In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🎭 The Prince of Egypt Hits the Stage — A Musical Journey You Won’t Forget!

😂Comedy Chaos: East Side

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🤸‍♀️ Central Oregon Classic Flips Into Bend This Weekend

📹 Redmond Police Set to Roll Out Major Camera Tech Upgrade

🕊️ Prineville Mourns the Passing of Former Mayor Betty Roppe

📸 Bend Shuts Off and Will Remove Controversial Flock License‑Plate Cameras

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

 🛑 Bend Man Held Without Bail After Wife Found Dead

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘️💼Real Estate & Business News

🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

⛳ Madras Considers Future of Desert Peaks Golf Club

🏢 Jackstraw Apartments at Box Factory Still Seeking Tenants

🌿 Redmond’s First Marijuana Dispensary Opens, Ending Long-Standing Ban

🏗️ Serán Bioscience Celebrates Topping‑Out on New NE Bend Facility

🔬 Arrayjet Opens First U.S. Printing Suite in Bend With Grace Bio‑Labs

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

✅ Answer: A) Snowiest: 2016–17 • Least snowy: 2015–16
Expanded Answer:
If you lived in Bend during the 2016–17 winter, you probably remember the seemingly endless snow piles and roof shoveling aka Snowmageddon— it ended up being the snowiest winter of the past decade, with 57.9 inches recorded. But just one year earlier, the 2015–16 season barely left a trace, with a total of only 2.1 inches all winter long. That dramatic contrast is a perfect example of Central Oregon’s unpredictable weather swings — some winters bury us, others barely dust the ground.

(Sourced from: extremeweatherwatch.com)

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

🎭 The Prince of Egypt Hits the Stage — A Musical Journey You Won’t Forget!

🎭 The Prince of Egypt Hits the Stage — A Musical Journey You Won’t Forget!
Presented by Ovation Performing Arts | January 2025 | Redmond, OR
Get ready to cross the Red Sea and step into an epic tale of faith, freedom, and destiny — because The Prince of Egypt is coming to life on the Ovation Performing Arts stage this January!

This awe-inspiring musical is packed with breathtaking songs (yes, including “When You Believe” 🎶), stunning choreography, and a powerhouse cast of local youth and adult performers who are pouring their hearts into every moment. You’ll follow Moses from the palace to the desert and beyond, with all the drama, wonder, and spectacle you’d expect from a Broadway-caliber production — right here in Central Oregon.

Ovation is known for bringing big talent to our local stage, and The Prince of Egypt is no exception. Whether you're a theatre buff or just looking for an unforgettable night out, this show will stir your soul and leave you cheering from your seat.

🔥 Seats fill fast, so don’t miss your chance to experience this musical masterpiece.

🎟️ More info & tickets: ovationpa.com

Comedy Chaos: East Side

 🎤 One-Liner Showdown at Hablo Tacos & Abe Capanna's
Where: Hablo Tacos & Abe Capanna’s, 1462 NE Cushing Dr, Ste 140, Bend, OR 97701
When: Doors at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
What: A fast-paced, laugh-packed night of comedy mayhem

Get ready for an unhinged night of comedy as Humore.us Productions brings the chaos to the east side of Bend! Five writing teams go head-to-head in five rounds of secret prompts, each with just five minutes to whip up their best one-liner. After each round, the jokes are judged, terrible prizes are awarded, and the pursuit of comedic glory continues.

While the writers scramble, a rotating lineup of comedians keeps the energy high with five-minute sets—and don’t miss Noah Walden warming up the crowd with hilariously spot-on sitcom theme song impressions from 7:30–8:00 PM.

Hosted on the enclosed and heated patios at Hablo Tacos & Abe Capanna’s. Seating is first come, first served. Enjoy food and drink specials all night (note: you can share food across patios, but not booze—thanks, OLCC!).

Expect creative chaos, quick wit, and a show that’s absolutely not for kids. Emceed by comedian Anthony Poponi.

