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In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

 🍺 Zwickelmania Hits Central Oregon This Saturday — Full Brewery List & What’s Happening

 ❤️🐾 CCREW Adoption Event

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

  ⛷️ Hoodoo Ski Area Set to Reopen This Thursday

🛣️ Central Oregon Coalition Pushes for Safety Upgrades on Highway 97

 🔫 Gun Bill Advances After Tense Committee Clash, Complaint Filed Against Bend Lawmaker

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

  🛣️ Highway 20 Reopens After Crash Near Santiam Pass

🚨Crime News

  🚨 Humane Society’s Disaster Trailer Stolen in Bend

👩‍⚖️ Therapist Testifies in High-Profile Child Abuse Trial

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🐾💖Pet of the Week

🐶Meet the Puppies! CCREW

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

🍺 Zwickelmania Hits Central Oregon This Saturday — Full Brewery List & What’s Happening

Zwickelmania — Oregon’s annual statewide brewery open-house event — returns Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, turning taprooms into tasting halls with zwickel pours (fresh beer straight from the tank), behind-the-scenes tours, brewer meet-ups, specialty releases and food pairings. It’s one of the best chances all year to sample rare beers, explore production spaces, and hang with local brewers in a low-key celebration of craft brewing. (oregoncraftbeer.org)

Here’s the complete list of Central Oregon breweries participating this year (and worth a stop if you’re making the Zwickelmania loop):
• Bevel Craft Brewing (Bend) — zwickel pours and brewery vibes.
• Boneyard Beer (Bend) — new releases, zwickel samples and self-guided tours.
• Spider City Brewing (Bend) — brewer-led sampling and specials.
• Crux Fermentation Project (Bend) — special beers + barrel/tank tastes.
• Deschutes Brewery – Bend Production Facility (Bend) — free samples and facility looks.
• Sunriver Brewing Company (Sunriver) — limited beers and fun pairings.
• Wild Ride Brewing (Redmond & Prineville) — zwickel pours and beer-and-snack pairings.
• UPP Liquids (Bend) — zwickel samples and brewery hospitality.
• Worthy Brewing (Bend) — brewer tours, samples and extras.
• Terranaut Beer (Bend) — special release + meet the brewer.

Many of these breweries will offer special releases, food collaborations, swag and behind-the-scenes access you won’t see on a normal Saturday — it’s a great way to taste the breadth of Central Oregon’s craft beer scene in one spirited day. Be sure to check each brewery’s social channels for exact pour lists, event times and any reservations or wristband details.

❤️🐾 CCREW Adoption Event

New Events Calendar - Check it out! 👇

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Local News…

⛷️ Hoodoo Ski Area Set to Reopen This Thursday

After a brief mid-winter shutdown caused by warm, dry conditions earlier this month, Hoodoo Ski Area announced it will welcome skiers and snowboarders back to its slopes on Thursday, Feb. 19, thanks to fresh snowfall and a favorable forecast for continued snow in the Cascades. The closure had paused operations while crews waited for enough coverage to offer a safe and fun winter sports experience, but the recent storm has delivered enough snow to reopen lifts and terrain for visitors. (KTVZ)

With full seasonal opening plans in place — including expected lift service and trails opening through the day — snow enthusiasts can return for classic winter runs and snowy fun. Guests are encouraged to check Hoodoo’s online conditions reports and webcams before heading up for the most current trail and lift status, as daily conditions can affect what’s available. (facebook.com)

🛣️ Central Oregon Coalition Pushes for Safety Upgrades on Highway 97

Leaders from three Central and South Central Oregon counties have formed a new coalition urging the Oregon Legislature to take immediate action on safety improvements along U.S. Highway 97 — a major north-south route that has seen too many serious and fatal crashes in recent years. Members of the group are calling on state lawmakers to prioritize funds for safety measures such as center-median barriers, additional passing lanes, enhanced law enforcement patrols, and other infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing head-on collisions and dangerous passing situations.

At recent meetings, county commissioners emphasized that longstanding safety concerns on the busy highway demand more than piecemeal fixes, and they want comprehensive improvements built into upcoming state transportation budgets. The coalition’s push highlights local frustration with the current pace of work and a belief that systematic upgrades — including physical barriers and expanded capacity — can help save lives and make travel between Central Oregon communities safer for drivers, passengers and freight haulers alike.

