From the Editor

Welcome to Central Oregon Local Buzz. This week, we bring you key updates on fires, community safety, and local developments. Zen Fire remains stable at 1,500 acres with crews actively monitoring the situation. Stay informed on these critical topics and more in this edition.

📰Local News Featured

🔥Zen Fire Holds Steady at 1,500 Acres as Crews Monitor Conditions

Fire crews continue battling the Zen Fire burning in rugged terrain south of Clarno in Wasco County, with the wildfire now estimated at around 1,500 acres and approximately 3% contained. Officials say cooler temperatures and recent rainfall have helped slow the fire’s spread after strong wind gusts — reportedly reaching nearly 50 mph — fueled rapid growth earlier this week.

The fire is burning in steep, hard-to-access country near the Spring Basin Wilderness northwest of Prineville, creating major challenges for firefighters working to establish containment lines. Hotshot crews, helicopters, air attack resources and ground crews remain assigned to the incident. Authorities say there are currently no evacuation notices, road closures or structure threats, though crews continue monitoring weather conditions closely as fire season ramps up across Central Oregon.

⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🔥 Early Morning Shed Fire Causes Major Property Damage on Bend’s Third Street

An early morning fire in Bend caused significant property damage after flames tore through a shed and spread across a property along Third Street. Fire crews responded quickly to the scene and worked to keep the blaze from reaching nearby structures as smoke and flames filled the area.

Authorities say no injuries were reported, but the fire destroyed multiple items on the property and left behind extensive damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The incident comes amid a recent string of residential fires across Central Oregon, prompting renewed reminders from fire officials about outdoor fire hazards, electrical safety and proper disposal of combustible materials.

🔥 Home and Trailer Destroyed in Fire North of Madras

Fire crews responded to a destructive blaze north of Madras that destroyed both a home and a travel trailer, according to reports from local authorities. Crews arrived to find heavy fire conditions as they worked to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.

Officials say everyone made it out safely and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

🚨Crime News

🚨 Two Bend Teens Arrested After Alleged Northwest Crossing Burglary

Two 15-year-old Bend boys were arrested early Sunday morning after Bend Police say they broke into a commercial building in Northwest Crossing and attempted to steal electronics. Officers responded around 2:13 a.m. on May 24 after a caller reported seeing two people wearing ski masks trying to gain access through a second-story balcony in the 2800 block of NW Crossing Drive.

According to police, the suspects parked an electric motorcycle near the building, climbed onto the balcony, and entered the business. Officers quickly surrounded the area and reportedly saw the teens loading electronics into a backpack before leaving the building around 2:41 a.m. When officers confronted them, the pair allegedly ran but were captured nearby. Both were taken to the Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice facility on multiple charges, including burglary, aggravated theft, criminal mischief, escape, and possession of burglary tools. Police also impounded the electric motorcycle allegedly used during the burglary.

⛰️Bend

💧 Bend Approves Major Water Plant Expansion as Forest Service Land Transfer Decision Looms

The Bend City Council has approved a long-term plan to expand the city’s Outback Water Filtration Facility west of Bend, paving the way for more than $60 million in upgrades aimed at protecting Bend’s drinking water supply from wildfire, storms and future growth. Planned improvements include a new pretreatment system to filter out debris and sediment before water reaches the plant, new storage reservoirs, additional wells and hydropower generation equipment that could produce enough electricity to power roughly 750 homes.

The project still depends on a pending U.S. Forest Service decision to transfer 48 acres of adjacent federal land near Skyliners Road to the City of Bend. Environmental groups, including Central Oregon LandWatch, have raised concerns that the expansion and future hydropower development could eventually increase water withdrawals from Bridge Creek and Tumalo Creek, potentially impacting stream flows west of Bend. City officials say no increase in water diversion is currently planned and that the upgrades are primarily focused on resiliency and long-term infrastructure needs as Bend continues to grow.

⚠️ Bend Police Issue Gun Safety Reminder After Two Accidental Shootings Inside Homes

Bend Police are reminding residents about responsible firearm handling after responding to two separate accidental handgun discharges inside Bend homes over the past two weeks — both of which sent bullets through neighboring walls and put others at risk.

In one incident on SE Tempest Drive, police say a bullet traveled through an elderly woman’s apartment wall, mattress, closet doors and into a box of medical equipment. Investigators later linked the shot to a neighboring apartment occupied by 37-year-old Preston Wayne Cooper, who was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangering after officers reportedly found multiple firearms, ammunition and evidence of a bullet hole inside his apartment.

