Monday in Central Oregon: Fire, Community & New Beginnings From the Editor Good Monday morning, Central Oregon! We’re kicking off the week with a fresh roundup of local news from across the region. Bend Police say an accidental gunshot traveled through the floor of a home and injured a woman downstairs, while Deschutes County has opened its first managed homeless camp in Redmond.
We’re also sharing the story of a longtime Prineville-area rancher who stayed behind as the Rowe Creek Complex reached his property — and ended up lending firefighters his own equipment. Plus, Nosler welcomed a big crowd to its new Redmond showroom, Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for more local mentors, and Oregon is getting ready to launch its own health insurance marketplace this fall. Here’s what you need to know to start your week. ⛰️Bend 🔫 Accidental Gunshot Travels Through Floor, Injures Bend Woman A 24-year-old Bend woman was taken to St. Charles Bend Saturday night after police say a gun accidentally fired in an upstairs bedroom and the bullet traveled through the floor, striking her in the arm and abdomen. Police responded to a home in the 63000 block of Layton Avenue around 8:08 p.m. and said her injuries were not life-threatening.
Investigators said 53-year-old Brandon Paul Ferris was showing a 9 mm handgun to a visitor when he mistakenly loaded a live round instead of a training cartridge and fired. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of third- and fourth-degree assault. Bend Police also reminded gun owners to treat every firearm as loaded and keep it pointed in a safe direction. Read more → ✈️Redmond 🏕️ Deschutes County Opens First Managed Homeless Camp in Redmond Deschutes County has opened its first managed homeless camp in Redmond, with space for about 36 people. The site sits next to Oasis Village and is intended for people who may not be able to use traditional shelters or other existing programs.
The camp is operated by Bend-based nonprofit First Light, which calls the program “A Healing Village.” Residents are expected to keep their campsites clean, be safe and respectful neighbors, and work toward an individual plan for moving out of homelessness. First Light is bringing people into the site gradually, and county officials say there could be room to expand the program later. Read more → 🐎Prineville 🔥 Prineville Rancher Lends Fire Crews a Hand — and His Equipment Ray Sessler has lived with his wife, Bonnie, on their Highway 26 ranch about 16 miles east of Prineville for 43 years. When the Rowe Creek Complex burned to the edge of their property, Bonnie evacuated into town — but Ray stayed behind, watching as flames swept across nearby hills and several hundred acres of their land burned.
Sessler, who spent 35 years with the Paulina Rural Fire Protection District, ended up helping the crews protecting his home by lending them his small fire truck and Caterpillar bulldozer. Firefighters also helped save the couple’s cabin three miles away, where defensible space and retardant drops helped keep the flames back. After three different crews cycled through the property, the ranch, barns, homes and cabin were still standing. “We’re lucky,” Sessler said. Read more → 💼Business News 🎯 Nosler Opens New Redmond Showroom as Move from Bend Continues Hundreds of people turned out Saturday for the grand opening of Nosler’s new retail showroom in Redmond, where the longtime Central Oregon company is continuing its move from Bend. The celebration included special pricing, food trucks, door prizes and a raffle featuring rifles, ammunition and other Nosler products.
The company is bringing its production and employees together at a new 75,000-square-foot Redmond facility. Nosler Business Development Director John Nason said putting the operation on one campus will make manufacturing and shipping more efficient. The facility is still being finished, and the company hopes to hold a larger grand opening within the next year so the public can tour the operation and meet employees. Read more → 🌞Central Oregon 🤝 78 Central Oregon Kids Are Waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister As kids head back to school, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon says 78 local youth are currently waiting to be matched with a mentor. The program pairs children with a consistent adult who can spend time with them a couple of days each month — whether that means grabbing a snack, taking a hike, doing a craft, going to a local event or simply hanging out.
BBBSCO, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, says mentors don’t need special training or experience with kids; the biggest need is for adults willing to show up consistently and build a relationship. The organization is also enrolling Little Sisters ages 6 to 17 who live in Bend. Read more → 🗺Regional News 🩺 Oregon’s New State Health Insurance Marketplace Launches Nov. 1 Oregon has received conditional federal approval to launch Explore Health, its own state-run health insurance marketplace, beginning Nov. 1. The new platform will replace HealthCare.gov for Oregonians who buy individual coverage rather than receiving insurance through an employer or programs such as Medicare, the Oregon Health Plan or Veterans Affairs.
Through Explore Health, residents will be able to compare plans, check whether they qualify for financial help and enroll in coverage. The change stems from legislation passed in 2023, and state officials say more information about open enrollment and consumer assistance will be released in the coming weeks. Read more → That’s the Sunday roundup! We’ll be back with more Central Oregon news, events and local happenings in the next Buzz. Have a great start to your week! | 
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