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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄Bend, OR Weather

🌨️🏔️Santiam Pass Forecast

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🥳💃🍻River’s Place Celebrates 6 Years with Bluegrass and Community Cheer! Tues 10.29.24

❄️Snowflake Boutique -November 1st

📅Save The Date Section

🍲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?

📰Bend's First Female Mayor Ruth Burleigh Passes at 98

🦌2 deer harvested in Wyoming, transported to Oregon had Chronic Wasting Disease, ODFW says

📼No, the last Blockbuster Video in Bend is not closing, despite viral social media post

🔥Pile burning season begins in Ochoco National Forest and near La Pine

📰Regional News

📮Fires set in drop boxes destroy hundreds of ballots in Washington and damage 3 in Oregon

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

📰Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint to be closed for a day for staff training

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

📰 Community News

💌Bethlehem Inn invites community to 25th anniversary open house at Bend, Redmond shelters

👨‍🏫Bend-La Pine Schools honor La Pine High Principal Scott Olszewski as Administrator of the Year

🧑🏽‍🎓Ridgeview High student Jordan Jensen overcomes challenges, receives ‘Beat the Odds’ scholarship

 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 of the following is the only National Park in the state of Oregon?

A) Mount Hood
B) Crater Lake
C) Columbia River Gorge
D) Three Sisters

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

Good Morning from Mt Bachelor

BEND

Santiam Pass Forecast

Today

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Tonight

Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5 to 8 mph in the evening.

Wednesday

A chance of snow before 11am, then rain and snow. High near 39. South southwest wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Snow. Low around 29. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. South southwest wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Thursday Night

Snow before 11pm, then snow showers after 11pm. Low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 34. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night

Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Saturday

Snow showers likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.

Saturday Night

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Sunday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Sunday Night

A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 5000 feet. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

October 29th

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

River’s Place Celebrates 6 Years with Bluegrass and Community Cheer!

River’s Place is turning six, and you’re invited to join the celebration! For six years, this beloved Bend Tap House has brought together local flavors, community, and fun, becoming a go-to spot for great food, drinks, and live entertainment. To mark the occasion, Skillethead will be taking the stage, filling the air with lively bluegrass tunes that are sure to get everyone up and moving.

Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, this anniversary bash is the perfect moment to experience the River’s Place spirit. Grab some friends, dig into your favorite eats, and toast to many more years of good times ahead. 

Snowflake Boutique

Friday, November 1st from 1 to 8 pm

Saturday, November 2nd from 9am to 5 pm

Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center
Redmond, OR 97756

Note:  We have moved to the

South Sister Building 
$4.00 Door Charge part of which goes to Charitable Organizations

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 16th

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Bend's First Female Mayor Ruth Burleigh Passes at 98

Ruth Burleigh, Bend’s pioneering first female mayor and prominent civic leader, died Friday at 98. Known for her leadership in public projects from libraries to sewer systems, Burleigh served on Bend’s City Council from 1974 to 1986, holding the mayoral post twice. A passionate reader and advocate for community needs, she was instrumental in establishing the Deschutes Public Library District.

Burleigh’s legacy includes championing Bend’s critical sewer infrastructure, securing funds, and navigating challenges with resilience. Known for her empathy and directness, Burleigh continued serving her community well after her term, influencing Bend's development across numerous public and civic boards. Her impact on Bend remains enduring.

2 deer harvested in Wyoming, transported to Oregon had Chronic Wasting Disease, ODFW says

The following is from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife about harvested mule deer that were illegally transported from Wyoming, testing positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW biologists confirmed that two mule deer harvested in Wyoming, illegally transported into Oregon, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on Oct. 24. To date, CWD has not been found in any wild deer or elk in Oregon.

It is unlawful to import or possess all or parts of a cervid (deer/elk family) carcass into Oregon from another state or country, except for certain allowed parts.

“This incident highlights the importance of following Oregon’s parts ban, as well as possible consequences for not doing so,” said Corey Crossley, ODFW CWD Surveillance Biologist.

Carcasses can still spread the disease when infected animal parts are not disposed of properly. The pathogen that causes CWD can remain in soil for decades and infect an untold number of animals. The transport of CWD positive animals and their parts from another state is one of the most likely ways the disease will come to Oregon.

“Hunters are our first and best line of defense against CWD. If you are hunting out of state, follow the law, and return with memories, meat and a clean head only,” added Crossley.

In violation of the parts ban, three Oregon residents harvested deer in Wyoming and returned to Oregon bringing skulls with brain material and/or meat still attached to the skull into the state. Wyoming CWD testing informed the hunters that two of the three deer harvested tested positive for CWD.

The hunters contacted ODFW to coordinate proper disposal and turn over the animals. Illegal parts brought into Oregon are confiscated and persons may be liable for disposal expenses. Oregon State Police issued citations, and the confiscated parts are being disposed of by incineration.

