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In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

 💖🛍 Love & Local - Makers Market

 🍺🐕2026 K-9 Keg Pull

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🛞 Central Oregon Man Appeals $30,000 DEQ Fine Over Tire Storage

 💧 Sen. Merkley Secures $1 M to Investigate Toxic Groundwater Near Prineville

 🎡 New Fair & Expo Center Director Named in Deschutes County

 📞 Crook County Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for Fake Law Enforcement Calls

🗳️ Deschutes County Commissioners Send New District Map to Voters This Fall

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 💥Debris scattered for hundreds of feet after crash on U.S. 97 north of Bend

🚨Crime News

  🚔 Redmond Traffic Stop Leads to Major Meth Bust with Help from K9 Sadie

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘️💼Real Estate & Business News

🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

 🚛 Central Oregon Appliance Joins U-Haul Network in Bend

 📱 Madras Rolls Out Free Water‑Use Monitoring App for Residents

🏕️ LOGE Bend Evicted, Outdoor Touring Company Scrambles for New Space

📬 New Postal Connections Store Coming Soon by Costco

✈️ City Club of Central Oregon to Host Aviation Forum Feb. 19

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

Answer: C) Ashwood

💡 Expanded Answer:
Ashwood, located northeast of Madras in Jefferson County, is a well-known Central Oregon ghost town. In the early 1900s, it thrived thanks to mining and ranching but was largely abandoned after the boom ended. Today, you can still see remnants of old buildings and mining equipment — making it a favorite for ghost town explorers. Shaniko is in Wasco County, Millican is in Deschutes, and Granite is in Grant.

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

Juniper Preserve's Love & Local Makers Market welcomes everyone to join us for a day of shopping local and sharing the love for the Central Oregon community! Shop for your loved ones or practice some self-love with curated gifts from over 30 vendors in addition to a professional photo booth, flash tattoos from Blade & Ink, chair massages and more from Juniper Spa, and tasty Valentine's mocktails. Plus, the first 15 guests will receive a FREE goodie bag. Mark your calendars now, you won't want to miss this love affair! 

2026 K-9 Keg Pull

Saturday February 7th

11:00am – 3:00pm

The 2026 K9 Keg Pull Sponsored by Sunriver Brewing Co. is back as the premier winter event for the Village at Sunriver!    K9 Keg Pull Sponsored by Sunriver Brewing Co. entry fee is $25.00 per dog. All proceeds from the Keg Pull will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. We welcome all to enjoy the event with or without a dog. Dog related vendors will be on site as will Bend VW Photo Bus for commemorative photobooth photo strips! Pre- registration will guarantee your dog a spot in the race, along with a $5 discount if you register by January 1st – So REGISTER NOW! Participants and spectators are encouraged to donate dog food and enter to win some great prizes. The dog food will be donated to the Humane Society of Central Oregon.

New Events Calendar - Check it out! 👇

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Deschutes Public Library Events

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Bend Magazine Event Listings

Local News…

 🛞 Central Oregon Man Appeals $30,000 DEQ Fine Over Tire Storage

A Prineville man is contesting a more than $30,000 fine from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality after the agency found roughly 6,000 old tires stored on his property east of Bend, saying the large collection could pose fire and environmental risks. The DEQ had previously warned him to correct the situation last spring before issuing the penalty. (facebook.com)

He’s formally appealed the fine under state enforcement rules, which allow recipients to dispute penalties or seek ways to offset them by funding environmental improvement projects. Officials say large piles of waste tires can present hazards if not properly permitted and managed. (facebook.com)

 💧 Sen. Merkley Secures $1 M to Investigate Toxic Groundwater Near Prineville

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced that more than $1 million in federal funding has been secured to investigate contaminated groundwater near Prineville, where residents have raised concerns about unsafe water conditions. The grant will support detailed testing and assessment to better understand what’s in the aquifer and help guide potential cleanup or mitigation steps.

Local officials and community members have been pushing for answers as complaints about possible toxic contaminants in private wells and groundwater have grown. This funding marks a key first step in addressing those concerns and protecting central Oregon water resources.

