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💥⛑️Driver killed in 600-foot plunge off Hwy. 26 to Mill Creek

💥⛑️Driver killed in 600-foot plunge off Hwy. 26 to Mill Creek

Issue #127

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Bend Fire & Rescue Opens Camp Fire Axe Applications

📰 Redmond Fire & Rescue's Board of Directors Seeking Applications for Vacancy

📰Former Bend resident, PSU football player receives 23-year prison term in 2022 fatal shooting of girlfriend

📰🤨Deschutes County Elections learns some primary ballot packets were mistakenly mailed in a Benton County envelope

⛑️Fire & Rescue

💥Driver killed in 600-foot plunge off Hwy. 26 to Mill Creek, north of Warm Springs; road reopens after 4-hour recovery

🚨Crime News

🚨Male Arrested After Assaulting Rideshare Driver and Stealing Vehicle

📰 Community News

📖Lecture Series Shares History Surrounding Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway

📰An Evening with Randy and Mary Travis - Stroke Awareness Event

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

BEND

Bend Fire & Rescue Opens Camp Fire Axe Applications

Beginning on May 1, Central Oregon high school students ages 16-19 years old can apply for Camp Fire Axe, Bend Fire & Rescue’s annual 4-day summer academy that offers a chance to learn about a career in the fire service.

Camp Fire Axe is led by professional Firefighter/Paramedics from Bend Fire & Rescue and walks attendees though extensive training on fire response, CPR, trauma and first aid. This year’s academy will take place June 20 – 23 from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day at the Bend Fire & Rescue North Station (63377 NE Jamison Street, Bend). Attendance is limited to 12 students with a $250 fee per person.

Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis through May 15, and can be found under “Careers” at bendoregon.gov/fire along with additional information about the academy.

Redmond Fire & Rescue's Board of Directors Seeking Applications for Vacancy

Redmond Fire & Rescue's Board of Directors is seeking applications from interested citizens to fill an upcoming vacancy on their board.

The Board of Directors is comprised of five elected community members. The Board formulates policies and rules to carry out Fire District programs and services. In carrying out its legislative and policy-making responsibilities, the Board delegates the administrative and executive functions to the Fire Chief. The Board holds its regularly scheduled meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 am.

Minimum qualifications for appointment are as follows:

Reside within the District boundaries one year from taking office.
18 years of age or older
Registered voter in Deschutes County

Completed applications are due by 5:00 pm on 5/31/2024 and should be addressed to the District Recorder Diane Cox at 341 NW Dogwood Ave, Redmond or via email at [email protected].

Candidates moving forward in the selection process will be invited to interview on 6/11/24 starting at 3 pm.

Click the Fire Board Application link below to download the application. Paper copies are also available at our Administration Office.

Former Bend resident, PSU football player receives 23-year prison term in 2022 fatal shooting of girlfriend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — A former Bend resident and Portland State University football player who was arrested in southern Deschutes County on a murder charge two years ago has begun serving a 23-year prison term for shooting and killing his girlfriend , another PSU student, in 2022, KGW reported .

Keenan Reece Harpole, now 22, pleaded guilty on April 15 to first-degree manslaughter constituting domestic violence and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Multnomah County court documents. Judge Christopher Marshall sentenced Harpole to 276 months, with the possibility of a reduced sentence after the first 10 years.

On April 4, 2022, at 1 a.m., police said 19-year-old Amara Marluke was shot by Harpole, then 20, outside of her dorm near the intersection of Southwest College Street and Southwest 6th Avenue. Officers arrived and found Marluke dead.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office was informed later that morning about Harpole's location at a family property on Homestead Way, between Sunriver and La Pine, Sgt. Doug Sullivan said at the time .

“Detectives contacted Harpole and he agreed to turn himself in,” Sullivan said, and he “was taken into custody without incident.” Harpole was brought back to Portland, where he was released to Portland Police Bureau homicide detectives.

The university confirmed that Harpole was a first-year student and member of the PSU football team, but was no longer on the team. Sullivan said Harpole was a 2020 graduate of Mountain View High School in Bend.

An autopsy later confirmed Marluke died from gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Harpole had been Marluke's first boyfriend. Family members said they'd seen several warning signs of domestic violence and stated that Marluke gave him several chances to reform. She never contacted authorities.

Marluke was known to the PSU community, friends and family as a passionate artist and activist.

In announcing the resolution of the case on Thursday, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin represented the state in the case, which resulted in a negotiated plea agreement with the defendant and his counsel. Judge Christopher Marshall accepted the plea and sentenced Harpole on April 15 as follows:

240 months for one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree with a Firearm – Constituting Domestic Violence
36 months consecutive for one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Constituting Domestic Violence

Additionally, Harpole will serve two years of post-prison supervision. Schmidt also said that has begun serving his state prison term.

The DA said his office wishes to thank the Portland Police Bureau officers and detectives who assisted with this case, as well as the victim advocate who supported Ms. Marluke’s family.

"It is hoped that the resolution of this case will allow Ms. Marluke’s family and friends to move forward in the grieving process and find some peace," he said.

