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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🚂Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Club Open House

🏃‍♂️‍➡️🐕‍🦺5th Annual Heroes on the Run 5K Fun Run

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🔥Ranchers evacuate animals first as Wiley Flat Fire grows, threatens homes

📰Deschutes County commissioners to hold series of joint meetings with cities, other governing boards

🏛️City of Bend and Oregon Community Foundation announce Welcoming Week 2024

💲🎓Crooked River Roundup Foundation Awards 10 Scholarships to Central Oregon Students

❎Local Vote

📰 Deschutes Co. Measure Would Add Two County Commissioners

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

💥Four-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down Cascade Avenue in Sisters

🔥🏠Electrical Failure Sparks Fire in Redmond, Destroying Home and Spreading to Nearby Property

🚨 Crime News

🔍🎦Redmond Police Seek Public's Help After Gunshots Reported in Residential Area

📰 Community News

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

🐶Pet of the Week

🐕 HSCO - Meet Warden 💖

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

📲Sponsors & Partners

Which of the following Apollo mission crews trained at Lava Butte in 1964 to simulate the rocky conditions they might find on the Moon?

A) Apollo 9
B) Apollo 15
C) Apollo 17
D) Apollo 11

Answer: All of the above

Expanded Answer: The astronauts from multiple Apollo missions, including Apollo 9, Apollo 11, Apollo 15, and Apollo 17, trained at Lava Butte in Central Oregon in 1964. The region's volcanic landscape provided an ideal environment for simulating the rugged terrain they would encounter on the Moon. This training was essential for preparing the astronauts for their historic lunar missions, with Russell Schweickart on Apollo 9, Michael Collins on Apollo 11, David Scott on Apollo 15, and Gene Cernan on Apollo 17, all contributing to the success of NASA's lunar exploration program.

BEND

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Club Open House

10AM - 4PM, September 7-8, 2024

ALL ABOARD!

Visit us during our annual Open House to experience a weekend of railroading fun! Ride on our expansive outdoor layout, view our intricate indoor HO layout, and learn about trains from our members!

Our Location

We are located on the East side of Bend, Oregon at

21520 Modoc Lane, Bend, OR, 97702

We are just off of Ward Road, between Highway 20 and Stevens Rd.

Admission Free For All Ages

5th Annual Heroes on the Run 5K Fun Run (Bend, OR)

September 8 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Join Street Dog Hero for our 5th Annual Heroes in the Run 5K Fun Run happening at The Athletic Club of Bend on Sunday, September 8th! This family-friendly and dog-friendly event has something for the entire family to enjoy, including: a 5K Fun Run, Kids mini run, raffle prizes, food carts, a beer garden, local vendors, kid zone activities, live entertainment, adoptable dogs, and more! 

Plus, all of the proceeds goes towards our mission of saving dogs from around the world and in our own backyard by providing transportation, medical treatment, adoption placement, awareness, and education. Don’t miss out on this jam-packed day of fun! Register TODAY! Please contact [email protected] for more details.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Ranchers evacuate animals first as Wiley Flat Fire grows, threatens homes

Central Oregon Daily News

Central Oregon's suddenly smoky skies are the result of lightning-caused fires that started Sunday night and are growing rapidly.

The Wiley Flat Fire about 60 miles east of Bend is one of the largest. It has burned an estimated 10,000 acres in the Maury Mountains in less than 48 hours.

"We didn’t hear anything until 2:30 this morning," said Susan Fildes.

"That was the first time we talked to a firefighter, a sheriff, anybody about evacuation notices," said Becky Fildes.

"But we were watching the plumes get bigger and bigger," Susan added.

Susan and Becky actually tried to extinguish what’s now the Wiley Flat Fire, something ranchers often do in this rural part of Crook County. But by the time they reached the fire about two miles north of their Sunrise Valley Ranch Monday morning, it was already half an acre.

They returned to their ranch as smokejumpers parachuted in and began preparations to evacuate. 

The first step was to move their horses and neighbor's cattle.

"My daughter and I each took a trailer," Susan said.

"No. You took a trailer," Becky said. "Dave brought a trailer to load our horses. He was here within 10 minutes. Everybody just kind of steps up. This was in the middle of the night. It helps everybody."

Susan and Becky say they’ve loaded up personal belongings and are ready to evacuate to family members homes if the fire gets much closer. Structure protection crews inspected the buildings around the ranch and made plans to defend them.

At last word, the fire had consumed 10,000 acres and was zero percent contained.

With a warming and drying trend expected to influence fire behavior in the coming days, crews working the Wiley Flat Fire are monitoring conditions and adjusting their strategies to maintain safety and effectiveness, according to Central Oregon Fire. 

