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 Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🚴‍♂️Thrilla Cyclocross Series

🌌SPACE, HOPE & CHARITY Community Gathering

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📅Save The Date Section

🌕🛍️Bend Moonlight Market

❄️🏂Oregon WinterFest

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰West Bend Trails Project to include 17.5 miles of new trails

📰Crook County Coach Earns National Honor

⛷️Kelsey's Memorial Race kicked off ski season

🏔️🎟️Mt. Bachelor brings back $99 Thursday lift tickets to benefit nonprofits

📰Regional News

📰Port of Morrow Gets Temporary Pollution Exception Amid Economic Concerns

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

💥Nevada man crossing highway dies after being hit by semi near Madras, OSP says

🚨Crime News

📰Community News

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

🐶Pet of the Week

🐶Meet Hank Williams! - HSO

📲Sponsors & Partners

😁 MEME of the Day

What year was the Old St. Francis School in Bend, Oregon, originally built?

A) 1910
B) 1936
C) 1950
D) 2000

👉Find The Answer 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 

Thrilla Cyclocross Series

Join the excitement of the Thrilla Cyclocross Series, presented by High Desert Sports and Spine and the Horner Cycling Foundation. This event offers a thrilling cyclocross experience for participants and spectators alike. Taking place on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Athletic Club of Bend, this series is donation-based, making it accessible to all cycling enthusiasts.

SPACE, HOPE & CHARITY Community Gathering

On Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, the Hanai Center will host a community gathering featuring NASA Astrophysicist Dr. Charity Woodrum and facilitator Molly Buccola. This event delves into the power of human connection, inspired by the documentary film about Dr. Woodrum's journey overcoming obstacles while pursuing her dreams. Attendees are encouraged to watch the film at the Tower Theatre on January 18 and join the gathering for an enriching discussion. Tickets are priced at $25.

Coming up - Save the Date

 Bend Moonlight Market

Experience the vibrant Bend Moonlight Market on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Volcanic Theatre Pub. This event showcases local artisans, live music, and a variety of food and beverages, offering a unique evening of shopping and entertainment.

Oregon WinterFest

Join the annual Oregon WinterFest from February 14 to 16, 2025, in the Old Mill District. This family-friendly festival features live music, art installations, delicious cuisine, and a range of entertainment suitable for all ages. Enjoy the winter wonderland atmosphere and participate in various activities throughout the weekend.

HAVE an upcoming event you want us to FEATURE?

Click here to let us know about your upcoming Event!

Deschutes Public Library Events

West Bend Trails Project to include 17.5 miles of new trails

Some changes are coming to an expansive trail system on the west side of Bend.

The Deschutes National Forest has decided to build 17.5 miles of new trails, while nearly nine miles of existing trails will be re-routed to improve connectivity.

The Forest Service is also planning to decommission 17 miles of unauthorized trails in the area.

The decision impacts areas around Skyliner Road, Cascade Lakes Highway and some locations along the Deschutes River.

Here is the full announcement from the Forest Service:

Bend, Ore. – The Deschutes National Forest has signed the final decision for the West Bend Trails Project. This project is located on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District west of Bend, Oregon.

The goal of the West Bend Trails Project is to provide quality trail-based recreation opportunities for trail users of all experience levels while minimizing disturbance and negative impacts to other resources.

The final decision includes rerouting approximately 8.8 miles of trail, constructing approximately 17.5 miles of new trail, Travel Management actions on approximately 33.3 miles of system roads, and decommissioning of approximately 17 miles of unauthorized trail. These actions will provide better trail connectivity, improve confusing trail intersections, reduce visitor conflict, and provide additional types of trail opportunities. Additionally, decommissioning of unauthorized trails will reduce disturbance effects to wildlife and the potential for illegal activity affecting winter shelters and trails. Specific details about this decision can be viewed here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b74242b5ab504fec821dda37081741f9.

The project area includes areas parallel to Forest Service Road (FSR) 4601 (also known as Skyliner Road) from the Forest boundary to the west side of Tumalo Lake, areas parallel to Cascade Lakes Highway from the Forest Boundary to the Vista Butte parking area, areas near Kiwa Butte, FSR 4613, and FSR 4133, and near the Deschutes River along FSR 4100-292.

The final Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact can be viewed on the Deschutes National Forest website here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/deschutes/?project=65732. Members of the public may also contact Emilie Bedard, NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Planner, at [email protected] for questions about the project.

For more information about the West Bend Trails project final decision, please reach out to the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.

Crook County Coach Earns National Honor

Ernie Brooks, head coach of the Crook County High School boys track and field team, has been named the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year for boys track and field. Brooks, who led the team to a state championship last year, credits his success to the legacy of past coaches and the collective effort of his team.

The award highlights Brooks' 21 years of coaching experience and dedication, which Athletic Director Robert Bonner says "pays dividends." Crook County senior Eli Oelkers praised Brooks' mentorship, saying, "He's been encouraging me since middle school."

Brooks remains humble, emphasizing teamwork: "I might be steering, but I’ve got a lot of rowers in a big ship."

