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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia T&TH

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

 🎅The 2024 Bend Christmas Parade - Dec. 7th

🏃‍➡️Ugly Sweater Fun Run on tap in Sisters

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📅Save The Date Section

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🏫Oregon Charter Schools Face Funding Crisis

👮‘Turning the page’: Prineville residents meet new Police Chief Jeff Profio, look forward to changes for the better

⭐Sherrif-Elect Kent Vander Kamp lays out vision for Deschutes County

📰Regional / National News

🐕‍🦺💖Oregon State Police announces winning entry in the "Name Our K-9" Contest

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

⚖️November 2025 trial date set in Bend murder case

📰 Community News

👋KIDS Center in Bend celebrates Giving Tuesday in style, thanking community for support

🫴COCC holding pet food drive to benefit BrightSide Animal Center

 Got some news or know of news for our Community News Segment - share it with C.O. Local Buzz!

🐶Pet of the Week

🐶Meet Everest – Your New Adventure Buddy! - Brightside Animal Center

📲Sponsors & Partners

😁 MEME of the Day

🌆 On going Events Fun N Games in Central Oregon has LAUNCHED 🚀

 Name That Peak

This 7,524-foot peak is located in the Three Sisters Wilderness in the Central Oregon Cascades and is part of a group of familial-named mountains. What is the name of this peak?

A. The Wife
B. The Husband
C. The Sister
D. The Groom

Correct Answer: B. The Husband
Expanded Answer: The Husband is a distinctive peak in the Three Sisters Wilderness, known for its rugged and eroded appearance. It is often overshadowed by the more famous Three Sisters but remains a challenging and rewarding destination for experienced climbers.

Good Morning!

 BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

December 6th

4pm - 7pm

Kick off the holiday season at Downtown Bend’s Annual Tree Lighting! Join us for a magical evening filled with festive lights, carols from local choirs, hot cocoa, and a special visit from Santa himself! Bring your family and friends to celebrate and watch the tree light up the night. See you there!

The 2024 Bend Christmas Parade

Saturday Dec. 7, 2024 – 12pm Start Time

Bend's most beloved event is coming soon! After 40 years, the Parade keeps on going and growing, and the 2023 Parade  was the largest ever!
2024 is going to surpass 2023!

Our Grand Marshals this year truly deserve the honor. For 39 years of the Parade history Terry Rahmsdorff served as our Santa Claus, bringing up the rear of the Parade and bringing cheer to countless kids of all ages with his booming, "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" Sadly, Terry passed away last year and he was greatly missed at the 2023 Parade. His wife Terri and his family have agreed to serve as Grand Marshals this year so that we can acknowledge and express our gratitude for Terry's years of love and care for our community. 

Ugly Sweater Fun Run on tap in Sisters

Runners and walkers are invited to don their ugliest sweaters and other holiday garb for the fourth annual Ugly Sweater Run/Walk. The 5 kilometer event, set for Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m. will be  staged from the Fir Street Park in downtown Sisters.

Photo by Charlie Kanzig

Participants in last year's Ugly Sweater Run show their holiday spirit. 

Race director Kelly Bither, founder of RunSistersRun, sponsors theme-oriented runs during the year and sees the events as an opportunity to  get people together for some fun while also raising funds for local non-profits. This year's event will support Living Well with Dementia in Sisters and the Sisters High School alpine ski team.  

Last year's event attracted 250 participants and Bither hopes to match that this year. 

Participants can form teams of six or more to qualify for a discount on the registration price of $39. The cost is $25 for 12 and under and  there is also a free "Santa's Lil Helpers" 100 yard dash just before the 5k starts for the little ones. 

Bither said, "Registration includes holiday glasses to complete your outfit, jingle bells to put on your shoes, and hot chocolate, coffee, and holiday snacks to enjoy." 

Rumor has it that Santa will be present on his red Vespa, according to Bither. 

Registration must be completed online at http://www.runsistersrun.com which also includes complete details of the event. 

