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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

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

🎈Balloons Over Bend!

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

⚠️Greenwood Avenue Quick-Build CONSTRUCTION STARTING MONDAY!
Jul. 29 – Aug. 14, 2024

📰BLM Determines Cause Of Early July Wildfire Near Redmond Airport

🚶‍♀️🥾🌄Fourth Annual Big Butte Challenge is in Full Swing

📰Oregon Friendly Driver Course Aims to Reduce Crashes in Oregon

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

Battle Mountain Complex Update (Boneyard, Courtrock, Monkey Creek Fires) | July 25, 2024

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

🔥Two Arrested in Vehicle Arson Incident in Bend

⚖️Bend repeat offender gets 20-year federal prison term

 📰 Community News

😔Memorial ride Saturday will honor Redmond teen who died after motorcycle crash

📰Bend Police Department’s National Night Out will take place at Bear Creek Elementary

Got some news or know of news for our Community News Segment - share it with C.O. Local Buzz!

🏘️Real Estate News

📰Central Oregon Market Report | July 24, 2024 by Reed Melton

🚰Understanding the Age of Groundwater

 🫴💖 Local Cause Spotlight

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

💖Pampered Chef Fundraiser this week!

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

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

Balloons Over Bend!

This will be a weekend to remember with the Bend Night Glow featuring an evening of music, food, marketplace and glow-in-the-dark balloons. Take the kids to the Balloon Blast race for a chance to stack up some points in our Kid’s Rock the Races series! Don’t forget to get up early to watch free balloon launches each morning at dawn.

Balloons will launch each day throughout the weekend. The balloon launches are free to anyone to observe. Just make sure you wake up early enough to greet the giant balloons as they float up into the sky.

The balloons will start setting up at sunrise (about 6am), with an estimated launch time of 6:45-7am (depending on weather). We suggest showing up around 6:15am to grab a spot, and to ensure you don’t miss the launch.

Get ready for a fantastic day at American Legion Park on Saturday, July 27th, for the Redmond Brewfest & Night Glow! Free to the public! We’ve got a lineup that promises fun for everyone:

🍻 Local Beer & Cider on Tap: Sample the best beers and ciders from local breweries. It’s a brew lover’s paradise!

🎶 Live Music: Jam out to live music from The Substitutes. Dance, sing along, and enjoy the tunes with friends and family.

🍔 Food Trucks: Satisfy your cravings with delicious bites from a variety of food trucks. From savory to sweet, there’s something for everyone.

🛍️ Vendors: Explore unique products and crafts from local vendors. It’s the perfect place to find a special something.

🎈 Balloon Backdrops: Enjoy the balloon backdrop in the park.

✨ Hot Air Balloon Night Glow: As the sun sets, prepare to be dazzled by the Night Glow. Watch as the balloons light up the canyon.

Greenwood Avenue Quick-Build 
CONSTRUCTION STARTING MONDAY!
Jul. 29 – Aug. 14, 2024

BLM Determines Cause Of Early July Wildfire Near Redmond Airport

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

REDMOND, OR -- Investigators now believe recreators sparked the McCaffery Fire, which scorched more than 450 acres of BLM land east of the Redmond Airport. It started July sixth and prompted the evacuation of West Powell Butte Estates.

Initial reports indicated it was human caused. The Bureau of Land Management tells KBND News it likely started with recreational shooting. Officials say it highlights how just a spark can start a wildfire in these extremely dry conditions.

By July 10, the McCaffery Fire was considered 100% contained at 458 acres and all evacuation orders were dropped. The area reopened to the public July 11th. 

Fourth Annual Big Butte Challenge is in Full Swing

The Big Butte Challenge is in full-swing, announcing the addition of two buttes to its lineup. The Bonus Butte Challenge includes Vista Butte, sponsored by Immersion Brewing, and Tam-a-Lau Trail, sponsored by Initiative Brewing – both scenic dog-friendly trails. This expansion aims to offer more breathtaking buttes and brews to explore.

We’re only halfway through the challenge, leaving two months to embark on this adventure challenge. The recent addition of two new bonus buttes enriches the experience, providing even greater value. Previously registered participants are automatically entered into the bonus butte challenge.

Big Butte Challenge – 10 Buttes | 36.2miles | 10 Pints

Relish in the fact that you will be summitting to the best views all summer. Plus enjoy ten different and delicious pints from all around Central Oregon. So lace up those kicks and hike these epic volcanic remnants!

