In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🎶 Dad Bods 80’s Cover Band at Northside Bar & Grill

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🎶 Reggae Rise Up Oregon Named One of the Nation’s Best New Festivals 🇺🇸

 🧑‍💼 Madras City Administrator Resigns Amid Police Chief Search

📚 Downtown Bend Library Begins Major Remodel Feb. 2 — Temporary Closure Ahead

⛳ Central Oregon Golfers Flock to Courses During Unseasonably Warm Winter

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 🚨 UPDATE: OSP Seeks Witnesses in Fatal Hwy 97 Pedestrian Crash

🚴‍♂️ Cyclist Critically Injured After Driver Runs Red Light in SE Bend

🚨Crime News

 🚓 Felon Arrested After High-Speed Chase Across Central Oregon

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

 🛣️ Kotek’s Call to Repeal Transportation Law Sparks Legal Debate

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘️💼Real Estate & Business News

🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

🌭 New Food Truck Pod Coming to SW Bend Behind Powder House

🍻 Central Oregon PubTalk Returns Jan. 22 at Worthy Brewing

🏗️ 129‑Unit Affordable Housing Project Breaks Ground in SE Bend

🏙️ Timber Yards Project Scales Back as Bend Housing Debate Continues

🍻 Shorty’s Taphouse Opens in Culver with Brews, Bites & Community Vibes

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

 ✅ Correct Answer: B) A dairy barn tied to early Redmond agriculture

💡 Expanded Answer:
Long before it became a social hotspot, the Red Barn was originally a working dairy barn, part of Redmond’s early agricultural roots. Family and community recollections trace the structure back to local dairy operations before it was repurposed decades later into a bar, restaurant, and gathering place remembered by generations of locals.

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

 🎶 Dad Bods 80’s Cover Band at Northside Bar & Grill

Get ready to rock out to classic hits and nostalgia! On Saturday, January 17 from 8–10 pm, Dad Bods, Bend’s high‑energy 80’s cover band, returns to Northside Bar & Grill with a free live show that’s sure to get you dancing. The band will spin your favorite 80’s rock anthems — with a few fun throwbacks from other decades — in a night of music, good vibes, and sing‑along fun. (Visit Bend)

Where: Northside Bar & Grill, 62860 Boyd Acres Rd, Bend
When: Sat Jan 17 • 8 pm–10 pm
Cost: Free
More Info/Tickets: VisitDadBods.band (Visit Bend)

Perfect for a Saturday night out with friends — don’t miss this local live music event!

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Deschutes Public Library Events

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Local News…

 🎶 Reggae Rise Up Oregon Named One of the Nation’s Best New Festivals 🇺🇸

Read the full article on Central Oregon Daily – Just one year after its debut in Redmond, Reggae Rise Up Oregon has earned national recognition from USA Today as one of the best new festivals in the United States for 2026. The three‑day music and camping event, held at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, brings reggae vibes, live performances, art installations, local vendors, and a strong community atmosphere to Central Oregon each summer. (Facebook)

The festival returns June 12–14, 2026, featuring music, food, activities, and good vibes for all ages, set against the stunning backdrop of Redmond and the greater Bend area. Fans and newcomers alike can look forward to another unforgettable weekend of reggae rhythms and outdoor fun under big Oregon skies. (reggaeriseup.com)

 🧑‍💼 Madras City Administrator Resigns Amid Police Chief Search

The City of Madras has announced that City Administrator Will Ibershof has resigned, effective Jan. 14, 2026, just as the city is restarting its search for a permanent police chief. (Facebook)

The City Council scheduled a special meeting on Jan. 16 to formally accept Ibershof’s resignation and consider appointing an interim city administrator. Officials say that daily operations and city services will continue without interruption during the leadership transition. (ktvz.com)

📚 Downtown Bend Library Begins Major Remodel Feb. 2 — Temporary Closure Ahead

Big changes are coming to the Downtown Bend Library, with a major remodel kicking off Feb. 2 as part of the transition to the new Central Library in SE Bend, set to open in May. Phase one of construction will close the library’s second floor, while limited services—like book returns, holds pickup, children’s area access, and a small browsing collection—will remain available on the first floor through April 10.

Starting April 11, 2026, the entire downtown branch will close until spring 2027. With no Bend library operating for about a month during the transition, staff are actively helping patrons and community groups find alternate meeting spaces. Locations like the Deschutes Historical Museum and Deschutes Children’s Foundation have already stepped in to host programs, such as morning story time. Library Director Todd Dunkelberg says the team is working to minimize the gap, and limited drive-up services may be available at the new Central Library before its full opening. Learn more and view remodel plans at dpl.pub/futuredowntownbend.

⛳ Central Oregon Golfers Flock to Courses During Unseasonably Warm Winter

Thanks to a stretch of unusually mild winter weather, Central Oregon golf courses are buzzing with activity. At The Ridge Course at Eagle Crest in Redmond, every tee time has been booked for three straight days, with golf activity up 150% compared to this time last year. Director of Golf Ron Buerger says conditions are playing like spring, with unfrozen greens and even fairway mowing underway—a rarity for January.

