In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 Lots and LOTS of Events

🐕🐩🍻 HSCO Pup Crawl

🦅Sky Hunters @ High Desert Museum

🌷 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival Returns

📅Save The Date Section

🎨🍷⚡☺️Sip, Create, Activate – A Creative Wellness Event

🕺Spring Fling Dance 2025

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰FedEx closing shipping center on Bend's north end

📰🚧New roundabout construction to shut down northeast Bend intersection

⚡Power Outage Affects Over 2,000 in Tumalo Area, Shuts Down Costco Temporarily

😔Crook County coaches, players honor late Prineville sports editor Lon Austin

🦪🍷🍸Find exclusively made wines and vermouths along with freshly shucked oysters at Hasta que Olvidemos 🎦

📰Regional News

📰Oregon Senate Passes Wolf Depredation Bill

🍺📰Sales tax proposed on beer and wine in Oregon

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

🚨Police: Man steals knife from Madras store, threatens Domino's employee

📰Community News

👦👧 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon Award

📖SMART Reading seeks donations for community book drive

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

🐶Pet of the Week

🐾Meet Coffee! ☕🐶 - SDH

😁 MEME of the Day

Good Morning!

BEND

SANTIAM PASS WEATHER

GOVERNMENT CAMP WEATHER

WILLAMETTE PASS WEATHER

Central Oregon Scene

Sky Hunters

The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, invites you to the captivating "Sky Hunters" program, running daily from March 22 to March 29 at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm. This engaging event features live demonstrations where majestic raptors soar overhead, showcasing their agility and prowess. Presented by skilled wildlife specialists, the program offers a unique opportunity to witness these powerful predators up close. Tickets are $7, with a 20% discount for museum members, and are available at the museum on the day of the event. Note that seating is first-come, first-served, and the program may not be suitable for young children. For more details, visit High Desert Museum's Sky Hunters.

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.

🌷 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival Returns

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, opening this Friday, March 21 in Woodburn, Oregon. Though just outside Central Oregon, the vibrant rows of blooming tulips draw thousands of visitors from across the state, making it a popular spring destination.

The festival features 40 acres of colorful tulips, along with local food vendors, wine tasting, craft booths, and family-friendly activities. Weekends often include hot air balloon launches (weather permitting), live music, and special themed events.

The festival runs daily through April 27, offering plenty of opportunities to take in the blooms at their peak. It's a perfect weekend day trip for those looking to shake off winter and enjoy a stunning display of Oregon agriculture in full color.

Coming up

Sip, Create, Activate – A Creative Wellness Event

Looking for a fun way to recharge? Join us Friday, April 11th for Sip, Create, Activate — a vibrant blend of art, community, and wellness hosted in the Energy Room at Epic Energy Centers in Bend. Led by local artist and owner Kelley Salber, this event invites you to tap into your creative flow while “activating” your energy—think cellular-level rejuvenation in a space designed to uplift.

Enjoy half-off regular session pricing, adult beverages, and all the supplies you need to create something meaningful. Space is limited and registration is required. Come sip, create, and connect with your community in the most energizing way possible! Ask about bringing your own wine to energize in the space.

Spring Fling Dance 2025

Get ready to shake off those winter blues and welcome the spring season in style at the 3rd Annual Spring Fling Dance, hosted by your SROA Owner’s Enrichment Committee! Join us on April 12th for an unforgettable night of great tunes, light bites, and a no-host bar. Local DJ from Flip Flop Sounds will be spinning all the best hits from the 60’s and 70’s, so gather your friends and hit the dance floor! This event is 21+ only, and you won’t want to miss it!

Got questions? Give us a call at 406-599-1440!

Ticket Delivery: No need to print tickets. We will have your name at our registration desk.

Venue Information

SHARC Event Space

57250 Overlook Road
Sunriver, OR 97707

LOCAL EVENTS

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Local News…

FedEx closing shipping center on Bend's north end

FedEx is closing its shipping center on Bend's north end in the next few days, the company confirmed Monday.

“FedEx regularly evaluates its network and makes adjustments to align with the evolving needs of the business. The FedEx facility on NE Jamison Street in Bend will close this month," a FedEx spokesman said in an email. "Decisions of this nature are the result of much thought and consideration for maintaining the high level of service expected from our customers and other needs of our business. Affected team members were notified several months before any changes occur and receive assistance with finding other employment opportunities within the company, including additional support options like relocation assistance or severance where applicable.”

