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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?

🔥🌩️Central OR Fires Grow After Lightning Storm

📰Deschutes County commissioners proclaim Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; several events planned around area

⚠️$115 ticket! Bend Police increase patrols in 20 mph school zones

📰Regional News

✈️💥NTSB Continues Investigation Into Fatal Oregon Plane Crash

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🔥🏠Late-Night House Fire on Chuckanut Dr Bend

🚨 Crime News

🚨Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Concludes Major Investigation into Illegal Marijuana and Psilocybin Operations

📰 Community News

 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

Which astronaut, who trained at Lava Butte, later became the pilot of the Command Module for Apollo 11, the mission that first landed humans on the Moon?

A) Russell Schweickart
B) David Scott
C) Michael Collins
D) Gene Cernan

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!

Central OR Fires Grow After Lightning Storm

Posted by Heather Roberts KBND

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Oregon again has more than 20 active large fires, thanks in part to weekend lightning. The largest new fire is burning in Grant County. The Rail Ridge Fire is 61,433 acres, burning near Martin Creek on the South Fork of the John Day River.  

Near Mitchell, the Shoe Fly Fire (pictured) is now 20,247 acres. A management team took command of that incident Tuesday evening. Near Tygh Valley, more air resources were assigned to the 15,000-acre Oak Canyon Fire, which is considered 25% contained. And, southeast of Post, the Wiley Flat Fire is now over 10,000 acres. The Crook County Sheriff's Office revised evacuation zones Tuesday for that incident.

In Klamath County, the Copperfield Fire is fully lined. It's estimated at about 3,800 acres. FEMA authorized the use fo federal funds to help pay for that firefight.

Kaitlyn Webb, with the U.S. Forest Service says fire season is far from over, "We saw a little slow in fire season, when we had that drop in temperatures, both regionally and across the northwest. But that potential for new starts has remained high, and the activity that increased over the weekend is a real testament to that." She tells KBND News, "We would need prolonged wetting rain or snow, in order to significantly impact moisture levels in larger fuels, like logs or stumps." 

Public use restrictions remain in place, including a ban on open fires, "Whenever you're headed out to recreate, make sure you check for fire restrictions before even considering packing what you need for a campfire," says Webb, "And opt to use a liquid or pressurized gas stove instead." Drivers should also keep vehicles off dry vegetation. And if you're towing something, make sure chains don't drag on the road.

Deschutes County commissioners proclaim Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; several events planned around area

  In concurrence with National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

In 2022, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in the United States, with one suicide occurring every 11 minutes.  According to national data, suicide was the second leading cause of death among children, ages 10-14 and adults, ages 25-34. Historically, in Deschutes County, three individuals die by suicide each month.

“One death by suicide is too many, but early recognition of warning signs and early intervention can save lives,” said Prevention and Health Promotion Program Manager Jessica Jacks. “That’s why County Public Health, in collaboration with the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance, is coordinating several activities throughout September to build awareness and work toward preventing suicide attempts and deaths in our community.”

The public is invited to attend one or more of the planned activities to support suicide survivors, learn about community resources and mental wellness, and find out how to help themself or support someone else who may be struggling.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month activities include:

●   American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Walk

Saturday, Sept. 7, at Alpenglow Park, 61049 SE 15^th St. in Bend.

Check in at 11 a.m., the walk starts at 11:45 a.m.

**English language event.  Accommodations available upon advance request.

Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and supported by COSPA, the Out of the Darkness Walk is meant to give people the courage to open up about their own connections to suicide and help lower the stigma that is connected to mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost. Register at this link.

●   Candlelight Vigil

Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Bend-La Pine Schools Education Center, 520 NW Wall St. in Bend,

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the front lawn.

**English language event.  Accommodations available upon advance request.

This event is for anyone that has lost a loved one to suicide. The Vigil includes music, a candle lighting ceremony, and community-building activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to light a candle to honor their loved one at sunset. We respectfully ask that the media not attend this event to respect the privacy of participants.

● Community Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Presentation

Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Eastside Bend Public Library, 62080 Dean Swift Rd. in Bend,

5:30 p.m.

**English language event.  Accommodations available upon advance request.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, please join COSPA for a community event providing education and resources about suicide prevention, along with the important need to help lower a loved one’s access to lethal means in a time of crisis.

● Esperanza, Ayuda y Sanación

Friday, Sept. 27, at the Latino Community Association Community Room, 2680 NE Twin Knolls Dr., #110, Bend or virtually via zoom.

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

**Spanish language event.  Accommodations available upon advance request.

This Spanish language presentation from Oregon Healing Collective is on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion. The presentation titled Hope, Help & Heal covers how connectedness and identity within the community can support mental health. 

Visit preventsuicideco.org for more information and the link to the virtual presentation.

**Sign and other language interpreter service, assistive listening devices, materials in alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, language translations or any other accommodations are available upon advance request at no cost. Please contact the event organizer no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting at [email protected], 541-213-5721. Providing at least 2 days’ notice prior to the event will help ensure availability.

