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In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

  🚓 Crook County Sheriff’s Office Launches Junior Academy for Local Youth

 🏫 Redmond Schools Feeling Growing Pains as Enrollment Climbs

  🚓 Madras Weighs Policing Changes Amid Staffing Shortage and Crime Concerns

 🌾 Jefferson County Farmers Brace for Tight Water Supplies Amid Drought

 🏥 Bend High Health Center Expands, Relocates Amid Campus Overhaul

 🌽 New Southeast Bend Farmers Market Set to Launch This May

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

  🚨 Bend School Bus Driver Arrested After Alleged DUII Incident

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

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Local News…

 🚓 Crook County Sheriff’s Office Launches Junior Academy for Local Youth

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is giving local youth a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement with the launch of its new Junior Academy. The program is designed to introduce young participants to the day-to-day operations of the sheriff’s office, offering hands-on experiences and insight into careers in public safety. Through a series of sessions, attendees will learn about patrol procedures, investigations, emergency response, and the many roles deputies serve within the community.

Organizers say the academy aims to build stronger relationships between law enforcement and local families while inspiring the next generation of leaders. Participants will have opportunities to interact directly with deputies, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of how public safety agencies operate in Crook County. The program is expected to provide both educational value and a unique, engaging experience for youth interested in law enforcement or community service careers.

 🏫 Redmond Schools Feeling Growing Pains as Enrollment Climbs

Redmond School District is facing increasing pressure on its schools as student enrollment continues to rise—making it the only large district in Oregon currently seeing consistent growth. Over the past two years, enrollment has climbed by about 2%, pushing several schools beyond capacity. Sage Elementary is already operating at roughly 102% capacity, with John Tuck Elementary close behind at 104%, prompting district leaders to consider redrawing attendance boundaries to better balance student populations.

District officials say the growth is largely tied to expanding housing developments and shifting population patterns across Redmond. To manage the strain, schools have already begun using overflow strategies—moving students between campuses when space runs out. Long-term projections show the issue worsening, with some schools expected to exceed 120% capacity within the next decade. The district is now weighing two boundary adjustment plans, which could also impact transportation and neighborhood school assignments, as leaders look for a solution that could last the next 10 years.

 🚓 Madras Weighs Policing Changes Amid Staffing Shortage and Crime Concerns

City leaders in Madras are exploring potential changes to how law enforcement is handled as ongoing staffing shortages continue to strain local resources. Despite having funding for 14 officers, the Madras Police Department currently operates with only about four to five officers, leaving the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to handle many major and high-risk calls in the city.

During recent discussions, officials considered options including contracting with the sheriff’s office or expanding the current department. However, law enforcement experts cautioned that outsourcing services can come with legal complications and inconsistent service levels. City leaders are now leaning toward strengthening their own police force, potentially using grant funding and unfilled salary dollars to recruit more officers—though recruitment challenges remain a major hurdle across the region.

 🌾 Jefferson County Farmers Brace for Tight Water Supplies Amid Drought

Farmers in Jefferson County are heading into the 2026 growing season with significantly reduced water allocations as drought conditions continue to tighten across Central Oregon. The North Unit Irrigation District board approved a cutback to just 1.30 acre-feet of water per acre—well below what many growers rely on in a normal year—forcing difficult decisions about what crops to plant and how much land to irrigate. (Madras Pioneer)

The сокращed supply is largely driven by extremely low snowpack and ongoing dry conditions, which have limited the natural flow of water into the Deschutes River system. Farmers may be forced to scale back operations, leave fields unplanted, or seek costly alternative water sources as the season unfolds. With drought conditions already declared in parts of the region, concerns are growing that the challenges could intensify if hot, dry weather continues into the summer.

 🏥 Bend High Health Center Expands, Relocates Amid Campus Overhaul

The Bend High School-based health center has officially relocated to a newly renovated and expanded facility, nearly doubling its previous size as part of the school’s ongoing modernization project. The clinic—run through a partnership between Mosaic Community Health, Bend-La Pine Schools, and Deschutes County—now sits in a standalone building just steps from campus, allowing continued access to care while major construction continues. The move comes as the original space is slated for demolition during the multi-year rebuild of Bend High.

The upgraded center includes additional exam and behavioral health rooms, helping meet growing demand after serving nearly 700 students last year. Officials say the expanded space will improve access to medical, mental health, and preventive services for youth across the community—not just Bend High students—while reducing barriers like transportation and missed class time. The relocation is part of a larger bond-funded effort to modernize aging school facilities, with construction on campus expected to continue through 2028.

🌽 New Southeast Bend Farmers Market Set to Launch This May

A new farmers market is coming to southeast Bend this spring, expanding access to fresh, local food and supporting area growers. The Elevation Farmers Market is set to kick off in May at the Bend Factory Stores, with plans to run weekly through the season. Organizers say the market is designed to create more opportunities for local farmers, makers, and food vendors while improving access for residents on the south end of town.

The market is expected to feature a mix of fresh produce, handmade goods, and ready-to-eat food, along with a strong focus on community connection. Leaders behind the effort say the expansion will help boost vendor sales and make it easier for more people to shop local. With Bend continuing to grow, the new market adds another option for residents looking to support Central Oregon agriculture and small businesses close to home.

Fire & Rescue… 

Crime News…

 🚨 Bend School Bus Driver Arrested After Alleged DUII Incident

A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver has been arrested after reportedly driving under the influence while transporting students earlier this month. According to Bend Police, 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher had just completed a route for Pine Ridge Elementary School and was preparing to begin another at High Desert Middle School when concerns were raised. Around 3:15 p.m., a transportation supervisor responded to Gerlicher’s report of brake issues but found no mechanical problems. Instead, the supervisor suspected impairment, removed her from duty, and arranged for a private breath test, which indicated high levels of alcohol.

The school district notified authorities later that evening, and officers arrested Gerlicher at her home around 6:45 p.m. She was taken to the Bend Police Department, where—approximately seven hours after the initial testing—she recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.16, twice Oregon’s legal limit. Gerlicher was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on charges of DUII and reckless endangering.

Community News…

 Regional News… 

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

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