🗞️ Central Oregon Buzz: Fireworks, Wildlife & Community News From the Editor Welcome to this edition of Central Oregon Local Buzz.As Central Oregon gears up for the Fourth of July weekend, today's edition covers important local developments—from a possible recall election in Madras and ongoing monitoring at Prineville Reservoir to inspiring stories of local students, community celebrations, and a few business updates. Plus, we've got the latest on the housing market, public safety, and more from around the region. 🚨Crime News 🚔 Warm Springs Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation A 20-year-old Warm Springs man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting to sexually exploiting a minor, recording the abuse, and uploading the material online. Odysseus Japeth Tewee was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term after pleading guilty earlier this year to sexual exploitation of a child.
The investigation began in September 2024 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to child sexual abuse material traced to Warm Springs. Working together, the Warm Springs Police Department, the FBI, Portland Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office quickly identified the victim and arrested Tewee. A search of his phone uncovered more than 100 images and nine videos containing child sexual abuse material. Federal prosecutors said the case was part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative, which targets the exploitation and abuse of children.
⚖️ Madras Man Sentenced to Four Years for Sexual Abuse A Madras man has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted in a sexual abuse case that remained in the court system for several years. The sentence was handed down this week following court proceedings involving the abuse of two sisters, who finally saw the case brought to a conclusion.
The case marks the end of a lengthy legal process for the victims and their family. Prosecutors said the sentence holds the defendant accountable for the abuse while providing long-awaited closure after years of court proceedings. Read more →
🚛 Semi Driver Charged in Fatal Highway 20 Crash Reportedly Being Deported to India The semi-truck driver charged in a 2025 crash east of Bend that killed newlyweds William Micah Carter, 25, and Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, is reportedly being deported to India, potentially preventing his scheduled trial in Deschutes County. Rajinder Kumar, 32, faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of reckless endangerment stemming from the November 24, 2025, crash near Brothers. The reckless endangerment charges involve three additional people who survived the collision.
Investigators said Kumar's semi-truck had jackknifed across Highway 20 on a dark November night without adequate emergency warning devices, creating a deadly hazard for approaching motorists. After posting bail in April, Kumar was released with a GPS ankle monitor, but authorities later reported a tamper alert and were unable to reach him. Immigration agents arrested him the same day, and according to reports, a federal immigration judge has now ordered his deportation to India. Kumar had been scheduled to stand trial in January 2027, though officials have not confirmed whether the deportation will affect the criminal case. Read more → ⛰️Bend 🫡 Boy Scouts to Lead Annual Veteran Flag Display in Downtown Bend Volunteers will be out before sunrise on the Fourth of July to install hundreds of American flags honoring veterans along Bend's annual Pet Parade route. The display will begin at the Bend Heroes Memorial in Brooks Park, continue across Veterans Memorial Bridge, and extend into downtown as part of the community's celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Boy Scout Troop 25 will lead the installation for the 21st consecutive year, continuing a long-standing tradition of honoring those who served. Each American flag in the display was previously flown over the U.S. Capitol and bears the name of a military veteran, creating a moving tribute that has become a cherished part of Bend's Independence Day festivities. Read more →
☀️ Central Oregon Students Ready to Race Homemade Solar Car in National Competition A team of Central Oregon high school students is putting the final touches on its custom-built solar-powered race car before heading to Texas for the 30th Annual Solar Car Challenge, which begins July 19. The five-day competition covers more than 630 miles from Fort Worth to Fort Stockton and brings together student teams from across the country to test both their engineering skills and endurance.
The Oregon Solar Team built the car from the ground up, with students learning valuable skills such as welding, soldering, electrical wiring, and mechanical design along the way. Team members say the project has also taught leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork as they prepared for one of the nation's premier high school engineering competitions. This year's event will feature 24 teams from seven states, including three from Oregon, with each vehicle first undergoing a rigorous inspection before hitting the road. Read more →
🥎 Former Bend Softball Star Shares MS Diagnosis to Inspire Others Former Bend softball standout Addisen Fisher is opening up about a deeply personal battle, revealing she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after beginning her freshman college season. Now pitching for the University of Georgia after transferring from University of California, Los Angeles, Fisher said she chose to share her story to raise awareness and remind others facing similar challenges that they are not alone.
