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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia ANSWER

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🏘️🏡The 37th Annual COBA Tour of Homes begins Friday July 12th 2024

🐎 Oregon High Desert Classic

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🗑️📄Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Offers Free Shred Event In Sisters

🧑‍🚒Redmond Fire & Rescue to Hire 9 Entry Level or Lateral Firefighter Paramedics

🦇Bend bat tests positive for rabies

📰Community Voices Frustration and Fear Over Darlene 3 Fire Impact and Homeless Encampments in La Pine

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

Larch Creek Fire – July 16

🚧 Road Closures

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

🦌OSP Fish and Wildlife seeks public assistance -- Jefferson County

📰 Community News

😞Longtime Redmond educator and fair organizer Mike Schiel passes away at 79

🫴💖 Local Cause Spotlight

🐶😺Changing Lives, One Paw at a Time: Humane Society of the Ochocos

🐶 Pet of the Week - Meet Zippity

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

Which volcanic feature near Bend, Oregon, is known for being one of the best-preserved cinder cones in the state and is also a popular site for hiking and exploring ancient lava flows?

A. Lava Butte

B. Pilot Butte

C. Paulina Peak

D. Tumalo Mountain

Answer: A. Lava Butte

Expanded Answer: Lava Butte is a cinder cone located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, just south of Bend, Oregon. It stands about 500 feet above the surrounding landscape and offers a unique opportunity to observe the results of ancient volcanic activity. The Lava Butte Lava Flow, which emanated from the cone, covers an area of about nine square miles, showcasing fascinating geological formations.

BEND

Events Sponsored By Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon

The 37^th Annual COBA Tour of Homes begins Friday July 12^th 2024.

Free Admission

July 19-21, 2024

Fridays: 12PM – 6PM, Saturdays & Sundays: 10AM – 5PM

Oregon High Desert Classic

July 17-21, July 24-28

Hayden Homes presents the Oregon High Desert Classics July 17 – 21 & 24 – 28, 2024.  The prestigious OHDC is the only event of its kind in Central Oregon. Approved by the US Hunter Jumper Association, this show attracts world class riders from all over the US and Canada. One of a small handful to receive Heritage Horse Show designation, it is also the only show of its caliber which is primarily a fundraiser for a non-profit. The Classics are held the last two weeks of July every year.

Each year, 600 horses and 3000 participants gather at J Bar J Boys Ranch to compete for $150,000 in prizes on six of the last remaining grass footing rings in the country. Thousands of family, staff, vendors, and spectators join them, celebrating the athleticism of horses and riders, and enjoying a variety of food and shopping at the vendor booths in the show village green.

The Oregon High Desert Classics serve as the primary annual fundraiser for J Bar J Youth Services, a nonprofit organization that facilitates positive change for youth. J Bar J hosts the show on its property housing The Boys Ranch, a residential program and school for adjudicated boys.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Offers Free Shred Event In Sisters

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a free community shred event and drug disposal with the assistance of Republic Services this Saturday, July 20th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  

Location: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Sisters Substation, 703 N. Larch 

This is a residential free shred event and is not intended for business/commercial shredding.  

We can accept paper clips and staples but cannot take plastic bags or three ring binders. We are asking that people limit the number of documents to be shredded to no more than four boxes.  

If you have more than four boxes of material to be shredded, we are asking that you contact Republic Services at 541-352-2263 to determine how to dispose of your items.  

Medications accepted are prescription, patches, ointments, over the counter, vitamins, samples, and medications for pets. 

NO SHARPS, THERMOMETERS, INHALERS, ETC.  

New to the shred event and drug disposal is a flag disposal. If anyone has an old tattered American flag, they would like properly disposed of it can be done at these events.  

Food donations are also accepted during the event, which will go to a local foodbank.

Redmond Fire & Rescue to Hire 9 Entry Level or Lateral Firefighter Paramedics

July 16, 2024-REDMOND, OR-Redmond Fire & Rescue is currently accepting applications for the hiring of 9 Entry Level or Lateral Firefighter Paramedics. The deadline for application submission is August 25, 2024, at 2359 PST. Details on the position and the application can be found at www.rdmfire.org. Testing through the National Testing Network will open on Monday, July 15th.

With the recent passage of Redmond Fire & Rescues 5-year operating levy, a commitment was made to the citizens of the Fire District to add additional personnel to help improve response times and eliminate cross staffing.  

Redmond Fire & Rescue covers a service area of 133 square miles and serves the communities of the City of Redmond, Terrebonne, Cline Falls, Eagle Crest, Juniper Preserves and portions of Jefferson County and Crook County. Additionally, the fire district provides ambulance service to 294 sq. miles. 

Bend bat tests positive for rabies

Bend, OR - Last week a sick bat tested positive for rabies after being found in southwest Bend.

