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?

📰Effort to repeal Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map clears key legislative hurdle

🎗️Visit Central Oregon Awards $280K in Tourism Grants

📰ODOT Hosting Free Virtual Work Session for Oregon Businesses

📰Rep. Levy Introduces Bill to Close School Security Gap for Sex Offender Screening

🐕‍🦺Deschutes County sheriff's deputy and his K-9 retire together after years of service 🎦

📰Regional News

📰 Burns Residents Return to Flood-Damaged Homes as New Threat Looms

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

🔥Bend Woman Accused of Setting Fire That Killed Two Cats

📰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?

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…

Effort to repeal Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map clears key legislative hurdle

SALEM, Ore. – The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire voted unanimously Tuesday to send a proposal to potentially repeal the controversial Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map to a full Senate vote. Democrats and Republicans are both applauding the move, which also repeals the property maintenance rules for higher-hazard areas.

The map was approved under 2021's Senate Bill 762, but has been under assault after the 2022 version and the updated map were rolled out. Critics say the map is overly-broad and does not account for individual homeowners who take extra measures to protect their properties from wildfire.

By law, insurance companies are not allowed to use the map to set rates and policies. The state says those companies have their own maps and risk assessments. But that hasn't stopped many homeowners from blaming the map for seeing their premiums go up, losing coverage or having sales of the property fall through.

Senate Bill 83, which makes changes related toward reducing wildfire risk, now moves to the Senate floor for a vote. Lawmakers say that includes repealing the map.

“As a whole, SB 762 programs have great support across the state, but the hazard map, which flunked the basic common-sense test for so many property owners, had Oregonians angry and divided,” Committee Chair Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, said in a statement. “Repealing the map clears the way to good collaborative programs on the ground. Now the challenge is to fund them at the levels we need.”

“Rural Oregonians raised their voices and demanded action, and as a result, we’re finally seeing real progress. Senate Bill 83 puts power back in the hands of the people, not government bureaucrats," Senate and House Republicans said in a joint statement. "The wildfire hazard map caused fear and uncertainty, burdening families with costly and unfair one-size-fits-all mandates. This bill repeals that mess, empowers people to protect their homes without the threat of government interference, and focuses on practical solutions for wildfire prevention."

If it passes the Senate, the bill would then need to pass the House.

Sen. Anthony Broadman and Rep. Emerson Levy, both Democrats from Bend, have previously called for the map's repeal.

The current map is a revised version of the original Wildfire Risk Map that was released in 2022. The original was quickly taken down after backlash over some areas that were considered high risk.

Visit Central Oregon Awards $280K in Tourism Grants

Visit Central Oregon has awarded $280,000 to seven local projects through its Future Fund, which reinvests lodging tax dollars from visitors back into the community. The 2025 grants focus on accessibility, cultural tourism, and stewardship.

This year’s recipients include:

• Antelope 3, LLC – Final phase of the Antelope Pavilion project, offering amenities for rural travelers.

• Dirty Freehub – A pocket guide to Central Oregon’s top gravel cycling routes.

• Explore Prineville – An adaptive golf cart to make the sport accessible to all.

• Deschutes River Alliance – Inclusive outreach and scholarships for Troutfest 2025.

• High Desert Museum – New exhibitions exploring regional culture and science.

• Oregon Adaptive Sports – Expanding adaptive outdoor recreation programs.

• Tower Theatre Foundation – ADA upgrades including a new wheelchair lift and automatic door.

The Future Fund aims to ensure visitor spending supports local communities and enriches the experience for both residents and tourists alike.

ODOT Hosting Free Virtual Work Session for Oregon Businesses

Oregon businesses are invited to attend a free virtual work session hosted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on Thursday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event will cover key topics including business certifications, small and disadvantaged business programs, upcoming ODOT projects, and opportunities to connect with prime contractors.

The session is designed to help businesses better understand how to work with ODOT and expand their opportunities in the public sector.

Registration is open now at https://bit.ly/4lnJkAk.

Rep. Levy Introduces Bill to Close School Security Gap for Sex Offender Screening

BEND, Ore. -- Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend, announced legislation Monday aimed preventing sex offenders from being allowed inside schools. It comes nearly three years after a convicted child sex offender was allowed through a secure door at a Bend middle school.

House Bill 3839 requires Oregon State Police to ensure that Level 1 and Level 2 sex offender information is available to school districts and entities that manage visitor services for school districts. Levy said she has been working with Bend-La Pine School District Superintendent Dr. Steve Cook on the legislation.

