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?

🕳️📰Someone patched Bend's ‘Bellevue Crater’ pothole -- at least for now

⚖️📰Lawsuit Between Bend FC and Former Director Dismissed After Settlement

📰💧Canal Piping Project Near Madras Wraps Up Ahead of Irrigation Season

📰Regional News

 📰Harney County Continues Flood Response Efforts

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

📰Community News

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

🏘️Real Estate News

🏘️📈Central Oregon Market Report | April 2, 2025 by Reed Melton

📰Sisters considers tough new fire safety rules for new developments

📰Former Bend Costco Site Now Available for Lease

🏘️Foundation for Affordable Housing Announces New Development of Affordable Apartment Complex in La Pine

😁 MEME of the Day

Did you get the right answer?

 Answer: Bond Street, Downtown Bend – 1940s

This vintage photo captures Bond Street in downtown Bend during the 1940s—a time when the city was still growing out of its early timber-town roots. Bond Street, along with Wall Street one block over, has long served as one of the central arteries of Bend’s downtown. In the 1940s, the area was lined with a mix of local businesses, including department stores, grocers, and movie theaters.

This snapshot is a reminder of how much the city has evolved—and how its downtown core continues to serve as a cultural and commercial heart for locals and visitors alike.

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

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

🤠 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

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

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…

Someone patched Bend's ‘Bellevue Crater’ pothole -- at least for now

BEND, Ore. -- A five-foot-wide buy five-inch-deep pothole on a private street on Bend's eastside was filled Wednesday -- at least temporarily -- one day after being highlighted on Central Oregon Daily News.

Someone used what appears to be dirt and gravel to fill in the pothole on Bellevue Drive. Many people in the area have been referring to as the "Bellevue Crater."

Because the street is private, it's outside of the city's jurisdiction. But with nearby businesses, restaurants and apartments, many people drive that stretch.

Central Oregon Daily tried to reached out to the owner Tuesday, but the number has been disconnected. Not even the businesses know who or what company to reach out to and the city says it has tried to reach the owner with no response.

Lawsuit Between Bend FC and Former Director Dismissed After Settlement

BEND, Ore. – A nearly four-year legal dispute between Bend FC Soccer Club and its former Executive Director, Tara Bilanski, has ended with a settlement and the lawsuit dismissed.

Bend FC filed suit in 2021, accusing Bilanski of embezzling money and taking unauthorized bonuses totaling $80,000. The club sought $380,000 in damages.

Bilanski denied the claims, saying the payments were board-approved and processed through payroll. "How could you accuse someone of embezzling when it was approved and paid properly?" she said.

The case was resolved with a six-figure settlement paid to Bilanski. She now leads Apex FC and says the experience strengthened her commitment to youth coaching. "Fighting for something makes you appreciate it more," she said.

Bend FC President Chris Rogers said the decision to settle was based on focusing resources on club programs, minimizing legal costs, and helping the soccer community move forward.

Bilanski thanked supporters who stood by her: "I'm very, very grateful to those people."

Canal Piping Project Near Madras Wraps Up Ahead of Irrigation Season

MADRAS, Ore. – A major irrigation upgrade near Madras is nearing completion just in time for the start of the irrigation season. The North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) has converted six miles of open canal, known as Lateral 43, into a pressurized, underground pipeline delivering water from Haystack Reservoir to Jefferson County farms.

The shift from open canals to piping is designed to conserve water and reduce losses from seepage and evaporation. As a junior water rights holder in the basin, NUID is focused on maximizing efficiency amid ongoing drought conditions.

With water set to begin flowing next week, the new system will deliver pressurized water directly to farms. This eliminates the need for electric pumps in many cases, offering significant cost savings for growers.

The upgrade comes as the district faces its seventh consecutive year of water shortages. Wickiup Reservoir, the district's main source of stored water, remains depleted and is not expected to refill this spring. As a result, farmers will receive reduced water allotments—1.5 acre-feet per acre for Deschutes River rights and 0.75 acre-feet per acre for Crooked River rights—well below historical averages.

The long-term impact on farms remains uncertain, as several operations in Jefferson County have already shut down in recent years due to persistent drought and limited water supply.

Regional News…

Harney County Continues Flood Response Efforts

BURNS, Ore. – The Harney County Sheriff’s Office continues to respond to significant flooding in the Burns area caused by rapid snowmelt. Water levels in the Silvies River are currently receding but may rise again early next week with additional runoff. Floodwaters have tested positive for E. coli and Coliform bacteria, prompting health officials to urge residents to avoid contact and test well water. Burns’ sewer system remains overwhelmed, and crews are working on bypass solutions.

