🚨 AMBER ALERT Update / 🐶 Pet of the Week: Meet Tonka

Issue #119

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🔥 Prescribed burns underway NE of La Pine, NW of Sisters are expected to continue Wednesday

🌳⚾ Pine Nursery Park baseball fields getting turf infields, lights for allow for more games

📰Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announces Youth Academy coming up in July

🚁🪖Military helicopter nighttime training over Central Oregon begins Wednesday

📰BMPO Notice of Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) Amendment

🚨 Crime News

🚨OSP Statement regarding AMBER Alert suspect from Washington

🚨 Shooting Incident Near China Hat Road Leaves One Injured, Investigation Ongoing - UPDATE

📰 Community News

🥒🎾Play On! Pickleball Tournament

✍️Generative Writing Workshop: Gods and Monsters

💖🐶 Pet of the Week: Meet Tonka

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

 

BEND

Prescribed burns underway NE of La Pine, NW of Sisters are expected to continue Wednesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Conditions look favorable for prescribed burning to continue Wednesday on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts, Deschutes National Forest officials said late Tuesday.

Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to continue prescribed burn operations adjacent to Paulina Lake Road, bout six miles northeast of La Pine and two miles east of the Newberry Estates subdivision.

On Wednesday, ignitions are planned for up to 248 acres (Odin North 15) along Paulina Lake Road. Ignitions are slated to begin around 10 a.m.

Smoke will be visible from La Pine, Highway 97, Paulina Lake Road and the surrounding area. Residents in the Newberry Estates subdivision are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts.

Road and trail closures are not anticipated, although the public is asked to use caution where fire traffic and firefighters are present. Paulina Lake Road may experience smoke impacts. Signage will be in place and drivers are asked to slow down and turn on headlights. If conditions are favorable, ignitions may continue on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Sisters Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burn ignitions four miles northwest of Sisters adjacent to the east side of Highway 20 near Zimmerman Pit (Hwy. 20 North Unit 87) on up to 63 acres.

The public is asked to avoid Zimmerman Pit and Forest Service Road 500 east of Highway 20. Smoke will be visible from Highway 20, Sisters and the surrounding area.

Flames may be visible from Highway 20. Drivers are asked slow down and turn on headlights. Flaggers and signage will be used as needed. Residents in the area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts.

The Forest Service is conducting this burn in cooperation with Oregon Department of Forestry and an adjacent private landowner.

Road and trail closures are not anticipated, although the public is asked to use caution where fire traffic and firefighters are present. Three Creek Lake Road may experience some smoke impacts. Signage will be in place and drivers are asked to slow down and turn on headlights.

If conditions are favorable, ignitions may continue Thursday, for a total of over 700 acres.

"Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within a fire-dependent ecosystem, helping to stabilize and improve the resiliency of forest conditions while increasing public and firefighter safety," the Forest Service says.

Once firefighters ignite prescribed burns, they patrol the units until they declare the burn out.

These prescribed burns are occurring within the Central Oregon Landscape, one of 21 focal landscapes identified within the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The implementation of this prescribed burn supports the Deschutes National Forest’s commitment to addressing the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to reduce severity of wildfires, protect communities, and improve the health and resiliency of fire-dependent forests.

Prescribed burns can protect homes from tragic wildfires, the Forest Service says. Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn. 

What does this mean for you?

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.

  • All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts

  • When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating

  • If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke

  • Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

Here are maps of planned prescribed burns this year on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts:

Pine Nursery Park baseball fields getting turf infields, lights for allow for more games

Bend Park and Recreation District plans to add artificial turf infields and lights at all four Pine Nursery Park baseball fields, plus make changes so the fields can be used for softball, too. It's seen as a big step in addressing a lack of field accessibility in Central Oregon.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announces Youth Academy coming up in July

BEND, OR The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the 2024 Youth Academy, to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16th & 17th, between 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. at the Sheriff's Office, 63333 W. Highway 20, Bend, 97703.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Youth Academy is a cooperative activity in which all participants must work together to make the program safe and successful. The program’s training is accomplished primarily in a classroom setting, although some trainings take place outdoors. The program involves some physical activity, such as training in self-defense tactics.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office does its best to make this a positive experience, which emphasizes teamwork, cooperation, and community service; it provides participants with the opportunity to learn about careers in law enforcement and related agencies.

