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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎃DD Ranch 2024 Pumpkin Patch

🍺🛍️Fresh Hops and Pop Up Shops @ River’s Place

🎶💃🎈Sister’s Folk Festival

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🏛️Oregon Officials Address Voter Registration Error Involving 1,259 Individuals

🧑‍🎓COCC Offers Associates Degree Program To Incarcerated Students

🪵 Grant County Faces $58 Million Economic Hit as Malheur Lumber Shutdown Looms

📰Regional News

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

 🚨 Crime News

💖Local Cause Spotlight

💖🤝Saving Grace Calls on Community to Support Survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

📰 Community News

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

📲Sponsors & Partners

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events

Which historic building in Bend is known for its ghostly encounters and is featured on the Bend Ghost Tours?

A) Liberty Theater
B) Deschutes Historical Museum
C) Tower Theatre
D) McMenamins Old St. Francis School

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrows Newsletter👉

BEND

TERREBONNE

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

DD Ranch 2024 Pumpkin Patch

Come see us this Fall at our annual Pumpkin Patch!
School Field Trips, Hay rides , Pony rides, Train rides, Paintball shooting gallery, Cowboy arcade, Petting zoo, Kids Korral, live music, food trucks and more!
Open Tuesday - Sunday, closed Mondays.

Starts September 29th

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

3836 NE Smith Rock Way, Terrebonne, OR

Fresh Hops and Pop Up Shops

Saturday September 28th

If you’re looking for a great way to spend your weekend, check out the Sisters Folk Festival happening soon in beautiful Sisters, Oregon. It’s a fantastic gathering that celebrates folk music with a lineup of talented artists ready to take the stage. You can enjoy live performances, grab some local bites, and just soak in the laid-back vibe of the community. Whether you’re a folk aficionado or just curious about the scene, it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who share a love for music. So come on down, enjoy the tunes, and embrace the spirit of this charming festival!

September 27, 2024 - September 29, 2024

Time 06:00 PM - 12:00 AM

location 204 W Adams Ave Sisters, Oregon United States

Tickets 3-Day Pass: $225/adult • Friday-only: $85 • Saturday-only: $130 • Sunday-only: $70

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Oregon Officials Address Voter Registration Error Involving 1,259 Individuals

Oregon's Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Secretary of State's office revealed a voter registration error that mistakenly added 1,259 individuals to voter rolls without proof of citizenship. The mistake occurred when DMV staff accidentally selected the wrong option while processing driver's license or ID applications. Ten of these individuals voted, though it hasn’t impacted any election results. The issue, which began in 2021, has since been corrected, with new safeguards in place to prevent future errors. Lawmakers expressed concern over the delayed discovery but were satisfied with the remedial actions taken.

Full Story Here

COCC Offers Associates Degree Program To Incarcerated Students

MADRAS, OR -- Central Oregon Community College begins the fall term Monday at campuses in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and the Deer Ridge Correctional Institution. After a 26-year ban, federal Pell Grants can now be used for incarcerated students to take college courses and COCC is one of the first schools in the country to receive Pell Grant certification.

The school now offers an Associates Degree within its prison education program. Only individual classes and skills training, like welding, have been offered at DRCI in the past.

"There are lots of data that demonstrate that engaging with education, particularly higher education, reduces recidivism," says Program Coordinator and biology teacher Emma Chaput. She says offering an Associates Degree to incarcerated adults seemed a natural fit, "We are a community college and our mission is to provide high quality educational opportunities throughout our community. And these students are members of our community."

Short-term state funding allowed the program to start last spring, giving COCC time to adapt and adjust before students gained access to federal financial aid. Chaput says, "It is not an environment that is conducive to studying, to learning, to focusing on higher education." She adds, "At the moment, students have virtually no access to technology: no internet, no email, limited computer access." She says students have to be motivated to succeed, "The students have reported, particularly - and I hadn’t thought about this - that noise can be a real challenge for focusing. Because they don’t have a lot of control over their external environment."

