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📰⚠️Planned Deschutes Alerts Countywide Test Message

📰⚠️Planned Deschutes Alerts Countywide Test Message

Issue #123

30 Apr

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?

📰Whychus Creek Overlook to undergo wall modification next week to improve views, accessibility

📰⚠️Planned Deschutes Alerts Countywide Test Message

🚤⛑️Oregon Marine Board Conducts Intensive Annual Training for Law Enforcement at Madras Aquatic Center and Lake Billy Chinook

🛣️Jefferson County demands ODOT to make safer changes to Highway 97

⛑️🔥Fire & Rescue News

💥Bend’s well-known IHOP sign almost taken out in early-AM crash; minor injuries to driver, 80, who was cited by police

🚨 Crime News

🚨 Bend Man Arrested in Sting Operation for Alleged Sexual Misconduct and Drug Possession

📰 Local Government News

📰Deschutes Co. Commissioner Candidates Square Off In Final Forum

📰 Community News

🏆Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades awarded Gold Rating by NAFC Quality Standards Program

📰Marine Corps League of Oregon hold Summer Convention in Bend

📰Smith Rock Spring Thing clean-up event brings hundreds of volunteers

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

Whychus Creek | Photo: Zachary Collier

WhyChus Creek was called a different name for a time, what was it?

A) Lone Creek

B) Squaw Creek

C) Polk Creek

D) Black Butte Creek

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

North Oregon Cascades

Today

Rain showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Snow showers. Some thunderstorms may produce small hail. Snow level 3000 feet. Snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches. Pass winds southwest 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Rainfall amounts a half to three quarters of an inch.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain showers, snow showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Some thunderstorms may produce small hail in the evening. Snow level 3000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Pass winds west 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Rainfall amounts a tenth to a quarter of an inch.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. A slight chance of rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Snow level 3000 feet. Pass winds west 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Wednesday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers in the evening, then rain and snow showers likely after midnight. Snow level 4000 feet. Pass winds west 5 to 10 mph, becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. Rain and snow showers likely, mainly in the morning. Snow level 4000 feet, increasing to 5000 feet in the afternoon. Pass winds south 5 to 10 mph, becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain showers. Snow level 5000 feet.

Whychus Creek Overlook to undergo wall modification next week to improve views, accessibility

SISTERS, OR - The Forest Service said Monday it is partnering with Sisters Trail Alliance to make the Whychus Creek Overlook on the Sisters Ranger District more accessible.

The top rail of the Whychus Creek Overlook wall will be removed, and two viewing portals with security cables will be created to improve accessibility. The modifications will provide better views of the creek and mountains for visitors with disabilities.

The modification project will begin Monday, May 6 and is expected to conclude Thursday, May 9. Further construction may continue past that date, but trail and area closures aren’t anticipated.

The Whychus Creek Overlook will be closed for public safety on May 6. The Whychus Creek Overlook and south side of the Whychus Creek Overlook Trail (#4069) will be closed from May 7 – 9 while work is ongoing.

The north side of the Whychus Creek Overlook Trail (#4069), Whychus Draw Trail (#4071), and access to Whychus Creek will remain open May 7 – 9. Trail closure signs will be posted at the trailhead and along the trail to identify the closures.

Heavy equipment will be used to complete the project and transport materials to the worksite. The public should use caution when recreating in the area.

For more information, please contact the Sisters Ranger District at (541) 549-7700.

Planned Deschutes Alerts Countywide Test Message

Released by: Sgt. Nathan Garibay

On Wednesday, May 1st at 1 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Deschutes County 911 will be sending a test message to people signed up for Deschutes Alerts.

Deschutes Alerts is the notification system we use to alert people of emergencies and evacuations in Deschutes County. We use Deschutes Alerts to send subscribers a message via smart phone app, text, email or phone call. If you live or work in Deschutes County, you should sign up for Deschutes Alerts and make sure your information is current. Change or create your Deschutes Alerts profile by visiting deschutesalerts.org.

The purpose of Wednesday’s test message is to ensure subscriber profiles are current. If you receive the message on May 1 and you don’t need to change anything on your profile, there’s no need to contact us.

If you don’t get the message within a few hours of the test, or if you want to talk to us about Deschutes Alerts or change your profile, we will have a call center open between 1pm and 5pm on May 1. You can reach the call center by calling 541-550-4888.

If you have questions before or after May 1, you can call our office at 541-388-6501. We can help you confirm or make changes to your Deschutes Alerts profile right over the phone.