 🔫 Gun Bill Advances After Tense Committee Clash, Complaint Filed Against Bend Lawmaker

A contentious firearms bill is headed to the Oregon House floor after a heated Judiciary Committee meeting Monday that ended with a same-day conduct complaint against Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend. House Bill 4145 would revise the permit provisions of voter-approved Measure 114, which remains tied up in state and federal court challenges. The bill appeared stalled when Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland, voted against advancing an amendment, raising concerns that background check information could potentially be misused at the federal level. After a brief recess and private conversation between the two lawmakers, Tran reversed her vote, saying she had been informed that FBI-submitted data is destroyed within 24 hours. The measure advanced 5-4.

Following the vote, firearms instructor and gun-rights advocate Derek LeBlanc filed a complaint with the Legislative Equity Office, alleging Kropf intimidated Tran into changing her vote. Kropf declined to comment on the open complaint but said tensions can run high when debating significant issues like gun violence prevention and expressed respect for Tran as a colleague. Both lawmakers were unavailable for further comment as the bill moves forward for debate on the House floor.

Fire & Rescue… 

🛣️ Highway 20 Reopens After Crash Near Santiam Pass

U.S. Highway 20 east of Santiam Pass was shut down for about two hours Monday afternoon after a collision between a passenger car and a semi-truck near milepost 79.5, snarling holiday travel in both directions as Presidents Day motorists made their way between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley. The Oregon Department of Transportation temporarily closed the route and advised drivers to seek alternate paths while emergency crews worked at the scene. (KTVZ)

Oregon State Police say the car may have lost control before striking the commercial vehicle, and at least one person was taken by ambulance to St. Charles in Bend with injuries, though details are still pending as the investigation continues. Traffic slowly cleared by mid-afternoon, with delays visible on ODOT cameras until roughly 2:40 p.m. as travelers finally moved past the closure. (KTVZ)

Crime News…

 🚨 Humane Society’s Disaster Trailer Stolen in Bend

The Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) is asking for the community’s help after its disaster response trailer — packed with emergency supplies, pet crates, and equipment used to help animals during local crises — was stolen from its Bend facility on the evening of Valentine’s Day. Surveillance footage shared by HSCO shows a white van scouting the site earlier in the day before returning after 8 p.m. and leaving with the fully stocked trailer in tow. (facebook.com)

Staff say the loss has left the nonprofit feeling “unprepared” for future disaster responses, since the trailer was a key resource during emergencies and community events. Bend Police are investigating the theft and urge anyone who recognizes the vehicle or has information on the trailer’s whereabouts to contact non-emergency dispatch. (ktvz.com)

👩‍⚖️ Therapist Testifies in High-Profile Child Abuse Trial

In the ongoing trial of Sarah Session, the Sunriver woman accused of attempted murder and abuse of her 9-year-old stepson, a longtime child therapist took the stand Monday to share insights into the boy’s behavior and family dynamics. The counselor, who treated the child via telehealth sessions beginning in late 2023, told the court that the boy engaged in intentional vomiting as a way to cope with stress — something he had never seen in his 34-year career — and that early visits showed a close, comfortable bond between the child and Session on the couch at home. Prosecutors are using this testimony to help paint a picture of what the child was experiencing leading up to his hospitalization. (KTVZ)

Relying on video sessions and descriptions from Session, the therapist said calming techniques initially seemed effective, but over time he began to see the vomiting as a behavior the boy used to exert control rather than a trauma response. He also described concerns about the child’s living space, noting a tarp-covered room with little comfort visible in court photos. Under cross-examination, the defense questioned aspects of the boy’s behavior and honesty, but the counselor maintained his professional opinion about the patterns he observed. Session, her mother, and her father all face multiple charges in connection with the case, which has drawn intense local attention as more evidence unfolds. (KTVZ)

Community News…

 Regional News…

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

Puppy Love Is in the Air — Meet CCREW! 🐾

If you’ve lived in Central Oregon long enough, chances are you’ve seen the incredible work of Cascade Canine Rescue East & West (CCREW). This volunteer-driven nonprofit is dedicated to rescuing dogs from overcrowded and high-risk shelters, giving them the medical care, stability, and love they need before placing them in carefully matched forever homes. From intake to adoption day, every pup is vetted, spayed/neutered, and supported by fosters who help prepare them for their next chapter.

Right now, a tail-wagging lineup of adoptable puppies and dogs is ready to meet their people — and you can meet them in person this Saturday!

❤️🐾 CCREW Adoption Event
Where: MUD Bay, 20520 NW Robal Lane
When: Saturday, February 21st | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Details: Adoptable dogs available to approved applicants.
Apply ahead of time at: ccrewdog.org

If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry family member, this is your sign. Apply in advance to be considered — your new best friend might be waiting. 🐶💛

 😎Just sayin

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