- Central Oregon Local Buzz
- Posts
- 👮Bend man arrested on murder charge in killing of his mother at her NE Bend apartment
👮Bend man arrested on murder charge in killing of his mother at her NE Bend apartment
Issue #101
This issue’s Sponsor is
Be aware Gmail will sometimes ‘clip’ the newsletter, but you can always:
👇
In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…
🤔Local Trivia
🌄 Bend, OR Weather
📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?
🛣️🚧Plan ahead! U.S. 97 will be fully closed for up to 15 minutes on Sunday.
🪖 One of the last remaining Pearl Harbor attack survivors dies at 102
🏫 RSD Poll Reveals Support For High School Consolidation Proposal
📰 Local Government News
🏛️ Bend city councilors hold sparsely attended public hearing, vote to move ahead with transportation fee
📰 Crime News
👮 Bend man killed in officer-involved shooting identified; 'brandished' firearm, DCSO says
👮Bend man arrested on murder charge in killing of his mother at her NE Bend apartment
📰March 14 Stabbing Investigation Concludes Victim's Injuries to be Self-Inflicted
📰 Redmond Man Arrested In Southern Oregon Sting
📰Warm Springs man sentenced to nearly 7 years
📰Community News
🍫2 Tumalo men buy Goody's, with vision toward nostalgia and community
😁 MEME of the Day
📅 Lots of Events
What is the name of the historic hotel in downtown Redmond that was built in 1928?
A) Redmond Inn
B) Liberty Theatre
C) The Hub Motel
D) The New Redmond Hotel
👇Find the Answer at the end of the Newletter👇
BEND
Plan ahead! U.S. 97 will be fully closed for up to 15 minutes on Sunday.
U.S 97 closed for up to 15 minutes for blasting.
On March 24, U.S. 97 will be closed for up to 15 minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. for blasting. This full closure will allow crews to safely blast a deep layer of hard basalt rock as they continue to build the new segment of U.S. 97 from Empire Avenue to Grandview Drive.
If you travel this route on Sunday, plan ahead and give yourself extra time. This work will cause delays. Be prepared to stop and give our crews space. If you want to avoid the delays, consider an alternate route.
All work is dependent on weather conditions, and schedules are subject to change. Visit the Bend North Corridor website for more detailed information.
Use Caution in the Work Zone
Pay attention in the work zone, slow down and move over – imagine this is where you work! Always drive safely, watch for construction signs and workers.
Remember that fines double in all Oregon work zones, whether workers and signs are present or not.
One of the last remaining Pearl Harbor attack survivors dies at 102
Richard C. "Dick" Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102.
Higgins died at home in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of natural causes, granddaughter Angela Norton said.
Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes began dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941.
He recounted in a 2008 oral history interview how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third floor of his barracks when the bombing began.
"I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks," he said according to the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.
He estimated the plane was about 50 feet to his side and 100 feet above his barracks. He described "big red meatballs" on the plane, in reference to the red circular emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese aircraft.
"So, there was no doubt what was happening in my mind, because of the things that had been going on," he said.
Did his part
Norton called her grandfather a humble and kind man who would frequently visit schools to share stories about Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Great Depression. Norton said he wanted to teach people history so they wouldn't repeat it.
"It was never about him," Norton said. "The heroes were those that didn't come home."
Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then became an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corporation, which later became Northrop Grumman, and other defense contractors. He worked on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton said.
"I'm ready to go see Winnie Ruth"
His wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82. They had been married for 60 years.
Not long after he went into hospice last Thursday, he told his granddaughter, "I'm ready to go see Winnie Ruth."
"I said, 'It's OK, go home. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,'" Norton said. "'It's OK to do that. Leave us. You've had such a good and full life.'"
Remaining survivors
There are now 22 survivors of the attack still living, said Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley said other survivors may still be living but not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association when it was formed in 1958 and so may not be known to her.
About 2,400 servicemen were killed in the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone lost 1,177 sailors and Marines, nearly half the death toll.
About 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu on Dec. 7, according to a rough estimate compiled by military historian J. Michael Wenger.