If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call or click away:

• Deschutes County Stabilization Center: 63311 NE Jamison St. in Bend

• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (text or call)

  • Español: Llame 988 or envia “AYUDA” al 988

  • Veterans: Call 988 then press 1, or text 838225

  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Dial 711 then 988 or text 988

  • LGBTQ+: Call 988 and then press 3

• Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance’s Resource page: preventsuicideco.org

• If you are 21 or younger and want support for any problem, big or small, text teen2teen to 839863 or call YouthLine at 1-877-968-8491.

Deschutes County Health Services encourages our media partners to follow practices for safe reporting on suicide, which are available online.

For more information, please contact Caroline Suiter, Deschutes County Health Services, at 541-322-7420.

Red Fire closed Crescent Lake for months, but will lead to increased safety for years

Crescent Lake, a popular Central Oregon recreation area, has been closed for nearly two months due to the Red Fire, which was sparked by a lightning strike in mid-July. The fire threatened the area, leading firefighters to create a 10-mile-long fuel break to protect the lake and nearby cabins. This indirect approach prioritizes safety over direct firefighting in dangerous terrain. Fire crews have installed hoses and sprinklers around homes to defend them if the fire spreads. Although the lake remains closed, officials assure the public that safety measures will benefit the area for years to come. Firefighting efforts may continue into the fall, with the public notified once it's safe to return.

Full Story Here

NTSB Continues Investigation Into Fatal Oregon Plane Crash

Posted by Heather Roberts, OR Radio News Network - KBND

FAIRVIEW, OR -- The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate a weekend plane crash east of Portland that killed both people on board the aircraft and one person on the ground.

NTSB Air Safety Investigator Michael Hicks says the Cessna took off from the Troutdale Airport, "Saturday, August 31st, about 10:25 a.m. N421GP departed runway 25, Troutdale Airport, on a maintenance test flight." Hicks told reporters Tuesday, "During that maintenance test flight, the pilot reported issues with controlability. What those issues are, we are going to find out." He added, "Shortly after reporting the issues, a helicopter pilot in a Robinson R22 indicated that the aircraft, N421GP, impacted a residential area."

Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis says multiple townhome units in Fairview were destroyed, "The main impact was the second townhome in. And we have severe damage to the one to the right and the left; those three are definitely destroyed. My guess is the fourth one is probably unrepairable."

Tom Keegan was inside one of those units, "I saw the stuff blowing through the room, and I think that was the airplane coming across our deck and back of the house area. And then, 'boom,' and I was just thrown across into the bathtub. Somehow I looked around and saw insulation everywhere." He says the noise was incredible, "Like an M80 went off right here beside my head. When I stood up, I just- it was the loudest boom I ever heard." 

He believes being in his bathroom at the time of the crash may have saved his life, "If I'd have been in the other bathroom, I don't think I would've found a way out because when I came out of my bathroom, I looked at the bedroom and it was engulfed in flames and smoke and smelled like the most ghastly smell. It was plastic melting and electronics and stuff like that."

His wife Judy had walked down the street just before the crash and rushed home as soon as the chaos began. She was relieved to find her husband outside, but her next door neighbor was killed - her best friend of 20 years, "And I knew my friend was in the house."
The plane is registered to a Delaware corporation. The NTSB says the crash investigation could take up to 18 months.

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Late-Night House Fire on Chuckanut Dr Results in $75,000 Loss, Cause Under Investigation

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to the structure fire on Chuckanut Dr off of Brookswood Tuesday evening at 9:52pm. Crews were able to quickly stop the fire and keep it from spreading to adjacent structures. No one was home at the time of the fire and no pets were present. At $75,000 in damage, the house and contents are considered a complete loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A neighbor noticed the smoke and called 911.  Luckily, it was still early enough in the evening that they were still awake and could notice the smoke. No smoke alarms were heard during the fire and it’s unclear if any were present. It’s a good reminder that smoke alarms can help not only alert the occupants to a fire, but potentially neighbors or passerbys to something wrong at your home. 

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Concludes Major Investigation into Illegal Marijuana and Psilocybin Operations

In a major bust concluding a long-term investigation, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) team executed two search warrants on August 29, 2024. The operations, located in the 52000 block of Ponderosa Way in La Pine and the 55000 block of Osprey Road in Bend, were being used to produce illegal marijuana.

During the raids, law enforcement officers seized 461 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, over 5.5 pounds of processed marijuana, seven firearms, U.S. currency, and more than 23 pounds of processed psilocybin mushrooms valued at over $35,000. Detectives believe the illegal drugs were destined for the black market.

Kaleb Ryan Beckwith (34) and Madison Woods (28) were arrested and lodged in the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Adult Jail, facing felony charges for unlawful manufacture and possession of both marijuana and psilocybin. Two other individuals, Sean Edward Berroth (36) and Laura M. Koestner (38), were issued criminal citations for their involvement in the illegal operation.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with information to contact the Deschutes County 911 non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911.

DCIMME expressed their gratitude to several partner agencies, including Central Oregon Drug Enforcement, Bend and Redmond Police Departments, Oregon State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Oregon National Guard, and Deschutes County Code Enforcement, for their assistance in the operation.

Deschutes Public Library Events

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