You do not need to wait until May 1 to sign up or make sure your information is up to date. You can update or create your Deschutes Alerts profile any time by visiting deschutesalerts.org

We have developed a Deschutes Alerts Frequently Asked Questions page that you can visit here, or call our office at 541-388-6501.

Oregon Marine Board Conducts Intensive Annual Training for Law Enforcement at Madras Aquatic Center and Lake Billy Chinook

Law enforcement officers from 13 agencies participated in the Oregon Marine Board's annual training at the Madras Aquatic Center and Lake Billy Chinook, running from April 22 to May 3. The nine-day program, unique to Oregon, combines classroom learning, pool drills at the Madras Aquatic Center, and hands-on boat handling on Lake Billy Chinook. The training includes water safety drills, accident investigation, and boating under the influence enforcement. 22 candidates are being prepared for marine law enforcement duties on state and federal waters, with the training also noted for its diverse scenarios and support from local communities and multiple county sheriff's offices.

Jefferson County demands ODOT to make safer changes to Highway 97

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, that area has seen a high number of crashes compared to the rest of the state, higher than the average crash rate. Between

www.centraloregondaily.com/jefferson-county-demands-odot-to-make-safer-changes-to-highway-97/video_47d8ec08-64ec-50ad-85e6-9a3ac65db9bf.html?utm_source=www.centraloregonlocalbuzz.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=tbd

Weekly Road and Traffic Report for the Week of April April 29 – May 5 Bend

Weekly Road Construction Update Week of April April 28 to May 4 Deschutes County

ODOT - Region 4 Weekly Construction Update April 26, 2024 - May 3, 2024

Bend’s well-known IHOP sign almost taken out in early-AM crash; minor injuries to driver, 80, who was cited by police

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An 80-year-old Bend man likely fell asleep at the wheel early Saturday morning when he drifted across Northeast Third Street and struck a large IHOP Restaurant sign. Police said he sustained minor injuries and got a ticket after the SUV caused major damage but did not totally topple the sign.

Officers responded shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday to the reported Third Street crash, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Witnesses said the driver was heading south on Third Street at the wheel of a Ford Excursion when he drifted into the northbound lanes and hit the sign.

“He was not speeding, and officers found no evidence that he was impaired but likely fell asleep behind the wheel,” Miller said.

The driver was taken to St. Charles for treatment of what Miller said were minor injuries. He also was cited for driving with a suspended license and without insurance.

IHOP Bend Manager Joe Crist said Monday he learned what happened when he showed up for work around 8 a.m. Saturday.

“I just rolled up and saw it,” Crist said. “There was a police report showing the person didn’t have insurance, so not sure what’s going to happen” in terms of repairs or replacement.

Fortunately, the restaurant building itself was not struck by the SUV, so Bend's IHOP was still serving up breakfast and lunch as usual, he said.

However, it appears the other sign still standing out front - FOR LEASE - shows that won't be for long, as Crist confirmed the restaurant will be closing June 21.

Fratzke Commercial has the stand-alone retail building available for lease, as of July 1, with options to continue as a restaurant or retail or medical office space, under the zoning of that corner.

It’s also fortunate that neither the driver nor anyone else was seriously hurt in the crash, likely thanks to the wee-hours timing.

That could open the door for some to a bit of IHOP word humor, such as I-CRASH - or as Crist suggested: “I-LEAN” (Eileen).

The post Bend’s well-known IHOP sign almost taken out in early-AM crash; minor injuries to driver, 80, who was cited by police appeared first on KTVZ .

Bend Man Arrested in Sting Operation for Alleged Sexual Misconduct and Drug Possession

Bend, OR – April 29, 2024 – A Bend resident, Jeffrey Scot Kingsbury, 47, was arrested near Riverwoods Country Store at 19745 Baker Road on charges of severe sexual misconduct involving a minor and drug possession, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office had been investigating Kingsbury for the past month for allegedly engaging in online sexual corruption of a child and luring a minor. During the investigation, Kingsbury reportedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations over social media with someone he believed was a female minor under the age of 16. This “minor” was, in reality, an undercover Deschutes County deputy posing as a young girl.

Kingsbury's conversations included sending intimate images and detailing sexual acts, after the deputy explicitly mentioned being underage. The conversations culminated in Kingsbury arranging a meeting at Riverwoods Country Store on April 28. He provided photographs of the vehicle he would be driving to further coordinate the meetup.

Under vigilant surveillance by multiple deputies and a K9 unit, Kingsbury was apprehended without incident shortly after arriving at the designated location around 8:15 p.m. He was found to possess a significant amount of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.

The charges filed against Kingsbury include Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree, Luring a Minor, Attempted Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. Following his arrest, Kingsbury was lodged at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail.

