In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

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

📅Save The Date Section

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰 Flooding and Debris Risks in Ochocos Prompt Safety Warning

📰Bend’s Rosie Bareis campus welcomes Thrive Central Oregon

📝Oregon Parks and Recreation seeks public input for trails plan through survey

⛸️🏒Ice Skating Season Ends at The Pavilion with Final Skate and Festivities

📰🏔️POWDR Corp. Cancels Sale of Mt. Bachelor, Announces New Perks

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🔥Early Morning Fire Damages Redmond Home and Outbuildings

🔥Unreported Fire at “Dirt World” Raises Safety Concerns in Bend

🚨Crime News

📰Community News

💖Community honors ski coach Brian Roberts with memorial race at Mt. Bachelor

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?

The New Events Newsletter Is Still in the Works
Thanks for your patience as we continue building out the new Central Oregon events newsletter! In the meantime, our embedded calendar is updated regularly—so be sure to check it out for the latest local happenings.

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.

REGISTER HERE

The Mousetrap

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LOCAL EVENTS

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Local News…

Flooding and Debris Risks in Ochocos Prompt Safety Warning

PRINEVILLE, Ore. -- Spring snow melt and recent storms have caused flooding issues across Central and Eastern Oregon. The Ochoco National Forest is warning visitors to be extra cautious when heading out into the mountains or to the Crooked River National Grasslands.

The Crooked River has seen two significant flooding events in late February and again in late March.

The Forest Service says spring runoff poses the biggest threat in burn scar areas of the Ochoco National Forest. It is warning of potential for debris flows in the Wiley Flat, Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek fire burn scar areas.

UFS said the public should be aware of increased tree fall and wind throw across the forest, especially in burned areas. 

Forest visitors are advised to:

• Check weather forecasts and road conditions before visiting.

• Avoid traveling through burned areas during or immediately after storms.

• Stay alert for falling trees, loose debris, and road or trail washouts.

Bend’s Rosie Bareis campus welcomes Thrive Central Oregon

Thrive Central Oregon, offering housing services for individuals and families, is moving into the Rosie Bareis Campus along 14th Street in Bend. Its addition expands the campus, which already houses several local non-profits.

Oregon Parks and Recreation seeks public input for trails plan through survey

SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking input from residents on the use and improvement of land and water trails across the state.

An online survey, open until April 30, invites feedback from all trail users, including hikers, bikers, equestrians, and boaters.

The survey aims to inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which guides OPRD and other agencies in setting priorities for grant funding and recommending actions to enhance trails over the next decade.

The plan covers both non-motorized and motorized trails, as well as water trails.

Jessica Horning, OPRD Statewide Trails Planner, emphasized the importance of public participation, stating, "Oregon is home to amazing recreational trails. Each year, more than 80% of Oregon residents recreate on trail systems across the state. We appreciate residents’ support and feedback, which will help make these systems even better in the future."

The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and participants can enter a drawing for a free Oregon State Parks annual parking permit. For more information, residents can visit the OPRD website or contact Jessica Horning at [email protected].

Ice Skating Season Ends at The Pavilion with Final Skate and Festivities

BEND, Ore. – The ice skating season at The Pavilion in Bend officially wrapped up on Saturday with a series of events to mark the end of the season. The final open skate took place from 1:45 to 4:00 p.m., followed by a 3-on-3 hockey game and pancake service on-site. The day concluded with the Bend Figure Skating Ice Show, which ran from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

With the season over, crews began transitioning the space for the upcoming roller skating season.

“Once the ice is taken out, we’ll clean the floor. The Bend Bullets will help us put their roller floor down. We’ll put that down the following week and open for roller skating on April 16 in coordination with the Bend-La Pine School District," said Pavilion Facility Supervisor Clare Gordon.

The popular Friday Night Roller Dance is set to return to the Pavilion at the end of May.

POWDR Corp. Cancels Sale of Mt. Bachelor, Announces New Perks

BEND, Ore. – POWDR Corp. confirmed Friday it will not sell Mt. Bachelor after months of speculation.

“After considering all facts and circumstances, POWDR has decided to retain ownership of Mt. Bachelor, indefinitely,” the company said, adding it looks forward to continuing its stewardship of the resort.

POWDR had announced the resort was up for sale last August. A local group, Mt. Bachelor Community Inc., hoped to buy it but said the bidding window closed before they could submit an offer. Still, the group’s leaders, Ryan Andrews and Dan Cochrane, said they weren’t surprised by POWDR’s decision and hope to pursue a community partnership with the company moving forward.

Funds raised for the local ownership effort will now go toward continuing those goals, according to Andrews and Cochrane.

Reactions on the mountain were mixed. Some skiers were relieved Mt. Bachelor would remain under current ownership, while others had hoped for new investment or the inclusion of an Ikon Pass option.

