In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🍺🛍️Fresh Hops & Pop Up Shops - River’s Place

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

⭐Junior Deputy Awards Return: DCSO Partners with McDonald’s to Reward Good Choices

🎉🥁Crook County High Homecoming Parade Brings Pride and Community Spirit to Prineville

👩‍🏫 Madras Teacher Named Regional Teacher of the Year, in the Running for Statewide Honor

🌻Sunflower maze opens at Tumalo farm with U-pick produce

✈️Avelo Airlines ending Redmond–Burbank flights earlier than expected

📰🪧Bend Bulletin Staff Pickets Over Contract Negotiations and Newsroom Changes

🛩️Epic Aircraft Celebrates 100th Certified Delivery During Annual Fly-In

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

💥Crash Closes NE 3rd Street; Bend Man Cited for Reckless Driving

⛑️🧗‍♀️Climber injured at Smith Rock, condition unknown

🚨Crime News

🚨Prineville police take suspect into custody following reports of gunfire

📰Regional News

🥰Community News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

🌆 Bend

🎷 The Joshua Redman Quartet; Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St); Music (Jazz); Tue Sep 23, 7:30–9:00 pm; Blue-note legend and band bring modern jazz to Bend’s historic room; towertheatre.org/event/the-joshua-redman-quartet. towertheatre.org+2The Bulletin+2

🎸 MXPX with The Ataris; Century Center (70 SW Century Dr) presented by Volcanic Theatre Pub; Music (Punk Rock); Fri Sep 26, doors 6:00 pm, show ~7:00–11:00 pm; Nostalgia-packed punk bill outdoors at Century Center; volcanictheatre.com / tixr.com. volcanictheatre.com+2Tixr+2

🎶 If & When (Fresh Hops & Pop-Up Shops); River’s Place (787 NE Purcell Blvd); Music + Market; Sat Sep 27, 2:00–4:00 pm; Free folk duo set alongside fresh-hop flights and pop-up vendors; riversplacebend.com/live-music. The Source - Bend, Oregon+1

🧠 Trivia on the Moon; Silver Moon Brewing (24 NW Greenwood Ave); Games – Trivia; Thu Sep 25, 7:00–9:00 pm; Weekly pub trivia (teams up to 8); community.bendsource.com listing. The Source - Bend, Oregon

🎲 Bingo with Bren (benefiting The Giving Plate); Bevel Craft Brewing (911 SE Armour Rd); Games – Bingo; Mon Sep 22, 6:00–8:00 pm; Community bingo night, free to play; bevelbeer.com/events. Bevel Craft Brewing

🌇 Redmond

🎭 Almost, Maine (by John Cariani); High Desert Music Hall (818 SW Forest Ave); Theatre; Thu Sep 25 (opening) through Oct 18, eve curtain times; Sweet, vignette-style comedy about love under the Northern Lights; hdmm redmond listing / Visit Redmond calendar. General Duffy’s Waterhole

🎉 BlackLight Bingo FUN-Raiser; High Desert Music Hall (818 SW Forest Ave); Fundraiser – Games; Tue Sep 23, evening; Glow-in-the-dark bingo party for a cause; Visit Redmond event page.

📚 Annual Book Fest; High Desert Music Hall (818 SW Forest Ave); Art & Lit; Sat Sep 27, day; Community celebration of books and authors; Visit Redmond calendar. General Duffy’s Waterhole

🏔 Sisters

 🎼 Americana Song Academy (SFF Presents); Caldera Arts at Blue Lake (Sisters); Music – Workshops/Retreat; Mon–Thu Sep 22–25 (multi-day); Immersive songwriting & performance instruction with SFF artists; sistersfolkfest.org/asa. SFF+1

🎻 Sisters Folk Festival (Multiple Downtown Stages incl. Sisters Depot); Music – Festival; Fri–Sun Sep 26–28 (various set times); Town-wide roots/folk festival across seven stages; sistersfolkfest.org / Sisters Depot info. SFF+1

🏜 Madras

🐮 Cowdeo – Jefferson County Kids Rodeo; Jefferson County Event Complex (430 SW Fairgrounds Rd); Kid-Friendly – Rodeo; Sat Sep 27, Opening Ceremony 8:30 am, events 9:00 am–afternoon; Beloved youth rodeo with multiple divisions and events; jeffco.net/cowdeo. Jefferson County Oregon

🌲 La Pine / Sunriver

 🍺 Oktoberfest at SHARC; SHARC (57250 Overlook Rd, Sunriver); Festival – Food/Drink/Music; Sat Sep 27, 11:00 am–5:00 pm; German bites, beers, games & live music; sunriversharc.com / Event listing.

