Good Morning, Central Oregon!

Spring is definitely buzzing — and so is this edition of C.O. Local Buzz! From Easter brunch ideas and upcoming events to updates on local leadership, fire season prep, and one seriously determined marine shop in Madras, we've got plenty to keep you in the loop. We’ve got the answer to this week’s Local Trivia Wednesday, catch the latest on Bend’s police activity and road projects, and see what’s new with real estate.

Let’s dive in — and don’t miss the meme of the day (because... you know it’s spring when... 🔥❄️).

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Bend Police Continue Search for Two Suspects Who Fled Traffic Stop in NE Bend

BEND, Ore. — Police are actively searching for two men who fled on foot after a high-speed attempt to evade a traffic stop in northeast Bend Thursday morning.

Just after 10:30 a.m., officers attempted to pull over a silver Kia Rio near Deschutes Market and Yeoman roads. They believe one of the car’s occupants, 46-year-old Bend resident David Alan Mills, was involved in an earlier weapons offense that occurred around 3:30 a.m. on NE Bellevue Drive.

Instead of stopping, the driver sped into the Solis at Petrosa apartment complex, where both the driver and passenger jumped out and ran south. As of early Thursday afternoon, neither has been located.

Police describe Mills as a white male with a shaved head who may be armed. The second suspect has not been identified but was seen wearing a black flat-billed baseball cap.

At around 11:20 a.m., Deschutes County dispatch issued emergency alerts to residents within a half-mile of the scene, advising them not to approach the suspects and to call 911 if they are spotted. Trinity Lutheran School and Eastmont School were both notified of the ongoing situation, though nearby schools were not in session Thursday.

A large law enforcement presence remains in the area as the investigation continues.

Bend Man Arrested Following Shooting Near NE Purcell Blvd

BEND, Ore. — A 29-year-old Bend man was arrested Thursday night in connection with a shooting near NE Purcell Boulevard that damaged a vehicle but left no one injured.

Bend Police responded around 6:36 p.m. to reports of gunfire near Team Kia of Bend. Witnesses reported that someone in a gray Audi station wagon had fired at the occupants of a Honda and then fled the area.

When officers arrived, they found evidence confirming a shooting had occurred. While the Honda had been struck by gunfire, none of its occupants were injured.

Investigators identified the suspected shooter as Tyler Jacob Mendoza and tracked him to an apartment complex on SE Tempest Drive. Officers from Bend Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, along with members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT), responded to the location and arrested Mendoza at approximately 9:34 p.m.

He was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. The handgun believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered.

Bend Drunk Driver Sentenced to 8 Years

A Bend man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty in a crash that killed his passenger. The fatal incident has reignited community conversations around impaired driving and road safety in Central Oregon.

Real Estate News…

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Central Oregon Market Report | April 16, 2025

by Reed Melton

While mortgage rates may be volatile, the range of volatility is approximately 30 basis points, which, in the big picture, doesn't change mortgage affordability much. This morning, the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage is 6.88%, down from recent highs and in line with the last several months. Like most news, getting caught up in the daily minutia of interest rates takes the focus off what matters. YTD, sales are still slightly ahead of 2024, which was better than 2023. Prices remain stable or rising when compared to the median sale price of the last two years. Sellers might not see the remarkable appreciation of 2020 through 2022, but sales in many price points are brisk. Buyers confront affordability issues that have remained stable, which makes planning a purchase much easier. Rising inventory continues as expected for late spring.

Single-family listings in Deschutes County increased by 84 this week, now at 1,108. This level of homes for sale has not been matched since October 30, when there were 1,125 listings, and is ahead of last year's pace, when we did not see this volume until June 19, when it was 1,156. With seventy pending sales this week at a median list time of only twenty-one days and a median list price of $744,669, there is no indication of a faltering market. Market strength is also apparent in the sold data, with fifty-one closings this week marketed only twenty-nine days before finding a buyer and a median sale price of $898,069. The median price reduction for pending sales was -2.83% and -2.78% for closed transactions, further proving a strong market. 

