In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🔥🚒 2 Different apartment Fires in Bend

🚨 Man faces multiple charges after allegedly threatening a tour group with a firearm

⛽ Recent Gas Prices - Find the cheapest station near you

🎄 Christmas Trees Available from the Boy Scouts

🏈 Sports - MVHS vs WHS / Ducks vs Beavs

 📅 Lots of Events

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A fire erupted in a newly built apartment on Bend's South West side

On November 24th, 5:15pm. Bend Fire & Rescue arrived at the 6th-floor apartment to tackle a kitchen fire. The incident occurred as a new resident, in the midst of moving in, inadvertently placed flammable items on the stove, accidentally activating a burner before leaving momentarily to continue moving belongings. Upon hearing the fire alarm, the resident returned to find the stove area engulfed in flames. Quick to react, they dialed 911, using a nearby fire extinguisher to contain the blaze, preventing further spread and averting the activation of sprinklers. The fire was extinguished by the fire crews, who then ventilated and cleared the kitchen area. The resident will likely remain displaced until the room is restored, with damages estimated at around $5,000. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

The incident underscores the Fire Prevention message of the year—kitchen fires as a leading cause of home fires. Highlighting the danger of placing combustible items on stovetops, the incident reinforces the risks associated with leaving cooking unattended, stressing the importance of having working smoke alarms and accessible fire extinguishers to minimize potential fire damage.

Fire Sprinkler System Saves Bend Apartment Complex from Potential Disaster

An apartment fire erupted at the Stillwater Apartments on Atwood Dr in SE Bend, triggering multiple alarms and prompting a swift response from the Bend Fire Department on November 23, 2023. Initially reported as a fire alarm activation, concerned tenants soon alerted emergency services to smoke billowing from a first-floor apartment.

Upon arrival, Bend Fire deployed five engines, a ladder truck, ambulance, command, and a fire marshal to the scene. Fortunately, the building was mostly evacuated when authorities arrived, and it was determined that no one was present in the apartment where the fire had ignited.

The blaze was swiftly contained by the activation of the apartment's fire sprinkler system, which had initially triggered the fire alarm. Firefighters used fans to ventilate smoke from the affected areas while ensuring that other sections of the building remained unaffected and safe for re-entry by occupants.

The fire's origin was traced to an electric skateboard being charged in a bedroom, specifically due to a malfunction or failure of the skateboard's batteries. This incident highlighted the importance of precautions when charging lithium-powered devices, urging individuals to avoid leaving them plugged in unattended. Recommendations included charging devices to full capacity and promptly disconnecting them from power sources, along with immediate discontinuation of use if batteries or chargers exhibit damage or malfunction.

The damage was contained to minor fire damage in the bedroom where the fire started and water damage to the ground floor apartment. Thankfully, the swift action of the sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading to other units, potentially endangering numerous occupants in the building's 36 apartments.

Bend Fire Department issued a reminder to exercise caution when charging devices powered by lithium batteries, emphasizing proper maintenance, correct charging practices, and avoiding overcharging to minimize fire risks associated with these devices.

Man faces multiple charges after allegedly threatening a tour group with a firearm

Bend, Oregon - On November 24, 2023, an alarming incident unfolded near China Hat Rd. in the vicinity of Forest Service Rd. 1810, resulting in the arrest of Nathaniel G. Bennett, a 34-year-old transient individual. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported weapons offense at around 3:00 pm, initiating a tense standoff that culminated in Bennett's apprehension.

According to reports from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Bennett reportedly confronted a tour group riding utility terrain vehicles near his camp. The situation quickly escalated as Bennett allegedly brandished a firearm and discharged it dangerously close to a juvenile female within the group.

Responding deputies arrived at the scene and attempted to peacefully engage Bennett, but their efforts were met with resistance. Subsequently, additional law enforcement personnel, including SWAT teams and negotiators, were called in to address the escalating confrontation.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office utilized specialized resources, including an armored vehicle and canine units, in an attempt to safely apprehend Bennett, who had sought refuge in his van and was believed to have access to more weapons. After a standoff, K9s Ronin and Delta were deployed and successfully apprehended Bennett.

Following the altercation, Bennett was taken into custody and subsequently transported by Bend Fire to SCMC Bend for a medical evaluation due to potential injuries sustained during the K9 capture. He faces a litany of charges, including Unlawful Use of a Weapon (three counts), Coercion, Menacing (three counts), Attempted Assault in the 4th Degree, and Reckless Endangering (two counts).

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to Bend Fire for their swift response and invaluable assistance in transporting the suspect. Bennett is scheduled to be lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail to await further legal proceedings regarding the aforementioned charges.

The gas price fluctuate between $3.63 and $4.09 in Bend as of 2023-11-26. Find the cheapest station near you.

The national average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas on Sunday is $3.253, a week ago the price is $3.313 , according to AAA.

In OR the average gallon of gas cost was around $4.052 Sunday, a week ago the price is $4.121, according to information from the American Automobile Association. The average price in Bend was $3.85.

Here's a list of stations and their prices near you. In Bend, the gas price ranges from $3.63 to $4.09 according to GasBuddy.

^{Regular: REG Midgrade: MID Premium: PREM Diesel: DSL}

Christmas Trees Available from the Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts are selling Christmas trees at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Bend. The parking lot at ReStore was filled to the brim Saturday with Noble Fir trees. Troop 90 has been selling those trees for more than a decade. The Scouts sell 300 to 400 trees each year. Troop 90 consists of 35 Scouts and 2 new Eagle Scouts. 