The training program involves instruction in the areas of:

· Criminal Law overview

· Patrol Division procedures

· Investigations Division procedures

· Crime Scene Investigations

· Patrol Division procedures

· Investigations Division procedures

· Crime Scene Investigations

· SWAT

· Search and Rescue – presentation and practical exercises

· Practical Scenarios

For further details, and applications for this academy please visit the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and click on the provided link.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 263 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 178 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

Military helicopter nighttime training over Central Oregon begins Wednesday

Some Central Oregon residents may hear a few more helicopters than normal flying in the nighttime skies through this weekend.

The Oregon National Guard’s Biak Training Center in Powell Butte is hosting Army rotary wing night training missions from Wednesday through Monday. The visiting unit is from Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash.

The aircraft will conduct intermittent nighttime air operations at Biak’s "Military Operations in Urban Terrain" training site between sundown and midnight. They may include low-level flying and refueling stops at the Redmond Airport.

“Night training missions are a critical component for pilots to maintain their readiness for real-world missions,” said Michael Paul, Biak Training Area Manager in a statement. “We understand that this type of training can be disruptive to the local community and appreciate their support for mission readiness.”

BMPO Notice of Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) Amendment

 

21-Day Public Comment Period Open Until May 13, 2024

The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) Policy Board will consider approval of two amendments to the MTIP at their next meeting, on 19, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Public comments can be submitted via email for the next three weeks to [email protected], or during Public Comment at the hybrid (in-person/online) Bend MPO Policy Board meeting.

In-person meeting information, including a Zoom link to attend online, will be posted to the BMPO Policy Board webpage one week prior to the meeting date.

 

 

OSP Statement regarding AMBER Alert suspect from Washington - 04/23/24 

The following statement was provided at this evening's news conference in Eugene. 

Captain Kyle Kennedy, Oregon State Police

I want to start by sending our heartfelt support to the community in West Richland, Washington, a community dealing with senseless tragedy. My prayer is their community will come together to provide support and strength during this grievous time.

The conclusion of this search has been the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners in Washington and Oregon, as well as federal contributors. Since the start, our goal has been simple—to bring Roman Santos home safely. We did it. Roman is in the care of Oregon officials.

Last evening, the Oregon State Police issued an AMBER Alert at approximately 11:35 p.m. at the request of the Washington State Patrol. This AMBER alert was in response to the murder of two women in West Richland, Washington, and the kidnapping of a 1-year-old infant - Roman Santos.  The suspect in these murders and kidnapping was identified as Elias Huizar. The suspect was reportedly driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington plates.

Today, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers were observing Interstate 5 for the suspect when he located the vehicle southbound near milepost 221. OSP initiated a traffic stop and the suspect vehicle fled southbound. Two troopers engaged in a pursuit with the suspect vehicle at high speeds heading southbound.

Near milepost 209, there was a minor collision and the suspect vehicle lost control. An exchange of gunfire occurred prior to the vehicle fleeing again southbound. No known injuries occurred as a result of the gunfire.

Near milepost 197, the suspect crashed into a stopped CMV and stopped in the median. As troopers contacted the suspect vehicle, he was deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The infant was located uninjured and removed from the vehicle.

Involved in the exchange of gunfire, was Superintendent Casey Codding and Sergeant Orly Johnson of the Oregon State Police.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has been asked to lead the investigation.

We are very proud of the efforts of the troopers involved in this pursuit today. Their dedication and courage are a hallmark of the character of an Oregon State Trooper. Their efforts today were paramount in bringing Roman home safely.

I want to thank our partners:

WASHINGTON: Kennewick PD, Paso PD, Richland PD, Prosser PD, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Benton Fire Districts 1 and 4, FBI, US Marshal’s, Fish and Wildlife

OREGON: PPB, OSP, Hillsboro, and Portland FBI.                     