The following parts are allowed to be transported into Oregon:

• Meat that is cut and wrapped commercially or privately;

• Meat that has been boned out;

• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached;

• Hides and/or capes with no head attached;

• Skull plates with antlers attached that have been cleaned of all meat and brain tissue;

• Entire skulls that have been processed to remove all meat and brain tissue.

• Antlers (including velvet antlers) with no brain tissue attached;

• Upper canine teeth (i.e. buglers, whistlers, ivories);

• Finished taxidermy heads and finished European style skull mounts.

CWD is always fatal to infected animals, and they won’t always appear sick. Its overall effects on populations can be significant if no action is taken to slow its spread. Deer and elk can be infected with the disease and spreading it for years. CWD is not curable, with no vaccine or treatment. No state that has detected CWD has ever been able to eliminate the disease.

There is no evidence that CWD infects humans, but the CDC does not recommend that people eat meat from a CWD-infected animal.

Visit MyODFW for more information about CWD: https://myodfw.com/CWD.

No, the last Blockbuster Video in Bend is not closing, despite viral social media post

It was a busy and interesting weekend at the last Blockbuster on Earth, located in Bend, after a social media post went viral claiming it would close for good on Halloween.

“The final Blockbuster store, located in Bend, Oregon, is closing its doors on October 31, 2024, marking the official end of the iconic video rental chain,” the post read.

"It definitely made the phones blow up, the internet. We made a post on social media saying this wasn't true. We're not closing. But it still did not stop the phone calls and the emails," Blockbuster general manager Sandi Harding said.

While it backlogged the phone lines, some good did come out of the fake news post.

"We had a huge surge in our online orders. That was kind of nice and helpful too," Harding said.

The post was shared by several different large social media accounts, citing NBC News as the source. It received hundreds of thousands of reactions across different platforms. 

Not only did the post raise alarms from locals, but also people from around the country.

"I'm scrolling through and I see this thing that says they're about to close on Halloween, and I'm just like 'No, I've been putting it off forever, so i took this as a sign that I finally needed to [visit]," Robert Gallups said.

Gallups dropped everything at a moment's notice to experience what he thought would be his last chance to ever step foot in a Blockbuster again.

"I rented a car real quick. I drove eight hours from Sacramento, California all the way up here," Gallups said.

It wasn't until he walked through those doors that he realized the post was a work of fiction, not reality.

"I'm thinking there should be a bit more pandemonium because it's going to close. I talk to the guy at the counter and I'm like 'Hey, are you guys closing?' and they go 'No, that's just a hoax.' I go 'Are you kidding me? No way.' I don't fall for those things, but they totally got me," Gallups said.

Despite the road trip, Gallups is just happy he finally got to experience Blockbuster once again.

"I think whoever is keeping it open is doing a good thing, and hopefully it will never ever come to that day. But if it does, I'll be here. And even if there's another rumor, I may still come again. Who knows?" Gallups said.

Harding said Blockbuster does plan to film and post a video addressing the claims by the end of this week, to further get the word out that it will not, in fact, be closing.

Pile burning season begins in Ochoco National Forest and near La Pine

 The Prineville District for the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service announced the start of pile and debris burning season.

The following is from the U.S. Forest Service:

Prineville, Ore., October 28, 2024— Today, firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest launched the 2024/2025 Pile Burning Project, initiating treatments across approximately 3,200 acres of hazardous fuels to bolster forest and grassland health and resilience. Expected to continue through mid-to-late December, this project involves burning woody debris piles created from previous vegetation management, including both commercial and non-commercial thinning efforts.

Pile burning is an essential forest management tool, where debris from thinning, brush clearing, and other fuels treatments is collected into piles and burned under carefully controlled conditions. Conducting these burns during the cooler months allows firefighters to safely reduce large concentrations of woody material, preventing it from serving as fuel in future wildfires. By proactively managing these fuels, crews help to create more resilient landscapes better equipped to withstand fire.

These treatments play a crucial role in reducing wildfire severity. In the recent Crazy Creek Fire, areas that had undergone similar management showed significantly lower fire intensity, underscoring how proactive efforts like this can help safeguard forests and surrounding communities.

Crews aim to treat approximately 200 acres of piles each day, taking advantage of the winter season as an optimal window for safely reducing woody debris and lowering wildfire risks. Short-term smoke impacts may occur, particularly in forest valleys and areas south of Big Summit Prairie, where many piles are concentrated. Some smoke may also temporarily affect visibility on nearby roadways and campsites.

Firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest and the Prineville Interagency Hotshot Crew will monitor these burns closely, ensuring they are conducted under prescribed conditions that prioritize public safety and environmental health.

For updates on burning activity, smoke impacts, and prescribed burn areas, please visit the Ochoco National Forest website and follow us on social media.

The following is from BLM:

La Pine, Ore. – Incoming favorable weather, including the possibility of snow, is allowing fuels crews with the Prineville BLM to begin burning piles in La Pine, Oregon as part of their 2024-2025 fall/winter prescribed burning program.