Bonus Butte Challenge — 2 Buttes | 10.9miles | 2 Pints

Curious about the Big Butte Challenge but not ready to commit to all 10 hikes? Only in town for a short while? Looking for something new to do with visiting friends? Our limited-time offer lets you explore two of our newest challenges.

A highlight of this deal is featuring your pup on our socials frolicking along the trail or relaxing with you at the breweries. We want to see your adventures together! Snap photos of your dog enjoying the scenic buttes or chilling at the breweries to be featured and win cool prizes.

More about the challenge:

The Big Butte Challenge offers participants a free schedule to hike or run each butte on their own schedule, and then head to the sponsored brewery to celebrate their victory with a complimentary pint. Prizes will be awarded to the first to summit all buttes, best photos, and more. Gather your favorite people or challenge your work buddies to a summertime showdown. The Big Butte Challenge is the ultimate chance to get outside, explore new heights, and celebrate the beautiful mountains Central Oregon has to offer.

Buttes and breweries included in the year’s challenge include:

• Bessie Butte — Van Henion Brewing

• Black Butte — Deschutes Brewery

• Pilot Butte — Worthy Brewery

• Barnes Butte — Wild Ride

• Overturf Butte — Goodlife Brewery

• Tumalo Butte — Cascade Lakes Brewery

• Misery Ridge — Kobold Brewing

• Paulina Peak — Bend Brewery

• Vista Butte — Immersion Brewing

• Tam-a-lau trail — Initiative Brewing

Registration is open at bigbuttechallenge.com, $65 for all ten buttes, $25 for youth, and for a limited time, $40 for our two newest Buttes. Once registered, participants will receive a swag bag with beer tokens, merchandise, and other surprise goodies from our sponsors.

Secure your spot now to avoid FOMO at the Packet Pick-up and Debutte Kick-off Party at Immersion Brewing on July 31, 4:30-7:30pm.

Launch Party

Join us at Immersion Brewing for the Butte Debutte Kick-off Party on Wednesday, July 31, 4:30-7:30pm. Registered participants can collect their event packets, enjoy live music, win prizes and toast to fellow adventurers with a complimentary pint.

Rock your butte bandana and snag an extra raffle ticket to double up on your shot at scoring sweet prizes.  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with our butte-iful community as we celebrate the stunning buttes and craft brews of Central Oregon! Day-of registration is available, and feel free to bring a friend along!

Already grabbed your event packet? Great news! Your 2 bonus beer tokens will be available for pickup at the party.

About the organizer:
Cascade Relays is a small, local business with a mission to provide exceptional race experiences while supporting local communities along course routes. Owners Scott and Carrie Douglass, prioritize rural courses, local vendors and small businesses, personal relationships, and supporting local non-profits. Cascade Relays currently produces the Cascade Lakes Relay, Bend Beer Chase, Big Butte Challenge, and I Like Pie on Thanksgiving morning.

cascaderelays.com • bigbuttechallenge.com

Oregon Friendly Driver Course Aims to Reduce Crashes in Oregon

The Oregon Friendly Driver Course continues to make significant strides in enhancing road safety across the state through education. By providing free, accessible courses, they are fostering a culture of respect, awareness and mutual responsibility among all road users.

Oregon’s roads witness a disproportionate number of crashes involving vulnerable road users, underscoring the urgent need for effective safety measures. The Oregon Friendly Driver Course addresses this challenge head-on by equipping drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely navigate the road with people walking, people biking and people driving

Through engaging online courses, webinars and in-person classes, participants learn about traffic laws, road infrastructure and best practices for interacting with diverse road users. The course emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and understanding. It is designed to promote a safer and more inclusive transportation environment for everyone.

“The Oregon Friendly Driver Course is a vital component of our ongoing efforts to create safer roads for all,” said Whitney Bennett of Commute Options. “By investing in educating drivers, we can significantly reduce crashes and protect vulnerable road users.”

Key components of the Oregon Friendly Driver Course include:

• Comprehensive online courses covering traffic laws, roadway responsibilities and conflict resolution

• Engaging webinars featuring expert speakers and interactive discussions

• In-person classes provide hands-on learning opportunities and community engagement

Since its inception, the course has empowered Oregon drivers to become more aware and responsible road users. By fostering a shared commitment to safety, the Oregon Friendly Driver course is helping to build a stronger and safer transportation system for all Oregonians.

The Oregon Friendly Driver Course is a collaborative effort funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and administered by Commute Options with regional support from Safe Lane Transportation Coalition and Street Trust.

