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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

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

🌕The High Desert Moonfest

📅Save The Date Section

❄️Snowflake Boutique -November 1st

🍲Think Wild Hosting a Wild Chili Cook-Off -November 16th

 💓🧘‍♀️Meditation & Educational Event -November 16th

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🎭Ridgeview HS theater students demand more access to facilities from district

📰New Juniper Ridge sweep plan unanimously passed by Deschutes County Commissioners

🌶️🏪El Torito Supermarket to take over old Madras Erickson's Thriftway building

📰Regional News

Central Oregon Fire Info

🔥Fire season for Central Oregon ODF lands ends Friday

Updates of Oregon Fires

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🚧West side of McKenzie Pass closing Friday

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

📰 Community News

🌳Deschutes Land Trust named one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon

🦃🏃‍➡️Boys & Girls Club of Bend seeks volunteers to help with I Like Pie Fun Run/Walk on Thanksgiving

 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 🚀

What is the ghostly legend associated with Pilot Butte in Bend?

A) Ghost miners are heard at night
B) A phantom dog roams the trails
C) A pioneer woman in a bonnet appears on full moons
D) A spectral stagecoach can be seen at sunset

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

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

November 16th

Think Wild, Bend’s nonprofit wildlife center, is excited to announce the Get Wild Chili Cook-Off, a delicious, family-friendly fundraising event.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 16, 2024, and join us at Aspen Hall in Shevlin Park from 4-8pm for an evening of delicious chili, live music, raffles and more!

Event highlights will include the Chili Cook-Off Contest, in which attendees will sample and vote for their favorite chili, soups, and side dishes across five exciting categories:

1. Best All Around

2. Wildest Chili

3. Best Vegan/Vegetarian Chili

4. Soup-er Soups (best soup or stew)

5. Best Chili Side Dish (cornbread, tasty toppings, etc)

In addition to delicious chili, guests can enjoy wine, seltzer, cider, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. The event will feature live music, raffle prizes, and exclusive footage from Think Wild’s beaver monitoring trail cameras at Shevlin Park.

This event is made possible by the generous support of Bend Park and Recreation Department for sponsoring the venue, and by Van Henion Brewing, Sunriver Brewing Co., and Bend Cider Co. for providing beverages.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to sign up as a contestant, please visit thinkwildco.org/chili-cookoff.

About Think Wild:
Think Wild is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission is to inspire the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through education, conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation. We provide veterinary treatment and care at the wildlife hospital, staffed by expert wildlife rehabilitation staff, animal husbandry volunteers, and our staff veterinarian. Wildlife conflicts or injuries can be reported to our Wildlife Hotline at 541-241-8680, which is monitored seven days a week from 8am-4pm.

thinkwildco.org • Instagram • Facebook

November 1st

November 16th

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Ridgeview HS theater students demand more access to facilities from district

Peyton Thomas, Reporter CO Daily News

Students at Ridgeview High School are demanding more access to their own theater. The concerns come less than a week after the 11-year director of the program, Jerry Capson, resigned.

“They scheduled over the theater hours, so they are very restricted in the play they can put on. That caused them to lose leadership,” said David Keyte, parent of a Ridgeview High stage manager.

The students say two different organizations have booked time in the theater that was previously used for rehearsals.

“I am hoping that we at least get our weekend hours back and our hours after 5:30 p.m.," said Flynn Bouvia, theater program president. "What's been happening I don't think is allowed in in our district.”

In a statement, Ridgeview Principal Brian Crook said “Our students will have the necessary time and space in the theater to prepare for and perform their productions.

“The Facilities Department follows district policy, which prioritizes school use while also recognizing the need to accommodate community use. We are working to balance both needs effectively.”

It’s a balance the theater community says the school district isn’t striking.

“The biggest goal is to have our program back to the way it was before all of these restrictions were set,” Bouvia said.

In a statement, the Redmond School District said school use of the theater does have priority.

Bouvia said despite hours restrictions, the students are resilient and will continue preparations for their upcoming winter show.

The district has not yet announced any changes to its current scheduling.

A petition to bring the theater back for students has hundreds of signatures online.

New Juniper Ridge sweep plan unanimously passed by Deschutes County Commissioners

Colby Enebrad, Reporter CO Daily News

After a tumultuous couple of weeks between the City of Bend and Deschutes County, a new resolution was passed at Wednesday's county commissioners meeting that should push a proposed Juniper Ridge sweep forward. The idea would be to move the homeless living there to a designated zone ahead of fire season.

