In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

⛑️Deschutes County Search and Rescue: A Month of Dedication and Service

📰Ready or not, here comes the Stevens Road Tract Developments and the 2,400 housing units included 🎦

🚫🔥Outdoor debris burning closed as of June 1st in the Bend area

🖼️ COCC Art Students Launch Annual Exhibition

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🚧 Road Closures

🚨 Crime

⚖️Montana man pleads not guilty to manslaughter, DUII charges in fiery Hwy. 97 crash that killed Portland-area family

😁 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.

Which company was one of the first to establish a sawmill in Sisters, Oregon?

A) Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company

B) Shevlin-Hixon Company

C) Three Sisters Lumber Company

D) Weyerhaeuser Company

👉 Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter 👉

Deschutes County Search and Rescue: A Month of Dedication and Service

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Volunteers have been tirelessly assisting the residents and visitors of Deschutes County, renowned for its outdoor recreation opportunities. These dedicated volunteers spend countless hours training, preparing, and providing assistance to those in need.

Busy Month for Search and Rescue

So far this month, Search and Rescue Volunteers have responded to twelve calls for service. These calls included aiding injured motorcycle riders, locating lost hikers and snowmobile riders, responding to medical emergencies, rescuing stuck climbers, and assisting motorists in distress.

Training and Community Engagement

In addition to their rescue efforts, the volunteers have conducted 27 in-house training sessions and exercises. They also participated in three public events: the Special Olympics kickoff in Redmond, the Sisters High School Outreach Program, and the Suttle Lake “Ida B. Wells” high school student Wilderness First Aid event.

Preparedness is Key

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue team urge the public to plan and prepare for their outdoor activities. They emphasize the importance of carrying the Ten Essentials for survival:

1. Navigation: A topo map, declinated compass, and GPS if available, along with a watch and a fully charged cell phone.

2. Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat suitable for the weather.

3. Insulation: Synthetic or wool layers, waterproof/windproof clothing, extra gloves/hat, and socks.

4. Illumination: A headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.

5. First-Aid Supplies: Basic medical supplies, any personal medications, and a bee sting kit if necessary.

6. Fire: Waterproof matches, a butane lighter, fire-starting materials.

7. Repair Kit/Tools: A multi-tool and duct tape.

8. Nutrition: High-energy, no-cook foods, with at least 200 calories for each hour outdoors.

9. Hydration: Extra water, at least 1 liter for short outings and 2.5 liters for all-day excursions.

10. Emergency Shelter: A space blanket or plastic tarp, and insulation from the ground.

Communication and Safety

In areas with limited or no cell service, it's crucial to carry a satellite communication device such as Spot, Garmin In-Reach, Zoleo, or ACR Bivy Stick. For those traveling by vehicle, it is recommended to travel in pairs, carry tow straps, recovery gear, a shovel, and an axe, and to always stay with the vehicle if stuck.

About the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, serves over 200,000 residents across 3,055 square miles. The full-service agency, founded in 1916, has 263 authorized personnel, including 178 sworn employees. It oversees the adult jail, provides patrol services, conducts criminal investigations, and handles civil processes and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, and six K9 teams.

By preparing and following these guidelines, the community can enjoy the beautiful outdoor opportunities Deschutes County offers while staying safe and reducing the need for rescue interventions.

Ready or not, here comes the Stevens Road Tract Developments and the 2,400 housing units included

Bend is growing, and one of its most significant developments is already taking shape on the city's Southeast side. The Stevens Road Tract Developments are on their way, and businesses are eagerly anticipating the opportunities they will bring. This property is the eastern portion of a 640-acre property east of 27th Street, and the Stevens Ranch Master Plan property will soon be developed into thousands of housing units.

Outdoor debris burning closed as of June 1st in the Bend area
Press Release from Bend Fire & Rescue

Bend Fire & Rescue, in conjunction with the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (COFCA), announces the date of closing of open debris burning. The last day to conduct outdoor debris burning is May 31^st. Starting June 1^st, debris will be closed for fire season. Outdoor debris burning in the city limits of Bend is closed year-round by City of Bend Ordinance. 

