In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia Answer

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰🔥Annual campfire restrictions to start on BLM rivers in Central Oregon

📰Four Local Educators Have Mortgage or Rent Paid for One Year through OnPoint’s Prize for Excellence in Education

🍷🍸🍺OLCC Steps Up Minor Decoy Operations

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🚧 Road Closures

🚨 Crime

🌱🚨Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Busts Large Illegal Marijuana Operation in Redmond

💖Pet of the Week

🐶 Meet Harley from Street Dog Hero

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

👨‍🌾🍽️Farm to Fork Dinner Fundraiser

🤠 Sister’s Rodeo!

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

The town of Sisters originally developed as a logging town.

In which decade did the logging industry begin to significantly develop in Sisters, Oregon?

A) 1880s

B) 1890s

C) 1900s

D) 1920s

Answer: C) 1900s

Expanded Answer: The logging industry began to significantly develop in Sisters during the early 1900s. The town's proximity to dense forests made it an ideal location for logging operations.

BEND

SISTERS

Annual campfire restrictions to start on BLM rivers in Central Oregon

Prineville, Ore. — Annual campfire restrictions will go into effect June 1 on some Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in central Oregon. In particular, campfires will be prohibited along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day and White rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus.

“Our number one goal is protecting public and employee safety,” said James Osborne, Fire Management Officer for the BLM Prineville District. “We are excited that people are getting out and enjoying the rivers. Reducing the risk of human-caused wildfire helps us be good neighbors.”

These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed, when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner. Under the restrictions, smoking is not allowed except inside vehicles or on the water.

“The river canyons present a combination of limited access, grassy fuels that dry out quickly, and steep slopes that allow wildfires to spread rapidly,” Osborne continued.

Restrictions will remain in effect through October 15, 2024. Violation of this closure is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.

For more information and specific campfire closure locations apply to BLM-administered lands, see the river closure order. For more information about these closures, or other fire restrictions on BLM-administered lands in central Oregon, please review the river closure order, call the Prineville BLM District Office at 541-416-6700 or visit https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.

For current information on public use restrictions, fire closures or changes to the Industrial Fire Precaution Level on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the BLM Prineville District, please call the information line at 1-800-523-4737. Additional information about fire activity in Central Oregon is available online at: https://centraloregonfire.org/.

Four Local Educators Have Mortgage or Rent Paid for One Year through OnPoint’s Prize for Excellence in Education

OnPoint Community Credit Union announced the winners of the 2024 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education:

- K-5 Educator of the Year: Rachel Hertz, 1st grade teacher, North Star Elementary School, Bend.

- 6-8 Educator of the Year: Sherry Reeder, special education teacher, Molalla River Middle School, Molalla.

- 9-12 Educator of the Year: Michelle Colbert, art and CTE teacher, Fir Ridge Campus, Portland.

- Gold Star Educator of the Year: Dr. Traniece Brown-Warrens, principal, Markham Elementary School, Portland.

Each Educator of the Year will have their mortgage or rent paid for a year and receive $2,500 for their schools. Runners-up receive $5,000 and $1,500 for their schools.

Since 2010, OnPoint has awarded over $843,000 to educators and schools. This year, the campaign will distribute an additional $193,000.

About OnPoint Community Credit Union:

- Oregon's largest credit union with 554,000 members and $9 billion in assets.

- Membership available to residents in 28 Oregon counties and 2 Washington counties.

For more information, visit [onpointcu.com](https://onpointcu.com).

OLCC Steps Up Minor Decoy Operations

OLCC Enhances Minor Decoy Operations

What's Happening: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is increasing minor decoy operations, including checks for alcohol home delivery.

Compliance Rates: OLCC reports 72% compliance in Bend for age verification, aiming for at least 80%.

Local Business Response: Bend Brewing Co. and 10 Barrel Brewing Co. emphasize strict ID checks. Bend Brewing’s floor manager, Ticari Morrison, stresses thorough checks for anyone appearing under 30. 10 Barrel's GM, Gabe Lazard, highlights a double verification process for those under 25.

How Decoy Operations Work: Minors aged 18-20, who look older than 26, attempt to purchase alcohol or marijuana. This now includes online orders, where delivery drivers are responsible for ID checks.

Penalties & Training: Businesses can avoid penalties by undergoing training and installing age verification equipment.

OLCC Statement: Compliance has improved post-pandemic but still falls short of the 90% goal. OLCC urges businesses to enforce strict ID protocols to prevent sales to minors.

Legislation: House Bill 3308 mandates OLCC to oversee third-party alcohol delivery compliance, addressing issues like "drop and dash" where IDs aren’t checked.

Educational Support: OLCC offers ID checking classes at regional offices and on-site for businesses.

Bottom Line: OLCC’s enhanced efforts aim to ensure alcohol and cannabis sales comply with state laws, protecting minors and holding businesses accountable.

