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?

 🐾 Meet K-9 Dozer: DCSO’s Newest Drug Detection Dog

 📣 Crook County Schools Seek Community Input on Superintendent Appointment

🚰 Winter Water Flow Returns to Bend Canal for Livestock Needs

🧁 Ida’s Cupcake Café to Close Galveston Location Amid Family Emergency

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

❄️ Bend Snowmobiler Killed in California Avalanche

🚨 Terrebonne Man Killed in Harney County Crash

 💥🌲 One Killed, One Injured in Highway 31 Crash Near Klamath County

🚛 Bend’s “Truck-Eating” Bridge Claims Another Semi

🚨Crime News

 🔫 Arrest Made After Man Enters Party With Replica Gun

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

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…

 🐾 Meet K-9 Dozer: DCSO’s Newest Drug Detection Dog

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is welcoming a furry new recruit—K-9 Dozer, a 16-month-old Springer Spaniel trained in drug detection. Assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team, Dozer is certified to sniff out methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, strengthening drug enforcement across Deschutes County and the tri-county region.

Trained by Golden Gate K9, Dozer joins a five-dog K-9 team that now includes three patrol dogs (Delta, Ronin, Vinnie), a digital forensics K-9 (Cache), and now a dedicated drug dog. Sheriff Ty Rupert praised the addition, highlighting the vital role drug investigations play in community safety. Dozer will assist in undercover work and be available to support DCSO patrol units and partner agencies throughout Central Oregon.

 📣 Crook County Schools Seek Community Input on Superintendent Appointment

The Crook County School District is asking for public feedback as it considers making Interim Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff’s position permanent. Hoff, who previously served as assistant superintendent, stepped into the interim role last January following the departure of Melissa Skinner.

A survey launched on January 5 invites students, families, staff, and community members to share their thoughts on Hoff’s leadership and whether he should be named permanent superintendent. The survey will remain open through January 26 and is available in both English and Spanish on the district’s website and social media channels. In February, the school board will also host listening sessions to gather additional input before making a final decision in March.

 🚰 Winter Water Flow Returns to Bend Canal for Livestock Needs

A south Bend irrigation canal is temporarily flowing again as the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) delivers water to support ranchers in Powell Butte, Alfalfa, and eastern Bend. The seasonal water run, which helps fill livestock ponds, is expected to continue through Thursday.

While canals are typically dry during winter, COID occasionally conducts winter deliveries when conditions permit. However, due to ongoing construction, there are no winter stock runs planned for the Pilot Butte Canal at this time.

 🧁 Ida’s Cupcake Café to Close Galveston Location Amid Family Emergency

Beloved local sweets shop Ida’s Cupcake Café has announced the upcoming closure of its Galveston Avenue location in Bend, citing a sudden family emergency. The shop’s final day of operation will be Saturday, January 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Owner Autumn Lodge Persinger shared the news on social media, saying, “Family comes first for us,” and noting the decision was made to focus energy and resources on their main bakery on Division Street in Bend and their Redmond location. The business thanked customers for their ongoing support and encouraged loyal fans to continue visiting the remaining shops during this challenging time.

Fire & Rescue… 

❄️ Bend Snowmobiler Killed in California Avalanche

Chris Scott Thomason, a 42‑year‑old Bend, Oregon resident, has been identified as the snowmobiler who died after being buried by an avalanche near Truckee, California, on Monday, January 5. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office says Thomason and four friends—experienced and well‑equipped with avalanche safety gear, including beacons and transceivers—were exploring the backcountry around Johnson Canyon and Castle Peak when the avalanche occurred on their return trip. (KRXI2)

According to authorities, the group quickly located Thomason under the snow using his beacon and began digging him out, immediately starting CPR. An off‑duty Truckee Fire medic and several good Samaritans also assisted in the rescue efforts, which continued for more than an hour. Despite those efforts, Thomason could not be revived. The sheriff’s office confirmed all other members of the group are safe and accounted for. (KRXI2)

Thomason’s passing is a reminder of the ongoing avalanche danger in the Sierra Nevada amid heavy winter snow, and officials continue to urge recreationists to check conditions and take precautions when traveling in backcountry terrain. (apnews.com)

 🚨 Terrebonne Man Killed in Harney County Crash

A 25-year-old Terrebonne man, Christopher Emanuel Cortez Morales, died in a rollover crash on Highway 20 near milepost 84 in Harney County on December 31. According to Oregon State Police, Morales was driving a Honda Accord westbound when he lost control, entered the oncoming lane, and sideswiped an eastbound Audi A6 driven by a Bend woman. The impact caused the Honda to roll, ejecting Morales, who was not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Audi, 53-year-old Jennifer Tiffany Carey, was reportedly uninjured. Investigators are considering driver impairment as a primary factor in the crash. The highway was partially closed for about 90 minutes during the investigation.

 💥🌲 One Killed, One Injured in Highway 31 Crash Near Klamath County

A tragic crash on Sunday morning, January 4, claimed the life of a Bend man and seriously injured another. Oregon State Police say a southbound Dodge Ram 1500 driven by 56-year-old Roland Lea Buckman of Bend lost control after passing another vehicle on Highway 31 near milepost 12. The truck slid off the road, rolled, went airborne, and ultimately came to rest in a tree.

Passenger Randy Laverne Samples, 62, of Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene. Buckman was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Road conditions and speed are being investigated as primary factors in the crash, which closed the highway for roughly three hours.

 🚛 Bend’s “Truck-Eating” Bridge Claims Another Semi

The notoriously low railroad bridge on Brosterhous Road near Murphy Road struck again Monday afternoon, trapping an enclosed semi-truck beneath it and shutting down traffic in both directions for hours. The crash occurred around 1:43 p.m. near Caldera High School—an area known for frequent bridge strikes due to limited clearance.

Though no one was injured, the semi became so tightly wedged that tow crews had to drag the entire truck and trailer out from behind. The incident disrupted traffic and rail operations, though BNSF officials confirmed that no trains were immediately impacted. The bridge has a long history of similar collisions, prompting renewed calls for truck drivers to heed clearance warnings and use alternate routes. Despite repeated requests from BNSF, city officials maintain that rerouting trucks remains complicated without relocating the rail line itself, it is unsure why though.

Crime News…

 🔫 Arrest Made After Man Enters Party With Replica Gun

A 26-year-old Bend man, Reynaldo Ramirez Francisco, was arrested Sunday night after allegedly entering an apartment on Reed Lane where a party was underway and threatening attendees with what appeared to be a handgun. Witnesses told police he grabbed his girlfriend by the hair and forcibly removed her from the apartment before fleeing in a black Audi A4.

Officers located the vehicle at the couple’s home on McMullin Avenue. The Central Oregon Emergency Response Team secured the scene and safely called Ramirez Francisco out of the residence without further incident. He was taken into custody and booked into the Deschutes County Jail on charges of menacing, harassment, and first-degree burglary. A search warrant led officers to recover a replica handgun from the home.

Community News…

Regional News…

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