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🚨 Redmond Police Investigate Rash of Counterfeit $100 Dollars Bills

🚨 Redmond Police Investigate Rash of Counterfeit $100 Dollars Bills

Issue #061

26 Jan

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

📖 Local History

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

📝 Tracking Homelessness in Central Oregon: The Annual Point in Time Count

🎗️ Redmond's citizen of the year: Jerry Keller

🔥Oregon Experiences Unprecedented Warmth and Drought in 2023, Says State Climatologist Larry O’Neill

🙌 Community Members Share Stories of Deputies Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

🚨 Redmond Police Investigate Rash of Counterfeit $100 Dollars Bills

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

History of… St. Charles Hospital

St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon, has a history that dates back to the early 20th century. The first hospital in Bend was taken over by the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 1, 1918, and was known as the Bend Hospital. This facility was eventually outgrown due to a population increase in Bend, leading to the construction of a new hospital. In March 1922, the newly built St. Charles Hospital was opened, named in honor of Bishop Charles O'Reilly of the Baker Diocese and St. Charles Borromeo, a 16th-century archbishop known for his care for the sick during the great plague in Europe.

Over the years, St. Charles Hospital underwent several changes and expansions. A more modern facility was built in 1951 on the original Hospital Hill site. The Sisters of St. Joseph transferred the assets of the hospital to a new not-for-profit corporation named St. Charles Memorial Hospital Inc. in 1972. A significant expansion occurred in 1975 with the dedication of the new St. Charles Medical Center, which featured modern facilities and increased bed capacity.

St. Charles Medical Center continued to grow and evolve, merging with Central Oregon District Hospital in Redmond in 2001 to form Cascade Health Services, later renamed Cascade Healthcare Community. This merger marked a significant step in the expansion and modernization of healthcare services in the region. Today, St. Charles Health System operates as a major healthcare provider in Central Oregon, with several facilities across the region.

BEND

Tracking Homelessness in Central Oregon: The Annual Point in Time Count

The annual Point in Time count, chronicling how many people are living homeless in Central Oregon, is underway.

The Homeless Leadership Coalition spends about one week identifying those in and out of shelters across Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties as well as the Tribes of Warm Springs. The coalition started the process Tuesday and will be out surveying through Tuesday of next week.

This count is meant to improve outreach efforts to ease the homeless crisis in Central Oregon more efficiently.

“The data is used in federal, state and local decisions around funding allocations for housing services and homeless services is everything from like education to housing to homeless services themselves,” said Eliza Wilson, HLC Board Chair.

The Point in Time count is done nationwide at the same time every year. Those numbers are shared with Congress so that it can be involved in funding decisions for the homeless across the country as a whole.

Redmond's citizen of the year: Jerry Keller

Redmond, OR - Jerry Keller, a fixture at Redmond Chamber of Commerce's weekly networking event for 31 years, was named Redmond's citizen of the year. He's attended over 1,500 of these events, contributing to the city's growth from 6,600 to 37,000 residents. Keller's warm, friendly approach fostered good business relationships and kept Redmond a welcoming place. He adapted the events to accommodate growth and the challenges of COVID, even moving them online. Keller infused humor and wisdom into the gatherings and remains active despite retiring from his carpet cleaning business. Other local residents and businesses also received awards at the event. The Redmond Industrial Park won the business of the year award, Blacksmith Public House won for best new business, Local Paws won the customer service award, Ken Piarulli won for community involvement, and John Fremoire won the chamber ambassador of the year award.

Oregon Experiences Unprecedented Warmth and Drought in 2023, Says State Climatologist Larry O’Neill

In 2023, Oregon experienced warmer-than-average temperatures, with a 1.4-degree increase and 89% of normal precipitation, according to state climatologist Larry O'Neill. The year ranked as the 14th warmest on record and continued a warming trend.

While the summer was exceptionally warm, the period from February to May was cooler than usual, particularly in southeast Oregon. Snowfall in February was preserved at higher elevations.

Population centers across the state, including Portland, saw above-average temperatures. Portland had its second warmest year, setting nine daily high temperature records.

The Willamette Valley exhibited similar trends, with Medford being 2.6 degrees above average and experiencing the 12th driest year.

Lower elevations in Southern Oregon faced dry soil conditions, but snowpack helped replenish reservoirs. Central Oregon experienced warmth and drought, impacting agriculture and irrigation demand.

Pendleton and Astoria also had warmer-than-average years.

Since 1985, Oregon has seen consistent warming, with four of the hottest years occurring since 2014. Climate change is affecting water supply, wildlife, and power generation.

Rising summer temperatures are causing health issues and increasing wildfires and smoke, with projections indicating worsening conditions in the future.

Community Members Share Stories of Deputies Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

From Crook County Sheriff Facebook post

Recently, the Sheriff's Office became aware of two different incidents were deputies truly humanized the badge. The two deputies recognized that community members were having a difficult day and were there to help them through their predicament. We truly appreciate the work and dedication our staff displays which often times goes unnoticed. Thank you to those of you who took time to recognize the efforts of our deputies.

A local community member witnessed Deputy Koski stop his patrol vehicle, and assisted an elderly gentleman cross an icy NE 3rd Street near Les Schwab. Great job Deputy Koski!

The Sheriff's Office also received information from a community member that was having a rough day with their child. Deputy Josiah Vermillion stopped to check on the community member who was pulled over on Juniper Canyon. Deputy Vermillion checked on the community member and engaged in conversation. This conversation led to Deputy Vermillion praying with the community member! Great job Deputy Vermillion.

Redmond Police Investigate Rash of Counterfeit $100 Dollars Bills

Redmond, Oregon - The Redmond Police Department is requesting information from the public that may help identify a person of interest related to counterfeit 100-dollar bills being passed at local businesses. In some cases, the bills were able to pass initial detection practices during cash transactions and several times the suspect requested smaller bills or change for the 100-dollar bill. The department has also received reports from a local bank, who have identified five counterfeit hundred-dollar bills in the past two days.

The Redmond Police Department would encourage businesses to visit KnowYourMoney.pdf (secretservice.gov) for helpful ways to identify counterfeit currency. If a counterfeit bill is identified, call the police immediately through dispatch 541-693-6911 and attempt to identify any vehicles associated as well as a physical description of the person trying to pass the bill.

Road Construction updates:

Wilson Ave Bend / Purcell & Neff Bend / Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project

Upcoming Events

What’s Up Central Oregon

Friday January 26th

Intersections: Youth Exhibition at Scalehouse supported by the Warm Springs Community Action Team By Scalehouse Collabortive for The Arts 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM Scalehouse Gallery 550 NW Franklin Avenue, Suite 138 Bend Event Details

May Erlewine with Joel Chad 07:00 PM The Belfry Sisters Tickets $20 adv ticket, $25 at door Event Details

Aging With Laughter! 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Silver Moon Brewing 24 NW Greenwood Avenue Bend Tickets $20 Event Details

So You Think You Got Jokes - Comedy Competition By BeertownComedy 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM General Duffy's 404 SW Forest Ave. Redmond Tickets $15 Online | $20 at the Door Event Details