Deschutes Co. Commissioner Candidates Square Off In Final Forum

by Heather Roberts KBND

REDMOND, OR -- Candidates for Deschutes County Commissioner met up for their final candidate forum Friday. At the event, hosted by the Redmond Executive Association, Rotary Club of Redmond and Kiwanis, the four candidates were asked if the new non-partisan race changes how they campaign, and if it’ll make a difference in how the board functions in the future. Small business owner Rob Imhoff says he’s glad parties are no longer involved, "The issue that I have with non-affiliation, though, is that it allows someone to maybe attempt to deceive the electorate by claiming to be something that they’re not." Sisters Chamber Director Judy Trego has come to terms with the shift, saying, "I wasn’t real happy about it in the beginning. The reason I like it is because it creates more engagement." Incumbent Commissioner Phil Chang says he fought to make the position nonpartisan, so the 65,000 Deschutes County voters not registered as a Democrat or a Republican get to vote in the primary, "Now, everyone who’s a registered voter in Deschutes County has a say in who is going to be their county commissioner." And, retiree Brian Huntamer notes he is a registered Independent, "And it’s very important that we are able to work with everyone and serve the best interests of the community."

When asked about the county's budget, Chang called a property tax reduction six years ago a "political stunt," adding, "The problem is that by last year, that reduction in assessed property tax rate meant that the county was receiving $2 million less per year." Trego, who sits on the Deschutes County Budget Committee, said, "The biggest priority is probably with our Health Department.

They have an $80 million budget and they’re funding is pretty unstable." Brian Huntamer and Rob Imhoff both said their private sector experience is valuable.

"I would look at what have they funded, what’s available, are there excesses in other departments," said Huntamer. Imhoff noted, "Live within your budget, where a tight belt, trim where you can, figure out if there’s redundancy and then let’s work from there, and see if we can give a little bit of money back to our constituents."

At the end of the forum, candidates were allowed to ask one question of one of the others. Chang asked Trego why, as a member of the county’s budget committee, she approved a pay raise for County Commissioners, which he believed was unnecessary amid budget cuts. She said their salary is not the big-ticket item, "PERS is the real problem. When you talk about compensation, PERS is a huge piece of that."

Huntamer then asked Chang why he opposes a pay raise, but wants to add two Commissioners to the board, which would incerease the overall budget, "I think five Commissioners would do a better job of managing our $400 million operating budget than the current three. That’s worth a little bit of extra salary. I would actually think that if we had five, we could be part time and we could sort of even it out." Imhoff asked Chang about his stance on getting rid of juniper trees and Trego asked Chang how he would work with his fellow Commissioners in a respectful way.

Learn more about the candidates in the online voter pamphlet HERE. If none of the candidates receive more than 50% of the vote no May 21, the top two will advance to the November General Election.

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades awarded Gold Rating by NAFC Quality Standards Program

Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades (VIM) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Gold Rating by the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Quality Standards Program.

This recognition underscores VIM's commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive health care services to uninsured and critically underserved working adults in need throughout Central Oregon.

The NAFC Quality Standards Program is an accreditation process that evaluates free and charitable clinics across the United States based on a set of rigorous clinical and administrative standards. Achieving a Gold Rating demonstrates an organization's dedication to excellence in healthcare delivery, patient safety, and organizational governance.

"We are incredibly proud of the impact that Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades has had on our community," said Sarah Hall, Chair of the Board of Directors. "Receiving this Gold Rating from the NAFC Quality Standards Program is a validation of our commitment to excellence and a testament to the compassion and dedication of our volunteers and staff."

VIM provides access to healthcare services to uninsured and underserved working adults across Central Oregon (Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties). Through a network of volunteer healthcare professionals, pro-bono healthcare providers in the region, and support volunteers, the clinic offers medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical services at no cost to patients. In addition to providing direct patient care, VIM is actively involved in community outreach and education initiatives aimed at promoting community wellness and advocating for culturally responsive care for the clinic’s majority Latinx patient population. The clinic's holistic approach to healthcare emphasizes community partnerships to address underlying social determinants of health and empowering patients to take control of their overall well-being.

Marine Corps League of Oregon hold Summer Convention in Bend

Summer Convention of the Marine Corps League took place in Central Oregon over the weekend. The convention, hosted by the Central Oregon Detachment held a dinner at Elks Lodge Saturday

www.centraloregondaily.com/marine-corps-league-of-oregon-hold-summer-convention-in-bend/video_3d5cf54b-d673-5f51-b9e0-a00135e02061.html