In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🎭 🥸Moustache Bash Returns This Saturday at 10 Barrel East!

🎄🎅 3rd Annual Lunch with Santa & Holiday Bazaar – Terrebonne

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🚗 Bend Expands Safe Parking Program with 3 New Sites

 🇺🇸 Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair Announces Run for Congress

 🚌 Sisters Unveils New Gateway Park and Mobility Hub

 🎿 Warm, Dry Weather Delays Mt. Bachelor’s Season Start

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 🔥 Late-Night Fire Displaces Family in Tumalo Area

🚨Crime News

 🚨 Vague Threat Prompts Swift Police Response in Prineville

⚖️ Former DAWNS House Director Sentenced for $300K Embezzlement

🚨 La Pine Woman Arrested on Multiple Charges Involving Minor - DSCO

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🚧Cascade Lakes Highway, Paulina Lake Road closed for season

🐾Pet of the Week

💖Meet Pops & Gibby – Bonded Chihuahua Besties Looking for Their Forever Lap

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

🧠 Test your Central Oregon knowledge!

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

🎭 Moustache Bash Returns This Saturday at 10 Barrel East!

Get ready to suit up and show off your best 'stache — the annual Moustache Bash hosted by Bend Firefighters is back this Saturday, November 22 from 5–9 PM at 10 Barrel Brewing – East (62950 NE 18th St, Bend). This lively fundraiser supports the Bend Firefighter’s Community Assistance Program, which helps local families in crisis beyond traditional emergency services.

Come dressed as your favorite action hero for a night of fun, prizes, and fundraising. Enjoy a costume contest, moustache contest (yes, fake ones count!), and a raffle packed with awesome prizes donated by local businesses. Learn more or donate at bendcommunityassistance.org.

🎄🎅 3rd Annual Lunch with Santa & Holiday Bazaar – Terrebonne

Get ready for a festive afternoon at the 3rd Annual Lunch with Santa & Holiday Bazaar! Happening Saturday, December 6th from 11 AM to 4 PM, this family-friendly event invites kids to enjoy holiday fun including make-your-own pizza, hot cocoa and cookies, holiday arts and crafts, and of course a photo with Santa. Parents can browse a selection of unique gifts at the holiday bazaar while the kiddos enjoy the activities.

The event takes place at 8483 NW Lone Pine Rd., Terrebonne. Tickets are $10 per child, and the day is hosted by Lone Pine Legacy. For more information, email [email protected] or call 541-383-4246.

Holiday Bazaar List and Thanksgiving Reservation List visit Tuesday’s Event Edition HERE

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Other Event Sources:

Visit Central Oregon Event Listings

Bend Magazine Event Listings

Local News…

 🚗 Bend Expands Safe Parking Program with 3 New Sites

BEND, OR — The City of Bend is expanding its Safe Parking Program with three new designated locations to help people experiencing homelessness. The added sites are near Les Schwab (south Bend), Westside Church (northwest), and the Deschutes County Public Safety Campus (north)—offering safe, legal, and sanitary places for individuals living in vehicles while they work toward permanent housing.

Operated by Mountain View Community Development, the program provides structure and support through weekly case management, daily staff presence, security cameras, and strict behavioral expectations, including quiet hours and pet control. Participants must actively work toward housing and commit to being respectful neighbors. Unlike previous managed camp proposals, this model has gained support from the community and local officials.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang praised the program’s low cost and high impact, calling it “a pathway out of homelessness.” The city plans to open additional Safe Parking sites and micro shelters soon, continuing its efforts to provide compassionate, community-supported solutions to homelessness.

 🇺🇸 Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair Announces Run for Congress

SISTERS, OR — Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair officially announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District on Friday morning. The seat is currently held by Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, who defeated Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the 2024 election.

