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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🛍️MTYC Holiday Makers Market

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📅Save The Date Section

🖼️🚶‍➡️Art showcase will mark new year

🎉🎊Unforgettable New Year’s Eve at The Belfry

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

⭐Deschutes County Commissioners Appoint Kent van der Kamp as Sheriff

📰Bend City Engineer Resigns Amid Ethics Investigation

📰 Crook County - Skinner says 'no administrative changes this year'; teachers union joins community complaint 🎦

🫨‘Increased seismicity’ likely at Newberry volcano as geothermal exploration work resumes, USGS advises public

📰Big Lots closing in Bend as company fails to find buyer, many local employees soon without a job

📰Regional / National News

📰Oregon gains 5,100 jobs in November

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News 

📰 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!

🏘️Real Estate News

🏘️Central Oregon Market Report | December 18, 2024 - By Reed Melton

🔌⚡Pacific Power Rate Hike Approved for 2025

🔥🎄Firefighter’s Wife Issues Stark Warning About Dangers of Christmas Trees: ‘It Could Burn Your House Down’

📲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

Answer: B) 1968

Expanded Answer: The Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory was established in 1968 by Sunriver founder John Gray as a key component of the Sunriver community. Since its inception, SNCO has grown significantly, now serving over 50,000 visitors annually with a mission to inspire present and future generations to cherish and understand the natural world. Over the years, the organization has expanded its facilities and programs, including the addition of the Oregon Observatory, which houses the largest collection of telescopes for public viewing in the United States

Good Morning!

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Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

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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Deschutes County Sheriffs Press Release:

Deschutes County Commissioners Appoint Kent van der Kamp as Sheriff

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Kent van der Kamp as Deschutes County Sheriff for the period of January 1, 2025, until his term of office begins on January 6, 2025. The appointment is required by state law (ORS 236.210) because Sheriff Shane Nelson retires on Dec. 31, leaving the position vacant until van der Kamp can be officially sworn in on Monday, Jan. 6.

"I am deeply honored to accept the appointment by the Board of Commissioners to serve as Deschutes County Sheriff during this transitional period. I look forward to officially stepping into this role and continuing to build on the trust and collaboration our community deserves.” 

“I am also thrilled to introduce our new command staff, who will bring their leadership and expertise to guide us through this journey:

• Undersheriff Aaron Wells

• Patrol Captain Mike Sundberg

• Detective Captain Ty Rupert

• Corrections Captain Mike Shults

• Administrative Captain Bill Bailey

These individuals bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to excellence. I am confident their leadership will inspire and support us all as we work toward our shared goals.” said Sheriff-elect Kent van der Kamp.

On November 5th, 2024, Kent van der Kamp was elected as the 10th Sheriff of Deschutes County, Oregon. Sheriff van der Kamp oversees the 3055 square mile county and manages more than 260 employees. The office operates with a $67 million dollar budget that includes patrol, corrections, court security, search and rescue, administrative services, special services, SWAT and automotive maintenance. The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office provides patrol services throughout the county and the incorporated cities of Sisters and La Pine. Sheriff van der Kamp's greatest responsibilities is to protect the people who live and visit Deschutes County.

Bend City Engineer Resigns Amid Ethics Investigation

Deedee Fraley, a former City of Bend employee who led the Private Development Engineering Division, resigned in November following an ethics investigation. Fraley, who joined the City in 2017, faced scrutiny over her involvement in a development project in southeast Bend with former Pahlisch Homes executives. Neighbors alleged she misrepresented her intentions and did not disclose her partnership with developers while attempting to amend neighborhood covenants for a quadplex project.

Fraley and her partners formed Terra Development Group to purchase the property but faced backlash from residents and questions about potential conflicts of interest. City officials confirmed an internal investigation but found no undue influence during her tenure. However, concerns about her undisclosed partnership contributed to her decision to resign.

Fraley has since exited the development group, leaving her partners to reassess plans for the property. Meanwhile, neighbors are working to restore the original neighborhood covenants, though the enforceability of these changes remains uncertain.