About the Oregon Department of Transportation:
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been funding the Oregon Friendly Driver Course since 2017. ODOT is a department of the state government of the U.S. state of Oregon responsible for systems of transportation. ”We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon’s communities and economy thrive.”

About Commute Options:
Commute Options administers the Oregon Friendly Driver Course. They are dedicated to innovative transportation options that connect people of all ages to the places they go – employees to their workplaces, students to their schools and neighbors within their communities. Commute Options champions active transportation and infrastructure improvements, fostering essential partnerships and educating the community on transportation options. Commute Options increases access to transportation options across Oregon.

oregonfriendlydriver.org • oregon.gov/odot • commuteoptions.org

Battle Mountain Complex Update (Boneyard, Courtrock, Monkey Creek Fires) | July 25, 2024

Firefighters look to take advantage of cooler weather

MONUMENT, Ore. – Yesterday, the Monkey Creek and Boneyard fires grew together. The fire will now be referred to as the Battle Mountain Complex. Zone I includes the western portion of the fire, previously known as the Boneyard Fire and the Courtrock Fire.

Fire behavior moderated overnight with cooler temperatures and increased humidity. This weather is anticipated to continue through the morning, however as temperatures warm in the afternoon and winds increase firefighters are anticipating fire behavior to increase. 

Today, smoke will remain in the area and will impact air operations.  Firefighters will look for opportunities to use helicopter bucket drops to support work on the ground.

On the western flank of Zone I firefighters will use dozers and hand line to complete the fireline, securing this edge of the fire. Portions of line on the western edge have indirect line, not along the fire’s edge. Strategic firing operations will be used to eliminate fuels between the fire and the indirect line, reducing potential for uncontrolled fire to move outside the line.

Firefighters in the southeastern area of Zone I will monitor the fire and continue to strengthen the fireline in this area. Structural and wildland firefighters continue work in the area near Monument to secure the fireline and monitor for any hot spots.

Seven structural task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are assigned to the Courtrock Fire and Zone I to provide protection for homes in the fire area and secure fireline around structures.

Fire operations continue to coordinate with landowners who are supporting and integrating with firefighters on the fireline on the Courtrock Fire. Today’s operations will focus on the southeast area of the fire where yesterday’s growth occurred. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity will allow opportunities for direct line construction to control the spread of the fire. The western edge of the Courtrock Fire will have firefighters patrolling and securing the line, especially near the homes in this area.

Closures: The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District. More information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462.

Evacuations: Level 1 (Get Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated evacuation information:

• Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login.

• Morrow County Evacuation information can be found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a3 20142174aa20ae

Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Grant Union High School (911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845).

Clean air and cooling centers are located in the following locations in Grant County:

• Grant County Library- cooling & clean air, Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

• John Day Senior Center- cooling & clean air, Monday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday 12 – 4 p.m.

• Prairie City Public Works – clean air center, Monday – Friday 12 – 7 p.m.

• Dayville Community Hall- cooling & clean air, 24/7

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Update – July 25, 2024

Lone Rock Fire Update

Crazy Creek Fire & Kitty Creek Fire Update

Red Fire Update

Falls Fire Update

Microwave Tower Fire Update

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Two Arrested in Vehicle Arson Incident in Bend

Bend, OR – Two individuals have been arrested following a dramatic vehicle arson incident that occurred late Saturday night in Bend.

The incident took place around 11:10 p.m. on July 20, 2024, at the intersection of SE Fourth Street and SE Roosevelt Street. Bend Police responded to a report of a vehicle fire and arrived to find a black Toyota Yaris with its passenger compartment and trunk area engulfed in flames. With assistance from Bend Fire, the officers managed to extinguish the fire.

Investigations revealed that the vehicle’s owner, who was sleeping inside the car at the time, had been confronted by Nathaniel Ryan Tatom, 37, and Cindiy Kay Kusmider, 44, both residents of Bend. The victim, who is Tatom’s former roommate, reported that Kusmider smashed the driver’s side window with a baseball bat and poured a clear liquid on the car, causing it to ignite while the victim was still inside. Fortunately, the victim escaped without injuries.

Bend Fire investigators confirmed that the fire was human-caused and not due to any mechanical failure of the vehicle.

Following the incident, Tatom and Kusmider fled the scene. However, on Wednesday, officers served a search warrant at Tatom’s residence on the 2600 block of Forum Drive, where both suspects were apprehended. Tatom was transported to the Deschutes County Jail, facing charges of Arson I, Criminal Mischief I, Coercion, and Menacing.

