In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎶 Don’t Miss This Powerhouse Acoustic Duo! 🎶

🎭 Bendi Gras 2025 – Mardi Gras in Bend!

🎭 Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

📅Save The Date Section

🎷🎸🎶2025 Prineville Follies Set for March 21-22

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

💔Community gathers for candlelight vigil to honor Terry and Renee Skjersaa

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

📰Three Arrested in Child Abuse Case After Hiding on Oregon Coast

📰Jefferson County DA releases name, initial details of deadly Madras officer-involved shooting

📰Community News

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

😁 MEME of the Day

Good Morning!

BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

WILLAMETTE PASS WEATHER

What’s Up Central Oregon 

🎶 Don’t Miss This Powerhouse Acoustic Duo! 🎶

Get ready for an electrifying performance from Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, a GRAMMY®-nominated acoustic duo blending bluegrass, country, blues, and rock with world-class musicianship.

🔥 Rob Ickes – The most decorated musician in IBMA history with 15 Dobro Player of the Year wins and a sought-after collaborator for legends like Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, and Merle Haggard.
🎸 Trey Hensley – A Tennessee-born guitar prodigy, crowned 2023 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, who made his Grand Ole Opry debut at age 11 alongside Marty Stuart and Earl Scruggs.

Praised by Marty Stuart as “the real deal” and admired by Merle Haggard for their songwriting mastery, Ickes & Hensley have captivated audiences worldwide—including Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival.

📅 Date: February 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Location: The Belfry, 302 E. Main Ave, Sisters, OR
🎟️ Tickets: $35.00 ($38.85 with fees)

Experience their high-energy, genre-defying sound live—get your tickets now!

🎭 Bendi Gras 2025 – Mardi Gras in Bend!

Let the good times roll!

Celebrate the spirit of New Orleans right here in Bend with Bendi Gras 2025! This lively Mardi Gras festival features a weekend packed with music, food, parades, and plenty of fun. Enjoy live performances, indulge in delicious Cajun cuisine, and immerse yourself in a colorful, festive atmosphere that brings the Big Easy to Central Oregon.

📅 Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2025
📍 Location: Various venues across Bend, OR
🎟️ Tickets & Info: Visit https://www.bendigras.com/ for details.

🎭 Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

Experience the magic of Matilda live on stage!

Mountain View High School presents Matilda the Musical, an enchanting adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved story about a brilliant young girl with a love for books and a rebellious spirit. This high-energy production, featuring local student talent, is perfect for audiences of all ages. Don’t miss this chance to support the arts and enjoy a heartwarming theatrical experience!

📅 Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2025 & March 7 – 9, 2025
⏰ Time: Evening and matinee performances available
📍 Location: Mountain View High School Auditorium, Bend, OR
🎟️ Tickets

Coming up - Save the Date

2025 Prineville Follies Set for March 21-22

The 48th annual Prineville Follies, a beloved community talent showcase, will take place on March 21-22 at Crook County High School. Hosted by the Prineville Music and Theater Boosters, the event features a pre-show at 6 p.m. and performances starting at 7 p.m. in the Eugene Southwell Auditorium. This year’s theme, Under the Neon, embraces a nostalgic 1920s vaudeville and jazz style, with acts including jazz ensembles, piano duets, tap and lyrical dancing, and vocal performances.

At least 27 acts are scheduled, along with fundraising efforts such as a live auction featuring handmade quilts, a fly rod, and a tabletop bar. Raffle tickets for gift baskets will also be available. Proceeds support scholarships for band, choir, and drama students, as well as funding for music and theater program needs.

Tickets are available at Coldwell Banker Sun Country Realty, Prineville Men’s Wear, and at the door. Organizers recommend arriving early to secure seats and enjoy the pre-show jazz band performance.

LOCAL EVENTS

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Local News…

Community gathers for candlelight vigil to honor Terry and Renee Skjersaa

Friends and family gathered at Drake Park Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil to honor Terry and Renee Skjersaa, a Bend couple killed in an avalanche last Monday.

Hundreds attended to pay their respects to the Skjersaas, who were well-known in the local skiing community and as founders of the Skjersaa Real Estate Group.

“This deep sorrow and sadness reflect the love they shared together, and the love they shared with all of us,” said a speaker at the vigil, reflecting on the couple's legacy.