PURSUIT: OSP, Linn County Sheriff's Office    

ON SCENE: Lane County Sheriff's Office, Eugene Police Department, Coburg Police Department

Additional resources related to this story:

Elias Huizar update

"The editorial staff received more records related to Elias Huizar and investigations into his alleged inappropriate interactions and relations with underage girls."

tumbleweird.org/elias-huizar-update

Former cop suspected of double murder, son's abduction dead after police chase near Eugene; child safe

Elias Huizar is suspected of killing his ex-wife and girlfriend in Washington and abducting a 1-year-old, sparking a manhunt. The child is now being cared for.

www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/amber-alert-elias-huizar-captured-double-murder-child-abduction-shot-police-chase/283-15c8cad1-a419-400a-8923-44b63d033701

 Shooting Incident Near China Hat Road Leaves One Injured, Investigation Ongoing - UPDATE

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 32-year-old resident of the homeless encampments off China Hat Road south of Bend who was shot by another man during a dispute on Sunday has been arrested on attempted assault and other charges, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Tuesday.

An investigation by deputies and detectives led to the arrest of the suspect without incident, Sergeant Jason Wall said. He was booked into the county jail on charges of first-degree attempted assault, menacing, pointing a firearm at another, first-degree theft and felon in possession of a firearm. He was held without bail pending arraignment, jail records show.

NewsChannel 21 does not name arrested suspects until and unless formal charges are filed.

Deputies said Monday that a dispute between two men living in the area of homeless camps off China Hat Road south of Bend Sunday afternoon led to both men displaying guns and one shooting the other, who was taken to St. Charles Bend with non-life-threatening injuries.

Deputies were dispatched around 4 p.m. Sunday to the report of a man being shot south of China Hat Road, near milepost 2, Wall said.

The reporting party “was not cooperative” with 911 dispatchers and refused to provide any further information, other than that a person had been shot, Wall said.

Dispatchers were still able to give deputies an approximate location of the incident. They arrived to learn the wounded 32-year-old man had been taken by Bend Fire ambulance to St. Charles Bend with non-life-threatening injuries from a single gunshot, the sergeant said.

An investigation determined two men who live in the area were in an altercation when the 32-year-old man presented a gun, Wall said. As a result, the 36-year-old man also armed himself and fired his gun, striking the younger man in the hand and abdomen.

An uninvolved third man brought the wounded man to China Hat Road, where he was contacted by Bend Fire medics and taken to the hospital.

“Investigators located all evidence related to the incident and were able to contact and interview all witnesses,” Wall said in the initial news release.

Wall confirmed Tuesday that the arrested person is the one who was wounded in Sunday's shooting, but could not provide further details.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels said Tuesday he had yet to receive reports on the incident, but noted that it appeared some or all of the arrested man's alleged crimes occurred before the shooting.

He said the scenario as described by the sheriff's office "suggests self-defense" by the second, 36-year-old man, "which would be consistent with the arrest decision."

Neighbors who heard the gunshots while out in their yard said it's nothing out of the ordinary: "Not only are there people living across China Hat and discharge firearms at odd hours, but they shoot at people. So that makes me very, very insecure," one said.

Neighbors who wished not to be named told us Monday they can see right into the encampments from their backyard. The trash from the homeless camp blows into their yard every day, and every night, they say they see fires lit up.

"We'd been in our home two or three years at the time, and we encountered a man in our yard, and he was yelling. And we called for law enforcement, and he wandered off before law enforcement got there," they said.

Noise, large fires, gunshots, drug arrests, trash: That's what another neighbor says they've complained about for years.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office says they proactively patrol the area, but don't have a dedicated deputy right now.

A neighbor said despite all the worrisome sights, sounds and concerns, their area still has its pluses.

"Well, I love the neighborhood, I love my neighbors," they said. "My old college buddy, he and his wife that I've known for over 50 years are right around the corner. Yeah, and I love walking the dog around this area. But I wouldn't like to get shot at, or physically harmed -- or even killed."

