In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🎦‘I just wanted her to go in peace:’ Bend man’s dog passes after receiving Librela, a pain-blocker to treat osteoarthritis - KTVZ

📰 Oregon Department of State Lands puts 262-acre second phase of the Stevens Road Tract in SE Bend on the market

🐎 GoFundMe established for Crooked River Roundup queen's horse - Central Oregonian

👦 Fundraiser helps Redmond boy stricken with rare genetic disorder - Redmond Spokesman

📰 Local leader Louise Muir passes away

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

Darlene 3 Fire Update | June 26, 2024

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Update – Long Bend Fire | June 26, 2024

🚧 Road Closures

🫴 Local Cause of the Month

🧒 "Building Brighter Futures: The Inspiring Work of Kids Inspired Non-Profit"

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎆 Lots of July 4th Happenings

🧑‍🌾🤠🥕🥒🍅HOWDY DO: PRACTICAL LAND MANAGEMENT

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

What crop is NOT traditionally associated with the agricultural production in Madras, Oregon?

A) Grass seed

B) Mint

C) Potatoes

D) Corn

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

LA PINE, OR

‘I just wanted her to go in peace:’ Bend man’s dog passes after receiving Librela, a pain-blocker to treat osteoarthritis

Oregon Department of State Lands puts 262-acre second phase of the Stevens Road Tract in SE Bend on the market

Cushman & Wakefield announced Wednesday that the firm has been retained as exclusive advisor by the Oregon Department of State Lands for the sale of ±262 acres of developable land in southeast Bend, the second part of the Stevens Ranch Tract.

Referred to as the Stevens Road Tract – Phase II, the property is within the City of Bend Urban Growth Boundary and presents the opportunity to design a Master Plan consistent with the recently updated Comprehensive Plan, for a minimum of 2,487 residential units, the company's news release, which continues in full below, with some additional information:

The Stevens Road Tract provides a very desirable Central Oregon location next to the Old Farm neighborhood and the in-process Stevens Ranch master planned community at the southeastern boundary of the City of Bend. The land offers a sensational view of the Cascades to the west.

The State of Oregon has worked closely with the city of Bend to ensure this parcel is developed into a complete community that includes affordable and workforce housing as part of walkable neighborhoods. Additionally, in conjunction with the development, the city of Bend will receive 20 acres of the site to be deed-restricted for certain levels of affordable housing and schoolteachers.

A Cushman & Wakefield sales team led by Matt Johnson in Portland in collaboration with Matt Davis, Melanie Haynes and Jared Gross of the firm’s specialized Land Advisory Group that is providing advisory services is currently marketing the Tract for purchase.  

"The property is being offered to the market without a specified asking price," Cushman & Wakefield West Region Communications Manager Josh Deale told NewsChannel 21.

But to offer context, Deale noted that the 382-acre Stevens Road Tract 1, now being developed, sold for $22 million to Lands Bend Corp. in late 2020.

“The state of Oregon saw significant benefit from the sale of the first phase of Stevens Road Tract, now being developed as Stevens Ranch, and will see added benefit from the sale of these school lands,” says Vicki L. Walker, director of the Oregon Department of State Lands.

“Sale proceeds will go to the Common School Fund, which sends millions to Oregon’s public-school districts each year. A new future large-scale residential project of nearly 2,500 units will greatly support the continued housing needs of Bend, one of the state’s finest cities and remains as a fast-growing city.”

“Recently included in the Urban Growth Boundary, the entire Stevens Tract – Phase II property is ready for master plan approval and annexation into the city of Bend, consistent with the recently updated Comprehensive Plan. The site is strategically located on Stevens Road, a major arterial street serving Bend, and is adjacent to Stevens Ranch,” said Matt Davis, Managing Director. “This offering presents another prime opportunity for a purchaser to deliver much needed and attainably priced housing to the Bend community.”

“Our team facilitated the sale of the adjacent 382-acre Stevens Ranch parcel in mid-2020, which is currently amidst construction of the infrastructure ahead of building out the mixed-use residential community. The combination of Stevens Ranch (Phase I) and Stevens Road Phase II will bring new energy and positive economic growth to the area while creating an exciting new vibrant community within Bend and the state of Oregon,” said Matt Johnson, Executive Managing Director.

Located at 61200 SE 27th St, the Tract 2 site is positioned at 27th St and Reed Market Rd, two major arterial roadways serving southeast Bend. Highways 20 and 97 are also both conveniently located within a few miles, with downtown Bend also closely proximate. The local area also boasts an attractive place to live and work, with many public parks and trails that will be further enhanced with completion of these projects.

Bend has a population of approximately 100,000 people and ranked as the fiftieth fastest-growing population of any city in the U.S. over the past five years, according to a 2023 report from SmartAssets. The Stevens Road Tract Concept Plan takes a unique approach to the planning and development of a complete community on the east edge of Bend, according to the city.