The course finishes at The Barn food truck court where food will be available for purchase. Post-race festivities include prizes in recognition of the best, or ugliest, outfits. 

"This is a great way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends," said Bither.

December 7th

5pm- 8pm

The Festival of Trees is Hospice of Redmond’s Annual Fundraiser. Voted the Best Nonprofit Event in 2024, it is held at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds on the first Saturday in December. We have both a daytime and an evening event.

During the free daytime event, the community is invited to come see Santa, enjoy cookies, and view the 30+ stunningly decorated Christmas Trees prepped and ready for the live auction, which will take place during the evening event.

For the evening event, attendees purchase tickets to enjoy dinner, music, raffles, games, and a moving and exciting live Christmas Tree auction!

All Festival of Trees Fundraiser proceeds go towards our various free programs.

Coming up - Save the Date

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Click here to let us know about your upcoming Event!

Oregon Charter Schools Face Funding Crisis

A new study by ECONorthwest reveals that public charter schools in Oregon receive less than half the per-student funding of district-run schools, a disparity that has grown over the years. Parents at schools like Bend International School are frustrated by the funding gap, which forces them to organize frequent fundraisers to support the school’s 220 students. Staff at charter schools face salary cuts and restricted access to state funding mechanisms such as bonds and federal aid.

Current Oregon law requires districts to remit only 80% of general-purpose state funds to K-8 charter schools, compounding the inequity. Advocates, including the Oregon Coalition of Community Charter Schools, are calling for legislative changes to address these funding disparities and ensure equitable education for the 25,000 students attending charter schools statewide.

For the full report, visit orc3s.org/funding-report.

‘Turning the page’: Prineville residents meet new Police Chief Jeff Profio, look forward to changes for the better

On Tuesday, residents had a chance to stop by Deep Roots Coffee in Prineville during a two-hour coffee to informally meet Jeff Profio, the new police chief.

The City of Prineville announced the new police chief this fall, where he was one of a trio of initial finalists (that were followed by three more before the choice was made). 

"For me, the focus is got, you know, turning the page for this department and moving it forward and putting the past behind us," Profio said Tuesday. "And really looking at ways that we can take that next step and improve the way we police this community, the way we interact with this community and provide the best professional police services that we can for the community."

Profio was announced as the new police chief, after former Prineville Police Chief Larry Seymour and Captain Rob Gray were placed on paid non-disciplinary leave, pending an investigation. 

The city announced back in January that both men had resigned, under a negotiated settlement.  Lieutenant Shane Wilson acted as the officer in charge during the "transitional period."

Profio added, "A new chief coming into the department always is going to have to earn the trust of not only the department and the members of the department, but the community as well."

"So it really has nothing to do with the past, in my opinion. I'm a new chief coming into a department and new person coming into the community."

The owner of the Butcher Block, Jenna Pike, said she is excited for the change. 

"I'm excited, to have the new police chief," she said. "As a business owner, and I've been a citizen here for Prineville the last four years, I'm excited that he's willing to stay open to the public, and willing to hear our input and move forward. Just with the essentially drama that we have had, I'm excited that he's willing to turn a new leaf and, kind of keep the good things in Prineville good."

Another Prineville resident, David Edwards, stopped by to speak with the chief, and is hopeful of the transition. 

"There's a lot in the justice system that needs to change," he said. "I think it starts right here in this community. So hopefully with the change with this guy, it'll be for the good."

If you want to meet with the new police chief, you can meet Profio at another gathering next Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Golden Coffee in Prineville. There will also be another event on Tuesday, January 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the police station.

--

Here's the October 23 announcement of Profio's selection:

The City of Prineville announced Wednesday the appointment of longtime veteran San Jose, California police officer Jeff Profio as its new police chief, effective Nov. 18. He was one of a trio of finalists who visited the city for interviews in April -- the first of two rounds of three finalists city officials considered this summer.

Profio was one of three veteran law enforcement officers from Washington and California announced in June as finalists for the position. A week later, the city announced that none would be chosen and in late July named three more finalists to visit the city for consideration.

