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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🔦Business Spotlight

👻Bend Ghost Tours

🌄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?

🛣️ODOT’s Bend Highways 97/20 North Corridor Project nearly done, a bit early and on its $175 million budget

📰Food Safety and Sustainability Summit to be held in Central Oregon next month

📰Bowman Museum to host lecture series

📰Regional News

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

 🚨 Crime News

📰🏘️Real Estate News

🏘️Central Oregon Market Report | September 25, 2024 by Reed Melton

📰Oregon Has 5/25 Of The Most Expensive Towns In the U.S. | Daily Tidings

📰Discovery West Launches Discovery Corner

📰 Community News

🚒Bend Fire & Rescue to Host Community Open House on September 28

 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

Answer: D) McMenamins Old St. Francis School
Expanded Answer: McMenamins Old St. Francis School, a popular stop on the Bend Ghost Tours, is known for its haunted history. The former Catholic school-turned-hotel is said to have paranormal activity, including reports of eerie noises and ghostly apparitions, making it a favorite for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.

Uncover the Haunting Secrets of Bend This Halloween Season!

As the leaves turn crisp and the air grows chilly, Halloween is upon us, making it the perfect time to embrace all things eerie. If you’re searching for a thrilling yet educational experience in your community, look no further than Bend Ghost Tours! This October, they invite you to embark on a spine-tingling journey through the haunted history of Bend, Oregon. Imagine yourself wandering through the shadowy streets, led by a captivating guide as dusk descends and darkness creeps in—eager to uncover tales of ghostly encounters and spine-chilling events that shaped this quaint town.

Bend may be known for its breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures, but this time of year, it reveals its darker secrets. Bend Ghost Tours specializes in unveiling these hidden histories, where local lore intertwines with historical accounts. Picture this: a group of thrill-seekers gathered around as your guide recounts creepy tales about spectral figures that haunt specific locations—perfect for setting the mood as Halloween approaches! From ghostly apparitions seen in old hotels to unexplained shadows flitting through the local parks, each story is steeped in intrigue and history.

What makes Bend Ghost Tours even more special during Halloween is how they elevate the experience with a seasonal twist. As you stroll through historic neighborhoods adorned with autumn decorations and perhaps a few cobwebs left over from last year's festivities, your guide will share spine-tingling stories that echo through time—like an echo of distant screams on a moonlit night. This isn't just any ghost tour; it's an immersive dive into Bend’s past, giving you chills while educating you on the town’s haunting history.

Now, you might be asking yourself why you should partake in this spectral adventure. For starters, it's a fantastic way to connect with fellow ghost enthusiasts who are equally eager to embrace the thrills of October! As you traverse those haunted paths, you’ll find camaraderie with others who are there for a heart-pounding experience. The atmosphere is electric—especially as Halloween approaches—with everyone sharing their excitement and maybe even their own hair-raising experiences.

Bend Ghost Tours makes sure everyone can partake in the spooky fun—families with children will find early evening tours especially delightful! With stories tailored for younger audiences, kids can enjoy the frights without being too scared. This Halloween season is an opportunity to educate your little ones about local lore while indulging in some good old-fashioned ghostly fun together!

What better way to celebrate the spooky season than by joining one of their tours? These excursions typically run several times a week throughout October, allowing anyone looking for a thrill to hop on board at their convenience! Whether you're planning a haunting date night or seeking out activities for your friends or family, Bend Ghost Tours is a perfect fit for your Halloween agenda. Be sure to visit their website for availability because spots tend to vanish faster than ghosts around this time of year!

Keep an eye out for special Halloween-themed events! During this haunting season, Bend Ghost Tours often sprinkles extra spookiness into their offerings—think unique ghost hunts or costume-friendly tours where participants can channel their inner ghouls and goblins. Imagine wandering the streets in costume while sharing hair-raising stories under the watchful gaze of the moonlight—it’s an experience that brings locals and tourists together in celebration of all things spooky!