And, she's proud of how the class worked together, "To create college space. We have had lots of conversations about how do we shut the door and be in college? And make that transition, both for them and the instructors."

This fall, 17 students at Deer Ridge are offered three courses towards their Associates Degree. 

 Grant County Faces $58 Million Economic Hit as Malheur Lumber Shutdown Looms

The closure of Malheur Lumber, set to happen by early 2025, could deal a $58 million blow to Grant County’s economy, eliminating 76 jobs at the John Day sawmill and affecting 207 jobs overall. The shutdown stems from challenges including worker shortages, housing issues, and rising costs, according to parent company Ochoco Lumber. An analysis by the Oregon Employment Department shows ripple effects impacting local timber, equipment, and other industries tied to the mill.

Local civic leaders, including Grant School District officials, are pushing for government intervention to prevent the mill's closure, highlighting severe economic consequences for schools and the community. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are calling on federal officials to help save the mill, but as Malheur Lumber winds down log processing, time is running out for a rescue plan.

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Saving Grace Calls on Community to Support Survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

One in three women and one in four men face domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence) in their lifetimes. “Those startling statistics underscore the importance of community involvement to change the narrative around violence in our community through education, awareness, and support,” says Abby Rowland, executive director of Saving Grace, Central Oregon’s sole provider of comprehensive services for survivors, offering a 24-hour helpline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling and community education.This October, Saving Grace participates in the nationally recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and supporting survivors. Saving Grace is asking community members to wear purple ribbons to show support along with hosting a series of local events alongside partnered businesses throughout the month, culminating in an exciting online raffle featuring incredible prize donated by area businesses.

Online Raffle Prize:

• Indoor Winter Fun Package: Valued at over $1,000, get ready for some winter fun — indoors, with this package featuring gift cards, products, and experiences from a variety of local businesses including Pickleball Zone, Mountain Burger, Roundabout Books, Bevel Craft Brewing, Spider City Brewing and Mountain Air! Tickets are one for $20, or 6 for $100!

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase starting 10/1. To see more info on events and resources visit: saving-grace.org/dvam.

Upcoming DVAM Events Include:

• Desperado Boutique First Friday Art Walk — October 4, 6-9pm — art, music and shopping for a cause

• Nancy P’s Art Show — Saturday, October 5, 10am-2pm — an art-filled day to support our mission

• Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo at Silver Moon Brewing with The YOUNI Movement — Sunday, October 6, 9am-12pm — a fun, interactive bingo experience in support of Saving Grace

• Bingo With Bren at Bevel Craft Brewing — Monday, October 7, 14, 21, 6-8pm — a night of bingo fun and fundraising

• Pint Night at Craft Kitchen and Brewery — Friday, October 18, 4-7pm — proceeds from pints sold benefit Saving Grace

• Bingo at Deschutes Brewery Taproom — Thursday, October 24, 6-8pm — a night of bingo fun and fundraising

• Pint Night at Spider City Brewing — Sunday, October 27 — grab a pint and support Saving Grace!

• Give Back Day at Mountain Burger — Wednesday, October 30, All Day! — enjoy a meal with a portion of proceeds benefiting Saving Grace

• Flights Wine Bar — ALL MONTH LONG proceeds from any sale of Ancient Cellars ‘Mirror Pond’ Pinot Noir 2015 from Willamette Valley will go to Saving Grace

These events, along with the recently launched Violence Prevention Partner Program in conjunction with local bars/restaurants, are an opportunity for the community to get involved and support survivors. Want to do even more? Fall volunteer training starts on October 1! Visit saving-grace.org/volunteer or email [email protected] to find out more!

About Saving Grace:
Saving Grace offers safety, hope, and healing to survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking and engages Central Oregon to build life free from violence. Survivors have access to our 24-hour helpline, free and confidential counseling services, legal and court advocacy, shelter, safety planning, and more. Saving Grace’s 24-hour helpline is available at 541-389-7021. If you or someone you know needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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