In her campaign launch, Adair emphasized her background as a businesswoman, philanthropist, and public servant, highlighting decades of community service and her experience representing over 200,000 residents on the Deschutes County Commission. She pledged to bring bipartisan solutions to Washington, focusing on rising energy costs, accessible healthcare, resource management, and economic growth.

Framing her campaign as a contrast to what she called “partisan obstructionism” in D.C., Adair criticized Congresswoman Bynum for recent votes she characterized as harmful to Oregonians, including votes against government funding, military pay, and support programs like SNAP and Head Start.

Adair enters the race with endorsements from a slate of Republican leaders including State Representatives Bobby Levy, Alek Skarlatos, Kevin Mannix, and multiple county commissioners across Oregon.

 🚌 Sisters Unveils New Gateway Park and Mobility Hub

SISTERS, OR — The City of Sisters officially opened its new Gateway Park and Mobility Hub on Monday, marking a major step forward in local and regional transit access. Located just off Highway 20, west of downtown, the hub will serve as a key stop for regional and local bus routes, including connections to the Willamette Valley.

Designed with both function and community in mind, the space includes park amenities, green space, and even an RV dump station for travelers. “A property that feels more like a park than a traditional transit center helps create a sense of safety and attracts more daily use,” said Mayor Jennifer Letz.

Future additions will include electric vehicle charging stations and a small dog park, further enhancing the hub as a welcoming space for both commuters and visitors.

 🎿 Warm, Dry Weather Delays Mt. Bachelor’s Season Start

BEND, OR — What a difference a year makes. Last season, Mt. Bachelor Ski Area opened nearly two weeks early thanks to heavy early snowfall. This year, however, the slopes remain bare as unusually warm, dry weather lingers across Central Oregon.

As of Monday, only 18 inches of snowfall have been recorded this season, with a base depth of just two inches—far from what’s needed to kick off the ski season. The mountain’s West Village Snow Stake webcam showed bare ground, casting doubt on the scheduled November 28th opening.

Skiers and snowboarders will have to keep their fingers crossed for a shift in weather, as the mountain waits for the snow it needs to officially launch the 2025 season.

Fire & Rescue…

 🔥 Late-Night Fire Displaces Family in Tumalo Area

BEND, OR — A late-night blaze on November 17th destroyed a family home behind Three Sisters Adventist Christian School off Tumalo Road. The fire, reported just before midnight, began outside near the stovepipe of a woodstove, where radiant heat ignited the eaves after melting the vinyl gutter. Though smoke hadn't entered the home, the sound of crackling flames woke the resident—who quickly got everyone, including three children and multiple pets, out safely. Thanks to their swift response, the fire was contained to the attic, but the manufactured home sustained significant roof and water damage, rendering it uninhabitable. Estimated losses include $65,000 in structural damage and $25,000 in contents.

Bend Fire & Rescue urges all residents to have a practiced home fire escape plan to protect both family members and pets. For help creating one, contact Bend Fire & Rescue for guidance.

Crime News…

 🚨 Vague Threat Prompts Swift Police Response in Prineville

PRINEVILLE, OR — On Tuesday morning, November 18, Prineville Police responded to a vague, non-specific threat posted on social media. While there was no immediate danger indicated, officers took the matter seriously. The individual involved, known to law enforcement and with a history of behavioral health concerns, prompted an active search that spanned several locations throughout town. Residents may have noticed a significant police presence during the morning hours as officers followed up on multiple tips.

The person was safely taken into custody just after 1:00 p.m. near Paulina Highway on an outstanding arrest warrant. Authorities have confirmed there is no ongoing risk to the public, students, or school staff. Prineville Police extended their thanks to the Crook County Sheriff's Office and Crook County School District for their coordination and professionalism during the incident.

⚖️ Former DAWNS House Director Sentenced for $300K Embezzlement

BEND, OR — Dawn Holland, founder of the now-closed DAWNS House—a nonprofit once dedicated to helping women in recovery—was sentenced Monday to 3.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling over $300,000 from the organization. In addition to prison time, she was ordered to pay $400,000 in restitution, with $100,000 due immediately.