Each tour takes roughly 90 minutes and covers about one mile on foot—perfect for all fitness levels. You won’t need to sprint like you're being chased by ghosts; instead, you'll have ample time to soak in the atmosphere while possibly encountering friendly spirits along the way! And don’t forget your camera; capturing memories (and perhaps some ghostly orbs) is essential during such an exhilarating outing.

Bend Ghost Tours encourages guests to share their own paranormal experiences during the tour as well! It’s a wonderful way to engage with fellow participants while discovering even more chilling stories that haunt our community. With every shared tale and every shadowed corner explored, you'll feel more connected to both your neighbors and the eerie past of Bend.

Supporting local businesses like Bend Ghost Tours means investing in your community—and what better way to celebrate Halloween than by supporting those who help keep our town's spooky legends alive? By choosing these local experiences over mainstream options, you're not only nurturing small businesses but also creating unforgettable memories unique to this season.

So there you have it! If you're ready for an adventure filled with thrills and chills this Halloween season, make your way over to Bend Ghost Tours today! Gather your friends or family and prepare for an evening that intertwines local history with chilling tales of hauntings. You might leave with more than just goosebumps; you'll have spine-tingling stories ready to share around your own Halloween bonfire! Don't let this opportunity slip away—who knows what spectral encounters await you on these enchanted nights?

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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ODOT’s Bend Highways 97/20 North Corridor Project nearly done, a bit early and on its $175 million budget

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – After many years of planning and nearly two years of construction, the U.S. Highway 97/20 Bend North Corridor Project is “substantially complete,” two months ahead of schedule and within its $175 million budget, an ODOT official said Thursday.

Project participants and officials will hold a ribbon-cutting event soon to mark completion of a major project that’s shifted Highway 97’s through traffic to the east while creating a northern extension of Third Street by the Cascade Village Shopping Center and other busy retail spots on the north end of town – now called Business 97.

While December was the target completion goal, “we are just in the final stages of paving, striping and getting signs up,” which should be done soon, ODOT Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey said.

The goal of the various project elements, including four new dual-lane roundabouts along Highway 20 between Bend and Tumalo, was “to relieve congestion and improve travel times, safety and mobility for all modes of transportation,” the agency said.

Getting there was literally a challenge for drivers and area businesses during the project amid all the traffic impacts and shifting routes, from rock blasting to just getting used to the changes and new configurations.

More details on the project are available at this web page .

The post ODOT’s Bend Highways 97/20 North Corridor Project nearly done, a bit early and on its $175 million budget appeared first on KTVZ .

Food Safety and Sustainability Summit to be held in Central Oregon next month

Deschutes County Health Services, the Central Oregon Community College Cascade Culinary Institute and partners invite the community to attend the inaugural Food Safety and Sustainability Summit in October.

During the event, kitchen managers and community members will learn about a variety of topics, including food insecurity, the main risk factors leading to food-borne illness, best practices for donating surplus food and strategies for reducing food waste. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour the composting and emissions systems at Knott Landfill.

“This summit is an opportunity for private businesses, government agencies and non-profits to come together and address concerns related to food safety, food insecurity and sustainability,” said Deschutes County Environmental Health Supervisor Eric Mone. “We believe the information shared during the event will lead to improved regulatory compliance, reduced food waste, improved efficiency, cost savings and community assurance.”

The Food Safety and Sustainability Summit will be held on Tuesday, October 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Cascade Culinary Institute, 2555 Northwest Campus Village Way in Bend.

Tickets are $15, but you can save $5 if you reserve a spot early. Register for the summit here.

Bowman Museum to host lecture series

The Saunders Memorial Lecture Series will be held Oct. 3 and 10

Jason Chaney

An annual free lecture series at Bowman Museum will feature a common theme this October.

The Sanders Memorial Lecture Series returns with two events on back-to-back Thursdays next month. Both lectures will take place in the museum’s community room beginning at 6 p.m. The first lecture, on Oct. 3, will feature Carrie Gordon, a retired geologist and Oregon Naturalist. The audience will be invited to explore the history of our area through the lens of its geology. People will be given the opportunity to peer into the geological history, including the Crooked River Caldera, a 29.5-million-year-old volcano.