Work to reinforce Dike D is progressing, with help from the Army Corps of Engineers. Over 4,500 sandbags are available in Hines. Shelter remains open to all displaced residents, including tribal members, and community meals will begin at the fairgrounds and Harney Hub. Damage assessment forms will be distributed Friday, and disaster supply distribution is expected to begin soon.

No looting has been reported, but law enforcement remains on alert. Officials also warn against fake donation pages and urge residents to verify sources. Several roads remain closed due to flood damage, and hundreds of homes remain under evacuation advisories. Burns’ drinking water is safe.

More info and updates: harneycountyor.gov/flood

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Crime News…

Community News…

Real Estate News…

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Central Oregon Market Report | April 2, 2025

by Reed Melton

This morning, the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage is 6.71%, the lowest since September 23, 2024. Activity has also picked up, coinciding with increased inventory across all three Central Oregon counties, longer days, and (somewhat) nicer weather. There will always be opportunities in real estate, but as we approach peak season, houses start selling quicker, and buyers start re-engaging the market, creating competition. While there may be some uncertainty about the broader economy, declining mortgage rates spur activity and help keep prices firm. 

This morning, 1,008 single-family homes are listed in Deschutes County. Breaking the 1,000-listing threshold did not happen last year until May 29, when there were 1,018 listings, and it hasn't been this high since November 27, 2024, when there were 1,019 listings. Activity remains steady with 66 pending sales at a median days-listed of just 30. Seventy-five closed transactions have been the most since October 2, 2024, with median days listed at just 25 and an average sale price of $980,034. The increase in listings creates more opportunities for buyers, but attractive, well-priced properties are moving fast. 

Inventory in Crook County also increased, now at 162 single-family listings, up three from the previous week. Thirteen pending sales at an average list price of $524,419, with four closed transactions averaging $767,500, are consistent with the last several weeks. The single closed sale in Brasada Ranch went for $1,415,000, double the price of the following most expensive sale for the week, dragging the average up considerably. The remaining three sales were $750k, $525k, and $380k. The pending sales median list days were 57 and 102 for the closed transactions. 

Jefferson County inventory also increased by three, now at 107 single-family listings. Five pending sales this week, at an average of $513,780, and four closed transactions, at $578,000, are consistent with the volumes of the past several weeks. The median list days for pending sales were 178 and 86 for the closed transactions.

Staying knowledgeable is imperative for buyers as the market picks up through summer. Sales occur quicker, and sellers with multiple showings are less inclined to enter drawn-out negotiation phases. I have already encountered multiple-offer situations this year, which can be challenging for buyers. With knowledge of the market, recognizing attractive properties becomes more manageable, as does making sense of prices. Most buyers in our market who have been looking for a while can relate to seeing homes they liked sell before they had a chance to make an offer. Putting in the time to learn our market will pay dividends when you are ready to make an offer.

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ACTIVE LISTINGS

Sisters considers tough new fire safety rules for new developments

SISTERS, Ore. -- The Sisters City Council will consider strict, new defensible space standards at next week’s city council meeting. Defensible space requirements would apply to all new development that increases lot coverage by 200 square feet or more.

The new standards would require fencing to be made out of non-flammable material where it touches a building or deck. An example would be a chain-linked fence.

Highly flammable trees and plants would not be allowed to be planted within 30 feet of the structure. The ordinance calls for a five-foot buffer zone free of combustible material and highly flammable vegetation.

The ordinance will be considered at the Tuesday, April 8, city council meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Absolutely! Here's a short article based on that information:

Former Bend Costco Site Now Available for Lease

BEND, Ore. – The former Costco Wholesale building at the Forum Shopping Center is officially on the market for lease. Located along U.S. Highway 20 on Bend’s Eastside, the property is listed by Commercial Realty Advisors Northwest.

Spanning more than 150,000 square feet on approximately 12 acres, the site offers substantial space and includes over 600 parking spots. While the listing highlights the property’s size and location, no lease rate is provided publicly. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the brokers directly for details.

The site was vacated when Costco relocated to its larger, new location just south of Cooley Road in 2023.

Foundation for Affordable Housing Announces New Development of Affordable Apartment Complex in La Pine

La Pine, OR - A new 39-unit affordable housing development is coming to La Pine’s Wickiup Junction area. Developed by the Foundation for Affordable Housing, the project—called Wickiup Station—will serve residents earning 30–60% of the area median income. Rents will start around $600/month with all utilities included, and 10 units will be reserved for veterans. The Earth Advantage-certified development will feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, community amenities, and environmental restoration efforts. Construction is set to begin in spring 2025 and wrap up by summer 2026. For leasing info, contact: [email protected].

 😎 Just sayin

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