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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄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?

⚠️New Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer map draft released

📰Bend Park & Recreation District Considers Decades-Old Footbridge Project

🏛️Bend City Council approves Greenwood Ave. safety redesign, street parking removal after hearing citizen concerns

🐶Jefferson County commissioners give their side of dog kennel dispute, set open house, tours, public comment

📰Negotiations Begin For Purchase Of Deschutes Co Landfill Site

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🔥Central Oregon Public Lands Move to Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions and IFPL III

Lone Rock Fire Update | July 18, 2024

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is currently on scene assisting with Evacuations near Wickiup Reservoir.

🚧 Road Closures

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

🔥Unattended Burn Pit Causes Fire in La Pine, One Arrested

📰 Community News

🫴Madras dance studio vandalism motivates community to help in recovery

🫴💖 Local Cause Spotlight

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

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

Bend, Oregon, is home to which natural spring that is famous for its striking turquoise blue color and consistent flow rate, located in the Cascade Mountains?

A. Tumalo Springs

B. Paulina Springs

C. Opal Springs

D. Metolius Springs

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

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.

Bend Park & Recreation District Considers Decades-Old Footbridge Project

The Bend Park & Recreation District is revisiting the idea of building a footbridge over the Deschutes River in southwest Bend, despite no active progress for five years. Board Chair Jodie Barram suggests taking incremental steps, while the project remains controversial. Originating in the 1990s, the bridge would connect trails and reduce car trips but faces opposition over environmental concerns. A 2023 survey shows 70% of Bend residents support it. The project requires regulatory approval, including an exemption from Oregon Parks and Recreation, and cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.

Jefferson County commissioners give their side of dog kennel dispute, set open house, tours, public comment

MADRAS, Ore. – Jefferson County commissioners said Friday they are pleased to announce an open house and tour of the county's dog kennel facility on Monday, July 22 from 5-7 p.m. This event marks the first opportunity for the public and community partners to explore the facility since the previous contractor, Rockn EZ Rescue Ranch, vacated on June 30.

Commissioners also provided more information on the sequence of events before and since Rockn EZ Rescue Ranch's contract with the county ended at the end of June. The county reached an agreement with Redmond's BrightSide Animal Center to take in seized animals, while Street Dog Hero and partners had taken in the 50 dogs remaining at the Madras shelter.

Here's the rest of the county commissioners' statement:

The kennel complex includes two structures. The original kennel building, constructed in the 1980s, features 10 kennels and a small office.

In 2013, the County entered into an operational contract with the Three Rivers Humane Society, part of Central Oregon Animal Friends. In 2018, Three Rivers Humane Society inaugurated a new 5,600 sq ft facility on the property, funded by community contributions, which included 41 kennels.

The County granted Three Rivers a 20-year building lease for this new structure; however, the operational agreement with Three Rivers expired on June 30, 2023, and they opted not to extend it. Additionally, Three Rivers terminated the land and building lease on that same date. Rockn EZ Rescue Ranch (RezRR) was awarded a one-year, $240,000 contract to operate the facility starting July 1, 2023.

On February 12, 2024, RezRR's Board of Directors informed the county in writing that it would not renew the contract expiring on June 30, 2024.   Chair Fording requested a meeting with RezRR representatives to clarify that negotiations had not yet occurred and to determine if further discussions were necessary. During a meeting on February 23, RezRR representatives stated they would only accept a contract extension at $360,000 per year for five years and refused further negotiation.

RezRR subsequently informed the County that it purchased the kennels from COAF for $5,000 in June 2023.  Prior to the contract termination, the county communicated to RezRR that it had no rightful ownership of these fixtures as they were affixed to the foundation during construction as indicated in the building plans and the County’s ownership of the kennels is clearly addressed in the building lease with Three Rivers.

Furthermore, RezRR's operational contract explicitly states that all fixtures on the premises will remain the property of the county.  In the course of vacating the premises, RezRR removed all indoor kennels from both buildings.

The County Commissioners will include a specific public input session on their July 31 agenda at 10:00 AM for citizens to provide feedback on their observations from the open house and suggestions for future use of the property.

Facility Location:  1694 SE McTaggart Rd, Madras, OR  97741

For more information contact:          Chair Wayne Fording   541.350.3734

                                                            Commissioner Kelly Simmelink   503.730.6573

                                                            Commissioner Mark Wunsch  541.419.9944

Rockn EZ Ranch's contact information can be found here:

https://justice.oregon.gov/Charities/Charity/GetCharityReport?rptId=944136153

https://justice.oregon.gov/Charities/Charity/GetCharityReport?rptId=497330624

Negotiations Begin For Purchase Of Deschutes Co Landfill Site

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County is entering into negotiations with Hooker Creek to buy the company's Moon Pit gravel mine east of Bend and convert it to a landfill. The process of finding a new location began five years ago, when officials thought the Knott Landfill in Bend would reach capacity by 2029. Solid Waste Director Tim Brownell says that has changed, "Right now, based on our fill rates and estimates and how densely we can compact material, that's now looking more like 2030 - the middle to the end of 2030. So, we've bought a year." But he believes contract negotiations for the purchase of a new location could take five or six years, which means the clock is ticking, "We are going to be looking at 'how can we really improve our recovery of waste?' Diverting it out of the landfill. And we're going to be very intentional about that. How do we manage construction demolition debris, organic debris for composting? That sort of thing." Brownell says they're asking, "Can we get to diverting materials and extend that timeframe even further?"