The second lecture, taking place on Oct. 10, will be given by Crook County historian Steve Lent. He will share the history of the mining towns that sprung up throughout the county, beginning with its gold rush days. Visitors are invited to discover the pivotal role mining played in the development of the Crook County community, as Lent takes the audience on a journey, sharing stories and exploring the impact of mining on local heritage.

“The mines are found in Crook County and there are things that you can still see today in the Ochocos,” said Deanna Smith, the museum’s collections manager.

Both lecture topics were chosen to fit with the current Oregon geology-based exhibit on display at the museum’s Belknap Exhibit Center.

“We have an Oregon Historical Society exhibit that is touching on geology in Oregon,” Smith explained, “and we wanted to do sort of a Prineville spin on that.”

The Saunders Lecture Series is held every October at Bowman Museum. The series originated when Curt and Martha Saunders, long-time Crook County residents and members of the local historical society, bequeathed money to both the museum and Friends of Crook County Library.

One day, after both Curt and Martha had passed, former museum director, Gordon Gillespie, took a phone call from an attorney who informed him that the Saunders had left money to the museum as part of their will.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” Gillespie said, noting that the Friends of the Library were left a similar amount by the Saunders.

“When we were discussing the lecture series, we thought that was a good way of honoring them and also putting the idea in people’s heads that that is the kind of thing they can do. They can bequeath to organizations that they like to support.”

The goal of the lecture series is to give the public an opportunity to educate themselves on local history.

“This is a chance to bring in people from surrounding areas who might not necessarily come to Crook County,” Smith added. “Overall, these are great lectures. The speakers that we have are very engaging ... It should be a good time.”

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

Central Oregon Market Report | September 25, 2024

by Reed Melton

Weekly pending sales across all three Central Oregon counties were strong this week, but inventory increased, which isatypical for this time of year. Many in the real estate industry have proselytized a drop in the overnight rate from the Federal Reserve as the relief needed to free up the market. However, rates this morning for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage are at 6.18%, nearly unchanged from before the last Fed meeting. Markets adjust based on predicted Fed actions and mortgage rates already priced in the Fed rate cut. Putting aside Fed activity and interest rates, consumer confidence dropped to 98.7, down from 105.6 in August. The reasons cited for the drop in confidence were declining jobs and rising inflation. For reference, the consumer confidence index was 132.6 in February 2020. There is little doubt that the upcoming presidential election has many on hold, awaiting the outcome in November. 

While the weather lately has been gorgeous, winter comes quickly at this time of year. Homes sell throughout the winter months but at a slower pace than during the warmer months. These factors combine this fall to create a slower market than many anticipated. Regular readers of this market report know I see these conditions as an opportunity for buyers. Lower rates, significantly more inventory than in the recent past, and anxious sellers are creating options that have been unavailable for several years. 

The dip in inventory last week in Deschutes County was short-lived. This week, 1261 single-family homes were listed, the same as two weeks ago. Pending sales were up seven to 71, while closed transactions were down considerably at 42. The median price change for pending sales was -7.95%, a considerable jump from drops in the 4-5% range for much of the summer selling season. 

Crook County's home inventory increased nine this week to 182. Eight homes are under contract, and five transactions have closed. The median pending sale price was $437k, with a median price reduction of a whopping -15.1%—three of the five closed transactions sold at the asking price. The remaining two homes closed at slightly less than the asking price.

Jefferson County inventory increased by two, now at 120 single-family listings. Seven pending sales at a median of $309,900 and one closed transaction round out the week—the closed sale sold for $285,000, 87.69% of the original list price. 

