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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?

🚵Smith Rock BMX track vandalized; culprits caught on surveillance video

🏘️Renters of 30 duplexes in NE Bend given 90 days to move out

🛠️YouthBuild To Construct Five More Units For Oasis Village

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

🚨Bend Man Arrested on Drug Trafficking and Weapon Charges After Surveillance Operation

 📰 Community News

🍽️Coasters, posters and TALK, to prevent partner violence: Saving Grace invites restaurants, bars to join in effort

 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

Answer: B) A ranch north of Madras

Expanded Answer: The early “fly-ins” that inspired the Cascade Airshow were hosted at the Ochs Family Ranch, located just north of Madras. These gatherings, organized by Ron Ochs and his family during the late 1970s and early 1980s, brought together local aviation enthusiasts and show car owners. The event's popularity eventually led to the need for a larger venue, setting the stage for the creation of the Cascade Airshow.

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.

Smith Rock BMX track vandalized; culprits caught on surveillance video

REDMOND, Ore. -- Surveillance video from Monday shows what look to be teenagers on motorized bikes taking a joyride at Smith Rock BMX, leaving trails of ruts and divots throughout the track.

Miles Hodskins competes at Smith Rock BMX every week. 

"It says over there no motorized vehicles. So, I'm not really happy about it," Hodskins said.

What would normally be a routine practice for Hodskins on Tuesday became a bit of a repair session.

"They skidded a lot, so I've just been kind riding over it to compact it," Hodskins said.

Competitions are held every Tuesday and Friday, putting pressure on volunteers to ensure the track is always race ready.

"It was probably just having fun to them, but they caused damage to the track, and the track is here for our BMX racers. It's pretty frustrating for them to run off and leave it as is," track operator Sharlie Tassie said.

While the skid marks may not look like much, Tassie says repairing them could take hours of work.

"The damage they caused really loosens up our dirt, which can make it dangerous for our racers. Our volunteers are going to have to come out, water it, pack it, rake it. It can take three hours for just a short section of track to be repaired," Tassie said.

Tassie said no motorized vehicle of any kind is permitted on the track.

Tassie asked anyone who recognizes the bikers to contact the venue, as she would like to give them an opportunity to volunteer and help repair the track.

Video

‘I just feel like we’re getting pushed around’: Renters of 30 duplexes in NE Bend given 90 days to move out

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- A neighborhood of 30 rental duplexes off Dean Swift Road and Nate's Place in northeast Bend are being sold by developers. The current renters received notices two weeks ago, giving them 90 days to move out -- or agree to buy them.

They're being sold by HLM, inc. for a starting price of about $300,000 each. The sellers gave tenants the option to buy, but many say they can't afford it.

Some shared their frustration on social media, saying they're scrambling to find a new home in time.

One renter has lived in a duplex for less than a year. He's found a new place, but not without paying a higher rent.

"it just causes so much stress," Jacob Wilson said Tuesday, "Also, the financial part of it. I'm lucky I had money saved up, or else I don't know if I'll ever be able to do it."

"I just feel like we're getting like pushed around," he added, "And this is your home, you know, if you live here. And that's kind of really hard, to just uproot everything and leave again."

The sellers told NewsChannel 21 in a statement it's part of an effort to create more affordable housing.

The homes are being sold under market value, they said, and have already received interest from new buyers. Tenants were also offered lower monthly mortgage payments if they choose to buy the home.  Two tenants so far have signed contracts, and the sellers say all renters will have an opportunity to buy the home before other offers are accepted.

Video

YouthBuild To Construct Five More Units For Oasis Village

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

REDMOND, OR -- A team of young builders from the Heart of Oregon Corps and the affordable housing nonprofit First Story team up for a special one-day Blitz Build on Wednesday, "They're going to come together and build five more sleeping units for Oasis Village," says First Story Executive Director Claire Duncan, "So, currently there are 15 sleeping units, and we're going to provide five more units." 

She tells KBND News working with young adults benefits Oasis Village and the construction industry, "They're going to get this skill that translates into a future for them when they get out of the program. And for us, that's really exciting because we need as many young people as we can getting into a trade that produces housing."

Duncan says Heart of Oregon and First Story have partnered many times, but this is their first one-day Blitz. The same YouthBuild team has been working on a new home on the south end of Bend since February, "They've been involved in many aspects of the construction, because it's a learning opportunity. The home's like an experiential learning site for these youth to gain the necessary construction skills to get a job in a construction trade when they graduate from the YouthBuild program." That home should be complete in November, and will be turned over to a family who qualified for a zero-percent, zero-down home loan.

