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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

*NOTICE

🌕🛍️Bend Moonlight Market

❄️🏂Oregon WinterFest

🎉New Event Calendar! Central Oregon Local Live!

📅Save The Date Section

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Micro Shelters Coming to Redmond’s Safe Parking Areas

🚂Crook County students give Prineville’s new locomotive a fresh look

📰Housing Lottery for Affordable, Sustainable Community in Redmond Opening Soon

📰Regional News

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🚧Olney Construction Coming Soon

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🔥Fire Destroys Shop Building East of Bend, No Injuries Reported

🚨Crime News

📰Man accused of sexually abusing women at Bend spa pleads not guilty

📰Community News

🏎️Redmond Cub Scouts Race Pinewood Derby Cars, 50+ Year Tradition

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

🐶Pet of the Week

🐶Meet Cinnabon💖 - RylieMay Rescue Ranch

📲Sponsors & Partners

😁 MEME of the Day

What is the oldest standing commercial building in Prineville, Oregon?

A) A.R. Bowman Memorial Museum
B) Crook County Bank Building
C) Prineville Railroad Depot
D) Ochoco Inn

👉Find The Answer in Friday’s Newsletter👉

Good Morning!

 BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

WILLAMETTE PASS WEATHER

Events Sponsored By

Enjoy Bend Life Real Estate

What’s Up Central Oregon 

NOTICE TO ALL THOSE WHO SIGNED UP FOR EVENT NOTIFICATIONS. THE SMS ACCOUNT HAS BEEN DISABLED. YOUR PHONE NUMBERS ARE SAFE, I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF/WHEN I RE-ENABLE THE NOTIFICATION FEATURE. THANK YOU.

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.

Coming up - Save the Date

 LOCAL EVENTS

HAVE an upcoming event you want us to FEATURE?

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Micro Shelters Coming to Redmond’s Safe Parking Areas

Micro shelters will soon be available in Redmond’s Safe Parking areas after the city approved a pilot program allowing up to four per lot. The initiative aims to provide another transitional housing option for people moving out of homelessness, with advocates saying micro shelters often lead to stable housing faster than RVs. A similar program in Bend has seen a 100% success rate.

The pilot program runs through May 2026 and comes at no cost to the city, as Mountain View Community Development is securing state funding. Residents of the shelters will follow the same rules as those in Safe Parking, including regular meetings with case managers to work toward permanent housing.

The program does not increase the capacity of Safe Parking, which remains capped at eight spaces per lot. Each micro shelter will take the place of an RV or large vehicle space. Last year, 45 people transitioned from Safe Parking into permanent housing, and supporters say this is another tool to help those in need.

Housing Lottery for Affordable, Sustainable Community in Redmond Opening Soon

RootedHomes is excited to announce the upcoming opening of the Rooted at 19th housing lottery, located at 345 NW 19th Street in Redmond. The housing lottery provides a unique opportunity for income-qualified homebuyers to own a desirable and sustainable home in Redmond for below-market rates. The lottery will be open to the public beginning March 31 and conclude on May 15.

“We at RootedHomes are thrilled to announce our first of four Redmond communities, bringing more permanently affordable homes to Central Oregon families,” said Tess Spellacy, Homeownership Program director at RootedHomes.

Rooted at 19th offers 22 duplexes and triplexes. There will be 11 two-story, two-bedroom/two-bath homes (1060 sq. ft.) and 11 three-bedroom/two-bath homes (1460 sq. ft.), all built to net-zero energy standards. The two and three-bedroom homes are eligible for homebuyers earning below 80% of the Deschutes County area median income (AMI). In addition, a renovated four-bedroom, 100+-year-old farmhouse (1663 sq ft) is available for a family earning over 80% of the AMI. All new construction homes are net-zero due to rooftop solar and passive energy-saving features, and all homes come equipped with all appliances, including a washer and dryer.

