Central Oregon Local Buzz
Posts
📰 Jefferson County declares drought emergency for fifth straight year

📰 Jefferson County declares drought emergency for fifth straight year

Issue #105

28 Mar

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?

📰 Jefferson County declares drought emergency for fifth straight year

📰 Sen. Wyden Pushes Expanded Child Tax Credit

📰Rooted Homes Expands Affordable Housing Efforts in Bend, Oregon

📰 Uber Driver Kidnapping Case Dismissed

📰 Community News

🧑‍🌾Fields Farm in Bend, Oregon Receives 2024 On-Farm Efficiency Grant

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

What town is this photo of?

A) La Pine

B) Madras

C) Sisters

D) Redmond

👇Find the Answer at the end of the Newletter👇

BEND

Better, but: Jefferson County declares drought emergency for fifth straight year, seeks state declaration - KTVZ

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Jefferson County commissioners on Wednesday declared a local drought disaster and began the process of seeking a state drought emergency declaration for the fifth straight year, noting continued serious water supply issues for farmers and others, despite some improvements seen from a late winter. Wickiup Reservoir, for example, stands at 152,504

ktvz.com/news/jefferson-county/2024/03/27/better-but-jefferson-county-declares-drought-emergency-for-fifth-straight-year-seeks-state-declaration

Sen. Wyden Pushes Expanded Child Tax Credit

Posted by Mike Thomas KBND

BEND, OR – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D) was in Bend Tuesday to drum up support for his proposal to expand the Child Tax Credit.

“We are launching a full-court press in order to make sure that kids and families get a fair shot,” Senator Wyden used basketball terms at the Boys and Girls Club gym to get his point across to the gathered crowd of community leaders, and officials from NeighborImpact who spoke of their own personal experience as parents.

He tells KBND News it is important to hear from working families, "I'm going to take these stories back to Washington and tell them there because there's nothing more important than getting this out of the kind of Washington lingo and a bunch of bureaucratic sounding noise.”

The Democrat wants the Senate to pass his legislation by this year’s tax deadline on April 15^th, “For Central Oregon, kids and families, particularly the many who are walking an economic tightrope, balancing the food bill against the rent bill and, essentials, this is absolutely crucial.”

The House passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act in January, with broad bi-partisan support.

“In my view, these measures to help kids grow up healthy, produce an enormous amount of value and the multiplier starts kicking in pretty quickly,” Wyden said, adding, “This is really about our values; this is about what we really care about and giving kids a chance to get a little bit of help so they can get started is huge.”

If the bill is passed by the Senate, it would increase the maximum refundable amount per child to $1,800 for 2023 taxes, $1,900 for next year, and $2,000 for 2025.

Rooted Homes Expands Affordable Housing Efforts in Bend, Oregon: Accepting Applications for Employee Priority Program

In Bend, Oregon, Rooted Homes is establishing an affordable housing neighborhood near 18th and Simpson in southwest Bend. Executive Director Jackie Keogh highlighted the ongoing infrastructure work for 40 single-family homes, mentioning the challenges posed by the lack of water and sewer utilities at the site.

The organization is currently accepting applications from businesses interested in providing their employees with priority access to purchasing homes in Rooted at Simpson. This initiative follows Rooted's previous workforce housing development on Poplar, which saw reduced contributions from employers due to sponsorship by the Bend Chamber and select members.

Keogh emphasized the financial strains caused by high construction costs in Central Oregon and stagnant funding for subsidized housing from the state since the 1980s. To address these challenges, Rooted Homes offers options for businesses to directly support their employees' housing, including donations for closing costs or long-term investments tied to home resales.

The economic aspect of the program raises questions about employers' willingness to invest in housing stability for their workforce versus incurring continuous hiring costs due to housing instability among employees.

Employer applications for participation in Rooted at Simpson are due by April 1st. Notably, companies must demonstrate workforce diversity comparable to or exceeding Bend's demographics, while prospective home buyers must meet income criteria based on 80% of the Area Median Income.

Rooted at Simpson is scheduled to open its doors in early 2025, marking a significant step in addressing affordable housing challenges in the Bend community.

Uber Driver Kidnapping Case Dismissed

BEND, OR -- The case against a Bend Uber driver charged with kidnapping has been dismissed. Police arrested 48-year-old Rocky Heath after a 19-year-old woman reported that she ordered a rid...

kbnd.com/kbnd-news/local-news-feed/735608/uber-driver-kidnapping-case-dismissed

Weekly Road and Traffic Report for the Week of March 25th - 31st Bend

Weekly Road Construction Update Week of March 24th - 29th Deschutes County

Fields Farm in Bend, Oregon Receives 2024 On-Farm Efficiency Grant

In a recent social media post, the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA) proudly announced Fields Farm as one of the recipients of the 2024 On-Farm Efficiency Grant. This grant, made possible by generous community and foundation support, aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of local farms.

Fields Farm, a family-owned establishment since 1989, has been dedicated to cultivating fresh, pesticide-free vegetables on their 10-acre farm for the Bend community. Their produce includes a variety of vegetables such as asparagus, juicy tomatoes, and more, all of which are available at the Bend Farmer’s Market, local grocery stores, and restaurants. Additionally, Fields Farm offers Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Farm Bucks programs, further engaging with the local community.

The grant will specifically support Fields Farm's Irrigation improvements project, emphasizing the importance of water efficiency in agricultural practices. This initiative aligns with HDFFA's mission to promote sustainable farming methods and support local farmers in Central Oregon.

For those interested in learning more about HDFFA's On-Farm Efficiency Grant or supporting agriculture in Central Oregon, they can reach out to Sharon at [email protected] for more information.

To explore Fields Farm's offerings and learn more about their commitment to sustainable farming, visit their website at [Fields Farm](https://fields.farm/).

This grant award highlights the ongoing efforts within the local community to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture practices, ensuring a vibrant and resilient food system for years to come.