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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🌌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?

💧Atop the Oregon Cascades, UO team finds a huge buried aquifer + Team that studied huge buried aquifer atop the Oregon Cascades speaks on potential Central Oregon impacts

📰Central Oregon Daily News: 80% of downtown Bend consumers value more parking, less car-free streets: DBBA survey 🎦

📰$500K Stolen from Redmond Parks Project in Email Scam

📰Grieving Bend Family Faces Double Scamming Attempts After Teen’s Tragic Death

📰Regional News

📰Oregon DMV launches vehicle registration renewal kiosks at Fred Meyer

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🔥Fire Destroys Fifth Wheel Trailer on Riverwoods Drive DRW; Dog Rescued

🚨Crime News

👮Redmond Police Seek Community Help in Investigating Possible Sex Abuse Cases

📰Community News

❄️Central Oregon Nordic Club offers Ski Clinics

 Have 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 | January 15, 2025 - By Reed Melton

💧Beat the Winter Dryness with This Simple DIY Hack

📲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

Answer: B) 1936

Expanded Answer: The Old St. Francis School was built in 1936 and operated as a Catholic school under the guidance of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. It served the local Catholic community for decades, offering elementary education and fostering a sense of community. The building's architecture reflects the charm of the 1930s and has since been preserved through its transformation into a McMenamins property.

Good Morning!

 BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

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.

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Atop the Oregon Cascades, UO team finds a huge buried aquifer

Oregon’s Cascade Range mountains might not hold gold, but they store another precious resource in abundance: water.

Scientists from the University of Oregon and their partners have mapped the amount of water stored beneath volcanic rocks at the crest of the central Oregon Cascades and found an aquifer many times larger than previously estimated — at least 81 cubic kilometers.

That’s almost three times the maximum capacity of Lake Mead, the currently overdrawn reservoir along the Colorado River that supplies water to California, Arizona and Nevada, and greater than half the volume of Lake Tahoe.

The finding has implications for the way scientists and policymakers think about water in the region — an increasingly urgent issue across the Western United States as climate change reduces snowpack, intensifies drought and strains limited resources.

It also shapes our understanding of volcanic hazards in the area. Magma interacting with lots of water often leads to explosive eruptions that blast ash and gas into the air, rather than eruptions with slower-moving lava flows.

“It is a continental-size lake stored in the rocks at the top of the mountains, like a big water tower,” said Leif Karlstrom, a UO earth scientist who led the study alongside collaborators from Oregon State University, Fort Lewis College, Duke University, the University of Wisconsin, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.

“That there are similar large volcanic aquifers north of the Columbia Gorge and near Mount Shasta likely make the Cascade Range the largest aquifer of its kind in the world.” 

The team reported the findings in a paper published Jan. 13 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Most Oregonians rely on water that originates from the Cascades.  For example, the McKenzie River, which supplies most of Eugene’s drinking water, begins high in the mountains at the spring-fed Clear Lake. But the discovery of this underground aquifer’s size was a surprise. 

“We initially set out to better understand how the Cascade landscape has evolved over time, and how water moves through it,” said study co-author Gordon Grant, a geologist with the Forest Service. “But in conducting this basic research, we discovered important things that people care about: the incredible volume of water in active storage in the Cascades and also how the movement of water and the hazards posed by volcanoes are linked together.”

The western Cascades are characterized by steep slopes and deep valleys carved out by rivers. The high Cascades, meanwhile, are flatter, dotted with lakes and volcanic topography such as lava flows. The Cascade Range has been built up by volcanic activity over millions of years, making the exposed rocks in the high Cascades much younger than those in the western Cascades. 

As a result, the transition zone between the western Cascades and the high Cascades around Santiam Pass is a natural laboratory for understanding how volcanoes have shaped Oregon’s landscape.

“What motivates our work is that it's not just how these landscapes look different topographically. It's that water moves through them in really different ways,” Karlstrom said. 

To better understand the flow of water through different volcanic zones, the team took advantage of projects begun in the 1980s and 90s. Past scientists had drilled deep into the ground and measured temperatures at different depths as part of the search for geothermal energy resources associated with the many hot springs that pepper the Cascades landscape.

Normally, rocks get hotter as you go deeper into the earth. But water percolating downward disrupts the temperature gradient, making rocks a kilometer deep the same temperature as rocks at the surface. 

By analyzing where the temperature starts to pick up again in these deep drill holes, Karlstrom and his colleagues could infer how deeply groundwater was infiltrating through cracks in the volcanic rocks. That allowed them to map the volume of the aquifer.

Previous estimates of water availability in the Cascades took the springs at face value, measuring river and stream discharge. Instead, Karlstrom and his colleagues went deeper — literally. But since those holes weren’t originally drilled with the intent of mapping groundwater, they don’t cover every area where one might like to collect such data. So the new estimate of the size of the aquifer is a lower bound, and the actual volume might be even bigger still.