Arrested: Baer, Edward Alexander, 32-year-old male, Bend

Charges: ORS 163.185 Attempted Assault in the First Degree, ORS 163.190 Menacing, ORS 166.190 Pointing a Firearm at Another, ORS 164.055 Theft in the First Degree, ORS Felon in Possession of a Firearm

 

Play On!
Pickleball Tournament

May 31-June 1, 2024
Fort Rock Park Pickleball Complex
57525 East Cascade Rd., Sunriver

  • Team Round-Robin Format

  • 3 Skill Divisions for each Grouping

  • All Ages Welcome

  • Mixed Doubles will begin at 12pm on May 31

  • Men’s Doubles will begin at 9am on June 1

  • Women’s Doubles will begin at 1pm on June 1

Sunriver Music Festival is pleased to host the first annual “PLAY ON!” amateur pickleball tournament/fundraiser. We encourage players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Fort Rock Park Pickleball Complex, with its relaxed and congenial atmosphere.

Your participation will help raise funds needed to support Sunriver Music Festival and the Young Artists Scholarship Program.

Register before May 1 and save $10 ($67.50)!

Generative writing workshops provide time and space to create new work inspired by writing prompts, discussing craft, and sharing work.

They stretch your writing practice by introducing new frameworks and forms, spark fresh ideas or dig up buried memories, and offer a place to share fellowship with other writers. In this 3-part workshop, we’ll take inspiration from various mythological traditions to generate new writing or to enhance creative pieces in process.

Our time together will be balanced between reading inspiration texts, writing to prompts related to those texts, and sharing our writing. This is an opportunity for writers of any genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) and at any level to set aside some time for creative output and community.

Wednesdays, May 8-22
5:30-8pm
COCC Redmond Technology Education Center 136; $99
Register

 

Sponsored by: 

 

Pet of The Week from

Meet Tonka

 

Meet Tonka! Tonka is an adorable male pint-size mixed breed puppy who was one of the 22 lucky dogs of various ages, breed/mixes and sizes who arrived in Bend, Oregon on 4/19 thanks to our partners Dog is My Copilot and the wonderful shelter in Norman, Oklahoma. Many of which were facing euthanasia due to overcrowding. Young pups like these can benefit from having someone who's around most of the day who can bond with them and tend to all of their puppy needs as they continue to grow and develop. Basic or puppy training can help them get the right start and continued socialization with people, children and other dogs and pets will be key to their emotional and mental development. Submit your online adoption application through our website today and don't miss this opportunity to bring him home for a 3-day home trial towards his adoption. He's being fostered in Oregon. Will you be his hero?

Foster update:

"What a sweet, sweet and fun lil guy! He's such an easy pup. He's figuring out his outside potty business more and more, as he does most number 1's and 2's outside and he gets lots of opportunities to have outside play and potty sessions. He's such a snuggly lil lap buddy, but he does also enjoy running around in the yard with his 4 much larger dog friends. He'll whine a bit once in his crate, but quiets down shortly after and sleeps the whole night without a peep or potty accident in his crate. He loves being held, cuddled and meeting new people. He even got to meet some horses and he loves car rides and adventures too. He stays close during walks around the property and always loves being by your side. He's not very vocal, has a good appetite and loves his little toys. He's no doubt make someone one of the luckiest pup parents around!

Breed Shepherd / Chihuahua

Sex Male

Weight 4 lbs

Age 0Y/2M/0W

Location Foster Home

Adoption Fee $550.00

 

Upcoming Events

What’s Up Central Oregon 

Spring Exhibit at the Nancy McGrath Green Gallery - Cascade Arts & Entertainment

(Dreamscape by Rebecca Baldwin) Nancy McGrath Green Gallery, located at the Sunriver Christian Fellowship, is hosting an exhibit of artists from the Red Chair Gallery in Bend. The work being displayed will include photography, watercolors, oil, acrylic, pastel, and mixed media by Ken Marunowski, Rebecca Baldwin, Sue Dougherty, Linda Swindle and Mike Putnam. Ken is...Read More...

www.cascadeae.com/spring-exhibit-at-the-nancy-mcgrath-green-gallery

Wednesday April 24th

Wine Wednesday @ Bar Rio 3:00PM - 10:00PM

Thursday April 25th

Friday April 26th

Saturday April 27th

Sunday April 28th

 

 

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

Please visit this Week’s Sponsors & Partners ⬇️

 

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