This story was reported by KTVZ

Deschutes County Elections learns some primary ballot packets were mistakenly mailed in a Benton County envelope

Crook County clerk, meanwhile, mistakenly left out two-move border arguments; all online

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes County Clerk’s Office said Friday it has learned that a small number of ballot packets for the May 21 Primary Election were inserted into the wrong outgoing mailing envelope.

The outgoing envelope lists a Benton County return address instead of the correct Deschutes County address. The office has received calls from a handful of voters regarding this error.

The contents of the ballot packet and all voter information are correct, officials said. Voters have received the correct ballot and signature return envelope for the May 21 Primary Election. Voters can vote their ballot and return it with the included Deschutes County signature return envelope.

The error was made during assembly of the ballot packets by a vendor that prepares ballots for mailing for both Deschutes County and Benton County.

Deschutes County Clerk’s Office apologizes for any confusion this error may cause for voters. Voters who have questions can call Deschutes County Elections at (541) 388-6547 or email [email protected].

Meanwhile, Crook County Clerk Cheryl Seely said Thursday that she inadvertently omitted two measure arguments for Measure 7-86, the Advisory Question Regarding Citizen Sentiment for Oregon - Idaho Border Relocation.

A complete list of all the measure's arguments is posted on the county elections website . Anyone with questions can contact the clerk's office at 541-447-6553.

The post Deschutes County Elections learns some primary ballot packets were mistakenly mailed in a Benton County envelope appeared first on KTVZ .

Weekly Road and Traffic Report for the Week of April May 6th to May 12th Bend

Weekly Road Construction Update Week of April May 5th to May 11th Deschutes County

ODOT - Region 4 Weekly Construction Update May 3, 2024 to May 10th, 2024

Warm Springs Fire & Safety

Driver killed in 600-foot plunge off Hwy. 26 to Mill Creek, north of Warm Springs; road reopens after 4-hour recovery

ODOT TripCheck

Warm Springs Fire & Rescue

Warm Springs Fire & Safety

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A car plunged about 600 feet off U.S. Highway 26 to Mill Creek at a bridge north of Warm Springs early Saturday morning, killing the driver and leading to a recovery operation that closed a 25-mile stretch of the highway and detoured motorists for about four hours, officials said.

Warm Springs Fire and Safety and Warm Springs Police were dispatched around 12:20 a.m. to the Mill Creek Bridge near milepost 93 on a report that a vehicle had driven off the highway at the bridge, according to Lt. Garrett Webb, public information officer for the fire department.

Crews arrived on scene a short time later and were able to see in the darkness a vehicle on its top and side in the shallow creek below, Webb said.

Due to the car’s location and the distance down to the creek, the incident “transitioned from a rescue to recovery,” Webb said in a news release. Crews on scene determined that recovery operations would have to wait until daylight, to assure participants’ safety.

At first light Saturday, a WSFS crew was able to hike down the canyon, Webb said, but “due to the complexity of the incident,” came back up the side to await further resources.

Heavy rain fell in the area at times, and while the creek was shallow, probably three to five feet, the rainfall could cause the creek to rise, Webb said.

For much of the day, until the closure, ODOT said on TripCheck that the crash was "causing minimal delay to traffic," but advised motorists to "prepare to slow or move over for worker safety."

Oregon State Police troopers were among those on scene to assist in the operation, and Webb said the largest contingent, from Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, arrived in the afternoon.

The highway closed around 2:30 p.m. in both directions, once equipment and personnel were in place for the recovery, involving a crane.

By early evening, they had lifted the car and driver's remains from the canyon and the driver was being transported to a Madras funeral home, Webb confirmed, adding that the occupant was alone in the vehicle.

Further information regarding the crash is expected to be released later by Oregon State Police.

Highway 26 between Mount Hood and Warm Springs, from milepost 71 to 96, was closed for about four hours for the crash recovery operation, reopening before 6:30 p.m., ODOT said.

ODOT directed detoured eastbound traffic onto state Highway 216, then on U.S. Highway 197 to U.S. Highway 97. Truck traffic was directed to use OR 216, U.S. 197, Interstate 84 and U.S. 97 due to length restrictions near Maupin on U.S. 197. Westbound traffic used the same route in reverse order.

Webb said Warm Springs authorities wished to thank Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue for their invaluable assistance at the crash and recovery scene.

This story was reported by KTVZ

Male Arrested After Assaulting Rideshare Driver and Stealing Vehicle

Sisters, OR - In the early hours of May 3rd, 2024, a disturbing incident unfolded in Sisters, Oregon, as reported by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Joshua Davis Buck, a 21-year-old transient from Bend, was arrested following an assault on a rideshare driver and the subsequent theft of a vehicle. The victim, identified as Stanley Eugene Collins, a 77-year-old male from Redmond, was left shaken by the ordeal.

Sergeant Jason Wall, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call at 2:48 am regarding an assault and vehicle theft. Joshua Buck had initially requested a rideshare service to travel to Sisters and was dropped off near the Sisters Inn and Suites. It was at this point that the situation took a violent turn.