🎟️ More info & lineup: www.humore.us
🎥 Sample the madness: Watch here

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Local News…

🤸‍♀️ Central Oregon Classic Flips Into Bend This Weekend

BEND, Ore. — Nearly 600 gymnasts from all over the western U.S. are tumbling into town for the Central Oregon Classic, a high-energy three-day gymnastics competition happening this weekend at the Riverhouse in Bend. From beginners to elite athletes, gymnasts of all levels will showcase their skills in a series of sessions running Friday through Sunday.

🗓️ Session Times:
Friday: 11am, 2:30pm, 6pm
Saturday: 9am, 1pm, 5pm
Sunday: 9am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm

🎟️ Tickets: $20 adults | $15 youth (6–18), seniors (65+), and veterans | Free for kids 5 & under

Whether you're cheering on a local athlete or just love the sport, it’s a great chance to catch some gravity-defying talent right here in Bend!

📹 Redmond Police Set to Roll Out Major Camera Tech Upgrade

REDMOND, Ore. — The Redmond Police Department is gearing up for a major tech overhaul after the city council approved a $1.2 million contract with Axon Enterprises to replace aging body-worn and in-car camera systems. The upgrade will move the department from an in-house storage system to a secure, cloud-based platform—streamlining evidence handling and improving coordination with the DA’s office and other regional agencies.

Police Chief Devin Lewis says the change will save over 2,000 hours of officer time each year, freeing up resources for more community engagement and proactive enforcement. The new system also boosts transparency, public trust, and efficiency—cutting public records response time from days to under an hour. The 5.5-year agreement includes ongoing hardware updates to ensure Redmond’s equipment stays secure and up to date.

🕊️ Prineville Mourns the Passing of Former Mayor Betty Roppe

PRINEVILLE, Ore. — Betty Roppe, a beloved former Prineville mayor and longtime city councilor, has passed away at the age of 79, her family announced Thursday on her Facebook page. Roppe died late Wednesday afternoon, January 7, leaving behind a legacy of deep public service and civic pride in both Prineville and Crook County.

Roppe served on the Prineville City Council from 2004 until 2010, when she was elected mayor—a role she held until her retirement in 2018. During her tenure, she helped guide the city through major milestones, including completion of the Crooked River Wetlands Complex and the passage of the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security and Jobs Act of 2014. Originally from Eastern Oregon, Roppe’s life journey included careers in the health food and medical fields before she found her calling in local government. Known for her humility and dedication, Roppe once said of her time on the council, “I have loved every single minute of doing this. I wish I had gotten involved sooner.”

Her contributions left a lasting imprint on the Prineville community, where she will be deeply missed.

Read more at: https://centraloregonian.com/2026/01/08/former-prineville-mayor-city-councilor-betty-roppe-has-died/

 📸 Bend Shuts Off and Will Remove Controversial Flock License‑Plate Cameras

BEND, Ore. — After a packed Bend City Council meeting and growing public concern over privacy and data use, city leaders have turned off four Flock automated license‑plate reader cameras and plan to uninstall them in the coming days. The cameras, installed about six months ago at the north and south ends of town to assist with criminal investigations, were switched off Thursday afternoon and the city won’t renew its contract with Flock Safety when it expires—a nearly $20,000 annual agreement funded through a grant. (KTVZ)

Residents and councilors raised worries about continuous tracking, data access, and how information collected by the system might be stored or shared, echoing similar actions by other Oregon cities that have paused or ended Flock programs amid privacy debates. Officials say they considered law‑enforcement benefits but ultimately sided with community input as they weigh public trust and security moving forward. (KTVZ)

Fire & Rescue… 

Crime News…

🛑 Bend Man Held Without Bail After Wife Found Dead

BEND, Ore. — A Deschutes County judge has ordered a Bend man held without bail after he was accused of killing his wife and tampering with her body, court officials confirmed Thursday. Stephen Kemm Mitchell, 45, was arrested early Wednesday following the discovery of his wife, Christi Lynn Mitchell, 43, at a property north of Bend near Bowery Lane and Grandview Drive. (KTVZ)