⛳️ Putt, Pints & Putters (Gray’s Trail); Sunriver Resort – Gray’s Trail; Fundraiser – Putting Challenge; Fri Sep 26, 9:00 am–3:00 pm; Benefit event with prizes on the putting course; organizer post. Instagram

🪗 Oktoberfest Accordion Performance; The Village at Sunriver; Music – Folk; Fri Sep 26, early afternoon (see calendar); Festive polka/folk set as part of Oktoberfest weekend; Village calendar. Village Properties at Sunriver

 🎵 Sleepless Truckers (Integrity Auto Services Concert Series); Wetlands Taphouse (51375 US-97); Music – Country/Rock; Sat Sep 27, 6:00–9:00 pm; Free outdoor concert on the Ed Staub & Sons Stage; VisitCentralOregon/Wetlands. Visit Central Oregon+1

🧩 Monday Night Bingo; La Pine Senior Activity Center (16450 Victory Way); Games – Bingo; Mon Sep 22, doors 4:30 pm, bingo 5:30 pm; Weekly community bingo with low-cost dinner available beforehand; lapineseniors.com. La Pine Senior Activity Center

🍔 Grange Open Door Day + Free Community BBQ; La Pine Grange Hall; Community – Open House; Sat Sep 27, 10:00 am–2:00 pm; Meet neighbors, learn about classes, and grab a free BBQ lunch; lapinegrange.org. La Pine Grange

📍 Prineville

 🐕‍🦺 Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club Agility Trials; Crook County Fairgrounds (1280 Main St); Sports – Dog Agility; Fri–Sun Sep 26–28, daytimes; Regional agility competition, spectators welcome; fairgrounds calendar. Facebook

🎸 Sleepless Truckers; Initiative Brewing – The Station (Prineville); Music – Country/Americana; Thu Sep 25, evening (start ~6:00 pm); Free outdoor set from regional favorites; Shazam concert listing. Shazam

🌙 High Desert Moonfest (Art + Market + Music); Pioneer Park (Prineville); Festival – Art/Music/Market; Sat Sep 27, 12:00–8:00 pm; Local vendors, food, and live tunes under early-fall skies; vendor/organizer listings.

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Local News…

Junior Deputy Awards Return: DCSO Partners with McDonald’s to Reward Good Choices

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is bringing back a beloved community tradition by reviving the Junior Deputy and Junior Safety Awards program. In partnership with McDonald’s locations in Bend, Sisters, and La Pine, deputies will once again recognize local kids who make safe and positive choices—like wearing bike helmets, using crosswalks, or showing kindness and courage. Each award comes with a sweet reward: a coupon for a free ice cream cone, hamburger, or cheeseburger.

Sheriff Ty Rupert, who remembers the program from his early days on patrol, says the goal is to build trust and connect with youth in meaningful ways. “This program shows the positive impact deputies can have in a child’s life,” he said. So don’t be surprised if your child proudly comes home with a certificate—and a craving for McDonald’s.

Crook County High Homecoming Parade Brings Pride and Community Spirit to Prineville

Downtown Prineville came alive Friday as streets closed for Crook County High School’s annual Homecoming Parade—a long-standing tradition celebrating student spirit and community pride. From cheerleaders and football players to marching band members and club floats, the parade showcased the heart of the school.

Crowds lined the streets to cheer on students, with locals like Jessica Barber enjoying the energy and school spirit, and band member Lucas Rodgers noting how rewarding it is to see familiar faces light up as the music plays. “It’s just great—especially this kind of stuff,” he said. For many, it was more than just a parade—it was a reminder of the strong connections that define Prineville.