For more information about the Stevens Road Tract Concept Project, please visit https://stevensrd.sharplaunch.com/

GoFundMe established for Crooked River Roundup queen's horse

Queen Mary Olney's horse, Dixie, slipped and fell during run at Saturday's rodeo performance

Jason Chaney Central Oregonian

Prineville, OR - A fundraising effort has emerged to help cover the medical costs of Crooked River Roundup Queen Mary Olney’s beloved horse, Dixie.

While Olney was making her traditional run as part of the rodeo’s grand entry celebration during the Saturday evening performance, Dixie slipped and fell. Fortunately, Olney just ended up a bit sore from the fall, but her horse was not as fortunate.

According to Roundup officials, Olney’s first instinct after the fall was Dixie’s wellbeing. She carefully led Dixie out of the arena to give her all the attention a good horsewoman should. A group of volunteers surrounded Dixie and Olney, and with careful consideration, Dixie was rushed an hour away to Bend to a 24-hour equine animal hospital. An ultrasound discovered a partially torn tendon in her front leg.

Queen Dixie will retire her crown for now, Roundup officials said, living her best life alongside Olney at home. The rodeo community meanwhile is asking people to support Olney as Dixie's recovery is going to be an expensive one. A GoFundMe account has been established to help cover Dixie’s medical costs (gofundme.com/f/help-crooked-river-roundup-queen-marys-horse-dixie-recover).

“I am so grateful for everyone’s concern and that Dixie will be OK,” Olney said. “I love her so much and she’s never let me down. We’re both happy to be home and resting comfortably.”

“Everyone at the Crooked River Roundup is so proud of Queen Mary and the great job she has done representing and promoting the Crooked River Roundup, her horsemanship and commitment to caring for her horse,” added Roundup Board President Steve Holliday. “We look forward to watching her complete her reign at the Crooked River Roundup Horse Races in two weeks.”

Fundraiser helps Redmond boy stricken with rare genetic disorder

By TIM TRAINOR Redmond Spokesman

 For the first five years of his life, Thatcher Miranda never slept through the night. And he never stopped crying.

“It was like having a colicky baby for five whole years,” recalled Thatcher’s mother, Nicole. “He cried nonstop.”

Because Thatcher couldn’t communicate, his parents didn’t know how to help him. Doctors didn’t know either.

Nicole and Nicholas Miranda brought Thatcher, then just a toddler, to numerous specialists. No one could figure out what was wrong with their son. Doctors thought Thatcher could have autism, cerebral palsy, or some unknown genetic abnormality. But test after test, surgery after surgery, failed to find a root cause. The mystery deepened and Thatcher never stopped crying.

To care for him, Nicole quit her job as an elementary school teacher in Redmond. Nicholas upped his hours at his construction business, Miranda Stone Works. But home life was difficult.

“(Thatcher) had so many problems,” said Nicole. “He had daily seizures, had a feeding tube placed. He was on a real downward trajectory.”

Nicole couldn’t help but feel resentful of former coworkers who could spend the weekend watching Netflix or taking their kids for a carefree day at the park. She was parked at the computer every night, researching rare diseases and genetic abnormalities — trying to find anything that could ease Thatcher’s constant pain.

“Not knowing what’s wrong with my son was not good enough for me and not good enough for Thatcher,” she said.

One day she came across something that seemed to match his symptoms: Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, or RCDP. RCDP is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes a person to be unable to produce necessary chemicals called plasmalogens.

Continue Reading

Local leader Louise Muir passes away

Kiva Hanson - Madras Pioneer

Jefferson County community leader Louise Muir passed away Friday, June 21. Muir ran the Jefferson County community center for over 20 years as a volunteer, coordinating meals and activities for seniors, supporting veterans and advocating within the community.

“Louise Muir was the epitome of the Good Samaritan seen in Luke 10: 29-37. She was selfless and had a pay it forward attitude, always helping others,” said Shawn Stanfill, who worked frequently with Louise supporting veterans and managing the Veteran’s Healing Memorial at the community center. “In all my wonderings, I never met another person who was more compassionate and benevolent than her.”

Muir moved to Madras in 1992. She worked in medical offices, as a teacher's aide for the school district, and as a volunteer for countless local nonprofits, events and community organizations throughout her years serving the community.

In 2022, she was awarded the Oregon Ageless Award by Age+, for her work supporting seniors in the community. She was recognized by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in 2018 as senior citizen of the year.

Muir was active in the local VFW post and ladies auxiliary, hosting, planning and coordinating many of their events and support services. She also served for many years as a board member for the Jefferson County Emergency Medical Services District. She also served on the city urban forestry commission, and as a long-time supporter of the local Relay for Life team, and active in the Madras Lutheran and Episcopal Church.