Mitchell faces second‑degree murder, second‑degree abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence charges related to his wife’s death. Prosecutors said he was found packed and “ready to flee,” prompting the no‑bail order. An arraignment on a possible grand jury indictment has been scheduled for next week as investigators continue their work. (KTVZ)

Community News…

Regional News…

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

Friday’s

Real Estate & Business News

Sponsored by

Central Oregon Market Report | January 7, 2026

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

 As expected, the supply of homes in Central Oregon took another significant dip this week. The national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage dipped slightly to 6.19%, a trend that will likely continue as rates stabilize and eventually settle in closer to the the 6% threshold. Exactly where rates end up depends on several factors yet to unfold, but I anticipate the very high 5% to the very low 6% range for the majority of the 2026 selling season.

This week, I will break down sales volume and price changes between 2024 and 2025, including a deeper analysis of different price tranches. The too-long, did-not-read version is that prices were basically flat in 2025 over 2024.

This morning in Deschutes County, actively listed single-family homes decreased by 74 to 796. A significant drop is typical at year-end, and it's nothing out of the ordinary. Forty-nine pending sales this week averaged $884,033, and 24 of those sales reduced the asking price by an average of 6.84% before securing a buyer. Twenty-nine transactions closed this week, averaging $919,332, with 18 reducing the asking price 7.91% before securing a buyer. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 92.84%.

Deschutes County sales in 2025 totaled 3,506, 161 more than last year. The average sale price was $872,095, an increase of 3.01% from 2024's average. Sales in the county under $1 million were 2,676, seventy-three more than in 2024. The average sale price in this tranche was $639,436, reflecting a 1.09% increase. Over $1 million, there were 851 sales, an increase of 100 over 2024, with the average price at $1,606,856, a 1.04% increase. Between $1 million and $2,999,999, there were 812 sales, an increase of 98 from 2024, with an average sale price of $1,501,240, an increase of 2.09%. Over $3 million, there were 39 sales, two more than in 2024, averaging $3,805,830, a decrease of 2.49% from 2024. The data show that competition increased and that price matters. In this environment, over-priced homes do not sell.

This morning in Crook County, there are 145 single-family listings, down by 14 from last week. two pending sales occirred at $330k and $429k, with no price changes. Five transactions closed this week, averaging $865,580, with a sold-to-original-list-price ratio of 92.65%.

There were 381 single-family homes sold in Crook County in 2025, down by one from 2024. The average sale price was $604,688, up 1.4%. Over $1 million, there were 44 sales in the county, up one from 2024. The average sale price in this tranche was $1,547,924, up 1.91%. There were 29 sales in Brasada Ranch in 2025, down four from 2024. The average sale price was $1,474,887, up 4.6%. Under $1 million, Crook County had 337 sales averaging $481,536, an increase of .15%. There is a bifurcation in the dynamics of homes in Crook County, splitting at the $1 million mark. Competition at lower price points makes accurate pricing of listings imperative, amid flat year-over-year growth.

In Jefferson County, there are 115 single-family listings this morning, down nine from last week. Three pending sales averaged $353k, with one reducing the price 12.48% before securing a buyer. Two transactions closed at $327k and $800k, with the sold-to-original-list-price ratio at 95.71%.

Jefferson County had 247 single-family sales in 2025, up 23 from 2024. The average sale price was $433,807, up 3.1%. There were two sales in the county over $1 million in 2025 ($1,024,000 and $1,200,000), the same as in 2024. The 2024 sales were at $1,000,000 and $1,100,000. While 2025 sales reflect an 8.76% increase, the data pool and diversity of these four properties render the increase meaningless. While Jefferson County doesn't have many properties selling over $1 million, the overall market was steady, and the sales price increases are in line with those of Crook and Deschutes Counties.

2026 has already ushered in lower mortgage interest rates, which should help bolster sales for the year. Short of bidding wars, which are essentially behind us in most of the market, price will be the most significant factor when listing properties. Without the market pressure that does not exist today, 2026 is shaping up to be incrementally better than 2025. I specialize in market analysis and estimating accurate sale prices, so please reach out if you have any questions about your home's position in the market today or a reasonable price for homes you are considering purchasing. I am always happy to share my knowledge of Central Oregon communities and current market dynamics. 