 🎡 New Fair & Expo Center Director Named in Deschutes County

Deschutes County has appointed Jeff Curtis as the new Director of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, tapping a veteran fair executive to lead one of Central Oregon’s biggest event hubs starting Feb. 9. Curtis, who previously served 18 years as CEO of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation and most recently led the Alaska State Fair, was chosen after a nationwide search to replace the outgoing director and bring seasoned leadership to the 340‑acre facility that hosts hundreds of events each year.

In his new role, Curtis will oversee daily operations, marketing, and the wide variety of activities that draw nearly 1 million visitors annually — from the county fair and rodeo to trade shows, concerts, and motocross. County officials expressed confidence that his experience managing large event organizations and community partnerships will help grow the center’s impact and offerings.

 📞 Crook County Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for Fake Law Enforcement Calls

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam targeting locals where callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officers saying you’ve missed jury duty or have an active warrant — then demand immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other unusual payment methods to “resolve” the issue. Legitimate law enforcement will never call asking for money to clear a warrant or fine, so officials urge anyone who gets one of these calls to hang up immediately, don’t send money or personal info, and contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541‑447‑6398 to verify the claim or report the scam.

🗳️ Deschutes County Commissioners Send New District Map to Voters This Fall

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 on Feb. 4 to advance a proposed districting map that would change how county commissioners are elected, sending the plan to the November 2026 ballot for a public vote. If approved, the county would shift from at‑large elections to five geographic districts, with two seats in Bend and one each for Redmond, Sisters, and the La Pine/Sunriver area — a move supporters say improves local representation.

The decision came after months of debate and public testimony, with proponents arguing the new structure ensures diverse regional voices on the commission, and critics expressing concerns about fairness and potential gerrymandering. Commissioner Phil Chang cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the current proposal wasn’t the right version to send to voters.

Fire & Rescue… 

Crime News…

🚔 Redmond Traffic Stop Leads to Major Meth Bust with Help from K9 Sadie

REDMOND, Ore. — A routine traffic stop turned into a major drug bust Wednesday night, Feb. 4, when Redmond Police K9 Sadie alerted to the presence of narcotics in a vehicle, leading to the discovery of over a pound of methamphetamine. Two Redmond residents — a 45-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman — were arrested on charges of unlawful possession and delivery of meth.

The arrests capped off a longer investigation by RPD Street Crimes Detectives, with assistance from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team. K9 Sadie, who’s been with RPD for over two years, continues to impress — with 24 deployments and 36 seizures in 2025 alone.

Community News…

 Regional News…

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

Friday’s

Real Estate & Business News

Sponsored by

Central Oregon Market Report | February 4, 2026

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

 Weekly Central Oregon market update with MLS-backed data for Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties — inventory is rising, and roughly half of active listings show price reductions. Read the full snapshot for county-level stats, pending/closed activity, and practical takeaways for buyers and sellers.

Executive summary

Inventory is up year‑to‑date across Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, with roughly half of active listings showing price reductions. Buyers have more choices; sellers must price competitively to attract offers.

Market snapshot — Deschutes County

• Active: 764 (+3 wk)

• Price reductions: 382 (50.0%), avg −6.04%

• Pending: 44 (−13 wk); 21 pendings cut price before contract, avg −6.98%

• Closed: 56 (+20 wk); 36 had price cuts, avg −8.70%

• Sold-to-original-list-price: 92.57%

Crook County

• Active: 152 (−2 wk)

• Price reductions: 80 (52.6%), avg −6.69%

• Pending: 10 (+4 wk); 3 pendings cut price before contract, avg −8.23%

• Closed: 4 (+1 wk); 2 had price cuts, avg −6.92%

• Sold-to-original-list-price: 96.27%

Jefferson County

• Active: 107 (−4 wk)

• Price reductions: 63 (58.9%), avg −4.34%

• Pending: 7 (−2 wk); 3 pendings cut price before contract, avg −2.24%

• Closed: 2 (−2 wk); 1 had a price cut, avg −8.15%

• Sold-to-original-list-price: 93.53%

What this means

• Inventory is building faster than last year, giving buyers more options in 2026 and creating more competition for sellers.

• Many sellers are using price reductions to generate interest; overpricing leads to longer marketing times and successive cuts.

• Mortgage rates are steady: the national average 30‑year fixed is about 6.20%, which, combined with rising inventory, favors buyers.