Much of her work later in life centered around the community center. She was serving as the building manager at the time of her passing. She supported bringing meals from Deer Ridge Correctional Institution to the center, offering informational training on things like electronic, Medicare and Medicaid access, and veterans support. She also coordinated many local political forums at the center, hosting school board members, county commissioners, and state representatives in conversation with the community.

"She was really like the mother of Jefferson County," said Stanfill. "She always was taking care of people. I encourage others to continue her legacy and get involved in supporting the community." 

Darlene 3 Fire Update | June 26, 2024

Central Oregon — Firefighters worked through the night on the Darlene 3 Fire establishing control lines around the fire perimeter. The Central Oregon Type 3 team with Incident Commander Vince Grace took command of the fire this morning and is in unified command with Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team, Incident Commander Ian Yocum.

The fire is currently 2415 acres and 30% contained. Winds and warm temperatures this afternoon are expected and will test established lines. Today’s focus will be to keep the fire within its current footprint and strengthening the lines with dozers, handcrews and engines. Air resources will continue to engage with the fire as needed.

Structure and wildland resources continue to arrive at the Incident Command Post in La Pine to support the fire. Six task forces of structural firefighters will be actively working to prep and protect structures. These include the eastside of the City of LaPine, Newberry Estates, as well as nearby water and power infrastructure.

Fire investigators are actively investigating this fire. As we move into the dry summer months here in Central Oregon, it is imperative for our community and visitors to be vigilant about fire safety. Please be aware of and check with local land management agencies for current fire restrictions as we move into a high fire danger level across Central Oregon.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the fire team will continue to discuss evacuation level needs. The Sheriff’s Office will update evacuation levels accordingly. For the most up-to-date official evacuation information please visit Deschutes County evacuation information: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f8868c4477e462b8a653a89260268fc.

The Red Cross is staffing the evacuation shelter at La Pine High School (51633 Coach Rd.) with additional support from the Deschutes County Medical Reserve Corps. The La Pine Activity Center (16450 Victory Way) is open for RVs to park and has space for animals. The La Pine Rodeo Grounds is accepting livestock and companion animals in coordination with the Pet Evacuation Team. Bend Pet Resort (60909 SE 27^th St., Bend), is accepting cats and dogs and can be reached by calling 458-666-7505. 

Prairie Campground, McKay Crossing Campground, Ogden Group Campground, and the Rosland OHV play area and associated trails are also closed. The Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has also issued an Emergency Public Land Closure. The closure includes all BLM-administered lands within National Forest Road 180 on the south, Highway 97 on the west, Paulina Lake Road on the north, and the Deschutes National Forest Boundary on the east. This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such a time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands. This closure notice will be available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Darlene 3 Fire. The governor’s declaration allows the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. More information can be found here: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/OSFM/Posts/Post/darlene-three-conflagration.

For current wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X (Twitter)

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Update – Long Bend Fire | June 26, 2024

 Central Oregon — Firefighters have increased containment to 60% on the 1,024-acre Long Bend Fire. The fire is located approximately two miles southwest of Maupin on the west side of the Deschutes River.

Firefighters will continue to identify and extinguish sources of heat within the fire perimeter to further secure control lines. Most of the remaining heat is still along Wapinitia Creek so crews and aircraft will primarily focus their efforts in that area again today. Crews will also continue to patrol the flanks of the fire that are contained to ensure the fire stays within the established containment lines. Aircraft will assist ground resources by dropping water to cool hot spots as needed.

There may be temporary delays for river users when helicopters are dipping water out of the river again today. Boaters should use caution and follow directions from firefighters and river staff. Boaters should also avoid pulling over within the fire perimeter as the fire is still not fully contained and there could be hot ash pits, rolling rocks, or other fire-related hazards.

The incident will transition back down from the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team to a Type 4 Incident Commander at 6 a.m. tomorrow, June 27. This will be the final written daily update for the Long Bend Fire.

Resources assigned to the incident include 1 Type 2 initial attack crew, 5 engines, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, and 12 overhead personnel.

The fire started the afternoon of Saturday, June 22. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

For current wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X (Twitter) @CentralORFire.

 Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Bear Creek and 27th Street Improvements Project

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Lot’s of July 4th Happenings, check out Central Oregon Local Live Events Calendar for all the Details

HOWDY DO: PRACTICAL LAND MANAGEMENT

July 18th

Join your neighbors, School of Ranch and Pine Meadow Ranch and Nate Stacey, Small Farm Agent for OSU Extension, for our first Howdy Do! Share your best ideas, experiences, ask questions, and let the wisdom of the crowd guide you to a more productive future. There's nothing like kicking back with fellow farmers, ranchers and gardeners, swapping ideas, and meeting new friends. Come and share! Pot luck too!

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