FULL STORY HERE

Skinner says 'no administrative changes this year'; teachers union joins community complaint

Central Oregon Daily News Staff

Crook County School District Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner said Thursday there will be "no administrative changes this year." It comes after days of public outcry over reports that popular athletic director Rob Bonner was set to be removed from that role.

Hours later, the union representing Crook County teachers announced it would sign on to a community complaint against Skinner following a no confidence vote of its members. That complaint is calling for Skinner to be fired.

Skinner has been out of town following the passing of her father-in-law, but sent the following letter to staff Thursday, which the district released publicly.

RELATED: Crook County schools employees asked if unions should take vote of no confidence in Superintendent Skinner

"Dear Crook County School Community,

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your understanding during this difficult time. The sudden passing of my father-in-law required me to be with my family out of state over the past few days.

"Even during this period, I have been following the unfolding events as closely as possible and remain fully committed to addressing the matters within my control upon my return. I want to assure you that there will be no administrative changes this year.

"I deeply appreciate the community's steadfast dedication to transparency and excellence for the students and staff of Crook County and whole-heartedly share those values. I am eager to continue working together to support our shared goals.

"Thank you for your understanding and patience as we lay my father-in-law to rest."

Central Oregon Daily has reached out to the district to find out if Skinner meant no changes for the rest of 2024 or for the 2024-25 school year.

RELATED: Crook County parents launch formal complaint seeking removal of superintendent

Last weekend, word began to spread that Bonner, the Crook County High School assistant principal and a 2022 Oregon Athletic Director of the Year, was set to be removed as AD. The reason for that removal has still not been made public by the district.

Hundreds of Crook County High School and Middle School students walked out and protested outside the school district offices, holding signs supportive of Bonner and critical of Skinner.

That night, hundreds of parents and community members filled the middle school for a school board meeting, flowing into the hallways and out the doors, also holding signs supporting Bonner and Kissell and calling for transparency.

The board voted unanimously to recommend keeping Bonner as AD, although Skinner has the final say.

A formal complaint against Skinner, signed by hundreds of parents, was launched, calling for the board to fire Skinner. It highlighted concerns over the handling of the situation with Bonner and, allegedly, a similar situation with Steins Pillar Elementary Principal Brian Kissell. The complaint also accuses board member Cheyenne Edgerly of seeking to have Bonner removed.

The complaint also alleges that Skinner hired her husband and son for jobs in the district. And it questions the method by which Jessica Brumble was hired as transportation manager at roughly the same time she announced her resignation from the school board last week. Skinner did not address these additional allegations in her letter.

Thursday night, the Crook County Education Association announced it would sign on to that letter following a vote of its members that it said was "overwhelmingly 'yes.'" Other unions have also asked their members to take part in no confidence votes, but those results have not yet been released.

Skinner has been superintendent since July.

‘Increased seismicity’ likely at Newberry volcano as geothermal exploration work resumes, USGS advises public

"Increased rates of seismicity" are likely at the Newberry volcano south of Bend as a private exploration company conducts geothermal work in coming weeks, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

"The project is not expected to result in changes to Newberry's status or volcano hazard," USGS said in Wednesday's update on earthquake monitoring activity at the geothermal site, where Mazama Energy's renewed exploration project was announced earlier this year.

Here's the rest of Wednesday's USGS announcement of its earthquake monitoring plans:

Beginning on Sunday, Dec. 22 and continuing off-and-on for several weeks to months, a private exploration company called Mazama Energy will conduct geothermal exploration work near Newberry volcano.

As their geothermal work proceeds, many small magnitude, non-volcanic earthquakes will occur, which will be detected by the Newberry seismic network. During geothermal exploration activities at Newberry in 2012 and 2014, for example, hundreds of small earthquakes of magnitude M2.5 or less occurred while a company conducted its work.

