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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🎦Local Trivia Special

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🫡Sept. 11 Patriot Day ceremony planned at Bend Heroes Memorial

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

👩‍🦰🧒Class Prepares Volunteers to Mentor Children with Incarcerated Parents

✈️American Airlines reduces Redmond-Dallas/Fort Worth route from daily to 2 per week

🏠💵Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund program seeks applications for limited remaining funds

🏫Bend-La Pine Schools to hold info session Thursday evening for potential school board applicants

✅Local Vote

🗣️Deschutes Co. sheriff's candidates Bailey, Vander Kamp talk DCSO budget, office tensions, lawsuit threats in KTVZ debate 🎦

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🔥Little Lava Fire Evacuation Update - 09/09/24 

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Crime News

⚖️Bend man pleads not guilty to murder, other charges in fatal stabbing of roommate

📰 Community News

💖High Desert Museum’s 35th annual High Desert Rendezvous sets new fundraising record, honors The Bend Foundation

 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

In Lieu of Trivia Question today I wanted to share this great “Little Did I Know” from Central Oregon Daily News:

What Central Oregon was like in 1892: An interview with T.W. Vandevert

BEND

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

Sept. 11 Patriot Day ceremony planned at Bend Heroes Memorial

Sept. 11 is the 23rd anniversary of the Terrorist attacks on our nation in New York City, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania, Almost 3,000 Americans were killed on that day, named as Patriot Day.

The attack led to the 2 decades long Global War on Terror (GWOT)in Afghanistan and Iraq where almost 7,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice including over 140 from Oregon and 7 from Bend.

Bend Heroes Foundation and volunteers will honor the fallen at Bend Heroes Memorial in Drake Park beginning at 8:00 am Wednesday.

We will:

 Read President Biden's proclamation
 Display a flag with the names of America's fallen - first responders, veterans, and civilians.
 Read the names of Bend's fallen GWOT veterans.
 Describe the actions Bend Heroes Foundation has taken to honor Oregon's GWOT veterans: Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Veterans Memorial Highway, Fallen Hero Memorial Highways, Purple Heart City, Purple Heart Trail, Bend Heroes Memorial, Bend Parade of Flags, Gold Star By-Way markers, Oregon Gold Star Families Memorial Highway
 Display 50 flags at Bend Heroes Memorial and on Veterans Memorial Bridge (Newport Ave.) adjacent to Bend Heroes Memorial

The public is welcome to this free of charge event.

Contact: Dick Tobiason, Chairman, Bend Heroes Foundation 541 390 9932

Class Prepares Volunteers to Mentor Children with Incarcerated Parents

Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY), a program of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, is offering a class to prepare volunteers to become mentors for children with an incarcerated parent. 

After initial training and background checks, volunteers are matched with a child in Bend, Redmond, Sisters or LaPine that share similar interests and activities and commit to spending a few hours a week together for a minimum of one year. This time is often spent on outside activities, exploring the community, doing art or craft projects, cooking or baking, or simply hanging out and talking.

On Saturday, September 21, COPY will offer a Mentor Training. This 3½-hour class covers program policies, Q&A from a current volunteer, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families, communication skills, and the stages of a mentoring relationship. There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required. Light snacks and refreshments provided. 

For additional details please call 541-388-6651 or email [email protected] Additional program information is available at the Sheriff’s Office web site at www.sheriff.deschutes.org/copy.

American Airlines reduces Redmond-Dallas/Fort Worth route from daily to 2 per week

Peyton Thomas, Reporter Central Oregon Daily News

American Airlines is reducing the non-stop flight between Redmond and Dallas-Fort Worth to just two days per week -- Thursday and Sunday.

This spring, the seasonal flight was scheduled to be daily. This month, the airline began dropping many flights, leaving some travelers forced to find a connection.

“We had to go to use another airline or possibly you go to Phoenix first and then to Dallas and then up to Toronto, which would add at least seven hours on to the trip each way,” traveler Steve Cook said. “It was disappointing because it was such a helpful flight going into a large hub for American Airlines like that. It gives me access to a lot of cities in the Southeast and in the upper Midwest.”

Redmond Airport said in a statement to Central Oregon Daily: “Redmond Airport has no control over airline flight schedules, but we continue to aggressively advocate for more options, frequencies, and destinations for our customers.”