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Active Listings

⛳ Madras Considers Future of Desert Peaks Golf Club

MADRAS, Ore. — The future of Desert Peaks Golf Club is up in the air as the City of Madras begins discussions about the long-term sustainability of the city-owned course. While no decisions have been made, city officials confirmed they are evaluating financial and operational challenges and exploring potential paths forward.

An initial discussion was scheduled for the January 13th City Council meeting but has since been postponed to allow for more internal review and budget considerations. The city emphasizes that Desert Peaks is a valued community resource and promises transparency and opportunities for public input as the process unfolds. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and share feedback through official channels at madras.gov.

🏢 Jackstraw Apartments at Box Factory Still Seeking Tenants

BEND, Ore. — Nearly three months after opening, the new Jackstraw apartment complex at the Box Factory is still working to fill hundreds of units. As of this week, the Jackstraw website lists 250 of its 313 units as available, with the smallest studios—just 358 square feet—starting at $1,650 per month.

While the developer hasn’t shared official occupancy numbers, they say interest has been strong and leasing incentives are currently in place. Prospective tenants are being offered up to 8 weeks free rent, with promotions advertised as worth up to $8,500. The complex officially opened in mid-October.

🌿 Redmond’s First Marijuana Dispensary Opens, Ending Long-Standing Ban

REDMOND, Ore. — History was made over the weekend as Oregrown Redmond, the city's first-ever licensed marijuana dispensary, officially opened its doors—marking a major milestone after years of debate over cannabis sales within city limits. The opening follows a 2024 voter decision to overturn Redmond’s long-standing ban on dispensaries, with a companion measure in 2025 setting the local cannabis tax rate.

Located near downtown, the shop offers a wide range of cannabis products including flower, edibles, concentrates, and topicals. A second dispensary, The Flower Room, is also in the works and expected to open later this year at 2245 NW Fourth Street.

While supporters hail the change as a way to keep tax revenue local and provide convenient access for residents, conversations continue around zoning, youth access, and how cannabis fits into Redmond’s broader community identity. As the first shops begin operating, Redmond will get its first real look at what a regulated local cannabis market means in practice.

🏗️ Serán Bioscience Celebrates Topping‑Out on New NE Bend Facility

BEND, Ore. — Serán Bioscience marked a major milestone this week with a topping‑out ceremony for its new commercial‑scale pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing facility in northeast Bend. The event celebrates the completion of the structural phase of the 100,000‑square‑foot facility on NE Triton Place, part of Serán’s growing life‑sciences campus that aims to position Bend as a hub for advanced drug development and production. (KTVZ)

Slated to open in the second quarter of 2026, the facility will support end‑to‑end solutions—from drug discovery and pre‑clinical work through commercial production of complex medicines—while expanding local employment opportunities. The new building joins two warehouse/light manufacturing spaces already completed, enhancing materials handling, packaging, and logistics on site. Serán’s continued investment reflects both the region’s life‑sciences growth and demand for innovative pharmaceutical capabilities. (KTVZ)

🔬 Arrayjet Opens First U.S. Printing Suite in Bend With Grace Bio‑Labs

BEND, Ore. — A new Arrayjet Printing Suite has opened in Bend, marking the company’s first U.S. laboratory and a big step forward for local life‑science innovation. The facility is housed inside Grace Bio‑Labs’ ISO 13485‑certified campus, strengthening a long‑standing partnership between the two firms and bringing Arrayjet’s high‑speed inkjet microarray technology stateside to better support North American customers. (arrayjet.com)

The suite features advanced equipment like the Mercury 100‑S with enhanced environmental controls, enabling demonstrations, collaboration, and accelerated product development right here in Bend. Grace Bio‑Labs, with more than 30 years of experience in microarray substrates and assay tools, will work closely with Arrayjet to optimize solutions and help grow the region’s biotech ecosystem. (arrayjet.com)

 😎Just sayin

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