Widely regarded as one of Oregon's top softball recruits, Fisher has continued to excel on the field while undergoing treatment, including infusion therapy that began in the fall of 2025. She says there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, but advances in medical treatment give her hope for the future. Fisher hopes her story encourages others living with autoimmune diseases to keep moving forward and trust that difficult circumstances do not define what they can accomplish. Read more →
🥙 Bend's Kefi Mediterranean Restaurant Listed for Sale Kefi Mediterranean, a popular north Bend restaurant, has been listed for sale after serving the community for more than five years. Located near the intersection of Business 97 and Robal Lane, the restaurant will continue operating as usual while the owners search for a buyer, with the exception of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Owner Nick Stanitsas is returning to California for family reasons, according to the listing agent. Stanitsas said he hopes the restaurant's next owner preserves the Kefi brand and concept, saying the business was built with "a lot of thought, food, and love." The listing has already generated strong interest from potential buyers. Read more →
🐶 HSCO Extends "Choose Your Adoption Fee" Dog Adoption Event Through Friday The Humane Society of Central Oregon has extended its popular Summer of Love dog adoption promotion through Friday, July 3, after seeing strong community response. The special allows adopters to choose their own adoption fee for any available dog—including puppies—in an effort to find homes for more animals as the shelter's kennels remain full.
HSCO says the extension comes at an important time, as the shelter prepares for the increase in lost and frightened pets that typically follows the Fourth of July holiday. Every adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a veterinary exam, a microchip, and other essential care. Standard adoption requirements still apply, and licensing fees are separate. Available dogs can be viewed on the shelter's website. Read more → 🪶Madras 🗳️Petition Triggers Special Election for Madras Aquatic Center Recall Jefferson County voters will head to the polls on August 4 to decide whether four members of the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District board, including the district's executive director, should be recalled. The special election was triggered after petition organizers gathered enough valid signatures to place the recall on the ballot.
Supporters of the recall say they are frustrated with the aquatic center's management, citing concerns about operations and executive compensation. The recall effort follows the dismissal of a lawsuit involving some of the petition organizers. Residents must be registered to vote by July 14, and ballots for the special election will be mailed beginning July 15. Read more → 🐎Prineville 🛶 Prineville Reservoir Remains Open as State Searches for Signs of Quagga Mussels A single dead quagga mussel discovered along the shoreline at Prineville Reservoir has prompted an extensive response from state wildlife officials, but so far there is no evidence the invasive species has become established. Since the June 6 discovery, crews have surveyed more than 1,000 yards of shoreline, inspected docks and boats, filtered thousands of gallons of water, and conducted environmental DNA and larval testing—all of which have come back negative. Officials say it remains unclear how the mussel arrived at the reservoir.
While the reservoir remains open, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is continuing its rapid response efforts, including underwater inspections of docks and other structures where mussels could attach and spread. If additional quagga mussels are found, the reservoir could be temporarily quarantined to prevent the invasive species from spreading to other waterways. In the meantime, boaters are urged to Clean, Drain and Dry all watercraft—including kayaks and paddleboards—before leaving the reservoir to help protect Oregon's lakes and rivers. Read more →
👏Prineville Police Welcome Home Sergeant After Year-Long Military Deployment The Prineville Police Department is celebrating the return of Patrol Sergeant Tyler Takagi after a year-long military deployment. Takagi served as a Staff Sergeant in the military over the past year before returning to his law enforcement duties, bringing back the same dedication and professionalism he has shown throughout his career.