"We were pleased to be here today when the county commission basically reconsidered the resolution before them last week, and with a few changes that our staffs have been working on together. we got a unanimous vote to move that forward. That's what we needed as a city for that to come to us as council," Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said.

In September, the city and county approved moving homeless people living in Juniper Ridge into a 170-acre temporary safe stay area (TSSA) along Highway 97 during the fire season. But last week, commissioners Phil Chang and Patti Adair voted against a resolution presented by the city, citing concerns of potential legal battles over land use laws, halting the process entirely.

The new proposal identifies several areas that add up to 40 acres, within the original 170-acre zone, where homeless people living in Juniper Ridge would be temporarily moved to.

"I am delighted that we're going to move forward together with the City of Bend to offer sanitation, drinking water, case management and other services out at north Juniper Ridge," Chang said.

"The form that we ultimately arrived at I do not think was the best one, but I voted for it because it was the only one the City of Bend said it would proceed with," he added.

For homeowners who had to evacuate during the Mile Marker 132 in August, the original proposal was underwhelming. 

"I think they should partner with the City of Redmond," said homeowner Sherry Terrell. "We do have 45 acres and that is more than enough land. It's able to be fenced and monitored and people can get on a path to self reliance, and that's supposedly what we all want. That should be the plan."

For Terrell, the entire process has also been flat out frustrating.

"We have been begging, pleading, coming up with ideas- all of them are ignored," Terrell said. "My extended family -- we thought this was our last home and we're all looking to leave now because of the way the city council and the county is choosing to deal with this situation."

 Chang says he still has concerns over potential land use legal battles, but will commit to this new plan that's been passed.

El Torito Supermarket to take over old Madras Erickson's Thriftway building

Mexican-inspired grocer El Torito Supermarket will be taking over the Madras building that was home to Erickson's Thriftway.

"Thirty to 35% of our community's Latino, and there's definitely demand for that, and there's definitely a strong interest in revitalizing that space within the community," said Madras City Administrator Will Ibershof.

With the Erickson's Thriftway closure last month, the city was eager to see what would happen to the building and how long it would remain vacant.

"That's a really big deal right now in this economy," said Ibershof. "A lot of new home construction has been slowed down. Many folks are leery of taking on new options and new opportunities. So seeing this turnaround so quickly is a big deal to us."

El Toritos website shows six locations established in Oregon: two in Salem and one in Woodburn, Eugene, Lincoln City and Klamath Falls.

Owner Liliana Perez says they are ready to enter the Central Oregon market.

"We are very excited to be in Madras and serve the Central Oregon region," Perez said. "We hope to open soon and look forward to offering the community our products."

The news of a new grocery store comes on the heels of several other new businesses, like the Spot food cart lot and Initiative Brewing, both of which are expected to open soon.

The new owners of the El Torito in Madras hope to open in November.

Fire season for Central Oregon ODF lands ends Friday

The Oregon Department of Forestry announced that the fire season for Central Oregon lands under its protection will end on Friday. Despite that, officials are cautioning the public to not rush back into burning debris piles.

Here is the full ODF announcement:

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) - Central Oregon District will officially reduce the fire danger to LOW and end the 2024 fire season Friday, October 25, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., for lands under their protection and management. The end of fire season is a result of recent wetting rains and an overall cooling trend that has returned to the area.

With the end of fire season, the public and industrial fire restrictions implemented through the Central Oregon District will no longer be in effect.

Despite the fire season ending, fire officials advise residents to not rush burning. Instead, cover the top two-thirds of debris piles with a tarp or plastic. Doing this will keep the pile dry to allow for a cleaner burn later into the fall/winter months when the risk of fire spread is minimal. Several days of sunshine and dry weather during the fall months can create a fire risk even if a week or more of cool, wet conditions precede them.

Residents should contact their local fire department or ODF before conducting any type of debris burning as fire restrictions may vary between local fire districts. ODF offices are located in Sisters, 541-549-2731, Prineville 541-447-5658, The Dalles 541-296-4626, Fossil 541-763-2575 and John Day 541-575-1139.

When burning yard debris, ensure an adequate fire trail around the pile before igniting and have fire tools and a water supply at the burn site. Debris piles should never be left unattended and fully extinguished before leaving the area. If a debris burn escapes containment, the party responsible may be held financially responsible for the resulting fire suppression costs and associated damages.

