In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🐕🐩🍻 HSCO Pup Crawl

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

📅Save The Date Section

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Deschutes County Seeks Public Input on South Century Drive Intersection Improvements

📰Cars parked at Dutchman Sno-Park buried under multiple feet of snow 🎦

📰Jericho Road launches propane program to support Central Oregon’s homeless

📰Regional News

📰Oregon's 'kicker' tax refund could be eliminated, altered as lawmakers seek reform

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

⛑️Seattle Man Dies in Snow Immersion Incident at Mount Bachelor

🚨Crime News

⚖️Judge lifts no-contact order for couple in Sunriver child abuse case; plea hearing postponed

📰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 Amigo - Herding Dog Rescue of Central Oregon

😁 MEME of the Day

Good Morning!

BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

WILLAMETTE PASS WEATHER

What’s Up Central Oregon?

The Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) is hosting its 13th Annual Pup Crawl throughout March 2025, offering a delightful blend of community engagement, craft beverages, and support for local animals in need. This cherished event invites residents and their canine companions to gather at various local breweries, with all proceeds directly benefiting HSCO's mission to care for and advocate for animals in Central Oregon.

Event Details:

• Dates & Times: The Pup Crawl occurs every Friday and Saturday evening in March, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

• Locations:

  • Saturday, March 1: Monkless Belgian Ales

  • Friday, March 7: Van Henion Brewing and Bridge 99 (4:30 – 6:30 PM)

  • Saturday, March 8: Bend Brewing

  • Friday, March 14: Crux Fermentation Project

  • Saturday, March 15: Worthy Brewing

  • Friday, March 21: Bevel Craft Brewing

  • Saturday, March 22: Wild Ride Brewing in Redmond

  • Friday, March 28: Sunriver Brewing in Sunriver, Bend Eastside, and Galveston pubs

  • Saturday, March 29: Boneyard Pub

Each venue offers a unique atmosphere, and attendees can enjoy their favorite craft beverages while supporting a worthy cause.

Participation Details:

During each Pup Crawl night, attendees can purchase exclusive HSCO merchandise:

• Logo Pint Glass & One Beverage: $15

• Logo Glass & One Beverage at Three Different Pup Crawl Nights: $30

• Logo Beanie Hat: $20

• Logo Beanie & One Beverage: $30

Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Bend Pet Express and Bend Studio, 100% of the proceeds from these sales directly support HSCO's efforts.

Special Highlights:

This year's Pup Crawl features a new logo designed by Clara Smith, a local Bend artist. Her winning design, inspired by her playful dogs and their love for treats, will be showcased on the Pup Crawl pint glasses, beanies, and promotional materials. Smith expressed her gratitude towards HSCO, having adopted her Australian Cattle Dog, Colt, from the organization five years ago.

About HSCO:

Established in 1961, the Humane Society of Central Oregon is dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond by compassionately caring for animals and advocating on their behalf. As a socially conscious shelter, HSCO collaborates with community partners to provide resources and services aimed at improving the welfare of all vulnerable animals in the region.

Join the Fun:

The Pup Crawl is a fantastic opportunity for community members to come together, enjoy local brews, and make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need. Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to the event, HSCO welcomes all to participate and celebrate the spirit of community and compassion.

For more information and updates, visit HSCO's official website or their social media channels.

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.

Coming up - Save the Date

LOCAL EVENTS

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Local News…

Deschutes County Seeks Public Input on South Century Drive Intersection Improvements

The Deschutes County Road Department invites community members to attend an online open house for proposed intersection improvements along South Century Drive. Public comments will be accepted from March 17 through April 17.

South Century Drive is an essential route near the Sunriver and Three Rivers communities. The Road Department plans to install new roundabouts at the intersections of Venture Lane and Spring River Road to improve traffic flow and increase safety for the drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who travel the corridor. The online open house is also showcasing the design for a roundabout at Huntington Road, which is scheduled for construction in this summer.

Community members are invited to participate in an online platform, review proposed designs for the Venture Lane and Spring River Road improvements and provide their feedback about the intersection improvements.

Key details of the online open house:

• March 17 – April 17, 2025

• The open house will be hosted entirely online at this link

• What’s Included:

  • Conceptual alternatives for the intersection improvements at Venture Lane and Spring River Road.

  • Information about how the improvements will enhance traffic flow, safety, and accessibility for all road users.

  • Opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions directly to the project team.

The feedback gathered during this open house will be used to refine the proposed designs and guide the team as the project moves forward. The County will host a second online open house showing the recommended roundabout designs later this summer.

For additional information or questions, please email [email protected] or call (541) 388-6581.