Along with the announcement, POWDR revealed it’s upgrading the resort’s power system and moving forward with the Advanced Wood Energy facility. It also introduced a new “Kids Ski Free” program—allowing any child 12 and under to be added to an adult unlimited or Outplay season pass at no extra cost.

Regional News…

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Early Morning Fire Damages Redmond Home and Outbuildings

Redmond, OR – April 5, 2025 — Redmond Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire early Saturday morning after multiple 911 calls reported flames near 2033 SW 30th Street. The first reports came in around 3:30 a.m., with callers indicating that more than one home might be involved. Based on those reports, additional firefighting units were dispatched to the scene.

When crews arrived, they found a single-family home, two sheds, and a wooden fence fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly deployed hoses to suppress the blaze and confirmed that all occupants had safely evacuated. Thanks to their rapid response, the fire was contained to the primary residence and nearby outbuildings, preventing it from spreading further.

No injuries were reported, and a damage estimate has not yet been released.

Investigators determined that the fire was sparked by embers from a recreational fire that ignited nearby combustible materials.

Redmond Fire & Rescue is reminding residents to fully extinguish recreational fires before leaving them unattended. The recommended method includes dousing the fire and surrounding area with water, stirring it with a shovel, and repeating the process until everything is cool to the touch.

The agency also urges everyone to regularly test their smoke alarms, develop a home escape plan, and practice it with family members.

Redmond Fire & Rescue expressed appreciation to Bend Fire & Rescue and Redmond Police for their support during the incident.

Unreported Fire at “Dirt World” Raises Safety Concerns in Bend
Witnesses report arson, ongoing fire risks linked to unsanctioned encampment

BEND, Ore. – April 5, 2025 — A large plume of black smoke was visible across Bend on Friday morning after a fire broke out at a city-owned property locally referred to as “Dirt World,” a site commonly known to host an unsanctioned homeless encampment. Despite the scale of the blaze and growing public concern, there has been no official statement from the City of Bend or local fire agencies.

Eyewitnesses say the fire started in or near a porta potty and dumpster, and appeared to be deliberately set. One local resident who drove past the scene shortly after the fire began reported seeing a police officer on the side of the road detaining a person in connection with the incident.

This marks the second fire in the area within the same week, according to residents. While Friday's fire did not require evacuations, previous fires at the location have prompted emergency responses and temporary evacuations of nearby homes. The recurring nature of these fires has raised alarms among locals about public safety and the city’s management of the property.

Photos and videos shared on social media show thick black smoke billowing from the site, prompting calls for action and accountability from city leaders. One post read, “This is happening every single week… Hold your local elected officials accountable. Or our city is going to burn to the ground.”

The City of Bend has not responded to inquiries about the incident or whether any arrests were made. Fire officials have also not confirmed the cause or extent of the damage.

Residents continue to voice frustration over what they say is a pattern of dangerous incidents tied to the city’s handling of homelessness on public land. For now, they are left with more questions than answers.

Crime News…

Community News…

Community honors ski coach Brian Roberts with memorial race at Mt. Bachelor

BEND, Ore. — On Sunday, skiers of all ages took to the slopes at Mt. Bachelor—not to win, but to remember.

In a tribute called “Brian’s Race,” hundreds of athletes gathered for a non-timed dual slalom to honor Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF) ski coach Brian Roberts, who died in an avalanche last month on Mount Bailey. He was 50.

The race began with his daughter, Taya, leading the charge, followed by a wave of athletes racing not for results, but for something far greater: love, loss and legacy.

“You can see the sticker. It says #SenditforBrian,” said coach Ben McLeod. “There’s green tape on people’s helmets. That’s to mark Brian and our love for him.”

Roberts was more than just a coach. He was a beacon of positivity and inclusion.

“He wouldn’t sit down until everyone was included or do anything until everyone was included,” Taya said.

“He loved skiing more than anything but his family,” said close friend Rob Kelleher. “He really wanted to give back to the kids. Once he joined MBSEF, it didn’t take long before all the kids wanted to be on Brian’s team.”

Roberts had more than 40 years of experience on the mountain and once competed at the World Cup level, but his greatest pride was being a husband and father. He leaves behind his wife, Heather, and their 11-year-old daughter.

“He would come back into the coach’s room just filled with energy,” McLeod said. “Always kind of a shining light—a good example of how to be a good human.”

Heather said Brian's passion will continue to guide the community forward.

“His passion will continue to live on for many, many of us,” she said. “And that gives me a lot of comfort to know.”

Sunday night, friends, family and teammates will gather again for a memorial service.

The Roberts family hopes to start a foundation in Brian’s name to help underprivileged kids learn to ski and experience the mountain joy he loved so deeply.

It’s one more way to carry his legacy down the mountain.

 😎 Just sayin

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