In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

📅Save The Date Section

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

🕺Spring Fling Dance 2025

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Miller’s Landing Park to Reopen by June with New Accessibility Features

📰COCC Spring JobFest coming to all 4 campuses next month

📰Record Steelhead Return to Upper Deschutes Basin

📰Oregon Enters Spring Completely Drought-Free for First Time Since 2017

📰Regional News

📰New bill proposes repealing vote-by-mail in Oregon, public invited to testify

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

🚨Bend Man Arrested on Multiple Charges Related to Child Exploitation

📰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?

🎉 What's Up in Bend | April 1–6, 2025

Spring is here and Bend is buzzing! From rodeos and movie nights to craft markets and trivia, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your curated list of what’s happening around town this week:

🎭 Comedy & Theater

Craft of Fools
📍 Craft Kitchen and Brewery — 📍 Map
🕒 April 1, 2025 – 7:00 PM
An April Fools' Day comedy night featuring local stand-up comedians and craft beer.
🔗 More Info / Tickets

The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
📍 Cascades Theatrical Company — 📍 Map
🕒 April 4–6, 2025 – 7:30 PM nightly
Experience the suspense of Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery performed live on stage.
🔗 More Info

🎬 Movies & Film

Big Sexy Movie Night: Edward Scissorhands
📍 The Capitol — 📍 Map
🕒 April 2, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Enjoy a screening of the cult classic "Edward Scissorhands" in a unique and intimate setting.
🔗 More Info / Tickets

Dive-In Movie Night
📍 Campfire Hotel — 📍 Map
🕒 April 2, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Watch a movie while relaxing in the heated pool. Movie titles are announced the Monday prior to each Dive-In event.
🔗 More Info

🤠 Community & Culture

High Desert Stampede
📍 Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center — 📍 Map
🕒 April 2–5, 2025
Experience one of Central Oregon’s premier rodeo events featuring professional riders, barrel racing, bull riding, and more.
🔗 More Info

Spring Makers Market
📍 The Environmental Center — 📍 Map
🕒 April 5, 2025 – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Celebrate spring by shopping from over 20 local artisans, enjoying live music, and participating in raffles.
🔗 More Info

🎨 Arts & Crafts

Paint & Sip at Austin Mercantile
📍 Austin Mercantile — 📍 Map
🕒 April 4, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Unleash your creativity with a guided painting session while enjoying a selection of wines. No prior experience necessary.
🔗 More Info

🎉 Games & Social

Bingo at River's Place
📍 River's Place — 📍 Map
🕒 April 3, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Join a fun-filled evening of bingo with chances to win prizes while supporting local nonprofits.
🔗 More Info

Trivia at River’s Place
📍 River’s Place — 📍 Map
🕒 April 6, 2025 – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Test your knowledge and enjoy a fun afternoon at River's Place's trivia event. Free to play with prizes to win.
🔗 More Info

🧘 Wellness

Sunset Yoga & Sound Journey
📍 Location TBD
🕒 April 3, 2025 – 6:30 PM
Experience a relaxing evening of yoga and sound healing as the sun sets. Suitable for all levels.
🔗 More Info

Please verify event details and any potential changes by visiting the provided links or contacting the event organizers directly.

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…

Miller’s Landing Park to Reopen by June with New Accessibility Features

BEND, Ore. -- Construction along the Deschutes River waterfront at Miller's Landing Park in Bend is 60% complete, Bend Park and Recreation District said Friday.

Crews are installing features that make river access accessible to people with disabilities. This includes handrails and wheelchair transfer platforms.

“There are couple of different boat launches or ramps into the water: one of which has rollers and a transfer platform and grab rails. The other one has a dry ramp area where you can get down below the actual water level and transfer into the water," BPRD construction manager Jason Powell said.

The project will also bring a new shade structure to Miller's Landing Park. The park is still on track to re-open by June.

COCC Spring JobFest coming to all 4 campuses next month

BEND, Ore. -- Central Oregon Community College is hosting career fairs at all four of its campuses this spring. The Spring JobFest will feature more than 40 local companies and agencies, including education, health care, law enforcement and hospitality.

The job fairs run from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• Bend - April 10

• Redmond - April 15

• Madras - April 23

• Prineville - April 25

Here are more details about how to prepare for the JobFest from COCC:

JobFest is a chance to explore different career fields and learn about individual organizations. Attendees can discover employment, internship and volunteer opportunities while determining the types of skills and experiences required for these positions. Visit cocc.edu to learn more. 

JobFest opens opportunities for attendees to speak directly to recruiters and ask questions about companies and even specific positions, said Diane Pritchard, COCC’s director of career services, academic advising and placement, or CAP Services. “You may not leave JobFest with an offer in hand, but you’ll leave with a better understanding of where to apply for positions and who to get in touch with to learn more.” 

To build or refine resumes in advance, attendees can visit cocc.edu/cap for guidance and samples. Or contact CAP Services at 541-383-7200 or [email protected]. 