With a new season ahead, Brooks' athletes, like senior Gabriel Love, are focused on working hard to defend their title, ensuring the legacy of Crook County track and field endures.

Kelsey's Memorial Race kicked off ski season

The Kelsey's Memorial Race at Mt. Hood Meadows on Sunday, January 5, kicked off the ski race season for the Outlaws.

This year marked the seventh annual Kelsey's Memorial Race, which is the largest alpine ski race in the nation. It hosts upwards of 500 racers who participate in this unique state-wide opener with all seven of the Oregon Leagues coming together for a non-scored race. Racers donned costumes and won fun prizes, including new skis, and shared homemade cookies on the slopes.

The Lady Outlaws finished in second place out of 22 teams. Combined times from Tallis Grummer, Ella Eby, Mary Roberts, and Ava Riehle placed the girls on the podium just behind Grant High School who finished first. Caldera High School finished third.

Sisters boys finished sixth out of 24 teams with combined times from Spencer Tisdel, Cooper Merril, Emerson Backus, and Ben Hayner.

Coach Natalie Grummer said, "The Outlaws showed they can bring both skill and entertainment to the slopes, claiming second place in the costume contest with their creative 'Jerry of the Day' performance. The team choreographed a perfectly timed domino-style wipeout, demonstrating that even elite racers can poke fun at skiing's universal moments of misadventure, also highlighting the strong team camaraderie that makes Sisters Ski racing special."

Mt. Bachelor brings back $99 Thursday lift tickets to benefit nonprofits

Mt. Bachelor has brought back discounted day passes this season to support local causes.

Lift tickets will cost $99 each Thursday through March, with a portion of every ticket sold donated to a local nonprofit as part of Play Forever Thursdays.

This Thursday, the resort will raise money for the Central Oregon Community College Foundation.

• January 2: Oregon Adaptive Sports

• January 9: Discover Your Forest

• January 16: Central Oregon Community College Foundation

• January 23: Central Oregon Avalanche Center

• January 30: Heart of Oregon Corps

• February 6: Brightside Animal Shelter

• February 13: Deschutes River Conservancy

• February 20: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend

• February 27: Family Kitchen

• March 6: OUT Central Oregon

• March 13: NatureConnect Central Oregon

• March 20: The Giving Plate

• March 27: Think Wild

Last year, Mt. Bachelor donated more than $36,000 to 13 nonprofits through the program.

The average lift ticket rate currently ranges between $115 and $180.

Port of Morrow Gets Temporary Pollution Exception Amid Economic Concerns

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared an economic emergency, granting the Port of Morrow a six-week exemption (Jan. 15–Feb. 28) from state penalties for wastewater violations. The port, located in Boardman, has been overapplying nitrogen-contaminated water on farmland, contributing to nitrate pollution in the region's aquifer, a key drinking water source for Morrow and Umatilla counties. High nitrate levels pose health risks, including cancer and birth defects.

The exemption aims to prevent economic fallout, including potential layoffs, as heavy rains have overwhelmed the port's wastewater lagoons. The port supports $2.5 billion in economic activity annually and employs about 6,000 people directly or indirectly. Critics argue the decision prioritizes industry over public health, citing the port's long history of pollution violations.

The port plans to complete a 750-million-gallon wastewater storage lagoon this summer and is seeking $430 million from the EPA to finish secondary wastewater treatment by 2029. State officials say excess wastewater will be applied to low-risk fields, but environmental advocates remain critical of the decision.

 City of Bend Events

Nevada man crossing highway dies after being hit by semi near Madras, OSP says

A Nevada man who was crossing the highway died after being hit by a semi on Highway 97 north of Madras Thursday, Oregon State Police said.

It happened just before midnight about six miles north of Madras.

OSP said the preliminary investigation said a northbound Kenworth semi and trailer, driven by a The Dalles man, hit 21-year-old Keanu Rhune Blumenthal of Carson City, Nev., as he was crossing. Blumenthal was declared dead at the scene.

The Kenworth driver was not injured.

The highway was closed for two hours, OSP said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Meet Hank Williams!

Say hello to Hank Williams, our spotlight pet of the week! This lovable 2-year-old Lab/Boxer mix is ready to find his forever home just in time for the holidays. Weighing in at around 65-70 pounds, Hank may be a big boy, but he’s truly a gentle giant at heart. With his long legs and boundless energy, he’s the perfect companion for someone who enjoys an active lifestyle.

Hank gets along well with other dogs, though we’re still unsure about how he feels about cats or kids. He’s a work in progress when it comes to basic manners, so he’s looking for a patient and loving adopter who’s willing to help him learn and grow.

Currently, Hank is foster-to-adopt until he’s neutered, but he’s more than ready to settle into a warm home where he can soak up all the love he deserves. If you’ve got room in your heart (and your couch), consider making Hank Williams a part of your family this holiday season. Let’s help this sweet boy find the forever home he’s been dreaming of! 🐾

 😎 Just sayin

Follow us on facebook