While it’s encouraging news that the aquifer is so much larger than previously believed, Karlstrom cautions that it’s still a limited resource that must be carefully stewarded and needs further study.

“It is a big, active groundwater reservoir up there right now, but its longevity and resilience to change is set by the availability of recharging waters,” he said. 

The aquifer is largely replenished by snow, and snowpack in the high Cascades is expected to rapidly decrease in the coming decades. More precipitation is expected to fall as rain, which may impact the amount of recharge feeding the high Cascade aquifer. And while it’s likely resilient to small year-to-year fluctuations, many years in a row of low rainfall or no snowpack would probably be a different story. 

“This region has been handed a geological gift, but we really are only beginning to understand it,” Grant said. “If we don’t have any snow, or if we have a run of bad winters where we don’t get any rain, what’s that going to mean? Those are the key questions we’re now having to focus on.”

—By Laurel Hamers, University Communications

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service.

Central Oregon Daily News:

80% of downtown Bend consumers value more parking, less car-free streets: DBBA survey

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New survey data from Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) shows most consumers are against the proposal of people-centered streets and instead prefer additional parking.

“The number one answer we got was that parking is essential to their access of downtown,” DBBA acting president McKenna Mikesell said. "We did the survey to better understand how our visitors are accessing downtown."

The survey included 1,500 consumers. The City of Bend will now use the survey to aid its future designs for these streets.

“We really want to make sure we have the data to be able to determine how to make informed decisions," said Cyrus Mooney, City of Bend business advocate.

Previously, the city proposed either Oregon Avenue or Minnesota Avenue as a new car-free route from the Deschutes River to Highway 97.

Business owners who spoke to Central Oregon Daily were split on the idea. Beatrice Howell with Bronwen Jewelry believes the proposal may make sense as downtown continues to grow.

“I've almost been hit by a car more times than I can count down here," she said. "In my mind, it sort of seems like it would benefit the businesses just because more people would be walking around. It would feel more like a communal space.”

DBBA says it hopes any future changes will support the high value most visitors placed on parking.

“From our perspective, this data clearly shows that parking is very important in downtown," Mikesell said. "We hope that in itself is enough to sway this project from hopefully not shutting down and removing parking from downtown.”

DBBA says the city has researched the value of parking spots downtown and determined that each spot brings in nearly $250,000 of revenue to downtown businesses per year.

Oregon Avenue between Lava Road and Brooks St has 80 total parking spots. By the City's math, those free to park spots are bringing in roughly $20-million dollars in revenue to downtown each year.

***Central Oregon Daily is limiting it’s videos on their website - linking the instagram post gives the video of the story***

$500K Stolen from Redmond Parks Project in Email Scam

The Redmond Area Park and Recreation District (RAPRD) announced that approximately $500,000 intended for a new indoor community recreation center was stolen by an impersonator who hacked a vendor’s email and redirected funds. About $337,000 remains unrecovered as the investigation continues.

RAPRD assured the public that its systems and customer data were not compromised. Despite the theft, construction of the center remains on track for an early 2026 opening.

Community members expressed frustration over the incident, emphasizing the importance of proper financial oversight. The project, funded by a $49 million bond measure, faces additional challenges due to inflation and failed operating levies.

Grieving Bend Family Faces Double Scamming Attempts After Teen’s Tragic Death

The family of Bradley Hughes, a 16-year-old Bend High School student who died in a car crash near Redmond on January 9, is facing additional heartbreak as scammers have exploited their grief twice in an attempt to steal donations intended for funeral and medical expenses.

After Bradley’s passing, his family created a GoFundMe campaign and shared his mother’s Venmo account, juliemhughes4, as official channels for contributions. However, within days, a fraudulent Venmo account appeared, mimicking the legitimate one by adding a dash to the username (juliemhughes4-). The fake account even used Bradley’s photo and a caption reading, “It’s time to donate,” tricking at least five donors before Venmo took it down on Monday.

“It’s gut-wrenching that someone would capitalize on someone else’s pain and steal from the community,” said Bradley’s uncle, Jason Schneider. “The community is there trying to help us out, and to capitalize on that is shameful.”

Just as the family began recovering from the first scam, they discovered on Wednesday that a second fake Venmo account had been created, further deepening their frustration and sorrow.

Community Support and Vigilance

The Hughes family is now urging donors to use only their verified GoFundMe page to ensure contributions go directly to the family. They remain overwhelmed by the community’s support but are disheartened by the fraudulent schemes that have targeted their efforts to honor Bradley.

“It’s hard to imagine the kind of person who would exploit a tragedy like this,” said Bradley’s aunt, Monica Schneider. “Our family is shattered, and you’re taking advantage of the community’s kindness. It’s despicable.”