The Central Oregon District staff would like to thank the community for their cooperation and support during the 2024 fire season.

Updates of Oregon Fires

Link to: Air Quality Index map

Another AQI Map

Link to: Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map

West side of McKenzie Pass closing Friday

EUGENE– An incoming storm system has crews closing the west side of McKenzie Pass, OR 242, this coming Friday, Oct. 25.  

Crews will close the gates on the west side of the pass near the junction with OR 126 and also the gates near the summit at Dee Wright Observatory on Friday morning. Gates on the east side are expected to stay open a bit longer, with the latest possible closing date being Nov. 7. Weather on each side of the pass varies, and it's not uncommon to close or open each side of the highway separately. 

McKenzie Pass is a secondary, scenic highway. Weather, costs and logistics make it impractical to maintain for travel year-round. In the winter, we focus our staff and resources on main highways to keep them plowed, open and safe. 

When the highway is closed, it is closed to all users and is not maintained. Travelers going past locked gates and closure signs could encounter hazards and working equipment on the road, and there are no services or cell coverage. 

Every year, McKenzie Pass opens and closes with the seasons. Dates vary depending on road and weather conditions. 

McKenzie Pass became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 with the completion of the Clear Lake-Belknap Springs section of Oregon 126. Even during its time as the main route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, the narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months.

To see what routes are open over the mountains, and to view current road and weather conditions visit TripCheck.com or call 511.

More information on McKenzie Pass, OR 242, can be found on our website. 

Deschutes Land Trust named one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon

The Deschutes Land Trust recently was named one of 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon. The Land Trust ranked ninth in the small organization category.

Oregon Business creates the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon list each year. It showcases nonprofit organizations with best-in-class workplace practices, based on surveys sent to employees of the participating nonprofits. Oregon Business noted the Land Trust's "generous paid time off to allow employees to care for their families and enjoy their life outside work."

"The Land Trust is thrilled to be recognized as one of the best nonprofits to work for in Oregon! We strive to recruit and retain awesome people by continually improving our operations and benefits. These efforts help our staff balance their personal lives with their dedication to conserving and caring for the lands and waters of Central Oregon," said Rika Ayotte, the Land Trust's Executive Director.

About Deschutes Land Trust:

The Deschutes Land Trust envisions a future of strong and healthy natural and human communities—where we work together to conserve and care for the lands that make Central Oregon an incredible place to live, work, and grow. As Central Oregon’s locally-based, nationally-accredited land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has conserved and continues to care for more than 18,742 acres since 1995. For more information on the Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit deschuteslandtrust.org.

Boys & Girls Club of Bend seeks volunteers to help with I Like Pie Fun Run/Walk on Thanksgiving

The annual I Like Pie Fun Run/Walk returns this Thanksgiving morning, November 28, bringing people together to celebrate community, enjoy some holiday fun, and support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend.

This event is made possible thanks to the incredible efforts of Cascade Relays and FootZone, whose partnership and support help BGCB continue serving the youth of Bend as we celebrate 30 years together. 

Volunteer Opportunities 

With shifts available from 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM, there’s a time that fits everyone’s schedule. Whether you’re an early riser or prefer to help later in the morning, we have a role for you. 

Volunteer Roles Include: 

• Course setup 

• Registration 

• Handing out pie 

• Cheering on participants 

Why Volunteer? 

• Earn community service hours 

• Meet new people and enjoy the festive atmosphere 

• Support youth programs in our community 

• Start your Thanksgiving with fun and purpose 

Bess Goggins, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend: 

“As we come together to celebrate this wonderful community event, I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of support we receive each year. The I Like Pie Fun Run/Walk is not only a fun tradition but a meaningful way to make a lasting impact on the youth we serve. By volunteering, you’re helping us provide life-changing opportunities for kids in Bend. I invite everyone to join us this Thanksgiving; let’s spread joy, build connections, and make a difference together.” 

This Thanksgiving, come together with us to spread joy and make a difference. Sign up for shifts at https://bgcbend.org

/volunteer/ or contact Alice at [email protected] for more details. 

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend: 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend are committed to providing youth with opportunities for growth that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential in the classroom, at home, and in our community. Through enriching programs and supportive relationships, we create a place where every child feels safe, valued, and motivated to succeed.

Just Sayin’ 😎

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