 Crook County single-family home listings increased by fourteen this week, now at 184. Eight pending sales marketed a median of fifty days with an average sale price of $501,044 show activity below the median active list price of $675k. Two homes closed this week, one on the south side of the Prineville Reservoir at $499k and the other in Brasada Ranch for $2,447,700. Powell Butte and Brasada Ranch consistently record the highest sale prices in Crook County. 

Jefferson County saw an increase of eight listings, showing 124 single-family homes for sale. Five sales are pending at an average of $360k, listed for just thirty-seven days. One transaction closed for $377,225, listed for 359 days. Every home has a buyer, and patience can be a virtue when selling in the outlying areas of Central Oregon. 

Inventory growth in Central Oregon creates opportunities for buyers, but it is constrained enough to keep prices relatively firm. Desirable properties either sell immediately, have multiple offers, or both. Each property is subject to unique appeal; even in the hottest markets, the results are uneven. Accurate pricing, a solid strategy, and a plan for different scenarios are essential for sellers to remember. For buyers, working closely with a lender to take advantage of rate dips and working to understand your particular market segment will help identify the right property. There may be more time to consider properties before making an offer than in years past, but missing out on a great fit never feels good. The next several months in real estate are the busiest of the year, and taking action is necessary when the right property comes along.

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Deschutes County Won’t Hear More Tribal Testimony in Thornburgh Resort Case

BEND, Ore. — The Deschutes County Commission voted 2-1 to bar new public testimony on tribal fishing rights in the long-running Thornburgh resort case. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs had requested more time to present evidence on how the 2,400-acre development could harm treaty-protected fish populations. Commissioners Tony DeBone and Patti Adair voted to keep the record closed, while Phil Chang dissented.

The resort’s updated fish and wildlife mitigation plan, which cuts water use by 35%, was approved in 2023 but sent back for review by courts. The county will only accept new input on the economic analysis portion, not tribal rights or habitat impacts. The tribes say the move silences indigenous knowledge and undermines their treaty rights, which guarantee fishing access in traditional areas, including Deschutes Basin rivers. A final decision from the county is still pending.

Madras Marine Moves Into Larger Location, Expands Services

MADRAS, Ore. — Longtime family-owned business Madras Marine has officially moved into a new, much larger location in south Madras, tripling its space and expanding services. The Walkers, who took over the company in 2023, purchased the former Parr Lumber/Summit Structures property to accommodate more boat and RV storage, repairs, and a wider selection of fishing and outdoor gear.

Founded in 1954 and operated by three generations, Madras Marine is now one of the region’s only dealers for STIHL equipment and Minn Kota trolling motors. With 10 employees and plans to grow, the business says the move helps them better serve Central Oregon’s outdoor community.

SE Bend Residents Push Back Against PacifiCorp’s Transmission Line Proposal

BEND, Ore. — Homeowners in the Sundance neighborhood of southeast Bend are pushing back against PacifiCorp’s proposed transmission line route, voicing strong concerns about the project's impact on their community. The route, known as Route B, is part of a 180-mile transmission line that would stretch from Powell Butte near Redmond to southern Klamath County.

Under the current proposal, 180-foot towers would be placed within roughly 750 yards of residential properties. Neighbors are alarmed by the potential visual impact, threats to local wildlife, and heightened wildfire risks. Many also fear the project could reduce property values and lead to higher insurance premiums.

The area is home to various wildlife, including migrating birds and mule deer, and residents worry the construction and long-term presence of the towers could significantly disrupt these natural habitats.

PacifiCorp has said the project is needed to support growing energy demands and integrate renewable energy sources across central and southern Oregon. The company maintains that the transmission line route has not been finalized and that public input remains a key part of the decision-making process.

Community members will have additional opportunities to voice their concerns at upcoming public forums scheduled for April 23 in Redmond and April 24 in Bend.

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