Video

Deschutes County commissioners to hold series of joint meetings with cities, other governing boards

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners will meet this fall with governing boards from across the county to collaborate on a variety of topics impacting communities in Central Oregon.

Over the next three months, the Board will hold joint meetings with the city councils of Bend, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine, as well as with the County Planning Commission, the Deschutes County Fair Board and the Deschutes County Circuit Court.

“These meetings give us the opportunity to connect with our partner agencies,” said Commissioner Chair Patti Adair. “We discuss current issues facing communities across the County, share information about upcoming projects and coordinate with one another on ways to best serve Deschutes County residents.” 

While the topics on the agenda will change with each jurisdiction, discussions with the city councils will include strategies and outcomes to address homelessness, city and county growth management, as well as an update on the siting of the future County Landfill.

Joint meetings on the Board’s schedule include:

• City of Bend

Thursday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m.

Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend

•  Planning Commission

Thursday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m.

Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend

•  Deschutes County Circuit Court

Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m.

Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend

•  City of Redmond

Tuesday, Oct 22, at 5:30 p.m.

Redmond City Hall, 411 SW 9^th St. in Redmond

•  Fair Board

Monday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond

• City of Sisters

Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m.

Sisters City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave. in Sisters

• City of La Pine

Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m.

La Pine City Hall, 16345 6^th St. in La Pine

*Please note that all joint meeting dates and times are subject to change

The joint meetings are open to the public and can be viewed in person or remotely. Agendas for each meeting will be posted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date on the Deschutes County website at: www.deschutes.org/meetings.  

City of Bend and Oregon Community Foundation announce Welcoming Week 2024

The City of Bend, in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation, are thrilled to announce the eighth annual celebration of Welcoming Week in Bend, from Sept. 13-22, with events extending to Sept. 28.

The City of Bend proudly supports Welcoming Week alongside numerous community partners in the shared commitment to foster a welcoming environment for all in Bend.

This year’s national theme, “We’re All In,” encapsulates our vision of building a community that values and respects diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. As part of Welcoming Week 2024, the City of Bend is excited to fund 10 unique events that embody this theme.

Organizations and individuals hosting events include the Latino Community Association, Vamonos Outside, Partners in Care, Bend Park & Recreation District, Deschutes County Health Services, NeighborImpact, Tower Theater, Benditas, The Environmental Center, Restorative Justice and Equity Group, Volunteers in Medicine, Mosaic Community Health, Bend Police Department, Oregon State University, Envision Bend, and Bola Gbadebo.

You can view the event calendar on the city website, which will be updated regularly. We invite our community to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information and look forward to celebrating Welcoming Week with you all! Visit bendoregon.gov/welcoming-week.

Crooked River Roundup Foundation Awards 10 Scholarships to Central Oregon Students

The Crooked River Roundup Foundation is proud to announce that it has awarded 10 scholarships to deserving students in Central Oregon who are pursuing careers or learning in the fields of ranching, farming, agriculture, and rodeo.

The scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, will provide financial support to students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to their academic pursuits and a passion for the western way of life. Scholarships went to the following recipients:

1. Andraya McNary-Prineville, OR
2. Cutter Marsh-Powell Butte, OR
3. Kaylyn Fildes-Prineville, OR
4. Lauren Papke-Prineville, OR
5. Jesse Wood-Prinevile, OR
6. Ninette Garcia- Madras, OR
7. Oran Davis- Mitchell, OR
8. Tavia Quinn-Prineville, OR
9. Wyatt Wood-Prineville, OR
10. Zach Levesque-Prineville, OR

"We are honored to be able to support these talented young people as they embark on their educational journeys," said Jake Huffman, Education Chair of the Crooked River Roundup Foundation. "Our goal is to help them achieve their dreams and contribute to the future of agriculture and ranching in our community."

The scholarship recipients were selected based on their academic performance, extracurricular activities, and involvement in the agricultural community. They will be using the scholarships to attend trade school programs, colleges and universities in the region.

The Rural Oregon Community Foundation dba The Crooked River Roundup Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the western heritage and supporting the communities of Central Oregon. Through various initiatives, the Foundation strives to promote agriculture, ranching, and rodeo while providing educational opportunities and community services. Our mission is to Preserve the Western Way of Life.

 Deschutes Co. Measure Would Add Two County Commissioners

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County voters will decide in November whether to add two people to the currently three-member Board of County Commissioners. "I just think that a three-person governmental body is just inherently dysfunctional," says chief petitioner John Heylin. He tells KBND News he’s hearing a lot of excitement for his proposal. 

Current Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone doesn’t think it’s the right time, "We are a growing county, so at some point, it’s probably the right thing to be doing. I’ve always figured when we get to about 250,000 people we should do this, and we’re not quite there yet." And, he believes adding two Commissioners would be expensive, "If we add $500,000 - so that’s salaries, benefits, office support, overhead; so it’s a $500,000 estimate - it’s going to take it directly away from services on the ground."