**Prescribed Burn Planned Wednesday Four Miles SW of Bend Adjacent to Forest Service Road 41

Ignitions planned on up to 300 acres; road, river and trail closures anticipated

**Sisters Ranger District Plans Prescribed Burn Adjacent to East Side of Hwy 20 on Wednesday

Bend

Weekly Road and Traffic Report for the Week of May 27th to June 2nd

Deschutes County

Weekly Road Construction Update Week of May 26th to June 1st

ODOT - Region 4 Weekly Construction Update May 24th to May 31st

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Busts Large Illegal Marijuana Operation in Redmond

Redmond, OR (May 22, 2024) — In a significant crackdown on illegal marijuana operations, detectives from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) executed a search warrant early Wednesday morning in the 8000 Block of Yucca Avenue, Redmond. This long-term investigation led to the arrest of two Deschutes County residents, Robert Thibodeau and Michael Howard.

The search resulted in the seizure of over 400 illegal marijuana plants cultivated within a 4,700 square foot shop situated on a 40-acre parcel of land. Investigators believe the marijuana was intended for distribution on the black market beyond state lines. Additionally, authorities confiscated two firearms and a substantial sum of U.S. currency during the search.

The operation revealed several unpermitted and dangerous electrical hazards, including unsafe building modifications. Investigators also discovered black mold and leaking septic systems on the premises. During the execution of the search warrant, strong winds reaching nearly 30 mph caused large compost piles from the marijuana disposal to combust, posing a fire risk to nearby properties. The Redmond Fire Department responded promptly to extinguish the compost piles, preventing a potential wildfire.

Both Thibodeau and Howard were taken into custody and transported to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail without incident.

DCIMME expressed gratitude for the extensive support received from multiple agencies in dismantling this substantial illegal drug operation. Collaborating agencies included the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office SWAT, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, City of Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Redmond Fire and Rescue, Oregon Army National Guard, Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, Lane County Sheriff's Office SWAT, Deschutes County Code Enforcement, and Central Oregon Water Resources.

This coordinated effort highlights the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to combat illegal drug activities and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

Meet Harley!

Meet Harley! Harley is a super sweet Labrador mix girl who just came into our program along with 3 of her puppies after first being rescued in Yakima by way of our partner shelter in The Dalles, Oregon. Mama Harley, Poppy, Cactus Jack and Blossom were all rescued by a friend and partner in rescue who found them while she was traveling near the reservation in Yakima. Although the Columbia Gorge Humane Society was already overwhelmed, they took them in. They were filthy, clearly scared and were covered in ticks. We were told that mom herself had around 250 ticks that were removed from her body! The shelter team were worried that they might grow up in the shelter so they asked if we could take them in and of course we couldn't say no, and so we decided to take all 3 puppies and the mom, Harley. Jaymie and Manny from the SDH team drove out to the shelter in The Dalles to meet with the team and pick up the dogs. Harley is such a sweet sweet soul. She's very friendly and comes up to you without guard, and she's eager to say hello. She had already been seen by their veterinarian, is spayed, and up to date on her shots. The medical team thinks she at one point had pneumonia or some other respiratory condition that left her with a "purr", and so she looks like a lab mix, but can sound like a frenchie, pug or even a Harley Davidson starting its engine depending on how relaxed she is. It's not constant, but it's actually adorable to witness. She's healthy and has the all clear to be adopted! Submit your online adoption application through our website today and don't miss this opportunity to bring her home for a 3-day home trial towards her adoption. Will you be her hero?

Foster update:

"She is doing great, her snarly gremlin voice is hilarious. She seems great with kids and hasn't reacted to cats that we've noticed. Just a real sweet girl! She's also amazing on leash and she sleeps way quieter than her awake breathing lol. Smart. Learns fast. Doesn't mean she complies, but she definitely understands quickly."

Meme from WagBend

What’s Up Central Oregon

Farm to Fork Dinner Fundraiser

Join us for the 7th Annual Farm to Fork Dinner & Fundraiser, proudly sponsored by Mike's Fence Center and benefiting Heart of Oregon Corps! Enjoy a special night featuring locally sourced food and wine, live music, beautiful views out at Tetherow Resort- and of course, getting to hear from current Heart of Oregon youth and alumni.  In addition, there are opportunities to support Heart of Oregon via a Wonder Raffle, Paddle Raise, Somewhere That's Green Plant Auction, and Dessert Dash during the evening program.

All proceeds support Heart of Oregon Corps' mission to empower youth and young adults through employment, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon communities.

Visit Here for More Information

JUNE 5TH - JUNE 9TH

The Sisters Rodeo is gearing up for another SOLD OUT year and we are so thankful for all of you! Make sure you call the ticket office to buy your tickets direct - we can not validate or support third-party tickets so, please, tread carefully!

TICKETS:

Wednesday, Xtreme Bulls - Limited tickets left

Friday Performance - Red Rock Corral Standing Room Only Tickets

Saturday Matinee - Red Rock Corral Standing Room Only Tickets

Saturday Night Performance - Red Rock Corral Standing Room Only Tickets

Sunday Performance - Limited tickets left

Deschutes Public Library Events

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