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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

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Crook County parents launch formal complaint seeking removal of superintendent

🧑‍🎨City of Bend Seeks Artists to Design Metal Art for New Public Works Campus

🎟️🎻Folk Festival tickets available

🛫Bend’s Airport to Gain New Control Tower, Becoming State’s Ninth

📰Regional / National News

📰Oregon AG secures $3.5 million settlement with Camping World over double charging

🍸Oregon task force ends work without unity on recommendations about raising alcohol taxes

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

🚨Redmond Police Seek the Public's Help in Locating Theft Suspects

📰 Community News

🪀🧸Toys For Tots Drop off Locations

🐕‍🦺Hiking Hounds of Bend - Peace of Mind Walks

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

🐕 Pet of the Week

🐕Meet Alice! - SDH

💖Good news!! All of our pups’ Adoption Fees are $120 OFF through Dec. 23rd!

📲Sponsors & Partners

😁 MEME of the Day

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

What year was the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory established?

A) 1965
B) 1968
C) 1973
D) 1980

👉Find The Answers in Friday’s Newsletter👉

Good Morning!

 BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

Mt. Bachelor’s 67th Birthday Party

December 19, 2024

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate Mt. Bachelor's 67th birthday party with cake and ice cream for everyone at the West Village Deck from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. For those 21+, enjoy a refreshing Deschutes beer, while Mountain Dew Baja Blast is available for all ages. It's the perfect way to commemorate this milestone with family and friends. 

*If weather is not permitting, we will celebrate inside Cocoa's in the West Village Lodge.

MTYC Holiday Makers Market

Saturday, December 21, 2024
12-5 PM

Coming up - Save the Date

Art showcase will mark new year

Makin’ it Local will celebrate the year-end and new beginnings on Friday, December 27, during the Fourth Friday Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. The celebration will include a group showcase featuring new work by Kathy Deggendorfer, Megan Marie Myers, Lindsay Gilmore, Rachel Dantona, James Parsons, Quail Lane Press, Green Bird Press, Mitch Jewelry, Julie Hamilton, Susan Luckey Higdon, Kara Frampton, Cheryl Chapman, Kari Phillips, Terri Axness, and Sheila Dunn.

Makin’ it Local’s “famous” gingersnaps cookies will be served.

Makin’ It Local is located at 281 W. Cascade Ave.

Unforgettable New Year’s Eve at The Belfry

Ring in the New Year with Company Grand, a nine-piece powerhouse band known for their dynamic originals and high-energy covers, headlining at The Belfry on December 31–January 1. Sharing the stage is the eclectic and funky Kota Dosa, bringing their signature New Orleans sound to Sisters.

This special night features unique connections to Sisters, with Tyler Cranor, a former Sisters High School jazz teacher, performing with Company Grand and jazz alum Simon Rhett joining Kota Dosa.

Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets available at BendTicket.com. Don’t miss this high-energy celebration!

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Crook County parents launch formal complaint seeking removal of superintendent

In a heated Crook County School Board meeting, community members filled the room to support Athletic Director Rob Bonner, as the board voted to recommend keeping him in his position. The decision followed growing tension over Bonner’s potential removal, which stemmed from an unspecified complaint that remains undisclosed. Earlier in the day, hundreds of students from Crook County middle and high schools staged a walkout, marching to the school district headquarters with signs demanding justice for Bonner and transparency from district leadership.

Following the meeting, parents began circulating a petition calling for the removal of Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner, who has been in her role for five months. Allegations against Skinner include mishandling Bonner’s case and hiring family members for district positions. Former school board chair Jessica Ritter also filed a formal complaint, accusing Skinner of attempting to remove Bonner without cause and pointing to evidence of corruption within the district.

Skinner, reportedly out of town for a family emergency, did not attend the meeting and has yet to address the allegations publicly. The situation has left the community deeply divided, with parents, students, and staff demanding accountability and action from the school district.

FULL STORY HERE

City of Bend Seeks Artists to Design Metal Art for New Public Works Campus

The City of Bend, in partnership with Art in Public Places, said Tuesday it seeks to commission designs for three structures: a bike shelter, a trash enclosure and a central utility plant enclosure on the new Public Works Campus under construction at Juniper Ridge

The artist(s) will design inspired 2D graphic art to be laser cut onto rusted Corten metal panels that will serve as the exterior cladding for the three structures. The artist(s) will provide digital files for the work of art, to be used by a local metal fabricator to laser-cut the design onto the flat Corten metal panels. The panels will then be installed onto the structures.

