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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔 Local Trivia

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎤Subaru of Bend Summer Kickin' Concert Series: Trace Adkins

🎭Death of a Salesman By Sunriver Stars Community Theater

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🔥Weekend Lightning Sparks New Fires

🚧😔Bend Senior HS auditorium to be demolished over structural concerns

👮City of Prineville announces newest police chief candidates

➿🚧Changes Coming For Southbound 97 On Bend's North End

🏛️Bend Councilors Plan To Use One-Time UGB Expansion Tool

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

⚖️Madras woman sentenced to 17 years after shooting ex-husband

 📰 Community News

 🫴💖 Local Cause Spotlight

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

Available Programs from HSO

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

Which historical Bend building, originally constructed in 1916 as a lumber mill, now serves as a mixed-use space with shopping, dining, and entertainment options, and is part of a significant redevelopment project?

A. The Old Mill District

B. The Box Factory

C. McMenamins Old St. Francis School

D. Deschutes Brewery

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

REDMOND

Events Sponsored By Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon

Subaru of Bend Summer Kickin' Concert Series: Trace Adkins

July 27th

General Duffy's Waterhole announces Grammy Award Winning Country All-Star TRACE ADKINS performing live July 27th, 2024 at the Subaru of Bend 2024 Summer Kickin' Concert Series presented by Central Oregon Daily News in Downtown Redmond, Oregon. Tickets on sale now!

Come early and snag a delicious - locally crafted - refreshment by Sunriver Brewing, GoodLife Brewing, Avid Cider, or Three Creeks Brewing - We are proudly pouring and promoting - Top-Notch - local Beer, Wine, Seltzer, and Cider for your satisfaction while supporting our local breweries, cideries, and Oregon vineyards! We will have numerous beverage stations available to our Guests serving up delicious cocktails and kid-friendly Pepsi products, as well!

Arriving early to the show is highly encouraged and the optimal experience for Guests eager to explore our Venue, get settled into the show, and indulge in our awesome - locally owned + Chef operated - Mobile Kitchen cuisines featuring flavors by Westside Taco, Wrap Star International Cuisine, Red Beard Barbecue, Baitong on Wheels Thai, and Sally's Wok Asian Fusion!
Access opens at 4pm

Death of a Salesman By Sunriver Stars Community Theater

July 19th & 20th at 7:30,  July 25th & 26th at 7:30,  July 27th at 2pm

What does it mean to live in a society that promises a lot but guarantees nothing? Sunriver Stars Community Theater is proud to present Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize winning tragedy, Death of a Salesman. Follow the story of Willy Loman – an everyday, aging, traveling salesman – as he struggles for success in search of dying promise of the American Dream.  Directed by:  Joshua Billetier

5 performances at Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend, OR 97703

Weekend Lightning Sparks New Fires

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

PRINEVILLE, OR -- More lightning Sunday night led to over a dozen new fire starts in Central Oregon Monday, many on the Ochoco National Forest. 

The Durgan Fire is burning eight miles northeast of Paulina. It quickly grew Monday to around 3,000 acres. There are also smaller incidents, like the 500-acre Crazy Creek Fire and the 11-acre Pulley Creek Fire. All are 0% contained. 

North of Burns, the Falls Fire grew after the lightning storm. It’s now almost 140,000 acres and has destroyed more than a dozen homes.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a tree and brush fire Monday afternoon on Skyline Ranch Road (pictured), believed to have been sparked by Sunday's lightning. It likely smoldered in a tree overnight, before winds increased Monday afternoon. A neighbor spotted the tree on fire in the middle of a grass field at about 4 p.m. and called 911. It spread quickly but fire crews stopped it at about an acre.

Another smoldering fire was extinguished earlier in the day, near Caldera High School. That blaze was held at about 100 square feet; its cause is unknown.

City of Prineville announces newest police chief candidates

The second list of Prineville police chief candidates was announced with all three finalists coming from Oregon including one in Central Oregon.

One candidate, Kenneth Booker, is an experienced leader with 32 years of service in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. During his career, he has served in various units, including the Enforcement Bureau Patrol Division and Tactical Operations and most recently as Deputy Chief for the Bureau of Internal Oversight, Court Compliance & Training. He has also worked as an adjunct professor. He holds a Master of Science in leadership from Grand Canyon University, a bachelor's degree in public safety administration and numerous certifications in law enforcement instruction.

A second candidate, Thomas Crino, began his public service career as a patrol officer with the Beaverton Police Department in 2003. He has spent the last decade in leadership positions, including training sergeant, patrol/admin lieutenant, and PS/Training lieutenant, where he currently serves. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in political science from Oregon State University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public safety from the University of Virginia, as well as holding various certifications.

