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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📅Save The Date Section

❄️🚶‍♀️‍➡️Snowshoe with a ranger in the Ochoco National Forest - December 21st

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

❄️💥String of crashes close Century Drive, the snowy road to Mt. Bachelor

⛰️Possible sale of Mt. Bachelor looms over skiers enjoying fresh snow on the way

📰Jessica Brumble resigns from Crook County school board, appointed transportation manager

🏈 Crook County High School sports moving from 4A to 5A

😆Bend’s Googly Eye debacle makes it to Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' 🎦

📰Regional / National News

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

🚨Homicide Suspect Keith Nolen Arrested After Standoff in Redmond

📰 Community News

🪀🧸Toys For Tots Drop off Locations

🫴Summit High School joins Sparrow Clubs to help girl battling leukemia

🐕‍🦺Hiking Hounds of Bend - Peace of Mind Walks

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😁 MEME of the Day

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

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String of crashes close Century Drive, the snowy road to Mt. Bachelor

A string of crashes on slick, snow-covered Cascade Lakes Highway closed the road to Mt. Bachelor for over an hour Saturday morning, reports indicated.

Authorities and witnesses said several cars slid into each other on the Cascade Lakes Highway (state Highway 372) near milepost 13.

ODOT reported the road was closed about 10:30 a.m. two miles east of Wanoga Sno-Park and about 10 miles from the resort, busy on a pre-holiday weekend after recent snowfall.

Mt. Bachelor advised that traffic to and from the resort was diverted through Sunriver during the closure, which ended later in the morning. Follow ODOT's TripCheck traffic updates here .

There was no word regarding any injuries from the string of crashes.

One of the motorists involved in the pileup, Kelly Simoneau, told NewsChannel 21 that "many or even most vehicles involved had four-wheel-drive and/or winter or studded tires."

Simoneau said it happened in an area of "packed snow with glare ice on top, and there was absolutely no sanding or cinders on the road. Vehicles were just sliding uncontrollably and into each other, even while driving very carefully and slowly."

"It took way too long" to get ODOT to sand or close the road, she claimed, adding, "It is very lucky that no one was hurt."

ODOT reported sub-freezing temperatures and black ice in some areas at the time, with vehicles required to carry chains or traction tires.

Mt. Bachelor reported more than 10 inches of snow in 24 hours, for a five-foot base depth and more snow in the forecast.

Possible sale of Mt. Bachelor looms over skiers enjoying fresh snow on the way

Fresh powder on Mt. Bachelor this week is bringing a lot of eager snow-lovers and traffic to the slopes this Friday and weekend. But while skiers and snowboarders enjoy the conditions, the reminder of the unknown future of the resort looms.

"I think that locally, the sentiment seemed to be that there was an opportunity to reset what Mt. Bachelor was and what it could be," said Stuart Winchester, editor and host of The Storm Skiing Journal & Podcast.

It's been over three months since POWDR Corp. announced it was looking to sell Mt. Bachelor, and the hunt for that new owner is heating up. 

Several multi-mountain U.S. ski resort companies are apparently considering a bid for the resort. Vail, Alterra and Mountain Capital Partners are all interested in Mt. Bachelor, as was discussed at a recent City Club forum livestreamed by NewsChannel 21.

Local duo Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane threw their hat in the ring in September, hoping to return the resort founded by Bill Healy to community ownership. The team has raised thousands of dollars so far for their "Buy Back Mt. Bachelor" initiative.

"I don't think the highest bidder wins in this case," Winchester said Friday. "What Powdr really wants to ensure as part of their legacy is that the last 20 years that they've put into building up Mt. Bachelor doesn't get wasted."

Local skiers and snowboarders at Mt. Bachelor had strong reactions Friday to potential buyers.

"There's a good community over here. You know, like, it's just so nice. It has been my home mountain for 18 years," said Lucas and Ian.

"No Vail!" they added.

A famous regular at the mountain called 'SkiMum' says she's hopeful: "We have like the longest ski season of anywhere in the world. So at the end of the day, I know that it's going to end up in good hands, no matter which direction it goes," she said.

But Winchester says the resort could be without a buyer for years.

"There's a lot of factors at play, and there's a lot of things that Powdr will consider," he said. "And ultimately, people in buying need to understand that powder could keep the resort long-term."

Jessica Brumble resigns from Crook County school board, appointed transportation manager

Prineville, OR - Jessica Brumble resigned from the Crook County School Board Tuesday and has been appointed the district's transportation manager, the district announced Thursday.