Holland admitted in a written statement that she developed an addiction to bidding sites like DealDash, initially using them to furnish homes for the nonprofit, but eventually spending large sums on unneeded items, many of which were left in storage. The court heard that her compulsive spending escalated during the pandemic, fueled by burnout, depression, and a gambling addiction that included casinos and online sites.

Her defense cited lack of oversight and personal struggles, while the board’s vice president called her actions deliberate and ongoing. Judge Wells Ashby acknowledged the duality of Holland’s impact—both the harm and the help—while Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels emphasized the betrayal of public trust. DAWNS House has since ceased operations, and the board plans to redistribute the recovered funds to other local nonprofits.

 🚨 La Pine Woman Arrested on Multiple Charges Involving Minor

BEND, OR — On Friday, November 14, 2025, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 22-year-old Sierra Stigall of La Pine on multiple charges related to alleged sexual encounters with a minor between May and July 2025.

While authorities confirm that Stigall was not employed by the Bend-La Pine School District during this period, she was coaching a U14 traveling baseball team in the La Pine area at the time of the incidents. Following an investigation and interview, Stigall was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on a range of serious charges including first- and second-degree sexual abuse, second-degree sodomy and rape, luring a minor, and online sexual corruption of a child.

Investigators currently have no evidence of additional victims. Anyone with concerns about possible inappropriate contact involving Stigall is urged to contact Detective Porter at (541) 633-6655.

Community News…

Regional News…

City of Bend Events

Road Construction

🚧Cascade Lakes Highway, Paulina Lake Road closed for season

BEND, Ore. -- The gates to the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road closed for winter Tuesday morning.

The roads are closed in late fall every year as because the snow piles up so high, it gets too expensive to remove, the Deschutes County Roads department says.

The gates typically reopen before Memorial Day.

 🐾 Pet(s) of the Week: Pops & Gibby – Bonded Chihuahua Besties Looking for Their Forever Lap

Say hello to Pops and Gibby—two pocket-sized charmers who just arrived in Central Oregon after an epic rescue flight from Oklahoma, courtesy of the heroes at Dog is My Copilot. These two little chihuahua boys aren’t just adorable—they’re inseparable, and we're hoping to find a special someone ready to open their heart and home to both.

🐶 Meet Pops

Age: 8 years | Weight: 7.5 lbs | In Foster | Adoption Fee: $300
Pops is a mellow gentleman who’s the total package—house trained, a fantastic leash walker, a cat lover (yes, really!), and a professional snuggler who snores contentedly on the pillow next to his human. He’s quiet, easygoing, loves car rides, and bonds quickly. He’s what we call an “easy keeper”—you won’t even know he’s around… until you fall completely in love.

🐕 Meet Gibby

Age: 5 years | Weight: 4.6 lbs | In Foster | Adoption Fee: $300
Tiny, sensitive, and full of soul, Gibby (aka "Gibbs") is the quieter yin to Pops' relaxed yang. He loves soaking up sunbeams, soft cuddles, and peaceful garden walks. Due to his petite size and fragile frame, Gibby needs a calm, understanding home—ideally with gentle doggy friends and older kids. He’s working on house manners (adorable belly bands included!) and prefers soft food for his tiny teeth. He may freeze when picked up, but when you give him time, he’ll happily become your little shadow.

🎉 Adoption Special Alert
Because these two are best buds, Street Dog Hero is offering a special discounted adoption rate for the lucky adopter who takes them both. A flexible in-home trial is available—so you can make sure the fit is just right.

🦴 Ready to Meet Pops & Gibby?
They’re waiting in loving foster homes in Central Oregon and would love to meet you! Start your adoption journey at streetdoghero.org and submit an application today to get on their interest list.

Let’s give this dynamic duo the forever home they deserve. 💕 

 😎Just sayin

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