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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎃HALLOWEEN BINGO!

 💖🫴3rd Annual A Night to Remember - Bowties & Boots - Fundraiser

🌕The High Desert Moonfest

📅Save The Date Section

❄️Snowflake Boutique -November 1st

 💓🧘‍♀️Meditation & Educational Event

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🌊Irrigation Season Ends

🐟Volunteers rescue fish from lowered Deschutes River side ponds near Lava Island

💗Heart of Oregon Corps Expands Conservation Program with $890K Grant

📰Regional News

UPDATE for 💥Two missing Navy aviators declared dead days after aircraft crash in Washington state

🚫🔒All Oregon Shari's locations permanently closed; Central Oregon customers stunned 🎦

Central Oregon Fire Info

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

📰🚨12 year old Student Arrested for Bringing Loaded Handgun to School

📰 Community News

🧥Shepherd's House seeks winter clothing donations for Central Oregon homeless

 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 Fun N Games in Central Oregon has LAUNCHED 🚀

Which Central Oregon town is said to have a haunted hotel, rumored to be home to ghostly activity?

A) Bend
B) Prineville
C) Sisters
D) Madras

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

HALLOWEEN BINGO!

Wednesday October 23rd

Otto’s Landing Redmond - Benefiting Central Oregon Veterans Ranch

A Night to Remember

October 24th 6:00 - 9:00 PM

The High Desert Moonfest

The High Desert Moonfest is a Harvest to Heritage celebration. Falling at the end of October, this event celebrates an end to the modern farming season that has historically driven the Crook County economy since its founding. It will also focus on the indigenous roots of our area, ranching, farming, timber and more. There will be excursions, as well as a festival held in town to celebrate the rich history of Crook County.

 October 26th

12pm to 8 pm

Pioneer Park Prineville

Coming up - Save the Date

Snowflake Boutique

48th Annual Show!

The 48th Snowflake Boutique will be Friday, November 1st 1:00pm -8:00pm and Saturday, November 2nd 9:00am - 5:00pm at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in the South Sisters Building.  Admission is $4.00 per person, children under 12 are free.  This is the 48th year for an amazing holiday show that show cases local artists, crafters, food specialties for your shopping pleasure.  The Snowflake Boutique is unique as it is set up as a store/boutique to shop as long as you wish and pay once before you leave.  This is the best show to start your holiday shopping.  Post expense proceeds are donated to local Central Oregon charities.

November 16th

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Irrigation Season Ends

Posted Yesterday by Mike Thomas KBND

REDMOND, OR -- The region's canals emptied last week. Central Oregon Irrigation Managing director Craig Horrell tells KBND News they had plenty of water through this summer. "We had a pretty normal irrigation season at Central Oregon Irrigation District, where North Unit did not because Wikiup Reservoir, their storage was not recovered and fully filled. ...they had an "okay" season. They're still recovering from a pretty massive drought for the last three out of five years." He sees some light at the end of a very dry tunnel, "We're recovering and cautiously optimistic that maybe with one more good year, maybe get back on track," says Horrell, adding, "One of the things we're finding here is droughts are longer and more severe and more frequent."

Central Oregon depends on a canal system built over a century ago. "This is why we're doing all of our modernization to make sure that we can accommodate for the next 100 years of these more frequently harsher conditions," Horrell says.

Maintenance begins now that irrigation season is over. "The day we shut water off in October, we start doing all our maintenance and construction and have to have it done by April 1^st. We do all our construction in the winter time. We can't stop water delivery in the summer, so we have a six-month construction season," he says.

Cutting off the stream flow in the upper Deschutes also strands fish in pools in the river bed. The annual fish rescue took place over the weekend and continues Monday.

Volunteers rescue fish from lowered Deschutes River side ponds near Lava Island

Volunteers waded into the Deschutes River over the weekend to save trapped fish.

During this time of year, the Deschutes River lowers, leaving shallow ponds or streams to either side near Lava Island. That is where a lot of fish end up because they use the sides of the river for repopulation, so they need help getting back into the main river.