After receiving a viewer tip, Central Oregon Daily News reached out to superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner, who confirmed Brumble's resignation and her appointment as transportation manager. The district later made the full announcement in a release.

"She will now oversee the district’s transportation operations and services and work with staff and families to ensure the best possible experience for local students," the release read.

Brumble will start her new role Dec. 30. 

“Jessica’s leadership and dedication to our students and families have been invaluable during her time on the board,” said Skinner, who has served as superintendent since July. “We are thrilled to have her step into this operational role where her skills and vision will make a tremendous impact.” 

Central Oregon Daily has asked the district to provide details on Brumble’s qualifications for the new position. We’ve also asked for information on any other candidates who were up for the job.

Brumble was voted onto the school board along with Cheyenne Edgerly and Jennifer Knight -- the self-proclaimed "Mama Bears" -- in May 2023, making up the majority of the five person board. She was then elected school board chair.

A complaint was filed against Brumble in the fall of 2023 following an alleged incident at the Oregon 4A volleyball tournament. The person filing the complaint called from Brumble’s resignation.

In July 2024, when Skinner took over as superintendent, the board changed leadership and voted in Knight as the new board chair.

Crook County High School sports moving from 4A to 5A

 The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) voted Monday to move high school athletics in the Crook County School District from 4A to 5A.

Projections show enrollment at Crook County High School will exceed the 4A limit in each of the next three years.

It's likely that Crook County will end up in the Intermountain Conference, which currently includes Bend, Caldera, Mountain View, Summit, Redmond and Ridgeview high schools.

Crook County currently plays in the Tri-Valley conference with Madras, among others.

 City of Bend Events

Homicide Suspect Keith Nolen Arrested After Standoff in Redmond

REDMOND, OR – In the early morning hours of December 15, 2024, Keith Nolen, a suspect in a recent homicide case, was taken into custody by the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT) following a tense standoff in Redmond. The arrest marks the culmination of a multi-agency effort involving the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), CERT, and the Major Incident Team.

Nolen was located in a travel trailer positioned north of Highway 126 near the intersection of NE 9th and Antler Avenue. Authorities attempted for several hours to negotiate his surrender, but Nolen refused to comply. In an effort to gain his cooperation, CERT introduced chemical irritants into the trailer. When that approach failed, DCSO K-9 Ronin was deployed, resulting in Nolen being bitten. After receiving medical treatment for the injury, Nolen was transported to the Deschutes County Jail, where he was charged with 2nd Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and an outstanding warrant.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation into Nolen's alleged involvement in the case began on December 10, 2024, when Redmond Police responded to a 911 call reporting a possible gunshot victim. Officers discovered the body of 26-year-old River Feldmiller, a transient, in the passenger seat of a 2017 Ford F-250 truck near East Antler Avenue and SE 11th Street. Feldmiller was pronounced deceased at the scene, and evidence suggested foul play.

The Major Incident Team was activated to lead the investigation, which quickly identified Nolen as the primary suspect. Authorities credit their collaborative efforts with successfully bringing Nolen into custody.

Community Impact

The swift resolution of this case has provided some relief to the Redmond community, which has been on edge since the discovery of Feldmiller's body. Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of teamwork in handling the complex investigation and capture.

“This case highlights the dedication and coordination of our law enforcement teams,” said a spokesperson for the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. “The combined efforts of CERT, the Major Incident Team, and DCSO SWAT were instrumental in apprehending this suspect and ensuring public safety.”

Nolen remains in custody at the Deschutes County Jail as the investigation continues. Further details about the case and upcoming court proceedings are expected to be released in the coming days.

Summit High School joins Sparrow Clubs to help girl battling leukemia

Summit High School in Bend started up its Sparrow project Friday.

Sparrow Clubs of Bend partners families facing high medical costs with schools and communities, providing support for those who need it most.

The little Sparrow's name is Juliet, who is in intense treatment for leukemia. Summit has partnered with Juliet's family to help raise funds for Juliet's medical and travel costs.

It's not just about money, though. It's about service and words of encouragement.

"That students take the time to write down in their own words what helping Juliet meant to them. Some students take the opportunity to write a personal reflection, a personal message to Juliet, a message of encouragement and love. And we're able to collect those vouchers at the end of the project and give them to these families as an additional gift. So it's not just about the money. It's about overall, all-encompassing support," said Sparrow Clubs Executive Director Matt Sampson.

Eight schools in Central Oregon have partnered with Sparrow Clubs.

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