Hey there! Ever wished you could stay in the loop with all the exciting local events happening in Central Oregon without the hassle of constantly searching for them? Look no further! With Central Oregon Local Live, you can receive convenient event reminders straight to your phone. Signing up is easy – just visit centraloregonlocalbuzz.com and opt-in for Event Reminders with a simple YES reply. You'll receive a curated list of current events once a week, typically on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Plus, rest assured that your privacy is our priority – we will never share your information or bombard you with unwanted messages. Stay informed and connected with Central Oregon Local Live!

In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia T&TH

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

💡Grand Illumination @ Sunriver

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📅Save The Date Section

🦃Who's Open for Dining on Thanksgiving? - By Eat Drink Bend

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

👮‍♂️🛍️ 2024 Shop with a Cop Program Gears Up for the Holidays

✔️🛫Final Redmond Airport TSA PreCheck event of 2024 this week

🎓Current, future Oregon post-secondary students encouraged to apply online for scholarships and grants

📉Lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in 4 years as record travel weekend expecte🚘

🚘❄️Bend residents, driving instructor give tips on driving safely in winter weather🎦

📰Regional News

🌊King tides prompt safety warnings at Cannon Beach: 20-foot-waves 'stunning' but deadly

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

💥Fatal train-pedestrian collision in SE Bend; Wilson Avenue reopens after nearly 4-hour closure

🚨Crime News

📰 Community News

👏💵Eight Central Oregon teachers among 44 awarded SELCO Creative Educator Grants

 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 🚀

Why was Mount Bachelor originally known as "Bachelor Butte"?

• A) Because it was the last mountain climbed in the area

• B) Because it stands isolated from other major peaks

• C) Because it was named after a settler named John Bachelor

• D) Because its shape resembles a bachelor’s walking cane

👉Find the Answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

 BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

GRAND ILLUMINATION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2024

Holiday fun for the entire family at Grand Illumination - Sunriver Resort’s tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks show! This year’s celebration includes a visit from Santa, live music and entertainment, train rides, telescope viewings, hot cocoa, putt-putt, huggable characters, holiday shopping, and more. While here, enjoy food from local vendors or reserve a table in the Main Lodge at Lodge Kitchen or Owl's Nest. There will be live entertainment on the outdoor stage in the Backyard and holiday shopping in the Merchant Trader.

Event schedule*:

12 pm – 4:30 pm

Pony rides in front of The Lodge (weather permitting), train rides, bounce houses, putt-putt and petting zoo

12 pm – 5:15 pm

Raffle ticket sales benefiting local nonprofit Wonderland Express

12 pm – 7 pm

Food and beverage vendors available

2 pm – 7 pm

Oregon Observatory telescope viewing

2 pm

Santa arrives

2 pm – 5 pm

North Pole open for Santa visits

2:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Live music

5:30 pm

Raffle drawing

5:45 pm

Tree Lighting and Fireworks

6 pm – 7 pm

North Pole reopens for Santa visits

*Schedule subject to change. All activities are weather-dependent. 

Location

The Lodge

17600 Center Dr, Sunriver, OR 97707, USA

Coming up - Save the Date

Bend Food News

by Eat Drink Bend

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but not all of us are looking forward to a day full of cooking. We've got some of the best places you can eat out, get takeout, or grab a ready-to-heat meal kit this Thanksgiving Day!

Who's Open for Dining on Thanksgiving?

Newbie Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge is just one of many restaurants serving up a fantastic prix fixe menu on Thanksgiving.

Got an upcoming event you want us to FEATURE?

Click here to let us know about your upcoming Event!

2024 Shop with a Cop Program Gears Up for the Holidays

The holiday season is fast approaching, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the 2024 Annual Shop with a Cop program. This year’s events will take place at local Walmart stores on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

Shop with a Cop, a collaboration between Central Oregon law enforcement agencies and Walmart stores, aims to bring holiday cheer to families in need while fostering positive interactions between children and law enforcement officers. Participating students have the chance to shop for gifts alongside local deputies and officers.

The program is entirely funded by community donations, with no tax dollars used. Contributions from businesses, organizations, and individuals cover the cost of gifts and a Christmas meal for participating families. Every dollar donated goes directly to supporting this local initiative.

Students who participate are referred by the Family Access Network (FAN) advocates from Deschutes County schools, as well as the Central Oregon Partnership for Youth (COPY) program, which provides mentorship for children of incarcerated parents.

The program’s success is driven by the involvement of deputies and officers from multiple agencies, including the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Sunriver Police Department, Deschutes County Parole and Probation, Oregon State Police, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Community support plays a crucial role, with generous monetary donations and volunteer assistance helping make the program a longstanding success.

