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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎵🎸🎹Music on the Green Concert Series - Redmond

✈️🎆The Airshow of the Cascades - Madras

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🗣️City of Bend seeks public input on Franklin Avenue Safety Project with in-person, online open houses

💲Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue seeks answers after PGE tax mistake

🌪️'Ripped to shreds': Crooked River Ranch business damaged by Saturday wind storm

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🏡🔥Attic fire badly damages home in Bend

⛑️🛟Search Continues for Missing Bend Man Presumed Drowned at Diamond Lake

🚨 Crime News

💥🚨Redmond Teen Arrested After Crashing Stolen Vehicle While Under the Influence

 📰 Community News

💖25 Years Raising Funds for Breast Cancer Community

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

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

What location initially hosted the early “fly-ins” that eventually led to the creation of the Cascade Airshow?

A) A farm near Prineville
B) A ranch north of Madras
C) A park in Redmond
D) A private airstrip in Sisters

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

REDMOND

Events Sponsored By Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

Music on the Green Concert Series - Redmond August 21st

Sam Johnson Park 5:30 PM

Grab a blanket, bring your lawn chairs and introduce your family to an evening that really highlights why so many people enjoy visiting and living in Redmond, Oregon. More than just music, you’ll enjoy tasty local food, drinks, desserts as well as craft vendors. This fun family block party atmosphere has plenty of things to do with the kids and is one of the longest-running community festivals in Central Oregon. Concerts are on alternating Wednesday evenings starting at 5:30PM.  Runaway Fire plays on Aug. 21st.

Runaway Fire

Runaway Fire is shaking up the rock scene with their catchy, melodic tunes and powerful performances. Led by Nashville native and top-tier drummer Ian Shaw, the band features Mike Wilson on vocals and guitar, Marci Allen on keys, and Chase Sylvester on bass. With unique rhythms, heartfelt lyrics, and a dynamic stage presence, they’re a must-see act. Catch a live show or support them with a donation!

August 23 - 24th - Madras, Oregon

The Cascade Airshow, held in Madras, Oregon, is a thrilling event featuring aerial performances, classic warbirds, and a vibrant festival atmosphere. Scheduled for August 23-24, 2024, the show includes displays by the US Army Golden Knights, Erickson Aircraft, and a variety of unique aircraft at the Fly-In. Attendees can also enjoy the Les Schwab Car Show, live music, fireworks, and family-friendly activities. VIP and chalet tickets offer premium viewing experiences with added amenities.

For more details, visit the Cascade Airshow website.

City of Bend seeks public input on Franklin Avenue Safety Project with in-person, online open houses

The city of Bend invites the community to learn more about the Franklin Avenue Safety Project at an open house on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Newberry Hotel, Mt. Bachelor Event Room, 300 NW Franklin Avenue in Bend.

The online open house is available at bendoregon.gov/midtowncrossings from Thursday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Sept. 5.

The Franklin Avenue Safety Project aims to improve access for walking, biking, and rolling on Franklin Avenue between Harriman Street and Fifth Street. There will be an opportunity for community members to share your input on the project.

Project designers and City staff will be available to provide information, answer questions and listen to feedback.

Improving the transportation system by focusing on safety is a City Council goal. Creating safer connections between neighborhoods, places of work, schools, parks and businesses, for people who ride bikes, walk or roll, is a city priority.

Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue seeks answers after PGE tax mistake

Steele Haugen, Reporter Central Oregon Daily News

Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue (CRRFR) held a special board meeting Monday to discuss the impact of a surprise IOU to Portland General Electric. An accounting error was revealed in July that PGE paid Jefferson County nearly $2 million more in taxes than it owed and now it's time to pay it back.

CRRFR is facing a $55,989 bill for its share of that IOU. The board is determining the best way to address this unexpected burden.

"All the money we take in taxes is all voter-approved taxes and as the board of directors, we have a responsibility to ask why we are paying back money that we didn't benefit from," said CRRFR Treasurer Joe Costigan.

Many organizations around Jefferson County were surprised after receiving the news of the electric company's tax mistake. It will now cost them thousands of dollars to provide a refund, which most simply don't have. 

"We're hoping that PGE and the county will work together to find innovative ways to resolve this financial shortfall, and let's see what we can do to decrease the impact on all the special taxing districts," said Costigan.

Costigan said PGE and the county are meeting Friday at 9 a.m. in the County Annex Building to clarify things.

"This represents a hit to us," Costigan said. "Time will tell what the actual impact is going to be. We have been frugal. We will find a way. We will pay the bill. But inevitably, if you lose $55-60,000, you won't be able to provide the same level of service."

CRRFR drafted a letter and sent it to the Jefferson County Commissioners and state legislators, citing their concerns and hoping for help.

Video

'Ripped to shreds': Crooked River Ranch business damaged by Saturday wind storm

Brooke Snavely, Reporter Central Oregon Daily News

A powerful thunderstorm that passed through Central Oregon Saturday evening tore apart a building at Over The Edge Tap House in Crooked River Ranch.

"It got really dark. There was no hail or moisture with it. It was just wind.  They couldn’t see because of the dust. Then all of the sudden it ripped everything to shreds," said Lynnelle Morgan, owner of Over The Edge.

Morgan said the storm hit about 5 p.m. Saturday as a band was setting up for an outdoor concert.

"They lost all their equipment. It flew off the stage. They had to reset inside and that didn’t work out because shortly after that is when the damage occurred to the greenhouse so we had to cancel the concert," Morgan said.

The greenhouse is where patrons play cornhole and hold private events. All that remains is the skeletal structure of the building. Furniture and fixtures inside the greenhouse were tossed like matchsticks. Morgan estimates $10,000 in damages.  

There were no injuries.

