In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🎭 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?

🌊Flooding Closes Highways, Washes Out Roads Across Central Oregon

🏌️‍♀️The Golf Farm Opens in Bend, Bringing Elite Indoor Golf Training to Central Oregon

🚦📸Redmond considers red light cameras at busy intersections. Here's where they might go.

🚫🔥🗺️Protest to end Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map reaches state capitol

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🏠🔥Family Escapes Early Morning House Fire in Tumalo; Cause Remains Undetermined

🚨Crime News

📰Community News

🍕A look inside the highly anticipated Ken's Artisan Pizza in downtown Bend - Central Oregon Daily 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 Earl - CCREW

😁 MEME of the Day

Good Morning!

BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

WILLAMETTE PASS WEATHER

What’s Up Central Oregon 

🎭 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.

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Local News…

Flooding Closes Highways, Washes Out Roads Across Central Oregon

February 25, 2025

Heavy rains and rising water levels have caused significant flooding across parts of Central Oregon, leading to multiple road closures and concerns among local residents and ranchers.

Highway 380 Flooding Near Crooked River

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has reported severe flooding along Highway 380 (Paulina Highway) near the Crooked River, approximately nine miles west of Post. The highway was closed on Tuesday to all low-clearance vehicles, with only high-clearance vehicles such as pickup trucks being allowed through.

For ranchers like Hunter Neuharth, who has operated land along the Crooked River for four years, the flooding has been unprecedented.

"I've been here for 65 years and I've never seen it like that," a local resident said.

Neuharth echoed those concerns, stating that last year’s flooding was the worst he had previously seen, with water levels at 4,000 to 5,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). However, this year’s event has surpassed that, submerging entire fields and washing out fences.

"This right here is my neighbor's property. All his fields are several feet under water. We have a lot of fences that are gonna need to be repaired. This river's going to take out all the fences along the edges," Neuharth said.

Drone footage taken Tuesday morning captured the extent of the flooding, showing water spilling over the highway and surrounding farmland.

Highway 20 East of Burns Underwater

Further east, Highway 20 remains closed due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall and rising waters of the Malheur River near Juntura. ODOT reported water depths of 3 to 5 feet in some areas, leading to the closure of a 33-mile stretch of the highway. There is currently no estimated reopening time.

Forest Service Road 18 South of Bend Washed Out

The heavy rainfall has also impacted backroads, with a section of Forest Service Road 18, also known as China Hat Road, washed out several miles south of Bend. Officials expect the road to be closed for at least a week while temporary repairs are made, but a full restoration will take much longer.

Impact on Agriculture and Infrastructure

With fields submerged and fences destroyed, ranchers along the Crooked River fear long-term impacts on their land. Neuharth worries that prolonged saturation will affect crop yields in the coming season and contribute to erosion along the riverbanks.

To mitigate flooding, the Ochoco Irrigation District lowered water levels in the Prineville Reservoir earlier in the season. However, Neuharth believes the scale of this event exceeded expectations.

"They were anticipating this, but I don't think they anticipated it to this level. This will fill up that reservoir in a matter of days," he said.

Road Closures and Safety Warnings

ODOT has not provided a timeline for when Highway 380 will fully reopen, as it depends on when water levels recede. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and not attempt to drive through floodwaters.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as more rain is forecasted later this week. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on road conditions and take necessary precautions.

The Golf Farm Opens in Bend, Bringing Elite Indoor Golf Training to Central Oregon

The Golf Farm, Oregon's premier indoor golf training facility founded by PGA Tour winner Brian Henninger, has expanded its reach with a new location in Bend. Situated at 20354 Empire Ave Ste. D4, this state-of-the-art center offers golf enthusiasts in Central Oregon access to top-tier training and coaching.

The Bend facility mirrors the original Tualatin location, featuring three TrackMan bays, a putting green, and a gym. These amenities are designed to provide a comprehensive training experience for golfers of all skill levels. The Golf Farm's mission is to create an environment where passion and knowledge converge, helping players enhance their game.