For those interested in contributing to the program, donations can be coordinated through Lieutenant Bryan Husband by contacting the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-388-6655.

Final Redmond Airport TSA PreCheck event of 2024 this week

Redmond Municipal Airport is holding its final TSA PreCheck enrollment event of the year this week.

All the appointments are all booked up, but there are sometimes cancellations. Those who show up at the airport without an appointment may be able to slide into one of those open spots.

PreCheck costs $78 and is good for five years. Those who sign up and pass the screening are generally allowed to go through security without having to remove their shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets. However, TSA said on its website that nobody is guaranteed expedited screening.

Once a person is screened and cleared for PreCheck, they will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). That number can be added when booking a flight and will appear on their boarding pass.

Current, future Oregon postsecondary students encouraged to apply online for scholarships and grants

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission encourages all Oregonians pursuing postsecondary education in 2025-26 to apply for grants and scholarships through the state website OregonStudentAid.gov.

This month, the HECC Office of Student Access and Completion officially opened the OSAC Scholarship Application for the next academic year. The State of Oregon has made accessing scholarships easy for Oregon students with its central site for more than 600 scholarships. Through the application, students can apply for many awards at one time.   

OSAC awarded more than $12 million in privately funded scholarships in the last application cycle. Private scholarship funds support students across the state — including graduating high school seniors, GED® completers, and adult learners — in many postsecondary education pathways.

Students could qualify for funds whether they are seeking degrees or certificates, whether they know their field of study or are just starting to consider their plans, and whether they are planning on attending a community college, a university, or an eligible career training program.

Those who submit their scholarship application by the early bird deadline of February 18, 2025, will have the chance to win a $1,000 scholarship, and the final deadline is March 3, 2025. 

OSAC administers these funds in partnership with private donors and partner organizations that establish the funds. More than 500 of the scholarships were established through the Oregon Community Foundation, and OSAC also works with numerous other partners.

In addition to the continuing scholarships, we are pleased to report that several new scholarships were added for the 2025-26 academic year. Many are focused on supporting students from specific regions or schools across the state, while others focus on student background, experiences, or fields of study such as education, engineering, or STEM. View the full catalog here.

Also on the OregonStudentAid.gov site, students can learn about and apply for numerous state and federally funded grant programs such as the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise Grant, Oregon Tribal Student Grant, Oregon Student Child Care Grant, and more.

Students should plan to complete any required applications and the key forms that determine eligibility for need-based aid: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA), which are expected to open in December.

All new and returning students should complete one of these two applications to be considered for federal and/or state financial aid such as the Federal Pell Grant, the OOG, and more. Many scholarships, if they are need-based, also require FAFSA or ORSAA completion. Students should mark their calendars for upcoming applications and deadlines:

• November: OSAC Scholarship Application Open

• December: 2025-26 FAFSA and ORSAA Open

• February 18: Early Bird Scholarship Deadline

• March 3: Scholarship Application Final Deadline

• June 2: Oregon Promise Application Deadline (Find your Promise deadline according to your graduation date here)

• Find other grant applications and deadlines here, including grants for members of Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribes, National Guard members, student parents, former foster care youth, and others  

Need help with the financial aid process? The HECC Office of Student Access and Completion offers a number of resources for students, families, educators, and community members to help with the financial aid process and with college and career planning. Under the Resources section of our website, you can find videos on financial aid topics, request a live presentation, or download or order free publications about financial aid opportunities. 

Lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in 4 years as record travel weekend expected

AAA is predicting a record Thanksgiving travel season, including 1.1 million Oregonians hitting the roads, rails and skies. And they're enjoying the lowest Thanksgiving weekend gas prices since the pandemic.

An estimated 79.9 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving, an increase of 2.1% from 2023, according to AAA.

Bend is listed as one of the top regional destinations in the Pacific Northwest.

RELATED: Gas prices at some Bend stations below $3. You can thank Costco, AAA says

The agency says the busiest times to drive will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before the holiday and again on Sunday and Monday afternoons afterward. Generally, the best time to drive will be in the morning.

The busiest times to fly will be Wednesday and Sunday.

Those who are driving will enjoy the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in four years. The national average is $3.27 and the Oregon average is $4.08. That’s the lowest since the pandemic in 2020 when it was $2.12 nationally and $2.59 in Oregon.

Multiple gas stations in Bend and Redmond are boasting prices under $3 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The lowest is the Arco AM/PM on Greenwood Avenue at $2.75 per gallon Monday.

