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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia ANSWER

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

👨‍🌾🍽️FivePine Meet your Farmer Dinner

🚴WildRide Brewing MX13 Jump Show

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Lawmakers, fire officials meet with C.O. insurance reps to discuss homeowner policy troubles amid record wildfire season

📰State Opioid Settlement Board directs $1.25 million for new treatment program in Redmond; better access for many

📰Deschutes County Discusses Managed Homeless Camp Amid Funding Challenges

🔥Protect Your Home from Wildfires! Start by creating defensible space:

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🔥ODF's Situation Report

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

 📰 Community News

⛑️🛟Deschutes County deputy takes the plunge to save fawn from pond

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

🐶Pet of the Week

💖Meet Bubba! SDH

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

What year did Joel Palmer, the superintendent for the Oregon Territory, receive orders to clear the Native American tribes from their lands in the Oregon Territory?

A) 1830

B) 1845

C) 1855

D) 1865

Answer: C) 1855

Expanded Answer: In 1855, Joel Palmer, the superintendent for the Oregon Territory, received orders to clear the Native American tribes from their lands. This led to the negotiation of several Indian treaties, including the one establishing the Warm Springs Reservation.

BEND

MADRAS

Events Sponsored By Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

FivePine

Wednesday August 21st | 5:30pm-8:30pm

Join us for an unforgettable evening at our "Meet Your Farmer" dinner event on Wednesday, August 21st. Experience the best of Central Oregon's local flavors as you dine under the towering pines in our serene and picturesque setting.  Learn about sustainable farming practices and the journey of your food from Farm to FivePine while you savor a delectable multi-course meal crafted from the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients.

Benefiting Central Oregon Locavore, this community event features ingredients and provisions sourced locally from Mahonia Gardens and Cascade Mountain Pastures.

After this one of a kind experience, enjoy luxury accommodations in a cabin or suite for only $129 plus tax*.

MX13 Jump Show

MX13 Jump Show in Redmond! This year's event is a fundraiser for Hospice of Redmond. It is free to attend and family friendly.

August 22nd 5pm - 8pm @WildRide Brew Co

Lawmakers, fire officials meet with C.O. insurance reps to discuss homeowner policy troubles amid record wildfire season

  BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden (D-Rogue Valley), Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire, joined Representative Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon), Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environment, Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang, local insurance industry representatives, and community wildfire protection experts in Bend on Monday to discuss wildfire, resiliency and homeowners insurance. 

“Convening this meeting is just the latest way that Commissioner Chang and other communities are showing how fully they understand that protecting our communities through the summers ahead will take hard, creative, thoroughly collaborative work,” Golden said in a news release on the 90-minute meeting at the county Administration Building.

“That especially includes an unprecedented collaboration between government and the insurance industry that strives to make sure that adequate and affordable homeowner’s insurance will be available to citizens who do all they can to reduce wildfire risk,” he added.

Wildfires in Oregon have burned more acres of land in 2024 than in any year since reliable records began. With much of the wildfire season still ahead, communities in Central Oregon are concerned about what increased risk will do for their homes and insurance premiums.

Publicly available data shows that from 2021 to 2023, insurance premiums increased 30.3 percent, increasing concerns that some premium rate increases could be tied to wildfire risk.

State Opioid Settlement Board directs $1.25 million for new treatment program in Redmond; better access for many

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A $1.25 million allocation by the Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board focusing on Redmond aims to expand and strengthen Central Oregon’s access to substance use disorder treatment and services through opioid treatment programs and jails. 

The allocation, which Oregon Health Authority will administer, will improve access to medication for opioid use disorder and treatment services by providing up to $1,25 million to fund an opioid treatment program or a mobile or non-mobile medication unit in Redmond to serve a geographic region with increasing need.

To be eligible for the funding, a mobile or non-mobile medication unit or an opioid treatment program must be currently certified by OHA.  