Solaire Homebuilders are constructing the community. President Geoff Harris detailed, “Rooted at 19^th is Solaire Homebuilders’ second neighborhood with RootedHomes. Construction is underway, and we are excited to demonstrate the innovative building methods we are pioneering for net-zero energy high-performance homes! We are honored to be one of RootedHomes’ construction partners and wholeheartedly support the mission of adding sustainable workforce housing to our community.”

Unique to this community, Rooted at 19th will feature a community garden provided in partnership with The Environmental Center (TEC). TEC will run its School to Garden program so that children in Redmond have access to a learning garden. The community’s residents will have access to the garden and the produce generated throughout the summer while school is not in session.

“This unique partnership between RootedHomes and TEC is building a brighter future for Redmond, creating sustainable communities where people can live, work, and thrive,” said Spellacy.

The homes are priced at $258,000 for the two-bedroom and $293,000 for the three-bedroom residences. The four-bedroom farmhouse will be offered at $380,000. For those who require financial assistance, $18,000 in down payment assistance is available per household. New this year, RootedHomes will give one preference point to any Veteran who applies.

RootedHomes encourages interested applicants to begin the application process now to ensure they are prepared for the lottery opening on March 31. The first step is to attend one of RootedHomes’ monthly information sessions in English and Spanish. Registration for upcoming information sessions can be done online here.

About RootedHomes:
RootedHomes, formerly Kôr Community Land Trust, is a nonprofit that creates sustainable, affordable homeownership communities for Central Oregon’s workforce. Using the Community Land Trust model, RootedHomes ensures the community can access healthy, affordable homes for generations. RootedHomes develops goal net-zero energy standards to ensure equitable access to energy-efficient homes and the health and savings that come with it. RootedHomes is committed to providing access to healthy homes to homebuyers who have been excluded from the opportunity to build wealth through homeownership.

rootedhomes.org/communities/redmond • rootedhomes.org 

 City of Bend Events

Olney Construction Coming Soon

Construction Road Closures and Detours

CONSTRUCTION STARTS AS EARLY AS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Crews are gearing up to begin construction on Portland Avenue, Wall Street and Olney Avenue. Full road and intersection closures are required during construction. See map below.

A full road and intersection closure will be in place as early as February 3. The closure will extend from the intersection of Portland Avenue/Steidl Road through the intersection of Olney Avenue at Wall Street and on Olney Avenue to NE First Street. The intersection of Olney Avenue and Wall Street is anticipated to reopen to vehicle traffic in June of 2025. Construction on Olney Avenue from the intersection of First Street through Second Street will require periodic intersection and road closures in spring and summer. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2025.

Detours will be posted. Drivers should expect to use NW Ninth Street, Newport/Greenwood Avenue, NE Third Street, Revere Avenue and southbound US 97 (the Parkway) to get around the intersection.

The first few months of construction will focus on removal and replacement of aging utilities underground. The City of Bend is upsizing the existing water and sewer lines and improving stormwater facilities throughout the project. The City will also work with franchise utilities during this time to relocate their infrastructure (utilities such as electrical lines not owned by the City).

BUSINESS ACCESS OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION

Access to all business will remain open during construction. However, there may be temporary detour routes to access businesses around the active project construction areas. Sections of Olney Ave will be completely closed, as necessary, during construction. There may be times that access is open to a business from Olney Avenue, but drivers should also be prepared to use a detour route if the business is in the middle of an active construction zone.

Project Contacts

Carrie Harris, Project Manager
Project Team Email: [email protected]
Project Phone: 541-322-9919

Click here for more information

Fire Destroys Shop Building East of Bend, No Injuries Reported

BEND, Ore. — A structure fire broke out Monday morning at 23220 Highway 20 East, engulfing a shop building and its attached lean-tos before firefighters could contain the flames.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to the scene at 9:20 a.m. on January 27 after reports of a building on fire, with concerns that multiple outbuildings might also be involved. Upon arrival, crews found the approximately 1,000-square-foot shop fully engulfed in flames. Due to the intensity of the fire, firefighters took a defensive approach, quickly knocking down the blaze before it could spread to nearby structures or trailers.

