few markets developed, said Chris Sullivan, a Lazarus Naturals plant tech and quality control specialist who oversees 480 acres in Powell Butte.

After the federal government decriminalized hemp in 2018, it was boom time. Farmers rushed to plant the green leafy plant that resembles cannabis, but doesn’t have the THC, the compound that makes people feel high.

The industry experienced a complete contraction since it was allowed, however, causing many farmers to lose money and switch to other crops. There were multiple reasons, farmers and agronomists say, but the change was rooted in a lack of industries to support its products beyond CBD products

In 2019, there were 7,900 acres of hemp registered with the Oregon Department of Agriculture in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. In 2023, there were 590 acres registered in the three counties.

“It’s pretty grim,” said Sullivan. “Those farmers that are still growing hemp are in it for the long haul and for a broader view other products. Now we’re in a space that those growing hemp now are under contract or are vertically integrated.

“We’re making ends meet and the value has come back up on the (the plant materials).”

Hemp’s back story

Continue Reading

What’s Up Central Oregon

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

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Local Trivia Answer:

What is the name of the largest volcano in the Cascade Range?

A) Mount St. Helens

B) Mount Rainier

C) Newberry Volcano

D) Mount Hood

Answer: C) Newberry Volcano

Newberry Volcano is the largest volcano in the entire Cascade Range, both in terms of volume and size. It covers a vast area, approximately 75 miles north to south and 27 miles east to west, which is roughly the size of Rhode Island.