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🐎Rodeo season kicks off in Sisters / 💖Business Spotlight: Artistic Adventures: Inside The Laser Office with Owner Jacki

🐎Rodeo season kicks off in Sisters / 💖Business Spotlight: Artistic Adventures: Inside The Laser Office with Owner Jacki

Issue #120

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🚙Debating the Future: Code Changes for Boutique RV Park in Sisters

🐎Rodeo season kicks off in Sisters

📰BLM’s new public lands rule makes conservation, public access equal priorities to resource extraction, development

⛑️Fire and Rescue News

🔥🏠Structure Fire in Prineville, Oregon Quickly Controlled by Fire Crews

🚨 Crime News

💊💰Oregon woman accused of leading money laundering cell to conceal more than $90 million in drug proceeds

⚖️Prineville Man Sentenced to 48 Months for Monkeys' Torture and Murder Videos

⚖️Central Oregon Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison

🚨La Pine Man Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Material Distribution

💖Business Spotlight: Artistic Adventures: Inside The Laser Office with Owner Jacki

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

When did the Sister’s Rodeo officially get its start?

A) 1932
B) 1925
C) 1950
D) 1940

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

Conklin Guest House

Debating the Future: Code Changes for Boutique RV Park in Sisters

The Sisters Planning Commission postponed discussions on development code changes for a proposed boutique RV Park at the former Conklin Guest House site to May 16. The changes, allowing an RV park in a tourist commercial zone, require more deliberation due to concerns about impacts on the neighborhood. Public comment remains open. Some citizens oppose the changes, citing concerns about compatibility with residential areas, lack of housing or job opportunities, and potential traffic issues. The commission is focusing on code changes now; detailed development plans will be reviewed later if the code changes are approved.

Full Story HERE

Rodeo season kicks off in Sisters

By Bill Bartlett The Nugget News

The mood Saturday night was festive when a few hundred party-goers joined in the annual Sisters Rodeo Kickoff Party held under a tent on the patio of Sisters Saloon. Many were huddled near the portable heaters as temperatures dipped quickly with the setting sun.

Dry Canyon Stampede band played in the background while cowboys and cowgirls of all stripes donned Western wear, enjoyed libations, and caught up on plans for the 84th rodeo scheduled for June 5-9 at the rodeo grounds east of town.

The queen, Destiny Wecks, was there. Wecks was born and raised in the Western way of life on a horse ranch in Joseph, Oregon. She is a graduate from Enterprise High School and is currently furthering her education, pursuing an Associates Degree in Agriculture Business, at Treasure Valley Community College.

Like many a little girl's dream, Wecks' became reality when she held her first rodeo queen title at the age of six as Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart and has not looked back. In 2015 she held the title of Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon, served as 2020-2021 Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Queen, as well as Oregon High School Rodeo 1st Attendant in 2020-2021, and most recently held the title of the 2022 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon.

When not in the show ring, she is in the rodeo arena. Wecks won the Junior Rodeo Senior Girls All Around title in 2020 by competing in goats, barrels, poles, break-away roping, and her favorite event, steer riding.

The evening began with Sisters Rodeo Board President Scott Talerico welcoming the crowd. He then introduced each board member who identified their respective jobs in putting on the rodeo affectionately called the "Biggest Little Show In The World."

Also introduced were 2024 Grand Marshals, Ernest and Alinda Dunn. The Dunns are said to epitomize the essence of community spirit and dedication, as evidenced by their remarkable journey intertwined with the Sisters Rodeo Association. (See related story, page 1). Fond memories of organizing parades with upwards of 110 entries attest to their passion for community engagement and friendly competition.

While neither competed in rodeo events during their youth, their love for the sport burgeoned from countless hours spent watching rodeos in Salem. This admiration deepened over the years, fueling their dedication to the Sisters Rodeo Association.

Cole Perkins and his date, Leeann Riley, both from Prineville, summed up the evening.

"You just can't get enough rodeo," Perkins said. "We did the Redmond (High Desert) Stampede a couple of weeks ago and it was a whopper, but the Sisters Rodeo... that just feels more of what rodeo means for small town folk."

"We love the feel in Sisters," Riley added. "We're basically strangers here and yet everybody treats us like family. Rodeo is really just one big family I guess."