Increased rates of seismicity will be closely monitored by the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and its monitoring partner the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. The project is not expected to result in any changes to Newberry’s state of activity or potential volcanic hazards.

Newberry seismic network

Seismic monitoring at Newberry began in 2012 after CVO scientists installed an 8-station network of seismic and GPS sensors. Since that time, scientists have located an average of 15 earthquakes at Newberry each year.

CVO and PNSN monitoring networks are operating normally and seismologists will be able to differentiate volcanic earthquakes from those caused by geothermal exploration activity. 

Overview of Newberry’s eruptive history

Newberry volcano is a broad shield-shaped, composite volcano in central Oregon covering an area the size of Rhode Island. The central caldera is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Bend, Oregon. Notable features include Paulina Lake, East Lake, Big Obsidian Flow, and the volcano’s highest point, Paulina Peak, 7,986 ft (2,434 m) in elevation on the south caldera rim. 

Throughout its 500,000-year eruptive history, Newberry has produced ash and tephra, pyroclastic flows, and lava flows that range in composition from basalt to rhyolite. Newberry last erupted about 1,300 years ago (the Big Obsidian Flow), and present-day hot springs, background levels of seismicity, and geologically young lava flows indicate that it is still an active volcano.

People can sign up to receive email notifications about activity at Cascade Range volcanoes through the Volcano Notification Service.

Big Lots closing in Bend as company fails to find buyer, many local employees soon without a job

By Harley Coldiron, KTVZ News Sources

An email from Big Lot's CEO sent to employees around the country, including more than 20+ team members in Bend, learned they will soon be out of job as the discount retailer announced they will close all of their remaining locations.

NewsChannel 21 spoke to a longtime employee at the Bend location who said more than 20 employee's will be impacted, many of them serving for more than 10 years with the company.

According to the employee, the email sent to by the company's leadership did not specify exactly when the store would close, but did indicate they would get a severance package.

Receiving the news just days before Christmas made it especially tough, according to the employee, adding how tough finding a job during wintertime can be.

In a release Thursday, Big Lots said it no longer anticipates being able to complete a previously announced agreement with a private equity group to salvage the company.

However, it said, it continues to work toward completing an alternative transaction with that group, Los Angeles-based Nexus Capital Management, or another party.

In September, Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization after suffering continuous losses. The Columbus, Ohio-based firm has announced hundreds of store closures this year.

The brick-and-mortar retail landscape in general took another series of blows in 2024, with 49 retail bankruptcies (including automobile dealers and direct-to-consumer brands) to date in the U.S., compared to 25 retail bankruptcies tracked in 2023, according to data from Coresight Research, a consumer insights group.

More than 7,300 store closures year to date have been confirmed by Coresight, led by Family Dollar with 718, followed by CVS with 586 and Big Lots with 580.

That compares with 4,627 store closures across the retail industry by this same time last year, Coresight said.

Oregon gains 5,100 jobs in November

OREGON -- Oregon gained 5,100 jobs in November, according to the Oregon Employment Department. 

According to a news release from OED, the state's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 5,100 jobs -- an increase from a gain of 3,500 jobs in October. 

Health care and social assistance had the highest increase, the release said, with an additional 2,300 jobs. The construction industry also gained 2,100 positions and professional and business services gained 700. 

The leisure and hospitality sector lost 700 jobs, the release said. 

"Private health care and social assistance has been adding jobs very rapidly since June 2022," the release said. "It expanded by 41,700 jobs or 15.6%, during that 29-month period. ...Construction rebounded in November from a three-month dip, returning the sector's total employment to 117,500, about where it had been from July 2022 through August 2024." 

Below is a breakdown of gains over the past 12 months. 

• Health care and social assistance +17,500 jobs

• Government: +6,900 jobs

• Retail trade: -1,700 jobs

• Leisure and hospitality: -1,400 jobs

"About half of the major industries were essentially flat over the year, with job changes of less than 1,200 in either direction," the release said. 