Central Oregon Daily reached out to American Airlines multiple times and did not hear back Monday.

The airport said the seasonal route is expected to return again next summer. Until then, travelers like Cook are forced to find another way to reach the hub.

“Driving to Portland is an option. Sometimes it's just not great in the wintertime," he said. "I like to fly out of Redmond if I can. I hope they bring back that flight because I think a lot of other travel travelers like me can use it.”

That now-limited seasonal service will continue through Oct 6.

Video

Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund program seeks applications for limited remaining funds

SALEM, OR - Oregon Housing and Community Services is accepting final applications for the Homeowner Assistance Fund program, which has limited funds remaining. 

HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief, designed to help homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardship due to the pandemic. Homeowners are eligible if they are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home, in property tax foreclosure, or in other high-risk situations identified by a housing counselor.

Homeowners should explore all other options with their servicer or a housing counselor before applying for HAF. 

“We strongly encourage eligible homeowners to contact a housing counselor immediately,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “Scheduling and completing foreclosure avoidance counseling takes time and documentation. While we are accepting new applications, we cannot guarantee assistance to everyone who applies due to limited funding.”  

Homeowners wanting to apply for assistance must work with a HAF intake partner to submit an application on their behalf. A list of intake partners can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/Pages/Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.

OHCS plans to make its final HAF payments in February 2025, but funds may run out much sooner. When funds are allocated, pending applications will be denied or paused subject to any funds becoming available. Applying for HAF does not guarantee approval or that a foreclosure will be postponed.

Some homeowners may have received letters from their county asking them if they want to apply for HAF. Please note that these are legitimate requests that the HAF team has approved and are not scam attempts.

Homeowners can learn more about eligibility criteria and application requirements at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.

Bend-La Pine Schools to hold info session Thursday evening for potential school board applicants

BEND, OR -- Community members are invited to learn what it’s like to serve on the Board of Directors for Bend-La Pine Schools at a public presentation on Thursday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This informational meeting will be in the Board Room of the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St., Bend.

Superintendent Steven Cook and Board Clerk Janet Bojanowski will share information about the roles and responsibilities of being a board member and the time commitment involved, then answer questions from attendees.

The School Board is seeking applications to fill a vacancy, the at-large Zone 6 position. The board will appoint an applicant to serve through June 2025. The Zone 6 seat will be on the ballot again in May 2025 for a 2-year term, fulfilling the balance of the current 4-year term.

Applicants must reside within a Deschutes County voting precinct, have resided within a Deschutes County voting precinct for at least one year, reside within Bend-La Pine Schools’ attendance area, and be registered to vote in Deschutes County.

Visit the Board of Directors’ webpage for details on how to apply. Applicants must share a resume, residency attestation form from the webpage, and a letter of interest following the prompt on the website. Applications must be submitted to the Board Clerk no later than 4 p.m. on September 30, 2024.

The board declared the Zone 6 vacancy following the resignation of Melissa Barnes Dholakia on April 4, 2024.

Learn more about the Board of Directors’ zones and the board on the School Board’s webpage.

If additional accommodations are needed to access this information session, please contact Bend-La Pine Schools at 541-355-1000 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled date.

Little Lava Fire Evacuation Update - 09/09/24 

Due to significant growth of the Little Lava Fire to the east, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office in coordination with fire managers is expanding the evacuation areas.

Current Level 3 (Go Now):

1. Previous evacuation areas around Mt Bachelor south to to Forest Service Rd 40, west of FS Rd 41 (Conklin Rd), and south of FS Rd 4140.  

2. Areas south of FS Rd 40, north of FS Rd 42 (South Century Drive), east of FS Rd 4032, and west of the Deschutes National Forest Boundary.

Level 3: Means “GO” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.

Current Level 2 (Be Set):

1. Areas south of FS 40, north of FS 42 (South Century Drive), west of FS Rd 4210, and east of FS Rd 4032.

2. Areas east of FS Rd 45 (River Summit Dr) to FS 41 (Conklin Rd), south of Century Drive, and north of FS Rd 4140.

3. Deschutes National Forest east of FS Rd 41 (Conklin Rd),west of the Deschutes River, north of FS Rd 40/Spring River Dr and south of Benham Falls. Excluding private property, which is Level 1 (Be Ready).

Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.

Current Level 1 (Be Ready): 

1. Areas west of the Deschutes River from Fall River Estates north to Spring River Rd, including Fall River Estates, River Forest Acres, River Meadows, Stage Stop Meadows, and Deschutes River Recreational Homesites.

2. Areas north of Spring River Rd west of the Deschutes River including Besson Rd area and Spring River Acres.

3. Sunriver

Level 1: Means “BE READY“ for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.

Current maps including evacuation areas can be found at:

https://deschutes.org/emergency 

For fire information, you can visit the Central Oregon Fire Information site at:

www.centraloregonfire.org

An information line will be staffed until about 9:00 PM tonight. Please only call if you need assistance or if you need clarification after reviewing online sources above. The information number is 541-550-4888.

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Bend man pleads not guilty to murder, other charges in fatal stabbing of roommate

BEND, OR – A Bend man arrested in the fatal stabbing of his roommate early last month pleaded not guilty Monday to second-degree murder and other charges.

Robert Carter Lawrence, 46, was arrested after police responded the night of August 1 to a report of a deceased person at a home in the 60800 block of Raintree Drive, north of Knott Road and east of SE 15^th Street, police said. Officers found Matthew Kenneth Hallberg, 57, deceased in the backyard.

Prosecutors said a neighbor could hear Hallberg calling for help, saying Lawrence was trying to kill him, and that Lawrence admitted killing Hallberg, who had suffered several stab wounds.

Lawrence appeared in court Monday by video from the Deschutes County Jail before Judge Michelle McIver and pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, court records show.

A Nov. 12 hearing was set to check on the status of the case and set a trial date. Lawrence remains held without bail.

High Desert Museum’s 35th annual High Desert Rendezvous sets new fundraising record, honors The Bend Foundation

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The 35^th annual High Desert Rendezvous—one of Central Oregon’s longest-running charitable events—set a new fundraising record this year, grossing more than $630,000 to support the programs and exhibitions of the High Desert Museum.

The record was set with help from the 2024 High Desert Rendezvous Honoree, The Bend Foundation. Founded in 1947 by Brooks Scanlon, Brooks Resources and its shareholders, The Bend Foundation has continuously invested in the health and vitality of Central Oregon. And The Bend Foundation has championed the Museum and the educational opportunities it brings to the region, from the initial idea for a museum to its grand opening in 1982 to today.

The Bend Foundation’s community support focuses on adding to the legacy of providing public art in Bend, promoting cultural, educational and intellectual enrichment programs, and enhancing or preserving our physical environment. 

“It is our pleasure to continue to support nonprofit and public organizations that work to enhance the cultural and intellectual experiences in our community,” said Romy Mortensen, Bend Foundation Trustee. “The High Desert Museum is a shining example of one of these organizations that is consistently providing opportunities for growth, discovery and enlightenment and we are proud to support it.”

“We are extraordinarily grateful to the generosity of Rendezvous attendees and this community in supporting the work of the Museum,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The Bend Foundation in particular has provided continued leadership and commitment to the Museum throughout its 42 years, which is all the more vital as we consider what the next four decades will look like.”

The High Desert Rendezvous took place on Saturday, August 24 at the Museum. Funds from Rendezvous support the Museum’s exhibitions, wildlife encounters and educational programs that inspire wonder and learning about the High Desert region. The Museum every year opens up to nine new temporary exhibitions, cares for more than 120 animals and welcomes thousands of school children for field trips. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, nearly 225,000 people visited the Museum.

The 2024 High Desert Rendezvous was presented by Bonta Gelato and Ferguson Wellman Wealth Management with support from First Interstate Bank.

About The Bend Foundation

Established and funded by Brooks Scanlon, Brooks Resources and its shareholders, The Bend Foundation was originally formed in 1947 as a resource for injured loggers and mill workers, and to provide scholarships for industry workers. With its mission having evolved to assist in enriching the lives of the residents of Bend, Oregon, its key focus is to contribute to nonprofit and public organizations that add to the legacy of providing public art in Bend, promote cultural, educational and intellectual enrichment programs that benefit the community, and enhance or preserve our physical environment. www.bendfoundation.org

About The High Desert Museum

The High Desert Museum opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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