Venmo’s Response and Fraud Prevention Tips

Venmo confirmed that the first fake account was removed after Central Oregon Daily brought it to their attention. The company emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward fraud and outlined measures users can take to protect themselves.

“Spreading awareness of common fraud trends and how to stop them is key to keeping the payments ecosystem safe for everyone,” Venmo said in a statement. They advised users to verify account details carefully before sending payments and to report any suspicious activity to Customer Support.

Fraudsters often exploit goodwill by creating fake charity accounts after tragedies, not limited to Venmo. To counter these efforts, Venmo has partnered with organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to raise awareness and prevent scams.

A Call for Caution

The Hughes family hopes their story will serve as a cautionary tale for others while also underscoring the importance of verifying donation channels during times of crisis. For those wishing to support them, the verified GoFundMe page remains the safest option.

Bradley’s family continues to grieve their unimaginable loss but is grateful for the community’s continued kindness and generosity.

Oregon DMV launches vehicle registration renewal kiosks at Fred Meyer

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services is placing vehicle registration renewal kiosks in a handful of Fred Meyer stores, including Bend. It gives people another option for vehicle renewals other than waiting in line at the DMV or trying to renew online.

Customers can scan the vehicle renewal QR code of the barcode on their current license, permit or ID. After payment, the kiosk will spit out the registration card and license plate stickers on the spot.

While some of the kiosks in Oregon will take credit cards, debit cards or cash, the one in Bend only takes debit or credit.

There is an additional $4.95 vendor fee to use the kiosk to renew.

The kiosk cannot update your address. It also can’t do any other transactions, such as driver’s license renewal.

Here is what you need to have:

• Oregon Driver License, instruction permit or ID card (that you can scan or type into the machine).

• Insurance information.

• Payment method

• Items for your transaction (Registration renewal: Bring the renewal notice DMV sends you or your current registration card.)

The kiosks are available in English and Spanish.

The locations include

• Beaverton

• Bend

• Eugene

• Happy Valley

• Hillsboro

• Medford

• Oak Grove

• Portland (coming soon)

• Salem

• Tualatin

 City of Bend Events

Fire Destroys Fifth Wheel Trailer on Riverwoods Drive DRW; Dog Rescued

Bend, OR — A fire engulfed a fifth wheel travel trailer at a property on Riverwoods Drive and Choctaw Road Thursday morning, displacing its sole occupant and causing an estimated $50,000 in damages.

The blaze was reported at 9:36 a.m. on January 16, with callers describing flames spreading rapidly at the rear of the property and endangering nearby structures. A dog was reportedly secured near the fire and unable to escape. By the time Bend Fire & Rescue crews arrived, the 2016 Crossroads Redwood fifth wheel, adjacent combustibles, and a wooden dog house were fully ablaze. Fortunately, a neighbor was able to free the dog before firefighters arrived.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, preventing damage to the main residence or other structures on the property. While the fifth wheel and surrounding materials were destroyed, the displaced resident declined assistance from the Red Cross.

An investigation determined the fire originated in a wooden dog house where a heat lamp had been installed. The lamp was positioned too close to combustible materials, igniting a fire that spread to nearby items and the trailer.

Bend Fire & Rescue is urging the community to use caution when employing heat lamps during cold weather. They recommend the following safety measures:

• Ensure heat lamp fixtures are rated for the wattage of the bulb being used.

• Maintain at least 18 inches of clearance between the heat lamp and nearby combustibles, with greater distances required for higher wattage bulbs.

• Secure heat lamps with chains, wires, or carabiners to prevent displacement or tipping, as standard clamps may not hold firmly.

For more fire safety tips, visit Bend Fire & Rescue’s website at bendoregon.gov.

Redmond Police Seek Community Help in Investigating Possible Sex Abuse Cases

Redmond, OR — The Redmond Police Department (RPD) is calling on the community for assistance in identifying potential victims connected to a case involving the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The investigation began in July 2024 after cyber-tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerted detectives to suspicious online accounts.

Over the course of several months, RPD detectives pursued the case, serving search warrants and subpoenas to online service providers. Their investigation led to the identification of the account operator, 27-year-old Hunter Slawosky of Redmond.

On October 31, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Slawosky’s residence in the 300 block of SW 11th Street, where he was taken into custody. Slawosky was arrested on charges of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First and Second Degree. During the investigation, additional evidence was uncovered suggesting that there may be other unidentified victims.

Detectives are now seeking information from the public to help identify these potential victims. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Detective Connor Keith at 541-504-3480 or via email at [email protected].

The Redmond Police Department expressed its gratitude to NCMEC for its critical role in identifying victims of online child exploitation. "Partnering with organizations like NCMEC helps us strive toward our goal of making Redmond the safest community in Oregon," the department stated.