In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact disability services at 541-383-7583.

Record Steelhead Return to Upper Deschutes Basin

MADRAS, Ore. – More than 950 adult steelhead returned to the Upper Deschutes Basin during the 2024–2025 run, marking the highest return since the 1960s, according to Portland General Electric (PGE).

The strong numbers are the result of improved fish passage efforts at the Pelton Round Butte hydropower project, co-managed by PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Most of the steelhead passed through the Selective Water Withdrawal system at Lake Billy Chinook as juveniles in 2022 and made the full migration cycle to the ocean and back.

Biologists credit the success to favorable ocean conditions and improved strategies like juvenile fish acclimation, stress-relief ponds, and new collection nets. While the milestone is significant, restoration work continues.

“We’re excited to welcome these fish back,” said Megan Hill, PGE’s senior environmental science manager. “It shows what collaboration and science-based solutions can achieve.”

Oregon Enters Spring Completely Drought-Free for First Time Since 2017

For the first time in several years, Oregon is heading into spring without any drought conditions, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This marks a significant turnaround for the state, which as recently as last year was still grappling with varying levels of drought across Central and Eastern Oregon. In March 2023, nearly the entire state was experiencing dry conditions, with Crook County categorized in Extreme or Exceptional Drought. The situation was even worse in 2022, when much of Central and Eastern Oregon faced Severe Drought or worse.

The improvement is largely attributed to a strong winter season, which brought above-average snowfall to the Cascades. For example, the Deschutes Basin snowpack recently reached 131% of normal, playing a key role in replenishing water supplies and improving soil moisture across the region.

However, experts caution that this positive shift doesn’t guarantee drought-free conditions will last. Climatologists note that strong heat waves in late spring could bring back localized drought concerns, especially if snowmelt occurs too quickly.

Still, for now, the state is enjoying a rare reprieve—one not seen since March 2017.

Regional News…

New bill proposes repealing vote-by-mail in Oregon, public invited to testify

by: Jenna Deml

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A public hearing on a proposed bill to repeal Oregon’s standard vote-by-mail system is set to take place in Salem on Monday.

Known as SB 210, the bill would end mail-in voting, require voter ID and ensure in-person voting on Election Day in the state of Oregon. But it would still retain mail-in voting for military and overseas voters, as well as those with a mailing address outside Oregon.

The Oregon Legislature first approved mail-in voting in 1981 and it was adopted by a majority of counties by 1987. But it wasn’t until 1998 that Oregon voters approved a measure requiring that all elections be vote by mail. The state then became the first to conduct a presidential election by mail in 2000. 

Only seven other states – and Washington, D.C. – even send mail ballots to all registered voters without requiring them to request one first: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Vermont and Washington.

The hearing on the new bill, sponsored by State Sen. David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford), comes days after President Trump sent a new executive order calling for identity verification requirements and changing vote-by-mail deadlines.

According to Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, upholding the current voting system is critical, as Oregon — which implemented the Oregon Motor Voter Act in 2016– is among states leading the nation in voter turnout.

“The model that we have in Oregon is something that’s a model for the country and allowing people the convenience of voting on their own time, using paper ballots that are signature verified, our systems are a gold standard in that respect,” Read said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election was among the highest in over a century across the U.S. with almost 67% of eligible voters casting their ballots on Election Day.

Further, Oregon and Washington have seen over 75% average voter turnout in the last few presidential elections, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.

Oregon state legislators are inviting the public to submit testimony on SB210 either online, remote, or in-person.

The hearing is set to start at 1 p.m. Monday.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Crime News…

Bend Man Arrested on Multiple Charges Related to Child Exploitation

BEND, Ore. – A 51-year-old man from the unincorporated area of Bend has been arrested and indicted on multiple felony charges related to child exploitation, following a months-long investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.

Justin Noble Sayers was taken into custody on March 21, 2025, after authorities executed a search warrant at his residence. He now faces eight felony charges, including two counts of luring a minor, one count of using a child in the display of sexually explicit conduct, and multiple counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in both the first and second degrees.

The investigation began in November 2024 when the Deschutes County ICAC unit received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that an unknown user had shared child sexual abuse material (CSAM) via the Discord messaging platform. Working in partnership with the Oregon State Police, detectives traced the online activity back to Sayers.

According to investigators, Sayers allegedly posed online as a teenage girl or young male adult to lure victims—female juveniles between the ages of 13 and 16—into sending sexually explicit images and videos. Authorities believe the activity began in 2023.

The multi-agency operation that led to Sayers' arrest involved local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. Several digital devices were seized from his home during the search.

A Deschutes County Grand Jury formally indicted Sayers on March 27. Although none of the identified victims have been confirmed to reside in Deschutes County, the investigation remains ongoing.

Officials urge parents to stay vigilant about their children’s online activity and encourage open communication. “Just because someone says they are a 15-year-old female does not mean they are,” the Sheriff’s Office emphasized in a statement.

Community News…

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