Jericho Road launches propane program to support Central Oregon’s homeless

• Peyton Thomas, Reporter Central Oregon Daily News

REDMOND, Ore. -- Staying warm and cooking meals during winter can be difficult for Central Oregon’s homeless population. But a new program in Redmond is helping make that a little easier.

Jericho Road, a local nonprofit, has started providing reusable propane tanks to people living in homeless camps. The program aims to reduce waste, save money and offer a more reliable fuel source for heating and cooking.

Calvin Edgerly, who lives in his car with his wife, says having propane makes a big difference.

"During the wintertime, we use it quite a bit," Edgerly said. "I use it to cook and I also use it to heat, to get the car warmed up."

Jericho Road launched the program after noticing that people were tossing out non-refillable propane tanks after just one use. The new, reusable tanks not only cut down on waste but also help people save money.

"These are the non-refillable type, they're spendy," said Ken Cardwell, a volunteer with Jericho Road. "When we get a whole case of them and we give them out, they will not bring them back. This is the refillable type. It never gets thrown away that way."

The nonprofit has already ordered more than 200 reusable tanks. The exchange program is starting to catch on.

"The people come in, they have dinner and then when they're finished, they come into another room and they bring their empty tanks and they get a full tank," Cardwell said. "We've only been into it two weeks. We're hoping that it pays off."

Edgerly says the program is a lifeline for many homeless people.

"It means a heck of a lot to a lot of homeless people that are out here. They're struggling and they need help," he said.

Jericho Road offers propane exchanges every Wednesday for those needing a refill. For more information, click here.

Regional News…

Oregon's 'kicker' tax refund could be eliminated, altered as lawmakers seek reform

Oregon lawmakers are revisiting proposals that could eliminate or alter the state's unique surplus refund, better known as the "kicker."

Passed by lawmakers in 1979 and approved by voters in 1980, the kicker returns money to Oregonians when the state's revenue is at least 2% higher than forecasted.

Oregonians passed Measure 85 in 2012, diverting the corporate kicker revenue back into the general fund for public education. Since then, more than $3.5 billion has gone to K-12 schools, according to a Department of Revenue report. The corporate kicker for the 2021-23 biennium totaled $1.8 billion, the largest in state history and more than twice the previous record.

There's been a similar historic increase in personal kicker refunds since 2011. Oregonians received part of a record-breaking $5.6 billion kicker when they filed their 2023 tax return. State economists estimate taxpayers will see a $1.73 billion kicker in 2026, according to the latest revenue forecast.

Supporters of reforming the law argue that the excess tax revenue could be used to fund essential services, especially as lawmakers aim to address an ongoing housing and homelessness crisis and poor student outcomes. Opponents, however, are fiercely protective of the credit and have made clear they would challenge any changes to the personal kicker.

Here's where kicker reform stands at this point in the session:

Oregon Senate Bill 399 proposes returning to checks instead of credit

Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, is the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 399. The bill would require Oregon's Department of Revenue to issue kicker refunds in the form of a check instead of a tax credit. Checks were the refund mechanism from the mid-1990s until 2011, according to the Department of Revenue.

The bill currently sits in the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. It has not been scheduled for a public hearing or work session.

Girod sponsored an identical proposal in 2023, but it stalled in the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. Senate Republicans attempted to pull it out of committee and onto the floor in 2023 with a procedural motion to withdraw the bill from committee, but the motion failed 12-16.

Oregon Senate Bill 573 would eliminate personal kicker

Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland, is also bringing back a proposal he introduced in the 2023 legislative session: ending the kicker altogether.

Senate Bill 573 would discontinue returning excess revenue to taxpayers beginning at the start of the 2027 two-year budget. The bill would not take effect unless Senate Joint Resolution 15 also passes and is approved by voters during the November 2026.

"The kicker is a uniquely Oregon creature and it is a unique burden on our state and the people of our state," Frederick said in 2023. Improved revenue forecasts do not mean more revenue to use in programs but instead go "right back out the door," he said at the time. The bill drew hundreds of pieces of written testimony, largely in opposition, in 2023. After a public hearing, the bill died in committee.

Frederick was not immediately available to discuss his 2025 proposal.

The bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Rules and has not been scheduled for a hearing.

Oregon House Bill 3360 would redirect corporate kicker to school infrastructure

A proposal with more bipartisan support is centered around the corporate kicker rather than the personal refund. House Bill 3360 is scheduled for a public hearing Monday afternoon.

Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, and Rep. Zach Hudson, D-Troutdale, are the chief sponsors. Rep. Emily McIntire, R-Eagle Point, and Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, have signed on as regular sponsors.

The bill would redirect the corporate kicker to the School Facility Improvement Fund instead of the State School Fund, meaning the excess revenue would go solely into funding grants for school construction and maintenance projects and for infrastructure improvements.