Bottom line

The Federal Reserve transition could affect rates over time, but current conditions — lower rates and increased selection — are favoring buyers more than in recent years. I expect inventory to grow incrementally compared with last year, keeping pricing pressure in check. I do not expect a dramatic drop in home prices; rather, I expect increased competition at each price point and a more balanced, healthy market.

Want a tailored market analysis for your neighborhood or price range? Request a custom report or schedule a consult: [email protected] 

Sign Up for the Central Oregon Market Report

Sign Up for the Central Oregon Luxury Market Report

Active Listings

 🚛 Central Oregon Appliance Joins U-Haul Network in Bend

Central Oregon Appliance, located at 727 NE Greenwood Ave. in Bend, is now a U-Haul neighborhood dealer, offering truck rentals and moving supplies to the local community. Owned by Ryan and Erica Dean, the shop is expanding its services to support the growing demand for do-it-yourself moving in Deschutes County. Business hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Reservations can be made at uhaul.com or by calling 541‑388‑8458.

By partnering with U-Haul, Central Oregon Appliance joins a network of over 22,000 independent dealers across the U.S. and Canada. These small businesses allocate a portion of their lot space and time to help neighbors with moving needs — all without franchise costs. Learn more at centraloregonappliance.com

📱 Madras Rolls Out Free Water‑Use Monitoring App for Residents

The City of Madras has launched a free water‑use app called EyeOnWater® to help local utility customers track their water consumption more easily and save money. Through the app or online portal, users can see daily, weekly, monthly and yearly water use, spot unusual spikes that might signal leaks, and better understand how and when water is being used at their home or business.

Getting started is simple: download the app or visit the signup page, then enter your water account number and ZIP code to connect your utility account and start monitoring. The tool empowers residents to detect potential leaks early and make smarter water‑use decisions, especially valuable in Central Oregon’s variable climate.

🏕️ LOGE Bend Evicted, Outdoor Touring Company Scrambles for New Space

The popular outdoor‑adventure lodging LOGE Bend (Entrada) has been evicted from its host property after reportedly missing multiple months of rent, leading to the local shutdown of the site and removal from the LOGE reservation system. The move comes as Cog Wild, a longtime outdoor touring company that operated out of LOGE’s space, announced it must now find a new home and relocate equipment and offices since its sublease ends with LOGE’s tenancy. (The Source - Bend, Oregon)

LOGE had been a fixture in Bend’s Entrada area for years — investing in the property and hosting guests near trail access — but recent financial issues tied to expansion reportedly led to the eviction by the property owner. Local outdoor businesses and visitors are now watching closely as Cog Wild and others look to secure new space in the community. (The Source - Bend, Oregon)

📬 New Postal Connections Store Coming Soon by Costco

A new Postal Connections location is set to open by the end of February in the growing commercial area next to the new Costco in Bend, bringing expanded shipping and mailing services to that corner of town. Owner Peter Pierce said the spot was an easy choice because Costco draws a steady stream of visitors, and the team hopes to serve both locals and businesses with convenient access to packing supplies, mailboxes, and full mail services just steps from the warehouse club. (KTVZ)

The original Postal Connections near the old Costco isn’t going anywhere — it will stay open alongside the new location — and the grand opening in March will include a fun giveaway, with a laptop up for grabs. Both locations will offer the same range of services residents rely on for shipping, packaging, and mailing needs. (KTVZ)

✈️ City Club of Central Oregon to Host Aviation Forum Feb. 19

The City Club of Central Oregon is inviting the public to a forum titled “Cleared for Takeoff – Aviation’s Role in Central Oregon’s Past and Future” on Thursday, Feb. 19 (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.) in Bend. The discussion will explore how aviation has historically supported regional growth and how ongoing expansions — including developments at Redmond Airport — and local industry efforts continue shaping economic opportunities, travel connections, and pilot training here in Central Oregon. (The Source - Bend, Oregon)

Speakers from aviation and economic development sectors are scheduled to share insights on what flight and aerospace mean for local businesses, communities, and travelers as the region looks skyward into future growth. Tickets and more info are available through the City Club’s events page. (The Source - Bend, Oregon)

 😎Just sayin

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