Top-seeded Wildcats overcome 13-point deficit in second half to top Mountain View 29-23 for first state championship since 2004

November 24, 2023 by Jerry Ulmer, OSAAtoday

HILLSBORO – Staring at a 13-point deficit in the third quarter, Wilsonville's football team found itself dangling on the edge of another disappointing state-championship game defeat Friday night.

This time, though, the Wildcats wouldn't be denied.

Senior quarterback Kallen Gutridge connected with junior Nick Crowley for two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter as the top-seeded Wildcats (12-1) rallied to overtake No. 3 Mountain View 29-23 in the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 5A final at Hillsboro Stadium.

Winning their first title since 2004 lifted a giant weight off the Wildcats, who lost in the state championship game in 2016, 2018 and 2022.

“Finally winning it is just so special,” Crowley said. “I wanted to do this for all those guys that we lost it with, that wanted it so bad, and people that left without one. So this is for them.”

Wilsonville coach Adam Guenther claimed his first state championship in 14 seasons with the team. Wilsonville has won six state titles in boys basketball – five since 2016 – but had a long wait to claim its second blue trophy in football.

Keep Reading

Oregon vs. Oregon State score: Ducks dominate Beavers, set up Washington rematch in Pac-12 Championship Game

By Tom Fornelli

Nov 25, 2023 at 12:10 am ET

No. 6 Oregon punched its ticket to the Pac-12 Championship Game with a 31-7 win over rival No. 16 Friday in what will be the final regular season game in the Pac-12 for the Ducks. It could also be the final game between these in-state rivals for a long time.

It was a game that was every bit as lopsided as the score suggests, and possibly more so. Oregon set the tone from the start, going 88 yards on a 15-play touchdown drive to start the game that lasted 8 minutes and 41 seconds. It was the first of many long, soul-sucking, time-killing drives by the Ducks. Oregon had no use for its punter until it'd already built a 31-7 lead in the fourth quarter.

Bo Nix turned in a masterful performance as he finished with 367 yards passing, 31 yards rushing and three total touchdowns. It was the kind of performance sure to help his Heisman Trophy candidacy.

Keep Reading

What’s Up Central Oregon?

❄️Winter Wonderland Downtown Bend

Starting Nov. 15th, Bend downtown stores will be decorating their windows and stores for the 2023 Winter Wonderland contest.  Sponsored by Downtown Bend Association, contest winners will be announced Jan 15th.  In the meantime, wander the streets of downtown seeing the magic that store owners have created for the holidays. 

November 27th (Monday)

• Rhythm of the Dance By Tower Theatre Foundation

  Tower Theatre 835 NW Wall St. Bend

  7:30 - 10 pm

  Tickets

November28th (Tuesday)

•  Hoodoo’s Wintervention

  @ General Duffy’s Waterhole 404 SW Forest Ave Redmond, OR

  6 pm -8pm

Songwriter in the Round with Jeshua Marshall, John Shipe, Lilly Worona and Mark Ransom.

Silver Moon Brewery 24 NW Greenwood Ave Bend

6 pm

November 29th (Wednesday)

• Senior Day at High Desert Museum Free

  59800 US-97 Bend

  10 am - 4pm

• Bevel Puttin Mayhem

  Bevel Craft Brewing 911 SE Armour Rd Bend

  5:30 pm -8:30 pm

November 30th (Thursday)

• 2023 Annual Northwest Crossing Christmas Tree Lighting Tree location is on the east side of the Harcourts The Garner Group Real Estate office at 2762 NW Crossing Dr.

  5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

• Dance Lessons at The Cricket

  20565 NE Brinson Blvd Bend

  7 pm - 10 pm

December 1st (Friday)

• Bend Moonlight Market: Naughty or Nice

  Open Space Event Studios 40 NW Greenwood Ave Bend

  3 pm - 11pm

• Journey to Bethlehem

  Bend Adventist Fellowship 21610 NE Butler Market Rd Bend

  6 pm - 9 pm

December 2nd (Saturday)

• Bend Christmas Parade

  Start time 12 pm

• Reindeer Rush Downtown Bend

  11 am

• Schilling’s 2023 Holiday Makers Market

  64640 Old Bend Redmond Highway Bend

  10 am - 4pm Tickets

• Holiday Bazaar

  Redmond Senior Center 499 NW 3rd St, Redmond

  9 am -3 pm

• Holiday Sip & Shop

  Wild Ride Brewing 332 SW 5th St Redmond

  11 am - 4 pm

• Grand Reopening Party

  American Legion Ray Johnson Post 44 704 SW 8th St Redmond

  2pm

December 3rd (Sunday)

• 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

  Luckey’s Woodsman Off-Grid Provisions

  352 E Hood Ave unit B Sisters, OR 97759

  5 pm

• Schilling’s 2023 Holiday Makers Market

  64640 Old Bend Redmond Highway Bend

  10 am - 4pm Tickets

Upcoming Event Highlight

The Redmond Community Choir presents their Sounds of the Season holiday concert. The concert is free to the public (donations are appreciated). The Redmond Community Choir is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, and is a COCC Community Education program.

Sunday December 10th 4pm at Redmond High School 675 SW Rimrock Way Redmond

Deschutes Public Library Calendar

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