Many buyers and sellers wait for strong signals in the housing market to engage, but the best deals occur when the market slows. Waiting for prices or interest rates to align with a preconceived notion of what is correct pits consumers against each other and creates competition that negates much of the benefits. Housing is a solid long-term bet with a steadily growing population in Deschutes County and a well-qualified demographic arriving daily. Trying to time the market rarely gets the anticipated results. If you have been on the sidelines, I strongly encourage you to call your lender to see what today's rates do for your situation. Combined with seasonal falling prices and more inventory, the swing from a few months ago could be 100k or more in many situations. If mortgage rates continue to fall and inflation continues the upward trend, home prices in 2025 will surely increase. This fall is an opportunity for buyers that deserves a second look. 

Active Listings

Discovery West Launches Discovery Corner

Discovery West, one of Bend’s most sought-after neighborhoods, announced today the opening of Discovery Corner, the new central hub and heart of the neighborhood. To celebrate, Discovery West will host a free, family-friendly event, The Launch, which will take place the weekend of October 4-5, 2024.

Discovery Corner

Once open, Discovery Corner, located at the intersection of NW Ochoa Drive and NW Skyline Ranch Road, will be an ideal place for friends and family to gather. It features a colorful plaza surrounded by live-work townhomes with retail and dining establishments on the first floor, and Aerie by AvantStay overnight vacation rentals on the second and third floors. Reservations for Aerie are set to open later this month.

The ground-floor businesses opening at Discovery Corner include Harcourts The Garner Group, Discovery West’s long-time real estate partner, which is moving to the Corner from the “Pod” it has occupied, just two blocks away. Other businesses in various stages of opening include Sparrow Mercado, Put a Cork in It wine bar, Bluebird Aesthetics, Harper House Design and Greg Welch Construction.

The plaza’s circular design facilitates community, and at the center is a sculptural pine cone fire pit surrounded by large curved benches that feature colorful mosaic murals. Both were designed by female Northwest artists.

The Launch Event

The Launch, Discovery Corner’s space-themed grand opening event, takes place October 4-5 and will include a Friday night drone show, live music, food and drink, giveaways and activities for kids, Discovery West open house tours, and a special visit from our space-tacular guest of honor, former NASA astronaut, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, on Saturday morning.

The first Latina in space in 1993, Dr. Ochoa is one of Discovery West’s 19 Women of Discovery, after whom the neighborhood streets are named and who are honored on banners and on bronze sidewalk medallions around the plaza. In fact, Discovery Corner is on Ochoa Drive! Dr. Ochoa is also giving an inspiring presentation on Thursday, October 3, the night before The Launch event, at the Tower Theatre with a limited number of tickets still available. That event is in partnership with the COCC Foundation Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series.

At The Launch, in addition to meeting Dr. Ochoa, guests will also have the chance to go “back in time” to meet six other Women of Discovery characters who will be eager to share stories of their adventures and accomplishments. Young discoverers can get their passport stamped by each inspirational woman to win a stellar prize. There’s sure to be something at this cosmic event for everyone to enjoy. Details for The Launch event can be found here. Parking is available on adjacent streets throughout the neighborhood, but guests are encouraged to walk, bike, stroll and carpool.

About Discovery West:
Discovery West, situated on 245 acres on Bend’s westside, is the newest community in development by the team behind award-winning NorthWest Crossing. Discovery West offers a variety of home types and sizes, Discovery Corner community plaza, select retail shops, Aerie by AvantStay luxury overnight vacation rentals, public art installations, and 40 acres of parks, trails and open land. The development team’s vision for creating livable, detail-oriented communities that respect the Central Oregon landscape and lifestyle is apparent throughout the neighborhood.

discoverywestbend.com

Bend Fire & Rescue to Host Community Open House on September 28

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to invite the community to a family-friendly open house on Saturday, September 28, from 10:00am to 1:00pm.  The event will be held at the North Fire Station, 63377 Jamison St.

This exciting event will have fun activities for all ages, including free ice cream and coffee, opportunities to meet firefighters and community partners, and a chance to climb aboard a fire engine!  With live demonstrations on smoke alarms and kitchen fires safety, it will be a fun and educational day.  

Bring the whole family and join us to learn about wildfire and home safety with Bend Fire & Rescue. 

Deschutes Public Library Events

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