The department thanked Sergeant Takagi for his service to both the nation and the Prineville community, noting that his commitment extends well beyond the badge. Community members are joining the department in welcoming him home after his year of military service. Read more → 🏘️Real Estate 🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Conditions - July 2026 by Reed Melton The Central Oregon housing market continues to gain strength as the summer selling season gets underway. According to the latest weekly market report, inventory remains healthy while buyer demand continues to support home prices, creating a more balanced market than in recent years. Sellers are still seeing success with well-priced homes, while buyers have more choices and negotiating opportunities than they did during the height of the pandemic housing boom.
In Deschutes County, active single-family home listings increased slightly to 1,410, while 74 homes went pending and 91 sales closed during the latest reporting period. Market experts say inventory growth has begun to slow, a sign that the market may be settling into a steady summer pattern. Buyers are encouraged to move quickly on competitively priced homes, while sellers continue to benefit from realistic pricing and strong presentation. Read more →
💼 Free Webinar to Help Investors Understand 1031 Exchanges Real estate investors and business owners looking to defer capital gains taxes can learn the basics of a 1031 exchange during a free online webinar on Thursday, July 16, at 9 a.m. Pacific. Hosted by 1031 CORP., the session will explain how tax-deferred exchanges work, what properties qualify, important IRS deadlines, and common mistakes to avoid.
The webinar will also cover the financial benefits of exchanging investment properties instead of selling them outright, including increased purchasing power and opportunities for long-term portfolio growth. Those unable to attend the live presentation can register to receive an on-demand recording to watch later.
For those involved in real estate investing, especially in a dynamic market like Central Oregon, understanding 1031 exchanges can lead to smarter decision-making and greater financial gains. By attending this webinar, participants can equip themselves with the knowledge needed to navigate real estate transactions more effectively, potentially enhancing their investment portfolios and strategies. Read more → 📰Deschutes County 🚒 Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue Offering Paid Student Internship Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue is looking for a student interested in communications and marketing to join the department as a paid summer intern. The three-month temporary position pays $20 per hour, offers a flexible schedule, and is funded through a grant from the Special Districts Association of Oregon.
The internship will give students hands-on experience developing social media strategies, creating recruitment materials, improving internal communications, taking photos, and helping promote the fire district's community outreach efforts. Fire officials say the opportunity is ideal for students interested in communications, marketing, public safety, or community engagement who want to build real-world experience while supporting their local fire district. Read more → 📍Regional News 🦌 Wildlife Crossings Planned to Make Oregon Roads Safer for Animals and Drivers Efforts to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife are gaining momentum across Oregon, with several major wildlife crossing projects moving forward through partnerships led by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. The organization has made improving habitat connectivity a conservation priority, using funding from Oregon's Watch for Wildlife specialty license plate and other fundraising efforts to help build safer passageways for deer, elk, bears, and other wildlife.
One of the most significant projects for Central Oregon is the Bend-to-Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative along Highway 20, one of the state's deadliest corridors for wildlife collisions. After completing a study identifying the highest-risk areas, the coalition has selected four priority wildlife overcrossing locations and has already secured more than $850,000 in matching funds as it prepares to apply for federal construction grants later this summer. Additional wildlife crossing studies are also advancing in northeast Oregon along Highway 82, Interstate 84, and Highway 730, while engineers evaluate existing bridges and culverts statewide that could be modified into safer, lower-cost wildlife crossings.
✈️ Man Charged After Firearms Reported Stolen From Checked Luggage at PDX A Portland man is facing federal charges after investigators linked him to multiple firearms reported stolen from checked luggage at Portland International Airport. Terell Wayne Overton, 51, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm following an investigation into several reports of missing guns during airline travel.
The investigation took a break when one victim reported a stolen handgun that had an Apple AirTag hidden inside its locked case. Tracking data led Port of Portland Police to Overton and a backpack, where investigators say they recovered the stolen handgun inside a locked case. Overton has made his initial appearance in federal court and was released pending further proceedings. Authorities note that the charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Stay informed with our selection of stories that capture the spirit and challenges of Central Oregon. From community events to serious matters, we've got you covered. Thank you for joining us in keeping up with our dynamic region. | 
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