This was the second storm in a matter of days to hit the business. 

"We got struck by lighting by the storm that came through Terrebonne last week. It sent a spark down the chimney of our wood stove. It arched and kind of went 'poof' inside the fire place," Morgan said, adding she could not find any damage from the lightning strike.

Adding up all the storm events she's endured at her business and home in Culver, she's starting to rethink the longevity of green houses. 

"In 2020, when that big storm hit in Culver, I lost the roof of my house and my porch and my power pole got snapped in half.  I have a greenhouse at home and that got shredded, so I’ve been through that before," she said.

Despite the recent storm damage, Over The Edge Tap House is open for business, minus the greenhouse, Tuesday through Sunday. Some weddings and other events may be rescheduled.

Video

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

U.S. 97 Lower Bridge Way - NW 10th Street schedule update

Attic fire badly damages home in Bend

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a reported house fire on Cherrywood Lane in the Woodriver Village neighborhood just before 2am. First arriving crews found the fire in the attic that had vented through the roof. Crews extinguished the fire in the attic and prevented the fire from spreading into the living area of the home. The occupant awoke to the sound of crackling and then noticed an orange glow outside. She quickly evacuated with her dog and called 911. 

The fire was traced back to an improperly disposed of cigarette on the back patio the night before. The cigarette was discarded into a flower planter against the house. The dry potting soil and wooden planter ignited and then spread to the exterior of the house before getting into the attic. As the fire and smoke were all in the attic, the smoke alarms did not activate. The fire damage is approximately $100,000 to the house and contents. Crews had to pull most of the homes ceiling and insulation down inside to ensure the fire was completely out. Much of the occupants’ belongings were spared fire damaged though and crews assisted in removing as much as they could to prevent further damage. The occupant has renters’ insurance which will help ensure any damaged belongings can be cleaned and repaired. Red Cross was called in to provide the occupant with a place to stay for the next couple nights. 

As always, Bend Fire & Rescue reminds everyone to be safe with all types of smoking materials, both when in use and after. Ensuring cigarettes and all smoking materials are properly disposed of is a simple way to prevent these fires. Place cigarette butts and ash into non-combustible containers when done. Empty those containers regularly. Don’t dispose of any smoking materials, including knocking off the end of a cigarette, into dry ground cover such as bark mulch or pine needles. 

Search Continues for Missing Bend Man Presumed Drowned at Diamond Lake

DIAMOND LAKE, OR – Search efforts are ongoing for a 37-year-old Bend resident, Chimanbai Patel, who is presumed to have drowned at Diamond Lake on Saturday, August 17. Patel was on a pontoon boat with friends when he jumped into the water to swim but tragically never resurfaced.

At approximately 5:38 p.m. on Saturday, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of Patel's disappearance after he failed to return to the surface shortly after entering the water. Immediate rescue efforts were launched, with Marine Deputies, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance responding to the scene. Volunteers from the Diamond Lake Resort also assisted in the initial search, but the efforts were called off at nightfall due to lack of success.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with multiple agencies, resumed recovery operations the following day. The search teams include the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Klamath County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, and Oregon State Police. Monday, a specially trained dog in water recovery was deployed on the lake in hopes of locating Patel.

Lieutenant Brad O'Dell expressed the community's concern, stating, "This is a tragedy for his friends and family. We have been in communication with his family and will continue efforts to locate him so he can be returned to his loved ones. We are very grateful to our partner agencies who have been assisting us in our search."

Despite the extensive search operations, Patel remains missing, and the search will continue until he is found.

Redmond Teen Arrested After Crashing Stolen Vehicle While Under the Influence

Redmond, OR – An early morning crash on August 18 led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Redmond resident, George Sikes, who was found driving a stolen vehicle under the influence. The Redmond Police Department responded to the incident at approximately 4:48 a.m. at 3198 SW Volcano Avenue.

The vehicle, a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban, had been reported stolen from a Redmond neighborhood the previous evening. Sikes crashed the SUV through two residential fences, a carport, and into a detached tool shed. Fortunately, the home on the property was not struck or damaged, and the residents, who were asleep at the time, were not injured.

Upon arrival and investigation, officers determined that Sikes was impaired while driving. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody at the Deschutes County Jail on multiple charges, including:

- Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) - ORS 813.010

- Reckless Driving - ORS 811.140

- Reckless Endangering - ORS 163.195 (2 counts)

- Criminal Mischief I - ORS 164.365

- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV) - ORS 164.135

- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle - ORS 819.300

No injuries were reported from the crash, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Redmond Police Department has not released further details at this time.

25 Years Raising Funds for Breast Cancer Community

Community members are invited to take part in the 25^th annual Heaven Can Wait 5K fundraiser to support the breast cancer community in Central Oregon. Registration is open now for the event set Sunday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at Redmond High School.

Over the years, this family-friendly walk/run has raised hundreds of thousands for Sara’s Project, which helps provide vital support services to people in Central Oregon with breast cancer.

“Heaven Can Wait is a time to show love and support for the breast cancer community in Central Oregon, including patients, survivors, family members and caregivers,” said Jenny O’Bryan, executive director for the St. Charles Foundation. “This year will be particularly special, as we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Heaven Can Wait.”

O’Bryan says organizers have a lot of fun extras in store and want to raise the bar for support.

“In honor of our 25th year, we hope to raise an additional $25K for patient support programs that help provide free wigs, post-surgical bras, transportation, education of early detection and massage therapies for those in need,” said O’Bryan.  

This year’s event will kick off at Redmond High School’s football stadium and will wind through Dry Canyon. Dogs are not permitted at the event.

Individuals can sign up online at HeavenCanWait.org. Individuals can also sign up to volunteer to support the event.

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, nonprofit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,900 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 300 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

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