"If we didn't save them, if they all died in here, our populations would certainly be affected by that because all the juveniles would be dying out," said Gina Maag-Klovas, Biological field technician with Mt. Hood Environmental, a research and aquatic services business.

Volunteers spent three days transporting those fish from the side channels back to the main river where they can live a long life. Most of these fish are rainbow trout, brown trout and sculpin.

Heart of Oregon Corps Expands Conservation Program with $890K Grant

Heart of Oregon Corps has secured $890,000 in new funding from The Corps Network as part of a national initiative to enhance urban forestry and conservation. This three-year expansion will focus on projects in Madras and Redmond, engaging young adults (ages 17-24) in climate resilience, tree canopy, and workforce development. Participants will receive hands-on training in urban forestry and green infrastructure, preparing them for careers while helping mitigate environmental challenges such as wildfire risks and extreme weather. The initiative supports 27 corps-members with job skills and career development opportunities.

The High Desert Conservation Corps is accepting applications for this fall, winter and spring crews based in Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Bend now! Young people can view video content about the program and apply online at www.heartoforegon.org/apply or call 541-633-7834 for more information. 

About Heart of Oregon Corps

Heart of Oregon Corps (HOC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and young adults through employment, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon communities. HOC’s programs engage youth to build confidence, a sense of purpose, and drive for their futures. With the goal of career readiness, HOC hires and trains 225 youth ages 16-24 annually in the fields of conservation, construction, and childcare. Accredited by the Corps Center for Excellence, HOC is committed to training tomorrow’s workforce today and is accepting youth applications now! This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For more information or to apply, visit heartoforegon.org.

Two missing Navy aviators declared dead days after aircraft crash in Washington state

Two U.S. Navy aviators have been declared dead following the crash of their EA-18G Growler jet during a training flight near Mount Rainier on October 15, 2024. After several days of search and rescue operations, the Navy transitioned to recovery efforts.

The site of the crash was finally found Thursday, two days after the incident; search-and-rescue teams did not reach the site until Friday. The Navy said last week that the site was at roughly 6,000 feet and in “a remote, steep and heavily wooded area.”

The Navy said Sunday that personnel were still on-site continuing “to search the expansive area, recovering debris and planning for the long-term salvage and recovery effort.”

 The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and the names of the aviators have not yet been released per Navy protocols.

UPDATE:

The Navy identified on Monday the two crew members who died last week in a jet fighter crash near Mount Rainier as two 31-year-old aviators from California.

Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, a Naval Aviator, died when their EA-18G Growler jet from the Electronic Attack Squadron, known as “Zappers,” crashed east of Mount Rainier last Tuesday during a training flight, according to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Evans of Palmdale, California, made history as part of a team of female pilots who conducted the first-ever all-female flyover of Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023, to celebrate 50 years of women flying in the Navy, Steve Fiebing, a Navy spokesperson, told The Associated Press.

The first female candidates entered the U.S. Navy flight school in 1973.

“I joined the Navy to serve my country,” Evans told the Los Angeles Times. “Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than yourself.”

Wileman was commissioned in 2018 and joined the Zapper squadron on Washington state's Whidbey Island in 2021. She earned the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon.

An aerial crew located the wreckage the day after the crash at about 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) in a remote, steep and heavily wooded area east of Mount Rainier, officials said.

Navy officials declared the aviators dead on Sunday and said they've switched from search and rescue to recovery operations.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 130. “Our priority right now is taking care of the families of our fallen aviators, and ensuring the well-being of our sailors and the Growler community. We are grateful for the ongoing teamwork to safely recover the deceased.”

Personnel are recovering debris and planning for the long-term salvage and recovery effort, the Navy said. Gov. Jay Inslee said the Navy asked the Washington state National Guard to “provide 24/7 security at assigned traffic control points.” Inslee granted the request Sunday.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The first production of the Growler was delivered to Whidbey Island in 2008. In the past 15 years, the Growler has operated around the globe supporting major actions, the Navy said. The plane seats a pilot in front and an electronics operator behind them.