Commissioners last week agreed to start talks with Hooker Creek, but they raised several concerns about the Moon Pit site, including whether the county will have access to water necessary for landfill operations. Brownell tells KBND News there is water at the existing mine, "It actually has an industrial water permit, so they can pull close to a thousand gallons per minute. It's a significant water right. The question is whether any of that will be transferred to the county in the purchase." He adds, "That's why it's in the interest of the county and certainly, that's what we heard from the Commissioners that we want to have a portion of that water right, ideally, for our uses." And, there are state and federal permits and land use changes required to operate a landfill at the site. 

Commissioners have said if water and other permits can't be secured, they will back out of the estimated $15 million deal. "We do have some other sites that were considered," says Brownell, "In the long run, if we're not able to site a landfill here in the county, there are landfills up at the border of Oregon and Washington that we could transport it to. But that has its own impacts, environmental and otherwise. So, ideally, we want it here, but there are other options if we have to follow them." 

Central Oregon Public Lands Move to Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions and IFPL III

Lone Rock Fire Update | July 18, 2024

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is currently on scene assisting with evacuations near Wickiup Reservoir. The following evacuation levels have been issued: 

Level 3 Go Now: National Forest area north of Wickiup, Forest Service Road 4262 and Forest Service Road 4380 and south of Forest Service Road 42 (South Century Drive)

Level 2 Be Set: National Forest area between Road 4380 and the Deschutes River including Bull Bend and Wyeth Campgrounds and private inholdings along the west side of the river at Haner Park 

Level 1 Be Ready: Haner Park subdivision east of the Deschutes River

Find current evacuation areas at: deschutes.org/emergency

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Unattended Burn Pit Causes Fire in La Pine, One Arrested

July 17, 2024

La Pine, OR - A fire erupted in a heavily wooded area south of the Huntington Meadows subdivision on July 17, 2024, prompting swift action from local fire departments and resulting in the arrest of a La Pine resident.

At approximately 2:12 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a fire in the forest adjacent to the Huntington Meadows subdivision, a densely populated housing area on Huntington Rd. Responding to the call, the La Pine Fire Department, supported by a wildland firefighting crew dispatched from the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC), managed to contain the blaze to an approximate 30-foot by 30-foot area.

An investigation revealed that the fire was sparked by debris blown from an unattended burn pit. The wind carried the debris, igniting pine needles and underbrush in the forest. Deputies traced the source of the burn pit to Robert Pohle, a 52-year-old resident of a nearby camp. Pohle was arrested and charged with Reckless Burning and is currently lodged at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

Authorities emphasize that debris burns have been banned and prohibited in the area since June 1st. Prohibited activities include burning with burn barrels, weed burners, and open pile burning. Residents are urged to consult their local fire station before considering any form of burning to prevent similar incidents.

Sergeant Joshua Barker, who released the information, stressed the importance of adhering to fire safety regulations to protect the community and the environment from such hazards.

For more information and safety guidelines, residents are encouraged to contact their local fire departments.

The community is rallying around a dance studio in Madras that was vandalized last Tuesday. Someone shattered a large window at Unique Performing Arts and stole an expensive speaker the dancers use to practice their moves.

"This was our soundstage. They threw the rock and the glass went everywhere," said Kimberly Hannon, Unique Performing Arts owner. "The glass shattered into slivers. So we had to have the best cleaners. Jim Putty, he offered and they came and did a professional cleanup."

The vandalism so upset the community, Oregon Beef Company in Madras started a fundraiser to replace the window and stolen equipment. The company is offering to match all donations up to $1,000.

"I hate to see anybody have an experience they went through with the damaged windows and theft, any organization," said Stann Dmytryk, Oregon Beef Company owner. "These girls have been in Las Vegas and won several events. I’d like to see them get back on their feet again."

Unique Performing Arts dancers, children from Madras, recently won the Encore Dance National Competition, one of many awards this locally owned business has helped local children achieve.

"We were up against 18-year-olds and we beat everyone!" said dancer Kennedy Alegre.

For now, the studio is using a smaller portable bluetooth speaker loaned to them by one of the parents to allow the dancers to keep practicing.

"A man came in yesterday and handed me a $100 bill. He said he has three granddaughters in that studio. He told me, 'It’s an amazing little studio. I’m here, I’m going to challenge my friends to donate to them as well.' I’ve also been getting donations through Venmo," said Chelsie Gilbert, Oregon Beef Company employee who is running the fundraiser.

Unique Performing Arts has been in operation in Madras for seven years. It began winning awards at dance competitions about five years ago, and now has dozens of trophies lining the walls. 

"It makes us so happy. We don’t miss a beat because whenever someone needs something, everyone just shows up and works together," Hannon said.

The fundraiser will continue for another week. Contact Oregon Beef Company to donate. (541) 475-2288.

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.

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

Deschutes Public Library Events

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