The animal — a big brown bat — was discovered in a public space and wasn’t flying, said Eric Mone, Deschutes County Public Health supervisor.

The bat was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it died. Afterward, the bat was taken to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University in Corvallis, where it tested positive for rabies.

Bats are the most commonly reported animal for rabies in the United States, though not all bats carry the disease, according to Deschutes County Public Health.

Rabies can be spread to both humans and pets from scratches or bites from a rabies-infected animal.

“Last year we had four (bats) test positive in Deschutes County,” Mone said. “The last one was last year in September.”

To avoid exposure, Deschutes County Public Health recommends avoiding physical contact with bats and keeping children and animals away from them no matter their condition, avoiding hand feeding stray or wild animals, and vaccinating dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies to protect pets and humans.

Bats play a valuable role in the ecosystem, so if you see a bat unable to fly, active during the day or in an unusual location, Deschutes County Public Health recommends taking children and animals to a safe area and calling Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 541-388-6363 or contact a local wildlife control operator.

If a person or pet comes into contact with a bat or is bitten by an animal, it should be reported to Deschutes County Animal Control at 541-693-6911 or Deschutes County Environmental Health at 541-317-3114.

Community Voices Frustration and Fear Over Darlene 3 Fire Impact and Homeless Encampments in La Pine

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz Meets with La Pine Community on Darlene 3 Fire Impact

LA PINE — U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz discussed the Darlene 3 Fire's impact with La Pine community members and business owners. The fire burned nearly 4,000 acres east of the city in late June. Bentz, representing Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, addressed concerns about fire risks on public lands with homeless encampments. A video suggesting the fire started by homeless residents has heightened tensions. Anne Haywood of the La Pine Chamber of Commerce expressed local businesses' frustrations, feeling "held hostage" by nearby encampments.

Lt. Joe DeLuca from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said law enforcement regularly patrols the area, with deputies familiar with many homeless residents. Despite increased summer patrols, residents are frustrated by perceived inaction. Fallon Bandemer, a local business owner, shared her experiences of threats and harassment from encampment residents, citing inadequate law enforcement response.

Bentz acknowledged the community's fear and frustration, emphasizing the need for action against those disregarding fire safety rules. The BLM has not released an official cause for the Darlene 3 Fire but confirmed it was "human-caused."

Full Story found at Bend Bulletin and KTVZ

Larch Creek Fire – July 16

North Twin Lake Campground remains closed due to fire suppression activities related to the North Twin Fire that occurred over the weekend. The campground will remain closed through at least Friday, July 19.

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

OSP Fish and Wildlife seeks public assistance -- Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. 16 July 2024 – Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife is investigating the unlawful take and waste of a mule deer doe. 

On June 13, 2024, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers received a report of a dead mule deer doe shot with an arrow. The doe was found in the area of NW Hart Street in Madras. The doe had likely been killed the same day and left to waste. The specific location where the deer was shot is not known. 

The Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for killing the doe. Anyone with information is asked to contact the TIP hotline at 1-800-452-7888, email [email protected], or contact OSP dispatch at OSP (677). Please reference case number SP24187072. 

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: [email protected] (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

Longtime Redmond educator and fair organizer Mike Schiel passes away at 79

"JUST AN ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY": Mike Schiel, who was a Redmond educator for 45 years, a two-time Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo Grand Marshal and who touched the hearts of thousands, passed away Monday. He was 79.

Full Story Here

The Humane Society of the Ochocos

Are you an animal lover looking to make a positive impact on the lives of our furry friends in need? If so, you're in luck! Let me introduce you to a wonderful non-profit organization that is doing incredible work for animals in our community - The Humane Society of the Ochocos (HSO).

Visit their website at https://www.thehso.org/ to learn more about their programs, upcoming events, and how you can get involved. Together, we can make the world a better place for animals in need.

Meet Zippity

ZIPPITY is looking for his forever home!

This guy is super sweet, loving, energetic and just a fun time!

Zippity is a little dog picky, his energy can be a lot to some other dogs. But he is a sweetheart to people and just wants all your love.

He was brought into the shelter as a stray and was unfortunately never reclaimed. We guess he is an Idaho Shag (Border Collie/Aussie) around 3-4 years old. He is dog friendly but is very energetic and can be a lot for certain dogs! Unsure how he is with cats but will update once we know! He is not fully vetted yet but is available to go into a Foster to Adopt home while he waits on his vet date! With how much energy he has, he would be best suited for farm/ranch life or a very active home that will provide an outlet for all his energy! If you're interested in meeting Zippity, contact the Humane Society of the Ochocos today to schedule a meet and greet!

WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR SUPPORT, WE WOULD NOT EXIST TO SERVE YOU SINCE 1995

Deschutes Public Library Events

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