Former Prineville Police Chief Larry Seymour and Captain Rob Gray resigned this spring under a negotiated settlement, six months after being placed on paid, non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation, the results of which were not released by the city. Lieutenant Shane Wilson has been acting as officer in charge on an interim basis.

"With over 29 years of law enforcement experience, Profio has spent his career dedicated to serving the public and keeping communities safe," the city said in its announcement, which continues in full below.

Jeff Profio began his career as a police officer with the San Jose Police Department in California, where he advanced through the ranks over 24 years. In his leadership roles, he served as a team leader for the SWAT Team, sergeant of the fugitive apprehension team, and commander of special operations teams, including SWAT, bomb squad, canine, and traffic enforcement. He was instrumental in developing department-wide training in procedural justice and implicit bias, cultivating a culture of excellence and accountability.

Profio also served on the San Jose Police Department Chaplaincy board of directors for approximately six years, where he helped provide direction and conducted fundraising events for the program.

Currently, Jeff serves as the second-in-command of a small agency, overseeing day-to-day operations and building a cohesive team. (In its brief biography at the time of his naming as a finalist for the post, the city said Profio currently worked as a lieutenant for the West Valley Mission Community College Police Department near San Jose.)

He has been a POST Master Instructor since 2005, a designation awarded by the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program, which oversees the training and certification of law enforcement personnel. In this capacity, he has facilitated POST-certified courses that emphasize team building and principled policing, which will be foundational for the Prineville Police Department.

Before entering law enforcement, Jeff worked for five years at the YMCA, where he integrated team building into youth programs. He has since developed and led workshops for non-profits, law enforcement agencies, and the private sector, focusing on a collaborative and human-centered approach to team dynamics.

“Jeff Profio’s extensive experience as a master instructor and his dedication to mentoring and coaching make him an ideal fit for the Prineville Police Department,” said Steve Forrester, City Manager of Prineville. “His accomplishments in building high-performing teams will be instrumental in shaping the future of our department.”

The selection process for the new chief included a national search conducted in collaboration with a third-party firm, as well as community meet-and-greets and interviews with panels of regional public safety professionals, community leaders, and members of the Prineville Police Department. 

“We are excited to welcome Jeff Profio as our new Chief of Police,” Forrester added. “We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our police department and the community as a whole.”

Oregon State Police announces winning entry in the "Name Our K-9" Contest

Oregon State Sr. Trooper Scott Show needed an official name for his new drug-detection K-9. He had the idea to let Oregon elementary school students name the two-year-old female Belgian Malinois. On Oct. 17, 2024, OSP launched the “Name Our K-9” contest. At the time, no one knew we would end up with a very special name for one family.   

After almost 800 entries and a week of online voting, the winning entry of “Millie” was selected. Receiving almost half the votes cast, the winning entry was submitted by five-year-old Violet of Winston in honor of her twin sister Millie, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. 

Kylee Stewart, Violet and Millie’s mother, said, “Millie and Violet were inseparable. Although they were complete opposites, they shared a love of animals. When we came across the “Name Our K-9” contest, Violet knew she wanted to enter her sister’s name.”

“Nobody planned for there to be this much meaning behind naming the K-9,” said Sr. Trooper Show. “To have our dog end up with a name that’s got some significance and is meaningful to this family is really wonderful.” 

K-9 Millie is certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association as a drug-detection dog. She and Sr. Trooper Show are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug interdiction along Interstate 5 and throughout the state. As an ongoing tribute, OSP will recognize K-9 Millie’s drug seizures, when possible, with a special nod to the little girl who inspired her name.   

“On behalf of myself and the entire Oregon State Police family, it is an honor to be part of this special memorial to Millie Melton,” said Superintendent Casey Codding. In recognition for winning the naming contest, Violet received a letter and certificate from Superintendent Codding and an OSP uniform patch. She also received a Belgian Malinois plushie personalized with the OSP logo and the name “Millie” generously donated by Hero Industries. 