Higgins is survived by two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family plans to hold a memorial service at a church in Bend on Thursday, followed by a ceremony with full military honors. Afterward, his body will be flown to California, where he will be buried next to his wife.
Weekly Road Construction Update Week of March 17 to March 23 Deschutes County
Bend city councilors hold sparsely attended public hearing, vote to move ahead with transportation fee
Bend city councilors approved a transportation fee on utility bills to fund street maintenance, starting with an initial fee expected to generate $5 million in the first year. The council will review the fee's impact based on data and plans to increase revenue to $10 million in year two and $15 million in year three. Additionally, street preservation contracts worth $4.6 million were approved to improve about 59 lane miles in Bend for the 2024 season.
The post Bend city councilors hold sparsely attended public hearing, vote to move ahead with transportation fee appeared first on KTVZ .
Bend man killed in officer-involved shooting identified; 'brandished' firearm, DCSO says
Bend, Oregon - March 20, 2024
A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday, March 20, at approximately 8:17 p.m. when Bend Police responded to a non-injury motor vehicle crash on the northbound Bend Parkway near Butler Market Road. The situation escalated dramatically as officers encountered a vehicle exhibiting reckless driving behavior and speeding, placing numerous other motorists at risk.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspect vehicle narrowly avoided multiple collisions before officers located and engaged with the driver. At around 8:30 p.m., a Bend Police officer discharged their service weapon, resulting in the use of deadly force during the encounter.
Despite immediate efforts by law enforcement to administer life-saving measures, the driver succumbed to injuries sustained during the confrontation. The deceased individual has been identified as Gabriel Keith Platz, an 18-year-old male from Bend.
The Major Incident Team, led by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, was activated to investigate the officer-involved shooting on Highway 97 at mile post 136. In conjunction with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, the Major Incident Team, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the initial investigation revealed that Platz brandished a firearm during his contact with Bend Police moments before the officer discharged their firearm.
This investigation is ongoing and active at this time. Further information will be released by the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office as it becomes available.
The incident closed down a segment of the Parkway for several hours.
Bend man arrested on murder charge in killing of his mother at her NE Bend apartment
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)
A 40-year-old Bend man has been arrested on a murder charge in the killing Wednesday of his 59-year-old mother, who he previously was convicted on an assault charge for hitting her in the head with a rock, police reported and court records showed.
Shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance at the Legacy Landing Apartments in the 2000 block of NE Tucson Way, police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said Thursday.
They arrived to find a critically injured woman, Janice Marie Smith, in the apartment where she lived, Miller said. Officers performed CPR, but she died at the scene.
Officers also detained her son, Joshua Lawrence Smith, at the scene. He first was taken to the Bend Police headquarters, then to St. Charles Bend and later booked into the Deschutes County Jail on a second-degree murder charge.
Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels said the woman apparently died of blunt force trauma.
An initial one-count charging document was filed, although jail logs showed he also was booked on a charge of first-degree aggravated harassment.
Smith was arraigned on the murder charge in a brief court hearing and Judge Alycia Herriott ordered him to continued to be held without bail. He's due back in court in a week on an expected formal indictment.
Jillian Fortner spoke with police and visited the apartments Thursday, when officers were still on scene. She spoke to a neighbor of the woman who had seen the suspect a short time earlier, "acting extremely strange." She'll have a report on NewsChannel 21 at Five.
Court records show Smith was convicted in 2018 of second-degree assault, a Class B felony, when he was listed as living at the Ariel South Apartments on SE Tempest Drive. The charge constituted domestic violence and alleged that on July 23, 2018, Smith injured Janice Marie Smith by hitting her in the head with a rock.
Smith was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years’ probation. The court file indicated it was "not a significant injury," and "a deadly weapon was not used. ... A sentence of probation will be more effective than prison in reducing recidivism. A sentence of probation will serve to better protect society."
In October 2018, Smith pleaded guilty to third-degree theft, a Class C misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
In 2019, Smith's probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years’ post-prison supervision.
In February 2019, the last previous criminal charge in his court file, Smith pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced concurrently to 6 months in prison.