The couple’s commitment to the community and their unwavering support for friends, neighbors, and clients was clearly reflected in the turnout at the vigil.

The vigil provided an opportunity for the community to come together, remember the couple, and reflect on their lasting impact on Bend.

On the Agenda Feb. 25 – Redmond City Council to Discuss Marijuana Dispensaries, Photo Radar, and Council Goals

Post Date:02/21/2025 1:01 PM

REDMOND, OREGON – On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, City Council will hold the first of several public hearings to consider three separate ordinances relating to marijuana dispensaries.  On the 25^th an ordinance that would enact a 3% marijuana sales tax will be before Council.  They will also discuss establishing other required code changes such as Time, Place, and Manner (TPMs) regulations that address the siting and operations of dispensaries. 

The Time, Place, and Manner (TPMs) regulations change the City Development Code which means it must be reviewed by the Planning Commission before being formally adopted by Council on March 25.  A third ordinance related to Business Licenses will also be heard by Council in March.

Redmond City Council will also be considering the use of Photo Radar and Photo-Red Light for the purpose of traffic safety enforcement.  With changes to Oregon state laws, the City of Redmond may employ photo enforcement technology in high traffic problem areas around the city to increase traffic safety and deter dangerous driving behaviors. 

Council will seek the adoption of their 2025-2027 City Council Goals.

Residents are encouraged to provide Council with feedback in-person at each City Council Meetings held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.  Meetings are hosted in the City Council Chambers, 411 SW 9th Street in Redmond. Unable to attend in person? You can provide public comment virtually; pre-registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting. To register email [email protected] or call 541-923-7755.  Written comments may be submitted via email to [email protected].

Redmond City Council meetings are streamed live on the City website at www.redmondoregon.gov/CouncilLive and are broadcast live on COTV 11 – TDS Channel 11 beginning at 6:00 p.m. on regular meeting nights.

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Crime News…

Three Arrested in Child Abuse Case After Hiding on Oregon Coast

Coos County, OR — Three suspects wanted in a child abuse case out of Deschutes County have been arrested in Coos County, law enforcement officials announced.

Sarah Session (Hardenburg), 33, Paula Hardenburg, 60, and Gary L. Hardenburg, 65, were taken into custody on nationwide felony arrest warrants after investigators tracked them to a hotel on the Oregon coast.

The arrests follow an extensive investigation led by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division. A Deschutes County Grand Jury indicted the trio on February 18, 2025, following evidence presented by the District Attorney’s Office.

Session faces multiple charges, including attempted murder in the second degree, first-degree assault, and multiple counts of criminal mistreatment and coercion. Paula Hardenburg is charged with second-degree assault, criminal mistreatment, and tampering with physical evidence, while Gary Hardenburg faces criminal mistreatment and evidence tampering charges.

Authorities had been searching for the suspects, who had reportedly been evading law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office had sought public assistance in locating them before their capture.

In a statement, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked all agencies and individuals who contributed to finding and apprehending the suspects.

The case remains under investigation.

Jefferson County DA releases name, initial details of deadly Madras officer-involved shooting

Acting Jefferson County District Attorney Steven Leriche on Friday identified the man killed in Thursday evening's officer-involved shooting along Highway 97 in Madras as Allan Dale Warner Jr., 26, and released limited initial details on what transpired.

Here's Leriche's full statement. Isabella Warren was in Madras for live reports on KTVZ News Friday evening:

"On February 20, 2025, at approximately 5:27 PM the Oregon State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Madras Police Department responded to multiple reports of a fight in progress on Highway 97 in the south portion of Madras, Oregon.

"Law enforcement encountered Allan Dale Warner, Jr., age 26 years. It appears Mr. Warner died after police used deadly force upon him at approximately 5:55 PM.

"Under Oregon Law and local protocols, a death caused by law enforcement is seriously and meticulously investigated.

"Central Oregon Major Incident Team comprised of law enforcement personnel from Redmond Police Department, Oregon State Police, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, Prineville Police Department, and the Oregon State Police forensic lab responded to Madras, and the use of deadly force investigation is under the leadership of the Bend Police Department.

"Upon completion of the investigation, it will be reviewed by the Jefferson District Attorney who is charged with the duty of reviewing the lawfulness of police use of deadly physical force under Oregon law.

"If members of the community have information about this circumstance, please contact Deschutes County Dispatch at 541-693-6911.

Community News…

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