Madras Teacher Named Regional Teacher of the Year, in the Running for Statewide Honor

Maria Crowley, a longtime social studies teacher at Jefferson County Middle School, has been named Regional Teacher of the Year by the Oregon Department of Education. A fixture in the Madras school community for over 20 years, Crowley is being recognized not only for her classroom excellence but also for her tireless support of students outside the classroom—running scoreboards at games, leading attendance initiatives, and serving on school leadership teams. As part of the honor, she receives a $1,000 cash prize courtesy of the Oregon Lottery.

Crowley now advances to the final round for Oregon Teacher of the Year, to be announced in October. That award comes with a $10,000 cash prize and $5,000 for the school. Known for her high expectations and deep commitment to student success, Crowley’s impact is felt throughout Jefferson County 509J. “She puts in 200% all the time,” said fellow teacher Lindsay Tarvin. “Her heart is so full and in the right place for the kids.”

Sunflower maze opens at Tumalo farm with U-pick produce

A sunflower maze is now open at a farm in the Tumalo area.

The sunflower maze at Well Rooted Produce is open Friday through Monday through October 26. Tickets cost $12 per person. Admission is free for kids 6 and under.

The farm also has plenty of produce you can pick for yourself.

“Our farm is really about helping people eat better and live better. It’s my way of contributing to the community. We have all kinds of vegetables. I love to have the kids come out. We have a strawberry patch, tons of tomatoes right now," farm manager Scott Maricle said.

Well Rooted Produce and U-Pick is located off Swalley Road just west of the Old Bend Redmond Highway.

Bend Bulletin Staff Pickets Over Contract Negotiations and Newsroom Changes

Journalists and staff from the Bend Bulletin, alongside members of the Central Oregon News Guild, held a picket Saturday afternoon at Peace Corner in downtown Bend, urging Carpenter Media Group to finalize their contracts. Since the paper’s recent acquisition, staff have voiced concerns over downsizing and delays in contract negotiations.

Education reporter Noemi Arellano-Summer noted the shift toward a digital-first workflow, with breaking news often missing the print edition due to earlier deadlines. “If we get a breaking news story at 12:30 or 1 p.m., it’ll make it online, but not in the next day’s paper,” she said. Workers are calling for timely contract agreements for reporters, photographers, and other newsroom employees. Carpenter Media Group has not yet responded to media inquiries.

Epic Aircraft Celebrates 100th Certified Delivery During Annual Fly-In

Bend-based Epic Aircraft has reached a major milestone, delivering its 100th certified aircraft just five years after launching its first model. The announcement came Friday during the company’s 11th Annual Odyssey Fly-In, which brings together Epic owners, pilots, and partners from across the country.

CEO Doug King called the achievement a testament to growing demand, noting how quickly the milestone was reached. Since 2020, Epic has introduced and certified two advanced models—the E1000 GX and the new E1000 AX. The 100th delivery, an E1000 AX, features a commemorative logo and will be based in Texas. Together, the Epic fleet has logged more than 41,000 flight hours.

Fire & Rescue…

Crash Closes NE 3rd Street; Bend Man Cited for Reckless Driving

A multi-vehicle crash shut down NE 3rd Street near the railroad underpass in Bend for about an hour Friday morning. Just before 9:30 a.m., police say 83-year-old Donald Davidson of Bend attempted to pass several northbound vehicles in his white Kia SUV, crossing the double-yellow line. His vehicle struck a southbound utility trailer towed by a pickup, then spun out and hit a third vehicle, a red Mazda sedan. One driver reported minor injuries.

Davidson was cited for reckless driving and released at the scene. All vehicles were towed, and the street reopened after the investigation wrapped.

Crime News…

Prineville police take suspect into custody following reports of gunfire

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) - Reports of gunfire late Saturday morning drew a heavy police response to 9th street and Harwood Avenue, according to The Prineville Review.

The Prineville Police Department stated that the Crook County 911 center received several calls around 11:15 a.m. about shots fired in the neighborhood.

Officers quickly arrived, locating and apprehending the suspect. Police said the individual had non life-threatening injuries. He received treatment before being taken into custody.

Police emphasize there is no ongoing threat to the public. Detectives were on the scene this afternoon. Certain blocks around 9th street will remain closed while evidence is collected.

Regional News…

Community News…

 City of Bend Events

 😎Just sayin

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