“Despite investing millions of dollars in school security—including sophisticated visitor management systems like Raptor—we discovered a critical flaw in our sex offender screening process,” Cook said during a public hearing. “Our current system in Oregon, which we believed was comprehensive, can only identify Level 3 sex offenders, approximately 5.3% of all registered sex offenders in Oregon, leaving almost 95% of Oregon’s registered sex offenders undetected.”

On June 7, 2022, a convicted child sex offender got past a secure door and into High Desert Middle School. Surveillance video showed Thomas Lee Bear being let into the school to use the restroom. He's seen interacting with at least two men and a woman inside before being escorted out. The district said he did not gain access to hallways or classrooms and was never in the presence of children. 

The district went on to say that allowing Bear to come inside beyond the secure area of the school without a mandatory check-in was a violation of district policy. One month later, a school district investigation revealed there had been more instances of people being allowed in to use the restroom without proper check-in. 

Regional News…

Burns Residents Return to Flood-Damaged Homes as New Threat Looms

BURNS, Ore. — As floodwaters slowly recede in Burns, residents are finally able to return to their homes—only to find devastation left behind. More than 80 homes have been deemed uninhabitable, and critical infrastructure, including the city's sewer system, has been badly damaged.

Just a week ago, residents had to reach their homes by boat. Today, they wade through lingering water in rain boots or waders, only to be met by swollen doors, mold, rotting food, and the overwhelming stench of contaminated floodwater. For many without flood insurance, the question now is: what comes next?

Kat Komperda, who evacuated her home on March 28, is one of many struggling to rebuild. “This is pretty much the clothes on my body,” she said. “All my computers got ruined that I use for my remote work. My microphones, everything else—I would have to repurchase again.”

The Komperdas have been staying at the Red Cross emergency shelter at the Harney County Fairgrounds. More than 130 people have sought refuge there so far.

“They’ve lost so much. They are scared. They don’t know what the next steps are,” said Red Cross volunteer Mary Furr. “I’ve been amazed at their inner strength.”

The family’s car, flooded and inoperable, is just one of many. And insurance offers little hope. “Our insurance company told us they wouldn’t cover anything because we’re in a flood zone,” said Jaqueline Komperda. “They basically said, ‘That’s what you get for moving into a small town.’”

The destruction extends beyond private property. According to Burns Police Chief Steve McCartney, “Our sewer infrastructure is destroyed. It will cost millions to repair.” With sewage now backing up into basements—even outside the official flood zone—McCartney emphasized the urgent need for state and federal aid.

Emergency management teams, including the Army Corps of Engineers and local contractors, are working to shore up the damaged Dike D levee as the next round of flooding approaches. With snowmelt expected to push the Silvies River back to flood stage by Tuesday, sandbagging operations have resumed, and additional evacuations could be ordered at any time.

While the City of Burns’ drinking water remains safe, health officials warn that floodwaters are contaminated with E. coli and other harmful bacteria. Residents are urged to avoid contact with standing water and to disinfect any gear that comes into contact with it.

Local agencies, unified under the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, continue to coordinate relief efforts. Updates and resources, including shelter locations, safety advisories, and public health information, are available at harneycountyor.gov/flood.

Financial assistance is also available. “We’re starting to provide immediate assistance,” said Isabel Andersen, Red Cross regional communications manager. “Visit redcross.org/gethelp to apply if your home was damaged.”

Chief McCartney said local programs like the Urban Renewal Association are in place to offer up to $25,000 in home improvement grants, but those funds are limited. “We hope the state and federal government can add to those funds so we can help more residents—especially those without insurance.”

Meanwhile, many displaced families, including the Komperdas, are turning to GoFundMe and other platforms to raise money to recover what they’ve lost.

Despite the challenges, Kat Komperda is trying to stay hopeful. “I’m going to keep my eyes on the sky. Be hopeful. Keep my eyes on God and keep going forward. Put value on the present and keep moving forward. Whatever opportunities are out there, I’ll grab them.”

 City of Bend Events

Fire & Rescue News…

Crime News…

Bend Woman Accused of Setting Fire That Killed Two Cats

BEND, Ore. — A 65-year-old Bend woman is facing arson and animal abuse charges after allegedly setting fire to her own home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Bend Police and fire crews responded around 1:35 a.m. on April 6 to a structure fire on the 19900 block of Waterfall Lane in the Romaine Village neighborhood. When officers arrived, they found two residents and a dog safely outside the home, but two cats had perished in the fire.

Investigators say the fire began in the kitchen and was intentionally set by one of the residents, Wendi Thornton. The other occupant called 911 to report the blaze.

Thornton was taken to St. Charles Bend for medical evaluation. Police say she will be booked into the Deschutes County Jail upon her release, facing charges of first-degree arson and two counts of first-degree animal abuse.

The incident remains under investigation.

Community News…

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