Upon reaching his destination, Buck assaulted the rideshare driver, Stanley Collins, and forcibly removed him from the vehicle. He then proceeded to steal the vehicle and fled towards the Santiam Pass along Highway 20. Law enforcement swiftly responded, tracking Buck as he continued westbound on Highway 126 towards Vida, Oregon.

The urgency of the situation escalated when reports of a multi-vehicle injury crash near Vida, Oregon, involving Buck surfaced. Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Springfield Police Department intervened, discovering Buck attempting to steal a second vehicle at the crash site. However, the quick actions of the second vehicle’s driver thwarted Buck’s escape, resulting in a collision and Buck's subsequent arrest.

Buck was taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and treatment before being transported to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail. He faces serious charges including Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle under ORS statutes.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, oversees a range of critical services for the community, including patrol, investigations, civil processes, and search and rescue operations. The swift and coordinated response by law enforcement agencies underscores their commitment to public safety across Deschutes County, serving over 200,000 residents within its expansive jurisdiction.

Lecture Series Shares History Surrounding Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway

The Chandler Lecture Series at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is presenting “From Community Secrets to Public Apology: Lessons from The High Road,” the story of how Oregon’s Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway came to be, with author Linda Tamura at 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 14, at Wille Hall on the Bend campus.

Tickets are $10 and a link to the recorded program will be available for $5. Visit cocc.edu/foundation/cls to register and learn more.

Following World War II, the names of 16 Japanese American U.S. veterans were removed from a public honor roll in Oregon, prompting national outcry.

All had served their country while their families were incarcerated on American soil. In 2022, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill to dedicate Oregon Nisei Veterans World War II Memorial Highway along state Highway 35, a 41-mile scenic roadway from the Columbia River to Mt. Hood. The American Legion Post 22 also joined in support and apologized for past racist actions. Nisei refers to a son or daughter of Japanese immigrants, born and educated in the United States.

In “Lessons from The High Road,” Tamura, the daughter of a World War II veteran, addresses her personal path to learning about this community secret, Oregon’s fractured history and lessons for moving forward. Raised in Hood River, Tamura is a Sansei, or third-generation, Japanese American. She is the author of two books on Nisei soldiers in the Hood River area. A former elementary teacher, Tamura is a professor emerita of education at Willamette University and a co-editor-in-chief of “The Oregon Encyclopedia.”

This program is sponsored by the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and the Associated Students of COCC. For more information, contact Charlotte Gilbride, coordinator for the Chandler Lecture Series, at 541-383-7257 or [email protected].

The Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series of the COCC Foundation brings renowned speakers, lecturers and experts to the region to deliver broad-based programming on a diverse range of educational and topical subjects. The program was established in 1985 by the late Robert W. Chandler Sr. to honor his wife Nancy.

In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact disability services at 541-383-7583.

cocc.edu

Stroke Awareness Special Event

Stroke Awareness Oregon is honored to present an uplifting evening with Country Music and Grammy Awards winner Randy Travis and his wife, Mary on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Westside Church in Bend. After Randy's life-changing stroke in 2013, the couple will share their powerful story of loss, hope, faith, and resilience to raise funds for Stroke Awareness Oregon.

This is not a concert, but rather an inspirational experience hearing directly from Randy and Mary Travis about their personal journey. The event will begin at 7:00pm with opening music from local rock band Soul Benders led by Steve Boatwright, who has toured with renowned acts like Santana, Stevie Nicks, and Chuck Berry.

A special highlight of the evening will be a live auction of a Breedlove guitar autographed by the Travis'. Stroke Awareness Oregon is thrilled to be hosting this event at the Westside Church on Newport Avenue in Bend. Their state of the art facility has modern technology and lighting for this incredible event and lots of seating to accommodate all who wish to attend. The spacious atrium will make checking in comfortable and hassle free. There is ample parking with easy access, handicapped facilities and wheelchair accommodations. We appreciate the sponsorship of Westside Church for this important event.

🎟️ Get Your Tickets: 🎟️Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to hear from Randy and Mary Travis in person. Reserve your seat today and be part of an evening filled with music, inspiration, and heartfelt conversation.
Location: 2051 NW Shevlin Park Rd. Bend, Oregon 97703
Date: Monday, May 13th, 2024
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm Pacific Time | Admission will begin at 6:00pm Pacific Time
Ticket Sales are tax deductible - All proceeds benefiting Stroke Awareness Oregon 501(c)(3)

Date

May 13, 2024

Time

07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Upcoming Events

What’s Up Central Oregon

In addition top performing at over 500 theaters and faith based events, Amy Barnes has numerous national TV appearances from Comedy Central to National Lampoon. This engineer turned comedian was selected as one of the new faces of comedy at the Montreal International Comedy Festival and from that point on she has entertained sold out shows all across America. Her stand-up connects with a cross generational relevance, her audience interaction tethers strangers with that one of a kind experience and her singing takes her shows to the next level of live performance. A quick witted stand-up comic with an amazing voice will leave you feeling like you reconnected with an old friend.
Join us on May 10th at 6:30 pm for a fun night of comedy and dessert.