Kusmider, who also had two outstanding warrants, reported ingesting drugs and was taken to St. Charles Bend for medical evaluation. Early Thursday morning, she walked out of the hospital but was quickly located by officers in the area of NE Watt Way and Mary Rose Place. She was returned to the hospital and will be transported to the Deschutes County Jail on the same charges once medically cleared.

The swift response and thorough investigation by Bend Police and Bend Fire Department ensured the apprehension of the suspects and the safety of the community. The authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information regarding the incident to come forward.

Update: Court records show Tatom was arraigned Thursday afternoon on seven formal charges: first-degree arson, criminal conspiracy, unlawful use of a weapon, coercion, first-degree criminal mischief, menacing and recklessly endangering another person.

An August 1 arraignment was set for an expected formal indictment. Jail records show Tatom is being held on $100,000 bail.

The woman, who was released from the hospital and booked into the jail Thursday afternoon, was held on $110,000 bail, including the two out-of-county warrants. She has not yet been formally charged, court records show. NewsChannel 21's policy is not to name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.

Bend repeat offender gets 20-year federal prison term for seeking explicit image online from ‘teen’ who was detective

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) —A Deschutes County sex offender with a prior felony conviction for encouraging child sex abuse was sentenced to a 20-year federal prison Thursday after he requested a sexually explicit image online from an individual he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Roger Clint Lee Vanwormer, 30, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and a life term of supervised release, federal prosecutors said.

According to court documents, while on supervision and wearing an ankle monitor, Vanwormer requested a sexually explicit image online from an individual he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Vanwormer further engaged in explicit discussions with the purported minor and arranged to meet. On July 27, 2021, Vanwormer was arrested in Bend when he showed up at the arranged meeting location.

Bend Police said at the time that Vanwormer was arrested in a Third Street supermarket parking lot, accused of trying to meet and have sex with a "teen girl" he met online, who actually was a police detective.

On February 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment charging Vanwormer with attempted sexual exploitation of a child, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and commission of a felony involving a minor by a registered sex offender. Vanwormer pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

This case was investigated by the Bend Police Department, with assistance from the FBI. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Memorial ride Saturday will honor Redmond teen who died after motorcycle crash

Carson Messinger remembered for ‘goofiness,’ smile

By HANNAH LULL The Redmond Spokesman

Carson Messinger’s smile, goofy personality and jokes will be remembered by friends and family. The Ridgeview High School graduated was an avid outdoorsman and burgeoning member of the Redmond motorcycling community.

Messinger, 19, died July 23 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous day.

According to friends, Messinger recently got into motorcycles and had made friends in the local biking community.

Continue Reading

Bend Police Press Release:

Bend Police Department’s National Night Out will take place at Bear Creek Elementary

The Bend Police Department will host its National Night Out at Bear Creek Elementary School from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The event was originally slated to take place at Bend High, but that location is no longer available due to the school district’s recent announcement that it must begin demolishing the school’s auditorium.  

Instead, Bend Police hope you’ll join us for the festivities at Bear Creek Elementary School, 51 NE 13^th Street, Bend. 

The event, Bend’s community night out, is part of a nationwide program designed to foster strong relationships between the community and law enforcement. 

This family-friendly, completely free event will feature tons of fun and free treats. A DJ will be spinning tunes and a variety of vehicles will be on display for kids and adults alike to check out, including a Bend Police patrol car, the police BearCat and a fire engine. You'll find police officers dishing out hot dogs and other treats, as well as lawn games, facepainting and a bounce house. 

Throughout the evening, Bend Police will be on site to demonstrate its unmanned aerial systems (drones) and show off members of the K9 unit.  

This event would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors, BASX, City of Bend, Mid Oregon Credit Union, Safeway, St. Charles Health System, Boy Scouts of America – Crater Lake Council. 

Thanks as well to the following for their in-kind donations: Bend Fire & Rescue, Bend-La Pine Schools, Bigfoot Beverages, Eberhard’s Dairy, Franz Bakery, Kirby Nagelhout, Knife River, Kona Ice, Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Oregon National Guard, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Walmart.

