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?

🛣 Speed limits to be reduced on several county roads

 🏁 Pinewood Derby Rolls Into Audi Bend with Cub Scout Pack 90

🍽️ The Hudson Previews Downtown Bend Fine Dining with Soft Launch for Humane Society

 🚁 AirLink Celebrates 40 Years and 40,000 Lifesaving Missions in Central Oregon

 🚧 Public Invited to Open House on 15th & Ferguson Roundabout Project

🐕‍❄️ Mount Bachelor’s Avalanche Dogs Keep Skiers Safe

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 🔥 Child Alerts Family to Garage Fire in Bend — Officials Urge Alarm Replacement

🚨Crime News

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

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Local News…

🛣 Speed limits to be reduced on several county roads

The Deschutes County Road Department is notifying the community that speed limits will soon be reduced on several County roadways. These changes are being made to enhance safety and accommodate the needs of all road users.

State law requires the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to set speed limits on public roads in Oregon. ODOT and local agencies use traffic studies to determine posted speed limits. These studies look at travel speeds, crash history, nearby homes and businesses, and other roadway characteristics, like curves and sight restrictions. After reviewing traffic safety trends and community feedback, the Road Department asked ODOT to lower speed limits on four county roadways.

New speed limits will be posted on the following roads:

• Old Bend-Redmond Highway: From U.S. 20 to Young Avenue, reduced to 50 mph.

• Old Bend-Redmond Highway: From U.S. 20 to O.B. Riley Rd, reduced to 35 mph.

• South Canal Boulevard: From Young Avenue to 300 feet south of Elkhorn Avenue, reduced to 50 mph.

• Powell Butte Highway: From 0.16 miles south of Jason Road to 0.25 miles north of McGrath Road, reduced to 50 mph.

• Johnson Road: From 0.19 miles north of Tumalo Creek to Tumalo Reservoir Road, reduced to 45 mph.

For more information about speed limits on Deschutes County roads, please visit the Road Department website.

 🏁 Pinewood Derby Rolls Into Audi Bend with Cub Scout Pack 90

Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 90 brought creativity, competition, and a whole lot of fun to Audi Bend on Saturday for their annual Pinewood Derby. Racing handmade wooden cars through the dealership showroom, the kids showcased not just speed but problem-solving and design skills in a unique venue that added extra excitement to the event.

“They love creating something and the competition of it,” said Pack 90 Committee Chair Scott Edwards. Thanks to support from Kendall Auto Group, the scouts had an unforgettable experience racing in a professional showroom setting. “We really want to provide a space the kids aren’t used to,” added Kendall’s community outreach manager Megan Cornett. Organizers say the event fostered confidence and camaraderie, leaving lasting memories for the scouts and their families.

🍽️ The Hudson Previews Downtown Bend Fine Dining with Soft Launch for Humane Society

Bend’s newest fine dining destination, The Hudson, gave guests a first taste during a private soft opening event Thursday evening benefiting the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Located at 900 Wall Street—the longtime home of the former restaurant 900 Wall, which closed in May 2025—The Hudson aims to blend upscale cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere for all.

“We want to be a really welcoming place… a big menu, big selection of alcohol and food,” said general manager Ken Macias, who emphasized that the space will serve both casual diners and special-occasion guests. The collaboration with HSCO was part of the restaurant’s commitment to community values. While an exact grand opening date hasn’t been announced, The Hudson is expected to open its doors in February.

 🚁 AirLink Celebrates 40 Years and 40,000 Lifesaving Missions in Central Oregon

For four decades, the sound of AirLink helicopters has meant hope in the skies over Central Oregon. The region’s first air ambulance, originally known as AirLife of Oregon, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and a milestone 40,000 missions. From crash scenes on Highway 97 to ski slopes and backcountry ranches, AirLink remains the fastest way to deliver critical care when minutes matter.

With two helicopters and two planes based in Bend and Klamath Falls, AirLink crews—consisting of a pilot and two healthcare professionals—are on-call 24/7 to provide immediate medical aid before even lifting off. Program Director Deidre Heinrich credits founders like Vern Bartley, Eric Alexander, and Sister Catherine Hellman for the vision to serve rural communities. Now part of Global Medical Response, AirLink continues to blend local dedication with national resources. Memberships are available to cover air transport costs with no out-of-pocket expense.

 🚧 Public Invited to Open House on 15th & Ferguson Roundabout Project

The City of Bend is hosting a Design Open House on Thursday, February 5, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at the Larkspur Community Center (1600 SE Reed Market Rd.) to discuss the upcoming 15th Street and Ferguson Road Roundabout Project.

This drop-in event will give community members a chance to meet the project team, ask questions, view design concepts, and offer input on the proposed improvements aimed at boosting safety and easing traffic congestion at the busy intersection. Can’t make it in person? The same info will be available online at bendoregon.gov/15th-ferguson, where you can also sign up for project email updates.

🐕‍❄️ Mount Bachelor’s Avalanche Dogs Keep Skiers Safe

Mount Bachelor’s team of highly trained avalanche dogs, including 5‑year‑old golden retriever Shasta, play an important role in winter safety efforts on the slopes. These canine professionals undergo three to four years of extensive training—starting with basic obedience and mountain acclimation before advancing to specialized avalanche search skills—so they’re ready to assist patrols if dangerous conditions arise.

While this winter’s snow levels have been light, resort patrols are keeping the dogs sharp, taking advantage of what snow there is to maintain readiness at a moment’s notice. The program highlights the resort’s commitment to guest safety, combining expert handlers and their four‑legged partners in proactive avalanche preparedness.

Fire & Rescue… 

🔥 Child Alerts Family to Garage Fire in Bend — Officials Urge Alarm Replacement

A potentially devastating house fire was narrowly avoided early Friday morning thanks to the quick actions of a child. At 5:06 a.m., a fire broke out near the electrical panel in the garage of a home on Lyra Drive in Bend’s Starwood subdivision. The young child woke up to the smell of smoke and quickly alerted a parent, who called 911. Bend Fire & Rescue arrived to find flames in the garage with some spread into the attic. Damage is estimated at $35,000 to the structure and $5,000 to the contents. While the home's interior only suffered minor smoke and water damage, it’s currently unlivable due to lack of power and water shut-off.

Fire investigators traced the cause to a wiring issue known as a “floating neutral,” which can cause dangerous voltage surges and lead to fires. Crews also discovered that none of the home’s smoke alarms had sounded—despite the heavy smoke. The alarms were over 10 years old, beyond their effective lifespan. Bend Fire & Rescue is reminding the public that working smoke alarms save lives, and that alarms should be replaced every 10 years even if they still beep. Learn more at bendoregon.gov/fire-safety.

Crime News…

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Regional News…

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