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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Sheriff Nelson Discusses New Undersheriff Appointment

🏫📵 Bend-La Pine Schools Considers Adjusting Tech Rules

📰Regional News

✈️💥3 dead after small plane crashes into townhouses near Portland

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚴💥Cyclist Seriously Injured in Collision on Skyliners Road

💥✈️Single-Engine Aircraft Crashes Near Bend Airport, Pilot Uninjured

🚨 Crime News

🚘Bend Police Cite Driver for Reckless Driving After Speeding at 106 MPH on Bend Parkway

📰 Community News

📰Webfoot Home Improvements launches 16th annual Project Serious, giving $20K in services to deserving C.O. coach

 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

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What’s Up Central Oregon 

Sheriff Nelson Discusses New Undersheriff Appointment

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has its first undersheriff in almost 20 years.

"I’ve had three Division Commanders that report directly to me," Sheriff Shane Nelson told KBND News this week, "The last time we had an Undersheriff was actually our previous Sheriff, Undersheriff Larry Blanton, before he was appointed to be Sheriff."

Sheriff Nelson promoted Captain Paul Garrison (pictured, right) to Undersheriff last week. "He’s got 29 years of experience in law enforcement, came to the Sheriff’s office in the mid- to late-90s, and has most recently been commanding the Detective Division."

Nelson says Garrison’s main job will be to oversee the transition of power when a new Sheriff is elected in November, "It requires some state mandates to hand over the prisoners, double check evidence and transfer monies. So there’s a process to that. And, the other reason I wanted to have an undersheriff was to deal with any election-related issues." He adds, "It could be anything involving concerns or complaints or other investigations that might be related to the election."

Deschutes County hasn't had a Sheriff's election without an incumbent in more than two decades. Nelson acknowledges the campaign to determine his replacement has been difficult on the agency, especially since both candidates currently work for DCSO, "It can create and be divisive for some of our teammates that are working in the office, and I always want to be transparent. This was an excellent way to have an individual who was unbiased in the election-support issue to deal with election-related issues."

 Bend-La Pine Schools Considers Adjusting Tech Rules

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

BEND, OR -- When students head back to Bend-La Pine Schools next week, they will again be expected to keep their phones out of sight during class. "This will be year three for the middle schools and year two of the high schools, in which we are saying, 'off and away'," says Superintendent Dr. Steve Cook, "Cell phones have no place as being active use in the classrooms. So we're going to continue with that."

Dr. Cook tells KBND News, "People might see and hear their students talk about caddies and places to put their phone while they're in class at the high school level. We're asking our middle school students, and have been for a couple of years, 'phones, if you have them in middle school, make sure those are off and away in backpacks, in lockers,' not anywhere to be a viable distraction for them."  He adds, "While we're not trying to eliminate cell phones and the use of technology in classrooms altogether, we are definitely trying to limit that access that might be away from the learning experience."

More research has emerged about the impact of screentime on students' learning, "It's been 10-12 years across - not just across the country, maybe worldwide, of which we're starting to get some data on the impacts of screentime with students and their learning, and the ability to focus and all of those things. But with technology ever-evolving, Dr. Cook says, the district is trying to strike a balance. Adjustments to the policy may come soon, given the popularity of smaller devices that have phone capabilities, like smartwatches, "So, we're even talking about wearable technology, and what does that look like, and what's responsible use look like? It's one thing to say just never bring them, never use them. It's another thing to grow adults and give them skills to function in society."

Current Gas Prices in Bend

3 dead after small plane crashes into townhouses near Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Three people were dead after a small plane crashed into a row of townhouses Saturday morning in a neighborhood east of Portland, setting the homes ablaze, authorities told KATU-TV.

Officials earlier in the day had said the plane was carrying two people and that at least one resident had been unaccounted for.

Photos and videos published by KGW-TV in Portland showed one of the townhomes engulfed in flames while black smoke poured out of the adjoining houses. Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis said the fire had spread to at least four of the homes, displacing up to six families. He said two people were treated at the scene, but he didn't describe the type or severity of injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a twin-engine Cessna 421C, which it says went down around 10:30 a.m. near Troutdale Airport, about a 30-minute drive east of Portland.

As the plane went down, it knocked over a pole and power lines, causing a separate brush fire in a nearby field, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. The plane was split into multiple parts as it crashed in the residential area in the city of Fairview, which is home to about 10,000 people.