Keep up to date on other event updates here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1186562766104175 

WHAT: Bend Police National Night Out
WHEN: 4-8 p.m., Aug. 6
WHERE: Bear Creek Elementary School, 51 NE 13^th Street, Bend

Central Oregon Market Report | July 24, 2024

by Reed Melton

This morning, the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage is 6.87%. While today's rate is down slightly, the trends have been moving sideways without any appreciable move from the upper and lower bounds of the last several months. Many analysts on Wall Street and in the real estate industry are betting on a pivot at the Fed meeting in September based on inflation data that has also mostly moved sideways. With the trend in home prices continuing to rise, I fail to see where a 25 basis point decrease in rates from the Fed changes home affordability much, but every little bit helps. Those convinced that rates will decrease appear to believe a pivot will begin a downward trend where rates bottom out somewhere in the fives for home mortgages. Candidly, I am not convinced of a rate pivot in September, and doubt a downward spiral in the mortgage markets is coming this year or next. Rates in the high five percent range might be possible sometime in 2025, but from my perspective, it is not probable. 

This week, the number of single-family homes for sale in Deschutes County increased by thirteen to 1287. During the same week last year, 861 homes were listed, an increase of nearly 50%. The market is chugging along with seventy-four pending sales in the previous week and fifty-seven closed transactions. The pending and sold volume is similar to last year, and simple math shows buyers with considerably more selection than in the recent past. The trends in the high-end of Deschutes County are remarkable, with seventeen sales year-to-date over $3M, with a median sale price of $3,750,000. Year-to-date 2023, nine sales were above $3M at a median of $3,200,000. That is an 88.89% increase in sales volume and a 17.2% increase in the median sale price. If you are interested in this segment of the Central Oregon market, I have access to a few off-market properties that are the best-of-the-best for our area.

Crook County's inventory increased by four this week to 165 single-family homes for sale. Activity remains consistent, with five pending sales and eleven closed weekly transactions. The pending median sale price was 640k, and the closed median sale price was 480k. None of the pending sales reduced the sale price, and the average reduction for the closed transactions was -2.61%. This week last year, there were 156 listings, six pending sales, and three closed transactions. Crook County activity remains steady, with sellers getting their price. 

Jefferson County inventory declined by three this week to 113, with the median active list price at $459,900. Four pending sales and eight closed transactions show steady activity for peak season. The median pending sale price for the week was $359,900, and the median closed price was $387,999. This week last year, there were only seventy-three listings, with three pending and three closed transactions, at a median of $355k and $327k, respectively.

From now through Labor Day, the pace of new listings will slow, and inventory will begin to taper toward winter. Total inventory should start to decrease slowly sometime in August. A rate decrease could spur more activity for the remainder of the selling season; however, I don't expect anything drastic if it is only 25 basis points. Price reductions have increased, but the median sale price is still up. Year-to-date, in 2023, for all price points of single-family homes in Deschutes County, there were 1740 sales at a median sale price of $645,000. So far, in 2024, there have been 1784 sales at a median of $696,250. That is a modest 2.5% increase in transaction volume and a not-so-modest 7.9% increase in the median sale price. The chances of a drop in the median sale price through the second half of 2024, especially if interest rates decline, is close to zero. 

Active Listings

Understanding the Age of Groundwater

Help Tell the Story of Groundwater:

The water stored in aquifers takes anywhere from months to millennia to be replenished. We rarely know how much water is stored in an aquifer but understanding the age of groundwater can help determine how renewable it is, and how fast groundwater can be withdrawn sustainably. The Nature Conservancy is leading a new project to estimate the age of groundwater across the state to help communities plan for a sustainable water future.

Over the next 18 months, we will be sampling water from wells and springs in areas that are most representative of Oregon’s groundwater to look at isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. These isotopes will help tell a story about when that water fell as precipitation. These origin stories matter for responsible water management: it’s easier to achieve sustainable water use if when aquifers replenish quickly than if they take tens of thousands of years to replenish. Ultimately, the results of this work will inform community planning efforts by highlighting aquifers that are most likely to sustainably meet future domestic and agricultural needs.

Oregon’s communities and ecosystems rely on groundwater.

• 77% of Oregonians get their drinking water from groundwater.

• More than 5,000 of Oregon’s farms use groundwater for irrigation.

• Oregon has over 36,000 miles of rivers, 34 million acres of lakes, and 84 million acres of wetlands that are supported by groundwater.

TNC is seeking opportunities to collaborate with domestic well owners, irrigators, and public water systems, to collect a small amount of raw (pretreatment) water for this study. Sampling takes less than an hour and is unintrusive. Well-specific data will be provided to collaborators but individual results and well locations will not be made public.

Please contact Zach Freed ([email protected]) and Dr. Claire Ruffing ([email protected]) to learn if your well is a good candidate for this project.

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.

Deschutes Public Library Events

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