For Oasis Village, Duncan says they'll have extra help, "In addition, this YouthBuild is hosting another YouthBuild from out of the area, and we've invited them to join us, to really experience this opportunity. So we're going to have 40 youth joining about 60 [Hayden Homes and First Story] employees, so we'll have a hundred total guests on site, working on the units."

She admits building five cottages in a day is a big undertaking, and says it wouldn't be possible without help from the private sector, "We have a generous donation from the Parr Company of their truly revolutionary framing product called Opti-Frame. And, it's not only more affordable, precise, eco-friendly, it is fast." She says, "At the Blitz Build, all the lumber is pre-cut, it's all pre-measured, it's all labeled. You literally almost build by numbers."

The units will be built at the Heart of Oregon Redmond campus, which is down the street from Oasis Village. Duncan says they'll be moved to the shelter later this year, once finish work is complete. 

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

Bend Man Arrested on Drug Trafficking and Weapon Charges After Surveillance Operation

Bend, OR – August 20, 2024

A Bend man has been arrested and is facing multiple charges after a brief surveillance operation by the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team led to his capture on the north side of Bend. The operation concluded with a traffic stop that resulted in the discovery of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine and an illegal weapon.

Rory Camacho, 54, of Bend, was taken into custody on August 20th at approximately 2:30 PM, after drug agents observed him engaging in what appeared to be suspicious activity near Third Street and Mervin Samples Road. The CODE Team, familiar with Camacho from previous investigations, noticed his involvement in what they suspected to be drug transactions in a parking lot.

Following the surveillance, CODE detectives, with support from the Bend Police Department, approached Camacho as he was parked in a Chrysler Pacifica near a storage unit complex on Sherman Road. A narcotics detection K9, “Bonnie,” was deployed and quickly alerted her handler to the presence of a controlled substance within the vehicle and the adjacent storage unit.

Armed with a search warrant granted by a Circuit Court Judge, investigators conducted a thorough search of Camacho’s vehicle and the storage unit. The search led to the discovery of a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, as well as a double-edged “switch-blade” knife.

Camacho has been lodged in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Jail and faces several charges, including Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints contain only charges, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Coasters, posters and TALK, to prevent partner violence: Saving Grace invites restaurants, bars to join in effort

Saving Grace has announced the successful launch of a new Violence Prevention Partner Program, an initiative that invites local bars and restaurants to play an active role in preventing intimate partner violence (IPV) within our community. Several establishments have already joined in the effort.

The organization said Tuesday that the program aims to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about IPV by providing establishments with specially designed coasters and posters that promote the importance of talking about violence in our community and how all of us can help survivors.

The coasters and posters prominently feature our new "TALK" graphic, an acronym designed to help patrons remember key steps in addressing intimate partner violence:

T – Tell the person being harmed you’ll help
A – Ask others in the area for help
L – Leave help the person being harmed leave
K – Keep Supporting the person being harmed

“We believe that everyone has a role to play in preventing violence,” said Abby Rowland, executive director of Saving Grace. “By partnering with local bars and restaurants, we’re bringing this conversation into the public space, where it can have a real impact. These coasters and posters are simple tools that can spark important discussions and help people recognize the signs of intimate partner violence.”

In just the first week or so of the program, participating establishments so far include:

Craft Kitchen and Brewery
Mountain Burger
Wikiup Station 
Vic's Bar and Grill
Basecamp Grill
Wetlands Taphouse
Big Belly Burgers and Brew
The Podski

Participating venues receive materials at no cost and will be listed on Saving Grace’s social media as Violence Prevention Partners. The program is designed to create a supportive environment where individuals can feel safe discussing IPV, whether they are seeking help or offering support to someone in need.

“We’re encouraging everyone—patrons, staff, and owners alike—to TALK about intimate partner violence. It’s a difficult subject, but by bringing it into the open, we can break the silence that too often surrounds this issue,” added Rowland.

Bars and restaurants interested in joining the program can sign up by contacting them directly at [email protected].

About Saving Grace

Saving Grace is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safety, hope, and healing to survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking. Through comprehensive support services, community education, and advocacy, we strive to create a violence-free community.

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