The third candidate, Chad Davis, has almost 30 years of leadership experience in public service. His first position was with the City of Monmouth Police Department as a reserve police officer. He then transitioned to Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, where he’s held positions including sergeant, deputy sheriff and for the last 13 years, lieutenant. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Oregon University with a bachelor’s degree in science and law enforcement and holds various professional certificates.

Community members will have the opportunity to meet the finalists at a meet-and-greet planned for Wednesday at Ron’s Comfort Food Café, located at Meadow Lakes Golf Course. The informal event will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. Community members will be invited to leave feedback on the candidates on comment cards. Refreshments will be provided.

The candidates were chosen through a national search conducted in collaboration with a third-party firm.

This is the second time the police chief search has resulted in three finalists for the position. In June, three candidates were selected and introduced at a public meet-and-greet. That group included two police chiefs from Washington state and a police lieutenant from California. All three candidates came with extensive law enforcement and leadership experience.

The decision to reopen the search was announced one week after the meet-and-greet and subsequent interviews with multiple community panels.

On Thursday, July 25, the newest group of candidates will participate in interviews with four panels consisting of regional public safety professionals, community leaders and members of the Prineville Police Department.

City officials hope to appoint a new police chief by the end of this summer.

Changes Coming For Southbound 97 On Bend's North End

New southbound lanes opening Friday

On the evening of Friday July 26, southbound traffic on U.S. 97 will be permanently shifted to the newly built southbound U.S. 97 parkway. With this change, the southbound U.S. 97 onramp at Robal Lane will open.

For access to shopping from U.S. 97 southbound, take Exit 134/ U.S. 97 Business at Grandview Avenue. There is no access to the shopping areas once you have passed Exit 134. If you miss the exit, please continue to Exit 136/Butler Market to turn around. Please do not perform dangerous U-turns on U.S. 97.

For access to shopping from Empire Avenue, travelers will cross over U.S. 97, turn right at the stoplight to U.S. 20, and access the shopping center from the Robal Lane Roundabout. This will continue until the new Business U.S. 97 access road is built at 3rd street which is scheduled to open mid-August.

Travelers wanting to access shopping from northbound U.S. 97 will do so by taking Exit 135A and continue to Business U.S. 97. There is no access to the shopping areas once you have passed 135A. If you miss the exit, continue to Deschutes Market Road to turn around. Please do not perform dangerous U-turns on U.S. 97.

Travelers wanting to access U.S. 20 from northbound U.S. 97 will do so by taking exit 135A to the Sisters Loop Ramp.

Bend Councilors Plan To Use One-Time UGB Expansion Tool

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

BEND, OR -- Bend Councilors are considering how to accommodate future development needs as the city grows. "We’re supposed to be at about 150,000 by the year 2040," says City Manager Eric King.

He tells KBND News Council hopes to get permission to expand the UGB to allow for more affordable housing development, "We are doing what is called a one-time expansion of our Urban Growth Boundary; about 100 acres. There was a law that was recently passed in the legislature that allowed cities a quicker process to add more land to their inventory." The specific location for the expansion has not been determined, "We’re going to solicit property owners and developers over the next couple of months, so we’ll open it up and see who brings the best proposal. Our focus is affordable housing, so we hope to get multiple proposals from developers and then we will have to pick one."

King says, "The next step is a more traditional Urban Growth Boundary that’ll look more comprehensively at where we might want to grow." He adds, "Not just out, but change what the land is used for inside our current Urban Growth Boundary, to accommodate that population forecast. And then long-term, what’s a process called ‘urban reserves.’ Looking at a 50-year plan of land that we might need to accommodate growth and really protecting some of that land around the city, so that as we grow, we can urbanize; we don’t have these barriers."
While the Legislature's one-time UGB expansion tool is supposed to allow for  quick approval of proposals focused on affordable housing, King says the larger plan won't happen quickly, "It’s really a four to five-year process to put all of that together with the short, medium and long-term milestones." 

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Update | July 22, 2024 Evening

Central Oregon — Following yesterday’s lightning activity, firefighters in Central Oregon have responded to over 25 new reported fire starts today. Firefighters had great success keeping most fires under an acre. A few fires quickly grew under continued hot and dry conditions.

The Durgan Fire, which started on private lands adjacent to the Ochoco National Forest approximately six miles northeast of Paulina quickly grew to an estimated 3,000 acres with active fire behavior. Responding firefighters included Post-Paulina Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) and federal resources. Firefighters on the ground were supported by aerial resources including airtankers and smokejumpers. Federal resources are currently in unified command with the Crook County Emergency Management. The fire is lightning caused and 0% contained.