BLM’s new public lands rule makes conservation, public access equal priorities to resource extraction, development

By Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service

PORTLAND, OR -- Conservation and public access are on equal footing with other considerations for U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands under a recently announced rule.

The BLM's Public Lands Rule ensures that the agency's multiple-use mandate includes conservation as a priority alongside other uses, such as extraction.

The BLM manages about 15.7 million acres of land in Oregon - about a quarter of the state's acreage.

Oregon Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Board Co-chair Ian Isaacson celebrated the decision and said he hopes it will help reverse some of the neglect on BLM lands.

"Having this conservation tool in their toolbox is going to be really, really important," said Isaacson, "to enhance and protect those landscapes that are near and dear to the hearts of so many hunters and anglers in this state."

The rule requires BLM managers to prioritize designating more "Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern" in their land-use planning.

Cultural lands protection, conservation, access to nature, wildlife, and climate-change mitigation are among the concerns for management under the new rule.

Isaacson said one could argue that extraction and development were prioritized too much before this rule.

"Extractive industries, grazing, things like that have had an overabundance of impact on the landscape," said Isaacson, "while not recognizing the benefits to both hunters and anglers and the rural economies that the pursuits of hunters and anglers have in those spaces."

Oregon's outdoor-recreation economy supports more than 70,000 jobs in the state. It contributes $7.5 billion to the economy, representing 2.5% of the state's GDP.

Weekly Road and Traffic Report for the Week of April 20th - 28th Bend

Weekly Road Construction Update Week of April 21st - 27th Deschutes County

ODOT - Region 4 Weekly Construction Update April 19th - 26th

Structure Fire in Prineville, Oregon Quickly Controlled by Fire Crews

Prineville, Oregon - April 24, 2024

On April 24, 2024, at approximately 2:18 p.m., emergency services responded to a structure fire in the 400 block of NE 5 1/2 Street in Prineville, Oregon. The incident, classified as a Structure Fire, involved several outbuildings and sheds on the property.

The sheds, although unoccupied, were reported to be full of miscellaneous personal items. Upon arrival, fire crews found multiple sheds and outbuildings ablaze, with the fire rapidly spreading to nearby structures. The quick response from emergency personnel prevented the fire from extending to a nearby tri-plex residential building.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or rescues associated with the incident. Responding to the scene were two fire engines, one ambulance, and several command vehicles, comprising a total of 15 firefighters. The firefighting efforts were bolstered by mutual aid assistance from the Prineville Police Department and City of Prineville Public Works Department. Additionally, Jefferson County Fire and EMS dispatched an ambulance to cover the district during the incident.

The coordinated efforts of the responding agencies helped to swiftly control the fire, minimizing damage and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing as authorities work to determine the origins of the incident.

Authorities remind residents to remain vigilant about fire safety measures, especially as the warmer months approach, and to report any suspicious activities or hazards promptly to prevent potential incidents like this one.

For further updates on this incident and related news, residents are encouraged to follow local media channels and official announcements from the Prineville Fire Department and law enforcement agencies.

Oregon woman accused of leading money laundering cell to conceal more than $90 million in drug proceeds

Enhua Fang, a Happy Valley woman, is accused of leading a money laundering operation that handled nearly $100 million in drug proceeds. She faces multiple charges and is being held in custody, awaiting prosecution in North Carolina. The allegations stem from a 2022 investigation involving multiple agencies. Fang allegedly coordinated cash deposits exceeding $92 million through shell companies and cryptocurrency. She used encrypted messages, fake IDs, and changed communication channels to avoid detection. Prosecutors argue that she poses a flight risk due to ties to China and access to false ID documents.

Read the story in it’s entirety HERE

Prineville Man Sentenced to 48 Months for Monkeys' Torture and Murder Videos

David Christopher Noble of Prineville, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison for funding and distributing videos of torturing and killing monkeys. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and was sentenced to 48 months in prison with three years of supervised release. Noble's actions were condemned by authorities for their extreme cruelty and exploitation of innocent creatures.

Full Press Release

Central Oregon Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Central Oregon drug trafficker who conspired with others to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine to Madras and Redmond, Oregon, and surrounding areas, was sentenced to federal prison today.