Further updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available.

Central Oregon Nordic Club offers Ski Clinics

The Central Oregon Nordic Club is hosting beginner cross-country ski clinics this winter to help members build skills and confidence on easy trails. Lessons are free for club members, who pay $30 annually for individual memberships or $35 for households.

The clinics, taught by volunteer members, focus on basics like braking, speed control, and safely falling. Beginner lessons are held on groomed trails at Meissner Sno-Park, while advanced clinics take place on ungroomed trails at Swampy Lakes.

Laura Seaver, the club’s ski clinic administrator, emphasizes that with practice and advanced lessons, beginners can confidently ski on their own. The club also offers trail work, social events, and summer activities like hiking.

For details, visit: conordicclub.wildapricot.org.

Central Oregon Market Report | January 15, 2025

by Reed Melton

This morning, the 10-year Treasury is down slightly at 4.662%, but mortgage rates are still at the highest levels since May of 2024, with the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage at 7.25%. Higher rates are keeping inventory levels up, and buyer demand remains steady. Over the last several days, a healthy dose of sunshine has helped after weeks of winter weather that helped build a snowpack in the Cascade Mountains. Mt. Bachelor has the most significant snowpack of any West Coast resort, and the flow of skiers and snowboarders to Central Oregon is noticeable. Not every visitor is looking at real estate, but many are, as growth in this corner of the world remains steady. 

Deschutes County inventory increased two this week to 765 single-family homes listed for sale. It is too early in the year to call out the bottom on inventory, but growth this week is bucking trends of the last few years. There is little doubt higher mortgage interest rates are the culprit. However, sales are also steady, with fifty-six pending sales at a median list price of $676,000 and an average of $819,918. Thirty-four closed weekly transactions at a median of $667,000 and an average of $930,426 are substantial numbers for early January. All indications indicate increased inventory in 2025, while mortgage rates remain stubbornly high. 

Crook County inventory is stable at 144, down just two from last week. Only one closed transaction, new construction for full price at $412,900, occurred this week, with a robust eleven pending sales for an average of $563,873. There were double-digit pending sales numbers in sixteen weeks of 2024 in Crook County, with the first in mid-February. Buyer activity is starting strong for 2025.

Jefferson County inventory declined three to eighty-nine single-family listings. Eight pending sales at an average of $493,674 is the highest since July. Two closed sales this week at $534,990 and $650,000 shows steady, consistent activity. Most people consider Madras the bulk of Jefferson County real estate, but parts of Terrebonne and the desirable Camp Sherman fall within the county's borders. Camp Sherman is an idyllic community at the headwaters of the Metolius River, across the highway from the Black Butte Ranch Resort. Jefferson County is a growing part of the Central Oregon Community and worth a look for anyone considering options in the area.

In real estate circles, mortgage interest rates are a hot topic. While I speak with many buyers attempting to navigate today's higher rates, many are motivated to find the right home in Central Oregon and are prepared to act when they do. I've also heard speculation about potential transplants coming to our area after being displaced by fires in Southern California. The devastation in Los Angeles County is an ongoing tragedy, and I suspect some local activity could occur. But, the push of new residents to Central Oregon has been consistent for years, with no end in sight. The increase in home prices, particularly at the higher price points, continues, and a volatile stock market, unrest in larger cities on the West Coast, and a failing commercial real estate market are all fueling the push to acquire desirable residential real estate. Most transactions in Central Oregon are for full-time residents, but a growing number of speculative and second-home owners are entering our market. I strongly encourage anyone waiting for prices to decline to reconsider the market. 

I specialize in market analysis and price opinions for buyers and sellers. If you would benefit from a professional analysis of a specific segment of our market, don't hesitate to contact me anytime.

Active Listings

Beat the Winter Dryness with This Simple DIY Hack

Living in a high-desert climate has its perks, but the dry winter air can be tough on your skin, plants, and even furniture. Adding humidity to your home doesn’t have to mean investing in a pricey humidifier. In this edition, we’re sharing an easy, budget-friendly way to bring some much-needed moisture into your space, keeping your home comfortable and cozy all winter long.

DIY Humidifier: A Bowl of Water with a Twist

Dry air got you down? Try this simple hack:

1. Find a Bowl or Dish: Use a decorative ceramic or glass bowl that fits your space.

2. Fill with Water: Add water and a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or eucalyptus) for a subtle fragrance.

3. Place Near a Heat Source: Set the bowl on a windowsill with direct sunlight or near a radiator or heating vent. The warmth will help the water evaporate into the air, increasing humidity.

4. Bonus Tip: For extra effectiveness, drape a damp cloth over a drying rack or chair near the heat source to release even more moisture.

This simple trick is a natural way to combat dryness, and it’s perfect for high-desert winters!

 😎 Just sayin

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