Other estimates from AAA:


* Car travel will set a new record this Thanksgiving with nearly 72 million Americans including 984,000 Oregonians hitting the road. Nearly 90% of travelers will drive to their destinations. Gas prices are lower than last year.

* Air travel is also expected to set a new record, soaring to 5.8 million travelers including 114,000 Oregonians flying over the holiday weekend. In all, about 7.3% of Thanksgiving travelers will fly to their holiday destinations.

* Americans are also heading to their Thanksgiving destination by other modes of travel including bus, train or cruise ship. These modes are up almost 9% over 2023. Cruising is red-hot this year!

* This holiday season, AAA finds that travelers are generally paying about 12% less for domestic trips compared to last year and about 7% more for international vacations.

* AAA expects to rescue more than 570,000 Americans including 9,000 Oregonians at the roadside over the Thanksgiving holiday period. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires are the top three issues.

Advice from AAA for air travelers:

* Book the first flight of the day or early morning flights if you can. They are less likely to be cancelled or delayed.

* Try not to book tight connecting flights – you’ll want enough time to change flights in case your originating flight is late.

* If possible, avoid airports for connecting flights where winter weather can lead to delays, including Chicago O’Hare, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia, Denver, and JFK.

* If you really need to be at your destination on a certain day, book flights a day or two early so that you have a buffer.

* Download the airline’s app on your phone and set it up for push notifications so that you’ll be notified about departure and arrival information as well as any flight changes, delays or cancellations. FlightAware and other sites let you track your incoming flight so you can find other options if that flight is late or cancelled.

* Get to the airport early – two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The increase in travelers can make for longer than usual wait times to get through security. If you’re flying out at PDX, arrive early if you haven’t been in the new terminal which opened in September after four years of construction. You may need extra time to navigate the ticket counters and security lines.

* If you need to park at the airport, book a parking spot in advance or at least check on availability before you go. Many airports including Portland International airport let you check current availability https://www.flypdx.com/Parking.  Better yet, take transit, use a ride sharing service, or get a ride from a friend to the airport.

* Carry your bags on your flight instead of checking them. If you do need to check bags, bring medications, a change of clothes, comfortable shoes, and any other necessary items in your carry on bag. Make sure your bags have name tags, and also put your name and contact info inside each bag. Consider using an Apple AirTag, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, or another tracker if you do check your bags.

* Plan ahead for meals and snacks. Full airports can mean long lines and wait times at restaurants. Bring a refillable water bottle and snacks. Many airlines allow you to pre-order food up to 24 hours before your flight. The TSA allows solid foods through screening but liquids or gels (such as yogurt) must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

* Consider signing up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and/or CLEAR to expedite the security screening process. Do make sure the airports you use offer CLEAR as it’s not available at all airports.

Bend residents, driving instructor give tips on driving safely in winter weather

Colby Enebrad, Reporter

King tides prompt safety warnings at Cannon Beach: 20-foot-waves 'stunning' but deadly

CANNON BEACH, Ore. — Cannon Beach lifeguards are urging caution as king tides create hazardous conditions along the coast, and warn that the spectacle of the huge waves doesn't negate the risk posed to beachgoers.

Over the weekend and into Monday, waves are expected to reach up to 20 feet. By Wednesday, waves could increase to 20-25 feet.

Although the king tide technically ends on Monday, a high surf advisory remains in effect, posing ongoing dangers.

King tides, while visually stunning, can transform the coastal environment into a perilous zone. Large, strong, and unpredictable waves can easily carry even the strongest swimmers or surfers away from shore.

Additionally, debris such as logs, rocks, and other materials can be swept up by the waves, turning a seemingly peaceful beach into a dangerous landscape. Driftwood, once waterlogged, can weigh hundreds of pounds, adding to the hazards.

"We are advising everyone to stay off the beaches and jetties on the coast," said a spokesperson for the lifeguards.

Lifeguards are stationed at the Gower and Tolovana beach access points to warn visitors of the risks.

Fatal train-pedestrian collision in SE Bend; Wilson Avenue reopens after nearly 4-hour closure

A fatal train-pedestrian collision in southeast Bend Monday evening closed Wilson Avenue for nearly hour hours, police said.

The crash was reported around 5:45 p.m., according to PulsePoint and Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller.

Police said in a post to X around 6 p.m. that “SE Wilson Avenue is currently closed in both directions in the area of the train tracks.”

“Traffic is being diverted to Ninth and Centennial, but please expect extended delays as officers investigate a fatal train vs. pedestrian crash,” the tweet concluded.