Oregon's unemployment rate was 4.1% in November, the release said, only slightly up from 4% in October. 

"[It] has consistently remained between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023," the release said. "The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in November and 4.1% in October." 

 City of Bend Events

Central Oregon Market Report | December 18, 2024

by Reed Melton

Today, the Federal Reserve is likely to drop the overnight rate by another 25 basis points despite inflation trending upward. However, mortgage rates this morning are up ten basis points from last week, with the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan at 6.92%. A decrease in the overnight rate is unlikely to have much impact on mortgage rates and won't help tamp down inflation either. Heading into 2025, I do not expect more Fed rate cuts for several months or longer. I also anticipate mortgage rates will be in the 6.5% - 7% range, slightly better than last year's rates during the peak of the selling season but elevated from early 2024. The two biggest factors impacting the Central Oregon housing market will be buyer demand and inventory levels.

This morning, there are 877 single-family homes for sale in Deschutes County, a decline of forty-eight from last week. Over the next several weeks, inventory will drop sharply as listings expire at the end of the year and sellers wait for increased spring activity to relist. Forty-four homes are pending this week at a median list price of $928,707, with sixty-three closed transactions at a median sale price of $775,096. The median days on the market for closed transactions was thirty-four, showing that desirable, well-priced homes are still moving quickly. Activity is solid for this time of year, but including today, there are only nine business days left this year! Expect a decline in transaction volume over the next several weeks until we get settled into the new year.

Crook County homes listed for sale only decreased by four to 167. Inventory in the county has remained stubbornly low in the last few years, making significant reductions less likely as we head into winter. With five pending sales at a median list price of $349,000 and five closed transactions at a median sale price of $655,000, activity in Crook County remains consistent. Pending median sale days on the market were only thirty, with the closed days at forty-one.

Jefferson County inventory has remained low; this week, it only declined by one to ninety-eight. Two pending sales with an average list price of $413,700 and four closed transactions at an average of $480,791 are consistent with the last few weeks. 

While transactions will continue throughout the end of the year and into January, this is unquestionably the slowest time of year, with several holidays breaking up the weeks. As inventory declines, many sellers are positioned well with less competition. 

Active Listings

Pacific Power Rate Hike Approved for 2025

Residential Pacific Power customers will see a 9.8% rate increase starting January 1, 2025, following approval from the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC). This is significantly lower than the 21.6% increase the utility initially requested for residential customers. For all customer types combined, the approved increase is 8.5%, down from PacificCorp’s proposed 17.6%.

The rate hike reflects costs for wildfire restoration, insurance, coal plant closures, and major infrastructure projects like the Gateway South Transmission Line. The PUC moderated the increase by requiring shareholder contributions and adopting stricter accountability measures.

The PUC also introduced protections for vulnerable customers, including higher bill discounts and prohibiting disconnections for certain groups during winter months. Final rate changes will be reviewed and confirmed by December 31, 2024.

Firefighter’s Wife Issues Stark Warning About Dangers of Christmas Trees: ‘It Could Burn Your House Down’

 By Claudine Zap

Dec 20, 2024

A firefighter’s wife has issued a chilling warning about the oft-ignored dangers of having a Christmas tree in your home, revealing how the much-loved, festive decoration could end up “burning your house to the ground.”

Jessica Rush, a real estate agent from Queen Creek, AZ, has been married to a fireman for 17 years and regularly shares fire safety tips on her TikTok account, where she goes by the username @unhingedreviewswjess.

In one of her more recent advice videos, the educational influencer shared a list of stark warnings about the most common mistakes people make with their Christmas trees, explaining the many ways in which these seemingly-innocent errors can end up resulting in a serious house fire.

“Nothing ruins the Christmas season like everything Santa brought you being burnt up in a fire, along with everything else you own,” she wrote in her caption, before launching into her list of safety checks that she says everyone should be following if they have a Christmas tree in their home during the festive season.

“If you don’t wanna burn your house down …” she begins the clip, before revealing her first tip.