Beginning Thursday, October 31, 2024, crews will start burning 192 acres of machine piles in the Outback project. The piles are located south of La Pine, off of Masten Road and Forest Road 62. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials from previous thinning projects designed to remove or reduce hazardous fuels that can burn during wildfires. Where possible, material is first offered for firewood, commercial sale, or biomass use; with some remaining material scattered to rehabilitate sites and close user-created routes.

No road closures are planned; however, smoke may be present along nearby roads and may settle into nearby neighborhoods overnight. Motorists should reduce speed and turn on headlights when passing through smoky areas. Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days to even months after ignition and crews will continue to monitor the area to ensure fire doesn’t spread beyond the planned area. Prescribed burns are completed in accordance with the Oregon Department of Forestry Smoke Management Plan.

For more information about prescribed fires and/or the Prineville District’s Fuels Program, please contact the Prineville BLM at (541) 416-6700

FBI Statement on Ballot Box Fires - 10/28/24 

The FBI is coordinating with federal, state and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, in the early morning hours of Monday, October 28^th to determine who is responsible. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office, provide information through tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint to be closed for a day for staff training

 Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint will be closed for a park staff training event all day on Wednesday, Nov. 6. 

Safety barricades will be placed at the park entrance road from Highway 126. The public is asked to please respect the closure and not to go past the barricades. 

For questions, please contact Dani Padilla at 541-415-8130.

Bethlehem Inn invites community to 25th anniversary open house at Bend, Redmond shelters

Bethlehem Inn is inviting the community to its 25th Anniversary Open House on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Bend and Redmond shelter locations.

The Open House will be held at the Inn’s Bend location at 20363 Mervin Sampels Road and its Redmond location at 527 Birch Ave, their announcement said, which continues below:

This event is in celebration of the community’s support of the organization for 25 years, during which over 1,000,000 meals and 500,000 nights of safe sleep have been provided to adults and children experiencing homelessness.

The public will be provided with a tour of the Inn’s campus and the opportunity to meet its staff, while enjoying a sweet treat prepared by the Inn’s kitchen staff.  The community’s continuing support of the Inn’s meal program by bringing a food donation to help stock our pantry is encouraged!

Bethlehem Inn is Central Oregon’s leading emergency shelter, committed to transforming lives together through shelter, help and hope for individuals and children experiencing homelessness.  

Bend-La Pine Schools honor La Pine High Principal Scott Olszewski as Administrator of the Year

Bend-La Pine Schools presented its Administrator of the Year award Friday evening to Scott Olszewski, Principal of La Pine High School. Superintendent Steven Cook and other district officials made the surprise presentation during halftime of the La Pine High Hawks home football game.

Olszewski has been with Bend-La Pine Schools for 19 years and is in his fourth year as principal at La Pine High School. His leadership is rooted in building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and the broader community. 

“Scott is someone who not only fosters an inclusive and positive culture, but also inspires others to rise to their fullest potential,” Dr. Cook said. “He sees challenges not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for growth, and he has made it his mission to ensure that every voice counts and every individual is valued in our schools.”

From his innovative approach to improving school culture and climate, to his relentless commitment to student achievement, Olszewski is always pushing for progress. 

“What truly sets Scott apart is his unwavering dedication to the people he serves,” Dr. Cook said. “He is the first to step in when there’s a need, and the last to leave when there’s work to be done. His collaborative spirit, combined with his deep understanding of the needs of our students and staff, has earned him the respect and admiration of all who work with him.”

Ridgeview High student Jordan Jensen overcomes challenges, receives ‘Beat the Odds’ scholarship

Stand for Children Oregon is excited to recognize Jordan Jensen from Ridgeview High School as a recipient of the Beat the Odds Scholarship. This scholarship awards $5,000 annually for four years to support exceptional students who have overcome significant challenges while demonstrating unwavering dedication to their education.

Jordan is one of just eight students in Oregon to receive the 2025 scholarship, reflecting his remarkable resilience and commitment to achieving his goals despite a difficult upbringing.

Jordan’s journey has been marked by profound challenges. Through it all, he has emerged as a fighter, using his past as motivation to strive for a brighter future. His determination has fueled his academic success and his leadership on the field as a varsity football player and wrestler.

“I’ve faced many challenges, but I refuse to let them define me,” Jordan shared. “Instead, I use my experiences to motivate myself to do better and to help others who might be going through similar situations.”

With plans to attend Clackamas Community College and pursue a degree in business and law, Jordan aims to become a corporate lawyer. He understands the importance of education and the power of positive role models, having experienced first-hand the impact of a supportive community. He hopes to give back by sharing his story and helping others who may feel alone in their struggles.

ABOUT STAND FOR CHILDREN OREGON: Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for education equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all. We’re building a future where every child in Oregon has the opportunity to succeed. Our relentless advocacy and research-based initiatives have significantly advanced educational equity and racial justice across the state. 

Just Sayin’ 😎

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