Brian Henninger, a two-time PGA Tour winner and University of Southern California alumnus, brings over 15 years of professional playing experience to The Golf Farm. His vision is to offer an unparalleled indoor training space that fosters improvement and enjoyment for all golfers.

The Golf Farm Bend is now open and welcoming new members. For more information on memberships, lessons, and programs, visit their official website or follow their social media channels for updates.

Redmond considers red light cameras at busy intersections. Here's where they might go.

Redmond could be installing red light and photo radar cameras throughout the city by the end of the year. The Redmond Police Department and other agencies are hosting an informational presentation on traffic enforcement cameras at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

Red light cameras would be installed at busy intersections with a high number of crashes along Highway 97, Highway 126 and 6th Street. Locations for these cameras could be selected as soon as July.

Potential locations for red light cameras include: 

• Highway 97 and SW Odem Medo Road

• Highway 97 and SW Veterans Way

• SW Highland Avenue and SW Rimrock Way

• SW 6th Street and SW Highland Avenue

• SW Highland Avenue and SW 27th Street

• SW 6th Street and SW Glacier Avenue

• Highway 97 and SW Evergreen Avenue

• NW 6th Street and NW Maple Avenue

• NE 5th Street and NE Maple Avenue 

Photo radar speed cameras are proposed in school zones, residential zones and parks and other areas defined by the City Council as high risk.

The proposal calls for warning signs for drivers to be aware of the cameras. A ticket will be sent to the registered owner or driver if they can be identified within 10 business days. A Redmond Police officer or “Authorized Traffic Enforcement Agent” would review and issue the ticket.

If the plan moves forward, the cameras could be up and running by late November.

Bend also plans to debut photo enforcement cameras for red-light runners and speeders later this year.

Protest to end Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map reaches state capitol

 A movement to repeal Oregon's Wildfire Hazard Map reached the state capitol in Salem Tuesday. About 125 people waved signs and marched, asking the legislature to repeal Senate Bill 762 which created the wildfire hazard map.

Among them was Bill Minnix from La Pine, who said the map is costing him dearly.

"My insurance rates quadrupled. The value of my house since the map came out in 2022, devalued $95,000. I was denied a refinance due to fire hazard. People who are elderly or on disability, we are going to lose our homes because we can’t afford for our mortgage to go up," Minnix said.

Minnix said his homeowner insurance rates have more than quadrupled from $1,300 to $6,400 a year. 

State law says insurance companies are not allowed to determine rates based on the map. 

Minnix said similar protests of the Wildfire Hazard Map are planned in all Oregon counties on March 1.

The current map is a revised version of the original Wildfire Risk Map that was released in 2022. The original was quickly taken down after backlash over some areas that were considered high risk.

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue New…

Family Escapes Early Morning House Fire in Tumalo; Cause Remains Undetermined

A Tumalo family of eight and their dog escaped unharmed after a fire broke out at their home early Tuesday morning. Fire officials say the blaze started around midnight at a residence on Research Road, with smoke alarms alerting the family in time to evacuate.

According to Bend Fire & Rescue, the fire originated on the southeast exterior wall of the front porch, but investigators have not been able to determine an exact cause. While the fire appears to be accidental, officials say they cannot rule out all possible ignition sources.

The homeowner reported seeing flames engulfing the porch and the front of the house after hearing the alarms. The fire quickly spread to the second floor and into the attic before firefighters arrived. Crews worked for 45 minutes to bring the flames under control.

One possible factor in the fire is a recent power outage in the neighborhood. The fire started shortly after power was restored, though investigators have not confirmed a connection.

The house and its contents were completely destroyed, with losses estimated at approximately $1.4 million.

Fire officials are emphasizing the importance of working smoke alarms and having an escape plan. "This could have been a completely different outcome had the family not had working smoke alarms," Bend Fire & Rescue stated. They encourage residents to develop and practice a family evacuation plan.

For fire safety tips or assistance in creating an escape plan, Bend Fire & Rescue can be contacted at 541-322-6300 or through their website.

Crime News…

Community News…

 😎 Just sayin

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