Bend has several other locations for FedEx services. You can find locations on its website.

New roundabout construction to shut down northeast Bend intersection

BEND, Ore. -- An intersection in northeast Bend will close on April 9 for a four-month project to build a new roundabout.

The intersection is Deschutes Market Road and Yeoman Road, next to Pine Nursery Park. It's currently a three-way intersection with a stop sign on Yeoman. It's slated to become a four-way roundabout with Yeoman Road set to be extended to the east.

Jacob Larsen with the City of Bend said the roundabout is being built by the developer of Petrosa, the growing housing community located along Butler Market Road.

The closure will last from April 9 through August 15, according to readerboard signs posted at the intersection.

Larsen said the city will be posting detour information at this link in the coming days. The closure means people trying to get to Pine Nursery Park will have to take NE Purcell Boulevard. Those living north of the closure who normally take Deschutes Market Road to get to Butler Market Road will likely have to travel around to Hamehook Road first.

Power Outage Affects Over 2,000 in Tumalo Area, Shuts Down Costco Temporarily

A widespread power outage left approximately 2,100 Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) customers without electricity in the Tumalo area Tuesday afternoon, impacting homes, businesses, and the busy Costco store and gas station.

CEC crews traced the cause to a broken crossarm on a transmission pole. The utility estimated power would be restored by 4:00 p.m., and by 4:14 p.m., CEC confirmed, “Power has been fully restored to all @CentralElectric members in the Tumalo area. We thank you for your patience as our crews worked quickly and safely to restore power.”

The outage forced Costco to temporarily close both its store and gas station until power was restored.

Crook County coaches, players honor late Prineville sports editor Lon Austin

PRINEVILLE, Ore. -- A void is left in Crook County Athletics after longtime Prineville Sports Editor for the Central Oregonian newspaper Lon Austin passed away from a heart attack over the weekend. He was 69.

"Still just hasn't really set in and it probably won't until we see the empty chair up on top of the first base dugout without Lon in it," said Crook County head baseball coach Steele Bailey.

Austin was known to have a smile and a friendly approach to sports editing.

"I felt on top of the world, really," said Crook County senior Gage Martinez. "It was after a great game. I think I went like three-for-four, but he just walked up to me, and I almost felt like a celebrity, you know?"

"I was always looking forward to having an interview after the game, my match, or a football game," said Crook County senior Ethan Lampier. "He would always be there, and it'll be different."

Austin always had his unique areas picked out for his prestige photography. For baseball, it was his chair on top of the dugout.

"He was a big part of our every sports program," Martinez said. "I always look up on top of the dugout, and he'd be sitting there with his camera. He'd be taking pictures, cheering us on."

Coaches and athletes describe Austin as someone with an unmatched work ethic and commitment to the game.

"During wrestling season, it didn't matter how late the tournament got over. I was always expecting a call from Lon, whether it's 10:30 or 11:30, to see how we did," said head wrestling coach Jake Gonzales.

"He's going to be missed a lot," said head Cross Country Coach Orie Gonzales. "Big time. I don't think I've ever been to a sporting event for Crook County that he wasn't there."

His dedication left a mark not just on popular programs but also on all sports and athletes.

"He spread it around throughout the sports, but he spread it around from kid to kid," said head track and field coach Ernie Brooks. "That picture in the paper meant a lot to someone; that may be the only time they ever get recognized."

Now, programs are adjusting to life without Austin behind the camera, cheering them on and finding ways to honor him.

"There will be a chair up there full on the season and will be definitely playing for him," said Bailey.

Regional News…

Oregon Senate Passes Wolf Depredation Bill

The Oregon State Senate passed a bill to revise the Wolf Depredation Program, tightening compensation rules and increasing payouts for confirmed wolf attacks on livestock. The new law eliminates claims for missing animals, introduces a multiplier system for animal value, and caps compensation at $25,000 per animal. At least 50% of county funds must go toward nonlethal deterrents like fencing and guard dogs. Local advisory committees will oversee payouts and prevention programs. Some wildlife advocates warn the changes could drain funds meant for proactive measures. A separate bill seeks $2 million to sustain the program.