March 14 Stabbing Investigation Concludes Victim's Injuries to be Self-Inflicted
UPDATE
March 14 Stabbing Investigation Concludes Victim’s Injuries to be Self-Inflicted
Redmond, OR – On Thursday March 14, at approximately 4:55 p.m., the Redmond Police responded to a stabbing that occurred in the downtown area near SW 7th St. and SW Evergreen Ave. The victim in the case was transported to St. Charles Bend. The case yielded a significant police response in the area for several hours.
As of today, Thursday March 21, the investigation is complete. The investigation concluded that no crime had been committed and no arrests will be made as it has been determined the victim's injuries were self-inflicted. The information regarding a fleeing suspect was unfounded.
The Redmond Police Department would like to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Bend Police Department, and Oregon State Police for their assistance in the initial response and investigation. We would also like to thank the various businesses that submitted surveillance footage to assist investigators.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or know someone in crisis, please call 911 or 988 for the National Crisis Hotline.
Redmond Man Arrested In Southern Oregon Sting
REDMOND, OR -- A 66-year-old Redmond man is among six people arrested in a statewide cyber-predator sting. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team conducted the operation in an effort to identify and arrest predators using the internet to meet children for sex.
Undercover officers posing online as minors were propositioned for sex. Detectives say even after acknowledging the child’s age, the suspects sent explicit messages, photos and detailed requests of acts they wanted to perform.
Steven Newstrom was arrested in Redmond March 13th, and is now in the Jackson County Jail on charges of online sexual corruption of a child and luring a minor.
Other men arrested over the past month are from White City, Central Point, Tigard, Milwaukie and Medford.
Investigators believe the suspects may have other victims. Anyone with additional information is asked to call local law enforcement or the JCSO tip line at (541) 774-8333.
Upcoming Events
What’s Up Central Oregon
March 28, 2024
The Summit West Neighborhood District of Bend is hosting two “Living with Wildfire: Are You Prepared?” seminars alongside multiple preparedness partners to help raise awareness and encourage Central Oregonians to take steps to mitigate wildfire risks this spring. The seminars are FREE for anyone who wants to attend.
There are 2 sessions, 3:30 to 5:30 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. All sessions are at the Bend Downtown Library in the Brooks Room and will also be available virtually via Zoom. The link below provides all the information.
Friday March 22nd
Boneyard & Friends with Maui Brewing & Modern Times @ Boneyard Pub 11:00AM - 10:00PM
4th Friday Artwalk in Sisters @ Sisters 10:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday March 23rd
Bend Health Fair @ Riverhouse on the Deschutes 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Bend Beauty Expo @ Riverhouse on the Deschutes 9:00AM - 3:00PM
National Puppy Day - Street Dog Hero Fundraiser @ Oregon Spirit Distillers 12:00PM - 5:00PM
Saturday Jazz Sessions @ River's Place 6:00PM - 8:00PM
The Gold Souls @ Silver Moon Brewing 7:00PM
Sunday March 24th
Tower Theatre 7:30PM
Crooked River Hwy Clean UP @Bowman Dam 10:00AM
Soup Sundays @ Testimony Wine Bar 12:00PM - 4:00PM
Enjoy local pubs around Bend and support HSCO's programs and services that serve people and animals in our community. Visit 14 local brew pubs with your friends and canine companion(s) and enjoy good vibes throughout March on the weekends.
Got an upcoming event you want us to share?
Please visit this Week’s Sponsors & Partners ⬇️
    |    |
What is the name of the historic hotel in downtown Redmond that was built in 1928?
A) Redmond Inn
B) Liberty Theatre
C) The Hub Motel
D) The New Redmond Hotel
Answer: D) The New Redmond Hotel
In 1928, just one year after a fire destroyed the block with the original wood frame Redmond Hotel, the three-story brick New Redmond Hotel opened to guests. The hotel’s grand opening advertisement declared, “Luxury, beauty, comfort and convenience – all are combined in this magnificent structure, the forerunner of greater progress for Redmond.”
How'd we do on this issue? |
We could use your help
We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!
One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.
Know somebody who lives in the Central Oregon area and would benefit from being kept in the know?
Please share Central Oregon Local BUZZ with them! It’s simple!
Reply