At 8 p.m. the Crook County Sheriff’s Office shared the following update: “According to incident command at the scene of the fire, the evacuation levels have changed. South of the forest boundary on Beaver Creek Road is now at a level 2 evacuation status. Everything east of Big Summit Prairie to the county line and south to the forest boundary will remain at level 3 evacuation. The roadblock at Ochoco Ranger Station will be removed soon. The roadblock at Beaver Creek Road and Paulina Highway will be moved to the forest boundary.” For additional updates from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office visit facebook.com/CrookCountySheriff.

The Crazy Creek Fire, burning on the Ochoco National Forest five miles east of Big Summit Prairie near Crazy Creek, is estimated at 500 acres, lightning caused and is 0% contained. This afternoon firefighters on the ground were supported by air resources including a helicopter. Firefighters are currently using a scabland, or area dominated by rock outcroppings and minimal vegetation to hold the fire on the west flank and working on constructing line.

The Pulley Creek Fire, burning on the Ochoco National Forest, approximately 1 mile southwest of Big Summit Prairie, is currently estimated at 11 acres and 0% contained. Firefighters have completed dozer line around the perimeter of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Firefighters held the Cherry Creek Fire, located south of the John Day River and 16 miles northwest of Mitchell, at 50 acres. The fire is now 100% contained and was more accurately mapped from 120 acres to 50 acres. The fire was caused by lightning.

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.

Wickiup Fire Update

***July 22, 2024 Update***

After consultation with the Incident Commander of the Wickiup and Round Mountain Fires, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is lowering all evacuation levels around the Wickiup Fire to Level 1: Be Ready. This includes the Haner Park area and the Deschutes National Forest between Forest Service Road 4262 and Forest Service Road 44, south of South Century Drive (FS 42) and Burgess Road (FS 43).  

There is a forest closure in effect for that area for community and firefighter safety.

Lone Rock Fire Update | July 23, 2024

Larch Creek Fire Update no new updates

Red Fire Update

Falls Fire Update

Boneyard Fire Update

Cat Rock Fire Update

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Madras woman sentenced to 17 years after shooting ex-husband

Madras, OR - Devyne Briggs, who was known for his quirky personality and dedication to his family, was shot and killed by his ex-wife, Paige Vannorsdall, on December 16, 2022, in Madras. Vannorsdall has been sentenced to over 17 years for manslaughter. Judge Alison Emerson called it a "very emotional case" during the sentencing, which took place on the date originally set for Vannorsdall's trial.

Briggs' family expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by Jefferson County DA Steve Leriche, who they felt agreed to a plea deal that was too lenient. Leriche defended the 214-month sentence, arguing it was fair and the best way to ensure Vannorsdall faced consequences, considering the risk of a full acquittal at trial.

At the time of the shooting, Briggs and Vannorsdall were embroiled in a custody battle over their son, Grayson. Vannorsdall had accused Briggs of abusing their son, but these allegations were found to be unsubstantiated, with suspicions that she had coached Grayson to make false claims.

The Rubio family, who have not seen Grayson in over a year due to Vannorsdall’s family denying them contact, expressed their grief and frustration during their victim impact statements. Judge Emerson acknowledged the family's pain and expressed hope that they could work out a way to see Grayson, noting that the boy has lost both his parents and shouldn’t have to lose his extended family as well.

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.

Programs

The Humane Society of the Ochocos runs several programs to assist our community and its animals. For any questions or inquiries, please don’t hesitate to call us at (541) 447-7178 or stop by and chat!

TNR – Trap, Neuter, Release

The Humane Society has a program to trap, neuter, and release stray cats to help keep the feral population down. If you are a resident in Crook County and have any feral cats, you can make a appointment at any vet in Crook County for TNR and they will neuter or spay the cat for no cost. HSO has traps you can borrow with a deposit to ensure they are returned. The cats would then be picked up from vet and released back to the property that they originally came from.  **Be sure to have an appointment BEFORE trapping!

Barn Cats

Cats that make their way through the TNR program might also make a great candidate for a mouser on your property.  Call us and leave your name if you have or are interested in a barn cat and we’ll try to make a match! 541-447-7178

Pit Bull Program

This is a free spay or neutering, micro chip, and rabies vaccine to all pit bull and pit bull mix dogs as long as you are a resident in Crook County. You would need to come to the shelter with the animal or a picture of the dog and we will give you a voucher for them to take to any vet here in town.

Pet Cremation Services

Private cremation

HSO provides private cremation services for families who wish to keep the remains of their beloved pet. Your pet will receive an individual cremation with its remains carefully packaged and returned to you in a keepsake container.

Communal (general) cremation

For those who do not wish to keep the remains of their pet, communal cremation services are available.

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