This is a local Call to Artists for art students (16 years and older), emerging and professional artists and graphic designers residing in Deschutes, Crook or Jefferson counties. One or more artists could be selected for any one of the three Site Structures.

The community will have the opportunity to view digital renderings of the 2D graphic art designs and submit their input online or in person in spring 2025. Installation of the work of art will take place in 2025.

The City of Bend and Art in Public Places are dedicated to nurturing, promoting and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage individuals from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA+ artists to apply.

Folk Festival Tickets Available

Discounted tickets to the 2025 Sisters Folk Festival go on sale online on Wednesday, December 18, at 10 a.m. The 28th annual music festival will take place September 26–28, 2025, at several venues around downtown Sisters.

Sisters Folk Festival is offering an early discount for the September event.

Three-day festival tickets will be available through a tiered pricing model, with discounts given to those who purchase first. These discounted tickets have sold out in a matter of minutes in the past, so be sure to set a reminder. The first 500 tickets will be offered at a special holiday price of $195 (limit two per person); the next round of tickets sold will be available at an early-bird price of $210 per ticket (limit four per person); and the final round of remaining tickets will be sold at the advance price of $235 per ticket. Tickets for youth ages 17 and under are $90 each, children under 5 years old enter for free.

In 2025, SFF Presents has included all fees in the ticket prices for maximum transparency, the organization reports.

SFF will begin making lineup announcements in the early spring and single-day festival tickets will be available for purchase next summer after the performance schedule is published. Refunds are available through July 31, 2025, less a $10 processing fee.

Follow @SistersFolkFestival on Instagram and Facebook for updates and additional information. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.AftonTickets.com/SFF2025.

Bend’s Airport to Gain New Control Tower, Becoming State’s Ninth

The Oxford Hotel’s reign as Bend’s tallest building will end in 2025 with the completion of Bend Municipal Airport’s new 115-foot air traffic control tower. This $15 million project will bring enhanced safety to Central Oregon’s skies, making Bend the ninth Oregon airport with a control tower. Currently handling about 140,000 annual flights, Bend’s airport is the state’s third busiest but lacks air traffic controllers to coordinate takeoffs and landings.

Federal funding, including $3.75 million from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, secured the project. Pilots are thrilled about the improved safety, and construction is set to follow FAA regulations and timelines. Airport Manager Tracy Williams emphasized the tower is for general aviation and business flights, not commercial jets, maintaining Bend’s distinct role compared to Redmond Airport.

Collaborative efforts involving state, federal, and local stakeholders were pivotal, with the project praised as a potential FAA model for future developments.

FULL STORY HERE

Oregon AG secures $3.5 million settlement with Camping World over double charging

Central Oregon Daily News Staff

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has reached a $3.5 million consumer protection settlement with Camping World, a national RV dealer with locations across the state including in Bend.

A multi-year investigation revealed the company advertised RVs at discounted prices but double-charged customers for fees already included in the advertised price, the AG's office said in a statement announcing the settlement Monday.

"Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted 'Dare to Compare' price. During negotiations, Camping World would claw back its purported discount by double charging consumers for freight and prep charges that had already been included in the advertised price,” Rosenblum said in a statement. “This is not how Oregonians expect or deserve to be treated!”

$3 million will be refunded to impacted customers who paid more than the advertised price. This applies to customers who bought an RV in 2017 and 2018. Those who bought a vehicle after 2018 may also be eligible for a refund under the agreement, but must submit a written complaint.

Those wishing to learn more can contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392. To learn more and file a written complaint, visit https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/. 

Here is the full statement from the AG's office:

SALEM, ORE. – Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced today a $3.5 million settlement with Camping World, a national dealer of recreational vehicles, or RVs, with multiple locations in Oregon. This result resolves a multi-year consumer protection investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Recovery Section. 

“The settlement orders Camping World to return $3 million in refunds to affected customers. Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted “Dare to Compare” price. During negotiations, Camping World would claw back its purported discount by double charging consumers for freight and prep charges that had already been included in the advertised price,” AG Rosenblum said. “This is not how Oregonians expect or deserve to be treated!”

Under the terms of the agreement, of the $3.5 million Camping World will be required to pay the state, $3 million will be used to refund certain consumers that purchased an RV from Camping World between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018 and who paid more than the advertised price for the vehicle.

Consumers that purchased vehicle after December 31, 2018, may also be eligible for a refund under the agreement. Customers who bought a vehicle after December 31, 2018, and believe that they also paid more than the advertised price must submit a written complaint to Oregon DOJ within 6 months of this announcement to potentially be eligible to receive a refund. Consumers that submit written complaints should include any information that they have to demonstrate they paid more than the advertised price.