OSP is continuing to recognize the contest finalists with presentations to students across the state. We send a heartfelt thank you to the 778 students who submitted entries in the “Name Our K-9” contest. “K-9 teams play an important role in keeping our communities safe and it was exciting to have so many students participate in the contest in such an engaging and meaningful way,” said Superintendent Codding. 

Contest finalists: 

• “True” submitted by Michael B. from Creswell Christian Academy in Creswell. 

• “Showtime” submitted by KariAnn G. from Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg. 

• “Pearl” submitted by Bailey P. from Jefferson Elementary in Medford. 

• “Mable” submitted by Mrs. Moles's second-grade class from Prairie City Elementary in Prairie City. 

• The school with the most entries: Hillcrest Elementary in North Bend. 

November 2025 trial date set in Bend murder case

A November 2025 trial date was set Monday for a 51-year-old Bend man accused in the fatal stabbing of his roommate in early August.

Robert Carter Lawrence was arrested the night of August 1 after police responded to a report of a deceased person at a home in the 608000 block of Raintree Drive, north of Knott Road and east of SE 15 ^th Street. Officers found Matthew Kenneth Hallberg, 57, deceased in the backyard.

Prosecutors said a neighbor could hear Hallberg calling for help, saying Lawrence was trying to kill him. They said Lawrence admitted killing Hallberg, who suffered several stab wounds.

Lawrence pleaded not guilty in early September to second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Lawrence appeared Monday by video from the Deschutes County Jail, where he remains held without bail. Circuit Judge Michelle McIver conferred with attorneys and scheduled a seven-day jury trial for Nov. 4, 2025. A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for next Oct. 28.

The post November 2025 trial date set in Bend murder case appeared first on KTVZ .

KIDS Center in Bend celebrates Giving Tuesday in style, thanking community for support

KIDS Center, Bend's child advocacy organization, spent Giving Tuesday giving back to the community and spreading holiday cheer, one cup of coffee and dance move at a time.

Even with the freezing weather, volunteers and staff were waving signs, dancing and even giving out free coffee. In return, they asked for the community's support.

KIDS Center provides evaluation and treatment for children and/or families who are in need, with a goal of preventing child abuse and neglect, and helping those affected.

Executive Director Gil Levy said, “These are really essential, mandated services for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They've got to be provided. And they're offered here in a very specific, setting that's child-friendly, that's confidential. And it works in partnership with the families and with the public safety sector to make sure kids get what they need. ”

They also offer free training for adults on how to recognize child abuse. If you'd like to learn more about the training or KIDS Center, you can go to their website.

COCC holding pet food drive to benefit BrightSide Animal Center

Central Oregon Community College is holding a pet food drive to help Redmond's nonprofit BrightSide Animal Center.

The COCC veterinary technician program is taking food donations through 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 13. Drop off sites are located at all four COCC campuses. Canned food and sealed dry food for cats and dogs can be accepted.

• Bend campus: Health Careers Center, office 257

• Redmond campus: Technology Education Center, student services office

• Prineville campus: front office

• Madras campus: front office

COCC said it with BrightSide Animal Center to provide students with experience in animal handling and diagnostic testing.

Meet Everest – Your New Adventure Buddy!

Say hello to Everest, one of our lovable Paw Patrol puppies! At just over 2 months old, this sweet girl is a mixed breed who promises to grow into a large, energetic, and loyal companion. With her soft tan coat and boundless curiosity, Everest is ready to bring joy and laughter to her forever home.

Everest is the perfect combination of playful energy and cuddly affection. She loves a good game of fetch, even if she’s still learning the rules, and her goofy antics will keep you smiling. Whether it's exploring the great outdoors or snuggling up for some downtime, Everest is eager to be by your side.

Although she’s small now, Everest is expected to grow into a large-sized dog (over 44 lbs), making her a great fit for an active family or individual who’s ready for adventures and companionship. Everest is spayed, so she's all set to join her forever family.

If you're looking for a fun-loving, affectionate puppy to brighten your days, Everest is ready to fill that role. Adopt her today and start your journey together! 🐾

 😎Just Sayin

Fun N Games in Central Oregon

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