In a second incident on NE Zachary Court, 27-year-old Dylan James Plymale was arrested after police say he accidentally fired a handgun while handling firearms in his townhome. Investigators determined Plymale had been practicing drawing the handgun when it discharged, sending a bullet through a shared wall, destroying a neighbor’s television and causing debris to strike the neighbor. Plymale was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangering, assault and criminal mischief charges. Bend Police say the incidents serve as an important reminder to always treat firearms as loaded, keep them pointed in a safe direction and never place a finger on the trigger unless prepared to fire.

⚡ OSU-Cascades Launches New Energy Innovation Center in Bend

OSU-Cascades has launched a new Energy Innovation Center in Bend aimed at accelerating research and development in next-generation energy technologies. The center will focus on areas including energy storage, carbon capture, power generation and energy controls while helping entrepreneurs and companies turn new ideas into real-world commercial solutions.

The 11,000-square-foot facility is located in Northwest Crossing near the OSU-Cascades campus and includes industrial lab space, high-capacity power access, meeting areas and equipment designed for hands-on energy research and product development. University leaders say the center is intended to serve as an early example of the larger Innovation District planned for OSU-Cascades, with the first phase of that future district expected to open in 2028. The center will be led by energy experts Zachary Taie and Chris Hagen, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in energy systems engineering and clean energy technology development.

🚧 Bend High Student Wins ODOT Contest With Work Zone Safety Billboard

A Bend Senior High School sophomore will soon see her artwork displayed on billboards across Central Oregon after winning an Oregon Department of Transportation work zone safety contest. Hannah Miller created the winning design as part of a project in her advanced graphics class, aiming to encourage drivers to slow down and pay attention in roadway construction zones.

Miller’s billboard features the phrase “Eyes UP, Slow DOWN, Save a Worker’s Life” alongside a simple graphic design that caught the attention of ODOT judges. The statewide contest was created to help educate young drivers about the dangers road crews face in construction zones. Officials say speeding and distracted driving continue to put workers at risk, especially in areas protected only by cones and barrels instead of concrete barriers. Miller said she never expected to win and thought of the project as just another class assignment. Her billboard can now be seen near WinCo on Third Street in Bend and at locations throughout Central Oregon.

🔥 Tumalo Neighbors Sound Fire Safety Warning After Two Devastating Fires in Two Months

Two destructive fires in Tumalo over the past two months have left neighboring families shaken and urging Central Oregonians to prepare for what could be a dangerous wildfire season ahead. In March, Gary Bagwell was working on vehicles stored at his parents’ property on 76th Street when a backfire sparked flames underneath a van. Despite quickly grabbing a hose and fire extinguisher, the fire spread rapidly to a nearby pole barn, which was fully engulfed within minutes. Investigators later determined a fuel leak caused the fire.

Then on May 24, Bagwell watched another devastating fire unfold across the street as a neighboring home caught fire. Neighbors rushed to help, pulling hoses into the street and using fire extinguishers while searching for occupants before firefighters arrived. Although Bend Fire & Rescue responded quickly, both the house and nearby structures were destroyed. Bagwell says the back-to-back fires have been a sobering reminder of how quickly flames can spread in Central Oregon’s dry conditions and is encouraging residents to keep hoses and fire extinguishers easily accessible as fire season intensifies.

🐎Prineville

🌿 Prineville Leaders Push Hemp Processing Plant to Address Strong Odor Complaints

Prineville city leaders are considering possible enforcement action against a hemp processing facility on the north end of town after neighbors raised concerns about persistent strong odors coming from the plant. City officials have directed Central Oregon Processing to take immediate steps to reduce the smell, including sealing gaps in buildings and installing a filtered ventilation system.

The Prineville City Council was expected to discuss whether the odor issue should officially be declared a public nuisance during Tuesday’s council meeting. Residents living nearby say the smell has become an ongoing problem, while city leaders continue working with the company on potential solutions.

🌞La Pine/Sunriver

🚤 Permanent Boat Docks Coming to Cultus and Paulina Lakes

Boaters and anglers visiting Cultus and Paulina lakes could soon see easier lake access thanks to plans for new permanent docks designed to stay in the water year-round. The project aims to improve early-season and late-season access, especially during times when seasonal floating docks are not yet installed or have already been removed for the year. Officials say the upgrades are expected to improve safety, accessibility and recreation opp