Backyard fires which include warming fires, campfires and cooking fires are typically allowed year-round within the City of Bend and the areas covered by Deschutes County Rural Fire District #2 that surrounds the City, when used within the guidelines set forth in the Bend Fire & Rescue Burning Regulations. Additional restrictions on campfires can be placed during the hottest parts of summer to help reduce the risk of fire further. Check the restrictions every time you burn by calling our burn information line at 541-322-6335. 

Bend Fire & Rescue Burn Regulations are available online at www.bendoregon.gov/burninginfo

As a reminder for everyone living in Central Oregon, be sure your home has good defensible space around it to help protect your home from the threat of wildfire. More information about creating defensible space and preparing for the upcoming fire season can be found on our website at www.bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone.

Be advised that regulations may vary between fire protection jurisdictions.  Please contact your local, state or federal fire agency for specific requirements and closures. 

The U.S. Forest Service will continue to conduct prescribed burns throughout Central Oregon as long as conditions remain favorable. This closure only affects private property that is not within U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction. The prescribed burning done by the Deschutes National Forest and other national forests around Oregon help decrease the risk of high-severity wildfire to our communities in Central Oregon. This work helps create healthy and safe forests for generations to come. Deschutes National Forest provided this information about their prescribed burn operations:

“Our prescribed burns are staffed with professional firefighters – the same firefighters that spend their summers protecting our communities from wildfires. Should there be a need, additional engines, dozers, and other firefighting equipment is ready to respond. A qualified burn boss leads prescribed burns. Qualified burn bosses typically have 15+ years of experience fighting wildfire and implementing prescribed burns. The burn boss closely monitors the weather and fuels conditions and is in frequent communication with our smoke specialists and weather forecasters. Although we collaborate closely with local government agencies and we mutually respond to wildfires, the Deschutes National Forest does not provide direction for debris burning on private lands.”

COCC Art Students Launch Annual Exhibition

The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Art and Design Club is proud to present the annual Student Art Exhibition, now through June 7 in Pence Hall’s Pinckney Gallery, with an opening reception from 4:30-7pm on Wednesday, May 29. The reception includes an awards presentation at 6pm. The gallery is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm, and on Fridays from 12-2pm.

Many mediums will be on display, including drawings, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, metal arts, photography and graphic design. The exhibition provides students with the opportunity to experience the submission and jury process, and present their artwork in a professional art gallery.

Many of the pieces are for sale and 100% of sales go directly to the student. Each year, artwork is selected for inclusion in COCC’s permanent collection, as determined by the college’s faculty forum.

For additional information, contact Venus Nguyen, assistant professor of art, at [email protected]. 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

**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

Montana man pleads not guilty to manslaughter, DUII charges in fiery Hwy. 97 crash that killed Portland-area family

By Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 43-year-old Montana man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to seven charges, including four counts of manslaughter and one of DUII, in a fiery head-on collision last fall that killed a Troutdale family of four on U.S. Highway 97 north of Redmond.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Randy Miller scheduled a Jan. 21 start for an eight-day jury trial of Jesse Carl Ross, who also is charged with recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving. He remains held on $2 million bail at the county jail in Bend, where he turned himself in last December after an arrest warrant was issued.

Oregon State Police said Ross was driving a Chevy Silverado northbound on the highway around 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 when he crossed the center line, sideswiped a southbound semi-truck and trailer and struck a Toyota RAV4 driven by Gary Rutledge, 57, head-on.

The SUV caught fire and became fully engulfed after the crash , which occurred about two miles south of Terrebonne.

Rutledge, his wife Michelle, 53, and their two children, Kate, 15, and Ryan, 17, both Reynolds High School students, died at the scene. They had been on their way to Central Oregon to view the annular eclipse.

Last last year, a judge rejected a defense attorney's request to lower Ross's bail, after a tearful plea from a family member of the victims. A defense attorney had noted he had no criminal record and was seriously injured in the crash. A prosecutor noted he was found to have a number of controlled substances in his system and had consumed alcohol.

The post Montana man pleads not guilty to manslaughter, DUII charges in fiery Hwy. 97 crash that killed Portland-area family appeared first on KTVZ .

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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