The shop was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and the homeowner was not displaced. No Red Cross assistance was required. Fire crews faced challenges due to the lack of a water supply in the area, relying on water tenders and portable tanks to sustain operations. Mutual aid was provided by Alfalfa Fire, which supplied two water tenders, while the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) assisted with traffic control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Losses are estimated at $50,000 for the structure and an additional $25,000 for its contents.

Man accused of sexually abusing women at Bend spa pleads not guilty

A man accused of sexually abusing multiple women at a Bend massage parlor pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

JianMing Tang is charged with third degree sexual abuse and violation of massage license or permit requirements. Both are misdemeanors.

His trial date was set for May 7. It's expected to last three days.

Tang, who worked at May Spa in Bend, was first accused of sexually abusing a client in July of 2023.

Two more women came forward late last year, accusing Tang of sexually assaulting them during a massage. Court documents show that those alleged assaults happened after Tang posted bond and was initially released from jail.

Redmond Cub Scouts Race Pinewood Derby Cars, 50+ Year Tradition

Redmond Cub Scouts have been working hard on designing and building their pinewood derby cars. They’ll check-in their wooden race cars for weight and regulation, and make adjustments at the tune up table as needed, starting at 11am. Then, they’ll be off the races on a timed track, kicking off at 11:30am!

Awards will be presented for participation, fastest time by age group, most creative, and judge’s pick (chosen by Redmond PD).

“Pinewood Derby isn’t just a one day event. Cub Scouts brainstorm their design, and with some assistance, they sand, paint, and build the wooden car from a kit,” said Jennifer Stephens, Redmond Pack 27 Committee Chair and parent.  “Then on race day they get to see their creation in action, and cheer on their friends! The lessons learned throughout the hands-on process, and positive experience, makes the pinewood derby race really special.”

“When we meet community members who were active in Cub Scouts as a kid, the pinewood derby experience is a core memory that has stayed with them throughout their lifetime. So often their eyes light up as they share a shared experience with today’s youth.”

A 50+ year tradition for Cub Scouts, Redmond’s Pack 27 is holding their annual Pinewood Derby this Saturday, January 25. It is estimated that over 50 million youth have built pinewood derby cars during these 50+ years throughout the world. Rules for Pinewood Derby are outlined here: scoutshop.org/pwd-rules.

Meet Cinnabon!

🐾 Pet of the Week: Meet Cinnabon! 🐾

Cinnabon’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. When she first arrived at RylieMay Rescue Ranch, she was thought to be a hospice dog, facing what seemed like a terminal cancer diagnosis. But with time, love, and the right care, this resilient 4-year-old fighter proved everyone wrong—she’s now healthy, happy, and ready for her forever home!

Cinnabon is an adventurer at heart, always up for a good game of fetch or a long walk. She’s fantastic on a leash and absolutely loves car rides, making her the perfect companion for road trips and outdoor excursions. While she may not be a fan of dog parks, she thrives on one-on-one playtime, cuddles, and showing off her silly, playful personality.

Cinnabon would do best as the only pet in the home, as she has shown some resource guarding tendencies and struggles with certain dog interactions. However, with continued positive reinforcement, she has made progress in social settings like hikes and parallel walks. When it comes to humans, though, she’s nothing but love—offering unconditional affection, full-body wiggles, and endless laughs.

This spayed and fully vaccinated sweetheart is looking for a family that will embrace her quirks and shower her with the love she deserves. If you’re looking for a loyal, playful, and loving best friend, Cinnabon might just be your perfect match!

📍 Interested in meeting Cinnabon? Contact RylieMay Rescue Ranch today!

 😎 Just sayin

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