Power strip dangers

According to Jess, power strips “around the Christmas tree” are a no-no, “unless you want to burn your house to the ground,” she says.

Although power strips can be safe, if they’re overloaded they can be potentially a fire hazard. As Jess notes in her comments, over-taxed power strips “spark off and start fires all the time especially when overloaded.”

And commenters are taking notice, with one admitting, “I have power strips everywhere.”

As the Consumers Credit Union points out, “Just because you can plug it in doesn’t mean you should.”

You don’t want to overload a power strip. You also don’t want to plug a power strip into an extension cord and that’s plugged into a wall outlet. Whenever possible, plug decorations, like holiday lights, directly into the wall outlet.

If you must use you a power strip, get one with an on/off switch, “That way, if the strip gets overloaded, it will turn itself off instead of tripping your home’s breaker,” according to Express Electrical Services.

Check your lights each year

Before hanging your holiday lights, check for damaged ones. And if you see one that’s broken, throw them out, don’t plug them in.

“Check your lights for broken bulbs before you put them on your Christmas tree, if you don’t want to burn your house to the ground,” Jess says.

The U.S. Fire Administration agrees heartily with this advice. They point out this scary statistic: Almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.

In addition to broken bulbs, throw away any light strands with “frayed or pinched wires,” the website notes.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends taking the light strand to a safe place and plugging in to ensure they’re working properly before placing on the tree.

While you were sleeping

Another crucial piece of advice: “Don’t forget to unplug those lights before you go to sleep or go out,” Jess advises.

Those tree lights, when left on for an extended period of time, can become overheated, making them a fire hazard.

A commenter noted that they leave their LED tree on for a month or two months at a time and “never had a problem every single year.” To which Jess simply responded, “That’s good.”

LED lights are more efficient and usually last longer than incandescent bulbs, and less likely to overheat.

However, even LED lights can be a fire hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),  almost one of every five Christmas tree fires were started “by lamps or bulbs.”

Take care of your tree

Real Christmas trees are a beloved holiday tradition for so many reasons—from their fresh pine scent to their pretty appearance. In fact, some 25 to 30 million trees are sold in the U.S. each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

However, Jess has some words of wisdom for those who bring living trees into their homes. “If you’re super into the Christmas season, and get a live tree, get an ‘able body’ with a chainsaw to trim the trunk of the tree before you set it up in your house,” she warns.

And she adds, “If you get a live tree, don’t forget to water it. Those things can take up a gallon of water a day.”

Failure to water the tree can cause it to dry out which greatly increases the likelihood of it catching fire.

One commenter posted in response to this tree-care advice, “Mine isn’t taking anymore water I haven’t filled it in days we trimmed the trunk too.”

Jess responded, “I’d say watch it close cause it’s probably dying.”

Stay away from heat

The TikTok star also notes that the placement of your tree is incredibly important when it comes to ensuring your safety—particularly if you live in a smaller property.

“I get it,” Jess says. “You have a small house, limited space. You wanna put up a Christmas tree. Don’t put it close to heat sources,” she says. “Candles, space heaters, fireplaces, cigars.”

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that trees are placed 3 feet away from heat sources, like fireplaces, radiators, heat vents, space heaters, and candles.

Tree removal

After the holidays, don’t let your guard down. In fact, the tree can become more of a hazard, Jess notes.

“Don’t put off properly disposing of your Christmas tree after Christmas is over,” she says. “Unless, you know, you wanna kinda start neglecting it and accidentally starting a fire to burn your house to the ground.”

Live trees are biodegradable and can be recycled, and many places will provide curbside recycling around two weeks after the holiday, provided trees have ornaments and flocking removed.

And just because the holiday is over, doesn’t mean you should forget about that dying tree in your house.

“Almost as many Christmas tree fires happen in January as they do in December,” Jess warns.

As Christmas trees dry out, they become more and more flammable. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 36% of Christmas tree fires were in January.

 😎Just Sayin

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