Also, Camping World cannot charge any consumer more than the advertised offering price of the vehicle (excluding optional goods or accessories, license and registration fees, or other taxes). The offering price must be available to all consumers. It cannot be contingent on whether a consumer is paying cash or financing the deal. 

The settlement agreement includes several additional protections for future customers:

• Camping World is also prohibited from double-charging consumers for any good or service already included in the MSRP, including any amount for freight and prep. To ensure consumers know what they are being asked to pay, Camping World is required to disclose these charges on a label attached to the vehicle.

• Camping World must use clear abbreviations in its purchase orders so that consumers can tell what they are being asked to purchase. DOJ’s investigation found that Camping World would often use the term “environ” on purchase orders to describe what amounted to a limited warranty against weather damage.

• Camping World cannot make a free offer in conjunction with the purchase of a motor vehicle, unless it is offered by a manufacturer or another party that is not Camping World, including its Good Sam Club. Because Camping World owns both companies, such “free” offers can be illusory. 

Consumers who have questions about this settlement or believe they may have been affected by Camping World’s actions should contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392. To learn more and file a written complaint, visit https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/. 

“I thank the Civil Enforcement team at DOJ for their focus and persistence in this investigation, and in helping to make restitution to those affected by Camping World’s practices,” AG Rosenblum added.

Oregon task force ends work without unity on recommendations about raising alcohol taxes

A legislative task force studying alcohol abuse and the potential for raising alcohol taxes has concluded its work without making any specific recommendations. Task force chair Rep. Tawna Sanchez emphasized that her goal was to reflect all voices—ranging from addiction professionals to alcohol industry representatives—rather than force consensus.

The task force, formed under House Bill 3610, explored reallocating existing alcohol tax revenue, improving data collection on alcohol-related harms, and weighing the pros and cons of higher taxes. Oregon’s beer and cider taxes have remained unchanged for over 40 years, currently set at $2.60 per barrel and 65 cents per gallon for wine.

Advocates argue raising taxes would fund addiction treatment and reduce alcohol abuse, which costs Oregon nearly $5 billion annually. Industry representatives push back, disputing the data and claiming increased taxes could harm struggling businesses.

Sanchez is preparing a new proposal for the 2025 legislative session but provided no details. The task force’s findings leave the future of alcohol tax increases unresolved.

FULL STORY HERE

 City of Bend Events

Redmond Police Seek the Public's Help in Locating Theft Suspects

Redmond, OR – Since the end of November, the Redmond Police Department (RPD) has received approximately thirty-two reports of thefts from vehicles and thefts of packages occurring primarily west of 21^st Street, both north and south of SW Highland Ave.  These reports included a theft of a firearm, jewelry, cash money, and other various items that were left inside unsecured vehicles over a three-week period. 

With the assistance of video footage provided by resident’s security and doorbell cameras, RPD has identified two suspects as, Dakota Tucker, a 25-year-old male, Central Oregon-area resident, and his brother, Kaleb Tucker, a 24-year-old male, also a Central Oregon-area resident.  Both subjects have previous-issued warrants for their arrest for a parole violation, and the RPD is seeking their arrest on several outstanding criminal investigations. 

RPD seeks the community’s assistance in locating the suspects.  Please call the Redmond Police Department through non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911, reference case number 24-35766, if you have information on Dakota and Kaleb Tuckers whereabouts.  

Do not attempt to contact them yourself.   

As a reminder, the best way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a theft is to secure your vehicles and remove or hide valuables from sight. 

Meet Alice!

Meet Alice! Alice is a gorgeous mixed breed girl who came to us all the way from Norman, Oklahoma thanks again to our friends and partners at Dog is My Copilot who provided the needed transportation for all of these very lucky pups and cats. We don't know much about her yet, but our rescue partners in Norman have told us that she is great with people and other dogs. We will update Alice's bio/profile as we get to know her more now that she's in temporary foster care. Submit your online adoption application through our website today and don't miss this opportunity to bring her home for a 3-day home trial towards her adoption. Will you be her hero?

Good news!! All of our pups’ Adoption Fees are $120 OFF through Dec. 23rd!🐾

Pups pictured in order are: Stetson, Rose, Alice, Nala, Buckles and Pip, who are all adoptable and ready to find their forever families!

You can also have your new family member dropped off at your house on Christmas morning by one of our team members for $100 donation!

So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on your chance to snuggle up and watch Christmas movies with a rescue dog of your own🎄

See all of our available dogs today at streetdoghero.org. #StreetDogHero #AdoptMe

 😎Just Sayin

Fun N Games in Central Oregon

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