Miller told NewsChannel 21 the road reopened around 9:30 p.m. but that no more information was likely Monday night as the investigation continues.

Eight Central Oregon teachers among 44 awarded SELCO Creative Educator Grants

SELCO Community Credit Union has awarded nearly $82,000 to 44 educators across Oregon, including eight programs from Central Oregon, as part of SELCO’s vastly expanded Creative Educator Grants program.

Creative Educator Grants are designed for K-12 educators with creative classroom ideas who need more funding to get those projects off the ground. Thanks to SELCO’s Steps Up initiative launched earlier this year, the grant program received a significant boost for 2024. Formerly known as SPARK! Creative Learning Grants, Creative Educator Grants have increased in value from $1,000 in 2023 to as much as $2,500 per recipient, with the total amount of grant funding increasing from $53,000 to $81,691.

The program’s expansion resulted in nearly double the number of applications this year, compared with 2023. Grant recipients represent a wide range of programs, including a 3D printer at Westside Village Magnet School in Bend, allowing students to create products to launch their own small businesses.

Other recipients include “Innovative Automotive Engineering: Building Working Model Engines and Small EV Cars,” which engages students at Fern Ridge Middle School in Elmira with hands-on automotive engineering by building working model engines and small electric vehicles.

“The significant increase in applications underscores not only the great need for similar funding programs but also the inspiring creativity of our educators,” said Craig Carpenter, SELCO’s senior vice president of lending and business banking. “As a credit union founded by educators, SELCO is dedicated to ensuring innovative ideas don’t stall due to lack of funding. This year's program expansion brings us closer to achieving that mission.”

This year’s recipients include eight programs from eight Central Oregon schools:

• Literacy Without Limits: Dyslexia Book Project — Susan Gotshall, John Tuck Elementary, Redmond

• Project Stop the Bleed: Teaching Teens to Save Lives — Tamara Bremont, Redmond Proficiency Academy, Redmond 

• HDMS Skate Club — Joe Albano, High Desert Middle School, Bend

• Strider bikes with pedal kits — Brian Horton, High Lakes Elementary School, Bend

• Optimus Primary — Maddi Webb, Juniper Elementary, Bend

• Woodshop — Carey Kraybill, Pacific Crest Middle School, Bend

• Broadcast Journalism — Kacie Ryan, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Bend

• Inspiring Future Entrepreneurs — Mandy Weston, Westside Village Magnet School, Bend

To choose the recipients of this year’s Creative Educator Grants, a selection panel reviewed applications based on project originality, proposal clarity, number of students affected, and potential for skill development. The panel blindly reviewed all applications.

A complete list of statewide recipients and project descriptions can be found HERE.

John Sperry, a teacher at Hamlin Middle School in Springfield, was one of this year's grant recipients for his project revamping his school's news broadcast channel, which is reported, written, and directed by students.

"What I'm hoping for," said Sperry, "is that we'll feel more cohesive, more like we have a belonging culture here ... instead of it just being that school that they go to."

See a video spotlight of Sperry’s program HERE. See a video spotlight of teacher Jill Plumb’s program, which earned a 2023 grant, HERE.

As educators increasingly dip into their own pockets to pay for classroom-related expenses, SELCO Steps Up not only expanded the Creative Educator Grant program it kicked off Regional Classroom Makeovers, which will award three Oregon classrooms with as much as $15,000 each to remake their learning environments.

For more information about Creative Educator Grants, past grant recipients, or SELCO Steps Up, visit www.selco.org/steps-up/student-and-educator-support/.

About SELCO Steps Up:

The SELCO Steps Up program aims to create positive, innovative, lasting change through volunteerism, resource support, and collaboration with community partners. Year to date, SELCO has reinvested more than $225,000 in the communities it serves through educator grants, scholarships, and impact-driven sponsorships, and plans to reinvest as much as $125,000 before the end of 2024. SELCO staff has also committed more than 1,100 volunteer hours so far in 2024. As a credit union founded by teachers, education is a cornerstone of these efforts, with a focus on removing barriers to financial literacy. By empowering individuals and families to achieve financial well-being, SELCO strives to build a strong foundation for all its members and neighbors. Learn more at www.selco.org/steps-up.

About SELCO Community Credit Union:

Founded nearly 90 years ago by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union today serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longest-standing Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.7 billion in assets, SELCO provides its member-owners with exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483.

 😎Just Sayin

Fun N Games in Central Oregon

Please feel free to add Events. Please let your favorite places know about us too to help us keep this calendar Updated!

Deschutes Public Library Events

Follow us on facebook