“The EA-18G Growler aircraft we fly represents the most advanced technology in airborne Electronic Attack and stands as the Navy’s first line of defense in hostile environments,” the Navy said on its website. Each aircraft costs about $67 million.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said said she was heartbroken to learn of the passing of Evans, whom she had met at the Naval Air Station last year.

“I am deeply grateful for her courage and sacrifice in service to our country," Murray said in a statement. "She was a leader who broke barriers and made history.”

“Similarly, I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Lt. Serena Wileman,” she continued. “I am so proud of both of these women for their trailblazing careers — their service has no doubt made a difference, clearing a path for the women who will come after them.”

All Oregon Shari's locations permanently closed; Central Oregon customers stunned

Colby Enebrad, Reporter

All Shari's Café and Pies locations in the state of Oregon have permanently closed as of Monday, according to the Oregon Lottery. It ends a 46-year-run in the state where it started.

"Over the past the couple weeks, we’ve been removing Lottery equipment as we’ve learned of various restaurant location closures," The Oregon Lottery said. "We confirmed today that all Shari’s locations in Oregon are closed."

Central Oregon locations shut their doors over the weekend. Customers were still hoping to get a bite to eat on Monday.

"We're doing some business dealings. We made out to meet at Shari's. We've met here before. We're from southeast Oregon and he's from over on the west side, and this was kind of in between. He's bringing us some stuff that we have bought and was gonna have a good lunch. But I guess not at Shari's." Leon Neuschwander said.

Shari's launched its first restaurant in Hermiston in 1978 and ran its offices out of Beaverton. It was known for its 24-hour service.

"I had heard that it closed and I was coming to check that out because, when IHOP closed, we came in a couple of months ago and we said 'you guys aren't closing, too, are you?' and they go 'Oh, no.' They assured us that wasn't going to happen," Gayle Zeigler said.

Some see these closures as a part of what they call a disturbing trend, especially here in Central Oregon.

"I am unnerved by how many places are closing. IHOP closed, Cracker Barrel closed, Chico closed. I don't think this is the case here, but a lot of the reason is because the landlords have hiked rent up so much. Applebees had to leave Bend because they could not afford the rent. We are killing our town," Ziegler said.

Central Oregon Daily tried to contact Shari's corporate office, but it could not be reached.

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

12 year old Student Arrested for Bringing Loaded Handgun to School

A 12-year-old student was arrested Monday morning at Pilot Butte Middle School in Bend for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun onto campus. The incident unfolded around 10:21 a.m. after the student self-reported the weapon to a teacher.

In a letter sent to Pilot Butte Middle School families, Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook stated, "A student self-reported being in possession of a loaded handgun brought from home. The student reported it to a trusted adult, a teacher, who immediately escorted the student from the building, contacted school administrators, and our Student Resource Officer." The School Resource Officer, who was already on campus, quickly responded and took the seventh-grader into custody without incident. The officer also confiscated the loaded handgun.

Bend Police are currently investigating how the student accessed the firearm, and additional charges could be filed against others.

In his letter, Dr. Cook emphasized the district’s commitment to safety, stating, "Every threat is investigated by our school's threat assessment team, which provides safety recommendations and resources for those involved and for the entire school community." He also reassured families that the district's Student Services team would offer support, with counselors available for both students and staff in the immediate aftermath and in the coming days.

As the investigation continues, both the school district and law enforcement are prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff. The 12-year-old has been transported to the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Facility for further proceedings.

Shepherd's House seeks winter clothing donations for Central Oregon homeless

Shepherd's House Ministries is holding its annual winter coat drive Saturday, collecting winter clothing to help the homeless community as the temperatures drop.

The non-profit will collect oats, jackets, beanies, gloves, boots, socks, and hand warmers, which will be redistributed to those in need.

The drive is Oct. 26, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at 1854 NE Division Street in Bend and 1350 S. Hwy 97 in Redmond.

Donated items will be distributed through Project SHARE, Shepherd's House's Mobile Outreach van.

For more information on how to donate, visit shministries.org.

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