Sales tax proposed on beer and wine in Oregon

Portland, Ore. (KATU)

A new bill in the Oregon legislature could result in a sales tax on beer, wine, and cider in Oregon.

House Bill 3197 proposes a 2% tax starting in 2026, eventually climbing to 8% in 2032. The tax would impact consumers at restaurants and at the grocery store. A majority of the funds collected, 85%, would go toward funding youth alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs.

"I don't think it's a surprise to anybody that sales tax is something that Oregon has held at bay and for a good reason," Christine Walter, Owner of Cidermaker of Bauman's Cider Company, said during an interview with KATU news. "It makes us a little more attractive as a destination when people are thinking about traveling, and we don't want to lose that."

The Oregon Beverage Alliance opposes the tax, citing a Monitoring the Future survey that claims youth drinking and drug use is at an all-time low.

“Lawmakers should not be raising prices through a regressive sales tax on constituents when they’re already at record highs. Additionally, the beer and wine sectors are seeing record closures with 70 breweries, taprooms, and brewpubs and 60 wineries and tasting rooms shuttering in the past two years as fewer people are drinking,” a spokesperson with the Oregon Beverage Alliance said.

KATU has reached out to Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-North/Northeast Portland, who drafted and amended the bill, but we haven't heard back.

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Crime News…

Police: Man steals knife from Madras store, threatens Domino's employee

MADRAS, Ore. -- A man who stole a knife from a store then used it to threaten a Domino's employee was arrested Tuesday afternoon, Madras Police said.

Officers were called to respond to reports of an armed man near Highway 97 at 1:40 p.m., police said in a statement.

The suspect, identified only as a 30-year-old, reportedly stole the knife from Bi-Mart then used the knife to threaten the Domino's worker before leaving on foot in an effort to avoid being caught.

Police arrived and briefly chase the suspect before arresting him, police said. He was taken to the Jefferson County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct, robbery, theft, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing.

Nobody was injured, police said.

Community News…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon Award

Posted Yesterday At 9:22am by Mike Thomas KBND

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is the national organization’s 2024 Platinum Award winner

A program of J Bar J Youth Services… it’s one of 17 organizations to receive this top honor recognizing program excellence… out of more than 230 agencies across the country.

In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon has served 221 youth with one-to-one mentoring.

SMART Reading seeks donations for community book drive

A community book drive is underway to provide local children with books to read this summer. Selco Community Credit Union is partnering with SMART Reading for their second annual book drive.

Donation boxes are available at all Selco branch locations in Bend, Redmond and Burns through March 31. You can drop off new and gently used children's books, which will be given to local children.

“This book drive is part of expanding our reach and getting more books out into the hands of kids by collecting the books that your family has outgrown, and giving them a second life with a new child, SMART Reading Central Area Program Manager Amy Luther said.

Last year's book drive provided over 400 books to children across Central Oregon.

🐾 Pet of the Week: Meet Coffee! ☕🐶

Looking for a loyal hiking buddy, a snuggly couch companion, and an all-around great pup? Meet Coffee, a medium-sized, 1 to 1.5-year-old mixed breed boy who traveled all the way from just outside Cancun, Mexico, to find his forever home in Central Oregon.

Coffee is already neutered, microchipped, fully vaccinated, and has passed his wellness check with flying colors. But what really makes Coffee shine is his personality—he's sweet, playful, and oh-so-eager to please.

His foster family says he's an A+ foster dog who settled in easily and checks all the boxes: ✔ Loves people
✔ Gets along with other dogs
✔ Plays well at the dog park
✔ Potty trained & housebroken
✔ Great on leash (just a little pull, but he's smart and trainable!)
✔ Sleeps through the night
✔ Doesn’t chew things he shouldn’t
✔ Has a heart of gold

Coffee enjoys walks, hikes, and outdoor adventures but is just as content cuddling up for a nap. He even checks in at the dog park, keeping an eye on his people and coming when called. While he might experience a touch of car sickness (he gets a little drooly), he rides calmly and settles in fast.

Coffee would do best in a home with no young kids (older kids are fine) and would likely do okay with a dog-savvy cat after a slow introduction.

Ready to meet your new best friend? Apply for Coffee through the rescue’s website and start with a 3-day in-home trial to see if he’s the perfect fit.

Coffee’s ready to find his forever. Could it be with you?

 😎 Just sayin

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