Lewis said the first call about the fire came from staff at the Troutdale Airport's control tower, who saw a thick plume of smoke rising in the air. But Lewis said that initial reports indicated “there was no mayday, no call for emergency” from the aircraft itself before it crashed.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash. The agency has sent two investigators to the site of the crash who will document the wreckage, spokesperson Peter Knudson said. He did not release further details about the crash.

The website for the Port of Portland, which oversees general aviation and marine operations in the Portland area, describes Troutdale Airport as a “flight training and recreational airport."

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Cyclist Seriously Injured in Collision on Skyliners Road

Bend, OR – A cyclist sustained serious injuries following a collision with a vehicle on Skyliners Road early Friday morning, August 30, 2024.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:47 a.m. at the intersection of NW Skyliners Road and NW Lemhi Pass Drive. According to Bend Police, the crash involved a blue Subaru Legacy that was traveling eastbound on Skyliners Road. The driver attempted to make a left turn onto Lemhi Pass Drive when the vehicle collided with a cyclist heading westbound on Skyliners Road.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, and the injured cyclist was transported to St. Charles Bend for treatment. The driver of the Subaru remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The Bend Police Department's crash reconstruction team is currently investigating the incident. As a result, Skyliners Road is closed between Mt. Washington Drive and NW 17th Street, and NW Lemhi Pass Drive is closed at the intersection of Skyliners Road. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues.

Single-Engine Aircraft Crashes Near Bend Airport, Pilot Uninjured

Bend, OR – A single-engine aircraft crashed near the Bend Airport on Friday afternoon, August 30, 2024, but the pilot walked away with only minor injuries.

The incident occurred around 1:36 p.m. when the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a possible plane crash in the 20000 block of Nelson Road, near the Bend Airport. The aircraft, a red 1946 Luscombe 8A, was piloted by 62-year-old David Lee Rudd, who was the sole occupant of the plane.

Rudd, who was flying from Lewiston, Idaho, told investigators that he experienced a loss of fuel to the engine just a few miles before his intended landing at Bend Airport. Unable to reach the runway, he attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field. During the landing, the aircraft struck a barbed wire fence, causing it to overturn.

Despite the rough landing, Rudd managed to exit the overturned plane safely and cooperated fully with authorities at the scene. The investigation revealed that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, a full-service agency, continues to serve the 210,000 residents of Deschutes County with a range of services, including patrol, criminal investigations, search and rescue operations, and more.

Bend Police Cite Driver for Reckless Driving After Speeding at 106 MPH on Bend Parkway

Bend, OR – A 20-year-old Bend resident was cited for reckless driving on Tuesday evening after being caught speeding at 106 MPH on the Bend Parkway, more than 60 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

The incident occurred near the Colorado Avenue exit in the southbound lanes of the parkway. One of Bend Police Department’s officers was conducting a routine speed patrol when he spotted an Acura MDX traveling at an excessive speed of 106 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. The officer immediately initiated a traffic stop.

The driver was cited for reckless driving and speeding at over 100 MPH, which carries a presumptive fine of $1,150. The Bend Police Department emphasizes the dangers of excessive speed, reminding drivers that speeding significantly increases the risk of accidents and fatalities.

"Speed kills. Please slow down," urged the Bend Police in a statement following the incident. The department continues to enforce traffic laws strictly to ensure the safety of all road users.

Webfoot Home Improvements launches 16th annual Project Serious, giving $20K in services to deserving C.O. coach

Webfoot Home Improvements is proud to announce the kickoff of its 16th annual giveaway, Project Serious, with this year’s focus being on local coaches within the Central Oregon community. They’ll be awarding $20,000 worth of services to a deserving coach who has made a significant impact on those they mentor and the community at large.

"Giving back has always been at the heart of what we do at Webfoot," says Gavin Hepp, co-owner of Webfoot. " Coaches play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of our kids and fostering strong communities. We are excited to recognize and support a local coach who has dedicated their time and energy to making Central Oregon a better place."

Nomination and Selection Process
From September 6th to September 26th, community members are invited to submit short videos nominating local coaches who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and influence.
These videos should highlight the nominee’s personal story, their positive impact, and why they
are deserving of this home improvement award.

Following the nomination period, public voting will take place from October 4th to October 15th, allowing the community to choose their three favorite nominees. The Webfoot team will then vote and select the final recipient during a live Instagram event on October 17th.

How to Participate
● Submit Nominations: Visit https://www.webfoothome.com/landing/project-serious-2024
between September 6th and September 26th to upload your nomination video.

Deschutes Public Library Events

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