"School infrastructure is a big problem for many of our districts," Hudson said in an interview with the Statesman Journal.

A similar proposal died in committee in 2023, though it generated testimony from school officials who shared stories of aging facilities and no funding to maintain them.

The way Oregon's school funding model works, money each biennium covers day-to-day costs and staff but cannot cover significant projects like HVAC system replacements or a new roof, Hudson explained. Districts turn instead to passing general obligation bonds, an expensive option that can often be struck down by voters.

According to bond and local option election data tracked by the Oregon School Boards Association, 54 of 100 school district, education service district and community college bonds were approved in the last four years. In Silverton School District, a bond to replace Silverton Middle School and cover other major repairs failed in 2023. The last bond the district passed was in 2006.

In the Gervais School District, voters approved a $28 million bond last year to replace heating and cooling, improve accessibility, replace the high school roof, and make other improvements. It was the ninth attempt at passing a school district bond and the school board warned that it would vote to close the district had the bond failed.

"If we can help districts out with these infrastructure asks, we really should," Hudson said.

Hudson noted that under the current corporate kicker system, the excess revenue goes first into the general fund before lawmakers allocate the rest of the state school fund, meaning it does not necessarily provide additional funding for education.

"I think that most voters, in wanting their money to go to education, would see school infrastructure as definitely within the intent behind that bill, but it just doesn't end up working out that way," Hudson said.

Because the kicker is unpredictable, it makes sense to use the corporate kicker as a pool of one-time funding set aside for infrastructure, Hudson added.

To be eligible for a grant, a school district must have submitted general obligation bonds during the last three years, failed to receive voter approval for general obligation bonds in the last 10 years and have reserves of less than 8% of its adopted budget.

Hudson also said that the bill presents another opportunity to move the needle in helping student achievement in Oregon get back on track.

"There's a lot of good evidence that school physical environment affects learning," Hudson said. "Students don't learn as well when they're too hot. Students don't learn as well when they don't have good quality air, and students don't learn well when the ceiling is moldy."

The window to submit written testimony for HB 3360 will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at [email protected] or on X @DianneLugo.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon's 'kicker' tax refund could be eliminated, altered as lawmakers seek reform

Reporting by Dianne Lugo, Salem Statesman Journal / Salem Statesman Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Crime News…

Judge lifts no-contact order for couple in Sunriver child abuse case; plea hearing postponed

BEND, Ore. -- A plea hearing for a Sunriver woman charged with attempted murder in a case of severe child abuse was postponed Monday until May, along with her parents.

Session, 33, is accused of beating a child under the age of 10 with a curtain rod as well as poisoning the child and forcing them to eat their own vomit. In addition to attempted murder, Session is charged with multiple counts of assault, criminal mistreatment and coercion. She remains in jail on $1 million bail.

Her parents, Gary and Paula Hardenburg, ages 65 and 60, are accused of cleaning up the crime scene and tampering with evidence.

Judge Alison Emerson lifted a no-contact order between the Hardenburgs, who have been married for almost 40 years. This allows them to live together and have contact with each other as long as they do not discuss the case.

The father of the victim spoke out against lifting the no-contact order at the morning's hearing.

“I agree with the district attorney’s office. I don’t think there’s going to be any way to enforce not talking about the case, and I think that the no contact should remain in place," he said.

The next plea hearing is set for May 5.

Community News…

Pet of the Week: Meet Amigo!

This week, we're thrilled to introduce Amigo, a one-year-old Border Collie mix with a heart as big as his name suggests. Weighing in at a petite 30 pounds, Amigo is the perfect blend of playful energy and affectionate companionship.

Amigo's journey has been one of resilience and unwavering sweetness. Despite the uncertainties he's faced, his spirit remains gentle and loving. He's a submissive fellow who thrives on human connection, always eager to share his affection.

This charming pup has a natural affinity for children, making him an excellent family addition. While he has been introduced to feline friends, a proper cat test would ensure a harmonious household. His adaptable nature suggests he'd fit well into various family dynamics, bringing joy and loyalty to his new home.

Amigo is currently under the care of the Herding Dog Rescue of Central Oregon, a dedicated organization committed to finding loving forever homes for herding breeds. Their mission aligns perfectly with Amigo's desire to find a family he can call his own.

If you're interested in opening your heart and home to Amigo, or if you'd like to learn more about him, please visit his Petfinder profile. Here, you'll find additional details and contact information to take the next step in making Amigo a cherished member of your family.

Let's come together to give Amigo the loving home he deserves. Share his story, spread the word, and help us find the perfect match for this remarkable dog.

 😎 Just sayin

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