Israel Sarabia, 30, of Culver, Oregon, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, as part of a joint drug trafficking investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), investigators learned that a Central Oregon drug trafficking organization was using a courier to transport bulk quantities of drugs from either Southern California or Mexico into Oregon. On December 10, 2022, investigators located and stopped the courier in Klamath Falls, Oregon. While searching the courier’s vehicle, investigators located three packages containing approximately 30,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills that later tested positive for fentanyl.

Further investigation revealed that the courier was traveling to Sarabia’s residence and that he had been tasked by Sarabia with bringing him fentanyl from Southern California or Mexico. On March 15, 2023, investigators located and arrested Sarabia near his residence in Culver. On the same day, investigators located and seized 519 grams of methamphetamine, more than 1,000 fentanyl pills, 41 grams of cocaine, and nine firearms from the residence of a co-conspirator who was working for Sarabia and storing drugs on his behalf.

On March 15, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Sarabia and an accomplice with conspiring with one another to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. A third individual was also charged with conspiracy.

On August 21, 2023, Sarabia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by DEA and CODE. It was prosecuted by Lewis S. Burkhart, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The CODE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. CODE includes members of the Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, Sunriver, and Black Butte Police Departments; the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department; the Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices; the Oregon State Police; the Oregon National Guard; DEA; and the FBI.

La Pine Man Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Material Distribution

La Pine, Oregon - April 24, 2024

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit, in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, recently made a significant arrest in a case involving the distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Cody O'Neal, a 32-year-old resident of La Pine, Oregon, was apprehended on April 24th, 2024, following an extensive investigation.

The investigation, which began in January 2024, was initiated after authorities became aware of an IP address actively distributing CSAM through Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks in Deschutes County. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) in Medford provided crucial information connecting a computer to the distribution of this illicit material, leading to the involvement of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit.

Over several months, ICAC detectives gathered substantial evidence linking the IP address to Cody O'Neal's residence in La Pine. On the aforementioned date, a coordinated effort involving ICAC detectives, the Street Crimes unit, Digital Forensics unit, Oregon State Police ICAC detectives, and Bend Police Department Digital Forensics unit culminated in the execution of a search warrant at O'Neal's residence on the 15000 Block of Twin Drive.

During the search, multiple digital devices were seized for further analysis. Cody O'Neal was subsequently arrested and transported to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Adult Jail, where he faces charges under ORS 163.684 for Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (10 counts) and ORS 163.686 for Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (10 counts).

Authorities emphasize that this arrest is part of ongoing efforts to combat online exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from harm. Further investigation into the seized digital devices is underway, and additional charges may follow pending analysis results.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, a comprehensive law enforcement agency serving over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County, remains dedicated to safeguarding the community through proactive measures and collaborative initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.

For updates on this case and related news, residents are encouraged to follow official announcements from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and law enforcement agencies involved in combating internet crimes against children.

Artistic Adventures: Inside The Laser Office with Owner Jacki

Are you looking for a unique and creative way to spruce up your space or find the perfect personalized gift? Look no further than The Laser Office, located in Prineville, OR. Owned and operated by the talented Jacki Simmons, this business has been a beacon of creativity and community engagement for the past two years.

Jacki's journey into the world of laser engraving and cutting started with a passion for creating and sharing her craft at local markets. From selling strawberry shortcakes to imported bags from France, and even crafting tutus, Jacki has always had a knack for bringing joy through her creations.

One of the standout features of The Laser Office is its innovative Sip & Paint Parties. Since December, these events have been a hit, offering a unique twist on traditional paint nights. Guests have the opportunity to paint laser cut wood designs, resulting in stunning pieces of art that are not only enjoyable to create but also make fantastic gifts or wall decor.

What sets The Laser Office apart is Jacki's commitment to inclusivity and creativity. By providing a platform for individuals who may not consider themselves artists to unleash their creativity in a supportive environment, Jacki is making art accessible to all.

Looking towards the future, Jacki is excited about expanding her reach beyond Prineville and bringing her creative vision to new communities. She is currently working on organizing a paint party fundraiser for the Ochoco Humane Society, showcasing her dedication to giving back and supporting local causes.

So, if you're in the mood for a fun and engaging artistic experience or in need of a one-of-a-kind personalized gift, be sure to check out The Laser Office. With Jacki at the helm, you're guaranteed a memorable and creative experience that will leave you inspired and delighted.

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