Heylin doesn’t think DeBone’s budget argument has merit, "He voted - him and Patti voted to give themselves $20-30,000 pay raises. So, if he was actually concerned about money, why doesn’t he knock down his own salary?" And, he says, the move to a five-member board has nothing to do with population; other, much smaller counties have already made the shift, including Hood River County, which is 1/8 the size of Deschutes. Heylin believes a larger board would be more efficient and not stretched as thin, "It’s about a properly functioning government and having proper representation on the county level, as well as Commissioners that can have a coffee together and talk about interests." Under public meeting laws, two members of a three-person board is a quorum and considered an official meeting, but two members of a five-person board is not. 

Commissioner DeBone also criticizes the measure for not creating geographic districts for what would be the five-member board; all members would be elected “at-large." DeBone tells KBND News, "When I talk to voters, they say, ‘yeah, I’d like to have my commissioner in my area.’ That’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re just going to add two." Heylin says he asked Commissioners to send that idea to voters, but two of the three refused, "They are allowed to put on districts any time they want." He adds, as a small business owner, he didn’t have time for that second step, "I’m just one dude. That would have required a whole second petition, which was a bit much for me. I’m not an organization - I don’t have major backing."

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Four-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down Cascade Avenue in Sisters

A four-vehicle crash on East Cascade Avenue in Sisters on Tuesday afternoon led to road closures and rerouted traffic, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:59 p.m. on September 3, when a 2018 Honda Pilot, driven by 39-year-old Preston Langeliers of Wilsonville, veered off its lane while heading westbound on Cascade Avenue. The driver had reportedly been reaching for an unknown object when he lost control of the vehicle.

Langeliers first struck the driver’s side mirror of a parked 2018 Subaru Forester before continuing down the road and hitting the rear of a 2023 Toyota Camry, which caused the Honda to flip onto its driver's side. The impact pushed the Camry forward into a parked 2023 Volkswagen Taos.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the Honda Pilot resting on its driver’s side, blocking the westbound lane of Cascade Avenue. The road, also known as Highway 20 West, was closed for about an hour while authorities worked to clear the scene.

Medics from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District evaluated Langeliers and two minor passengers, who had managed to extricate themselves from the vehicle. No injuries were reported, and none of the individuals involved were transported to the hospital.

Assistance at the scene was provided by the Oregon State Police, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the city of Sisters Public Works department. Traffic was rerouted while authorities conducted their investigation and cleared the damaged vehicles.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Electrical Failure Sparks Fire in Redmond, Destroying Home and Spreading to Nearby Property

On the morning of September 3, 2024, a fire broke out at a home on SW Mesa Way in Redmond, prompting a swift response from Redmond Fire & Rescue. Crews were dispatched at approximately 10:40 a.m. and reported seeing smoke from a distance as they approached the scene.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met with heavy smoke and flames engulfing a manufactured home, with the fire already spreading to a nearby boat and tree. Crews quickly extended hoses to the residence and began battling the blaze, while additional resources were deployed to protect nearby structures from the spreading fire.

Fortunately, all occupants had safely evacuated the home by the time firefighters arrived. A thorough search of the property confirmed no one was inside.

The fire was later determined to have been caused by an electrical failure involving an extension cord.

Redmond Fire & Rescue received assistance from Bend Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in containing the fire and protecting the surrounding area.

Redmond Police Seek Public's Help After Gunshots Reported in Residential Area

Redmond, OR – The Redmond Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance after receiving reports of gunshots fired in a neighborhood near SW Timber Avenue and SW 24th Street on the evening of Monday, September 2, 2024.

The incident was reported just after 8:00 p.m., and officers responding to the scene found two shell casings on the sidewalk at the corner of SW Timber View Court and SW Timber Avenue. Two more shell casings were located on SW 24th Street, between SW Salmon Avenue and SW Timber Avenue.

No property damage or injuries were found during the investigation. Officers canvassed the neighborhood, going door to door in search of witnesses and video footage from nearby residences.

The Redmond Police Department is asking anyone with video surveillance or additional information about the incident to contact them through the non-emergency dispatch line at (541) 693-6911. Please reference case number 2024-25585.

Meet Warden!

Meet Warden! This little nugget is looking for a family that will take him on all of their adventures! He is looking for someone that will work hard at developing all of the skills he needs to be a confident, happy pup. Giving him a consistent routine and starting on training right away with help him feel comfortable in the home. Don't forget to provide him with his very own space! He will need lots of patience and dedication in this formidable time of his life. If you are ready to embark on the journey of having a puppy, stop by the shelter!

Deschutes Public Library Events

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