The board’s decision can be viewed in a recording of its August 7 meeting

 “People in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties must currently go to Bend for opioid treatment program services, and drive times between Bend and Redmond are rapidly increasing due to the area being the fastest-growing region in the state,” said State Opioid Treatment Authority and Settlement Board member John McIlveen. “Opening a medication unit in Redmond will significantly decrease travel times for patients, which is one of the main predictors for people both entering into, and remaining in, treatment.” 

Prior to awarding funding, OHA must provide a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the board for approval no later than Sept. 1.  

Since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies for their role in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over 18 years.

Settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are divided between the state (45%) and local jurisdictions (55%). The state’s share is deposited as it becomes available into the Opioid Settlement, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (OSPTR) Fund, which is controlled by the OSPTR Board.  

Local jurisdictions receiving settlement funds (those with populations greater than 10,000) decide how their funds are used. Cities and counties are required to report to the Oregon Department of Justice annually how they allocated funds. 

For state and local spending details, read the Oregon Opioid Settlement Spending Report. To learn more about Oregon’s opioid settlement funds, visit oregon.gov/opioidsettlement. 

Deschutes County Discusses Managed Homeless Camp Amid Funding Challenges

Deschutes County officials met with nearly two dozen homeless service providers on August 13 to discuss plans for a managed homeless camp on Redmond's eastern edge. The proposed site, spanning a portion of a 45-acre county-owned parcel near Highway 126 and Oasis Village, would feature fenced campsites, sanitation facilities, security patrols, and on-site case management.

Service providers emphasized the project's complexity, suggesting that multiple nonprofits collaborate to manage different aspects. Concerns were raised about funding, with initial estimates indicating that the allocated $1.5 million might be insufficient for both development and annual operations, which could exceed $1 million.

Commissioner Tony DeBone expressed reservations about the project's scope, advocating for a more streamlined approach similar to the Juniper Ridge model that operates without full-time staff. The camp also aims to relocate individuals from unauthorized encampments currently hindering a land swap deal between Deschutes County and the Department of State Lands.

Providers stressed the importance of offering adequate services to ensure trust and successful transitions for the homeless community.

Full Story Here

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Deschutes County deputy takes the plunge to save fawn from pond

BEND, Ore. — A little fawn found itself in a dangerous situation after falling into a retaining pond, struggling not to drown - but the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office was there to save the day!

On August 10 a concerned citizen called Deschutes County 911 non-emergency around 5 p.m. to report two fawns that were stuck in a retaining pond on a property along Deschutes Market Road.

While crews with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office responded, the caller reported one fawn managed to escape on its own - but the other fawn was struggling and beginning to panic.

When deputies arrived, they tried unsuccessfully to guide the trapped fawn out of the pond.

An Animal Control Deputy arrived and passed out catch poles to snag the fawn and pull it to safety, but the little deer continued to evade rescue attempts while growing more and more tired.

Believing the only viable solution to saving the fawn's life was to take a plunge, the DCSO says Animal Control Deputy Plamondon jumped into the pond and rescued the fawn.

The fawn was later released on the property away from the pond to be reunited with its family.

Meet Bubba!

Bubba is a handsome Pit-mixed breed boy who just arrived from a local shelter we were fortunate enough to help in Madras. He was one of 50 dogs that we pulled that urgently needed a place to go, so some have gone to other rescues and shelters that were willing to help, while the rest have either already gone into foster care with SDH or are still awaiting their chance at being fostered or better yet adopted. Stay tuned to learn more about me and make sure to submit your online adoption application today through our website to not miss out on the opportunity to bring me home for a 3-day home trial towards my adoption. Will you be my hero?

Foster update:

"Meet Bubba, a gentle giant with a heart of gold! This lovable big dog is searching for a patient and understanding forever home. Despite his imposing size, Bubba is shy around humans and needs a special family who can help him build confidence and trust. With a little love and kindness, he will blossom into a loyal companion who offers endless affection. If you're ready to give this sweet soul the chance he deserves, Bubba is waiting to bring joy and warmth to your life."

Breed - Terrier, Pit Bull / Mixed Breed (Large)

Sex - Male

Weight -72 lbs

Age - 4Y/1M/3W

Location - Foster Home

Adoption Fee - $300

Deschutes Public Library Events

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