The spike in play has allowed Eagle Crest to retain seasonal staff and keep maintenance projects moving. Buerger notes they've only had two closure days this winter, compared to a record-low 24 in years past. Other courses—Meadow Lakes (Prineville), Juniper (Redmond), Crooked River Ranch, and Desert Peaks (Madras)—report a similar surge in demand. Golfers are advised to book early, as shotgun starts and full tee sheets are now the norm. Even non-golfers are soaking up the sun—locals are gathering for pickleball and lunch by the fires at Eagle Crest’s patio spaces.

Fire & Rescue… 

 🚨 Pedestrian Fatally Struck on Hwy 97 in Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. – A tragic crash on Saturday, January 10th, claimed the life of a Madras man after he was struck by a vehicle on Highway 97 near milepost 101. According to Oregon State Police, 38-year-old Jared Elijah Cooper was hit by a Ford Explorer while the driver, 63-year-old James Edwin Legore of Sandy, Utah, was merging back into the northbound lanes from the highway shoulder. Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene. Legore was reportedly uninjured.

The highway was closed for approximately five hours during the investigation. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and ODOT. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

🚨 UPDATE: OSP Seeks Witnesses in Fatal Hwy 97 Pedestrian Crash

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. – Oregon State Police are asking for the public’s help as they continue to investigate the fatal crash that occurred on Saturday, January 10th, between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. on Highway 97 near milepost 101. The incident involved a silver Ford Explorer, which struck and killed 38-year-old Jared Elijah Cooper of Madras. Cooper was associated with a gray or aluminum Dodge Grand Caravan that was parked at the scene.

Investigators are seeking any witnesses who may have seen either vehicle before or during the crash. Anyone with information is urged to call OSP’s Northern Command Dispatch Center at 800‑442‑0776 or OSP (677) from a mobile phone and reference case number SP26-010591.

🚴‍♂️ Cyclist Critically Injured After Driver Runs Red Light in SE Bend

A 34-year-old Bend cyclist was critically injured Wednesday evening, Jan. 14, after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Powers Road and South Business 97. Bend Police say the crash occurred around 5:26 p.m. when the driver of a white Subaru Forester, identified as 31-year-old Samantha Schoene of Bend, ran a red light and hit the cyclist in the crosswalk.

Bystanders and officers provided life-saving care until Bend Fire medics arrived and transported the victim to St. Charles Bend with life-threatening injuries. Schoene remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. She was cited for careless driving causing an accident. Southbound Business 97 was closed for about two hours while the Bend Police crash reconstruction team investigated.

Crime News…

 🚓 Felon Arrested After High-Speed Chase Across Central Oregon

A 32-year-old Warm Springs man, Edward Francis Jones, has been arrested and federally charged after eluding law enforcement during a high-speed chase that spanned multiple Central Oregon jurisdictions. Jones, a convicted felon, was wanted on two supervised release violations and now faces new charges for illegal firearm possession and fleeing police. Authorities say the pursuit began in Madras on January 7, 2026, when officers attempted a traffic stop and ended after Jones crashed and fled on foot. He was quickly located by a Prineville PD drone and taken into custody. A handgun was found in the car he was driving.

The incident traces back to November 2025, when Warm Springs Police discovered a stolen car with a loaded 9mm handgun, drugs, and ammo. Jones allegedly fled that scene as well. Multiple agencies—including Jefferson and Crook County deputies, Madras and Prineville PD, Oregon State Police, FBI, and U.S. Marshals—had been working to track him down for months. Jones made his first appearance in federal court and remains in custody.

Community News…

Regional News…

🛣️ Kotek’s Call to Repeal Transportation Law Sparks Legal Debate

Governor Tina Kotek is urging lawmakers to repeal a 2025 transportation funding law she previously championed—but a nearly century-old legal opinion may stand in the way. On Jan. 7, Kotek called for a repeal after opponents gathered enough signatures to refer the law to the November ballot, halting its planned tax and fee increases designed to raise $4.3 billion for ODOT. Critics say the repeal effort may be politically motivated, allowing Democrats to avoid sharing the ballot with a potentially unpopular tax hike.

However, a 1935 Oregon Attorney General opinion, resurfaced by the Oregon Journalism Project, claims that once a law is referred to voters, it cannot be repealed by the Legislature. While the Department of Justice has yet to determine if that opinion holds under modern legal standards, Republican leaders argue the Constitution is clear: the measure must go to voters. As the Legislature prepares for its February short session, lawmakers are caught between constitutional questions and a deepening transportation funding crisis.

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

Friday’s

Real Estate & Business News

Sponsored by

Central Oregon Market Report | January 14, 2026

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

After hitting a three-year low of 5.99%, the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage bounced up slightly to 6.07%. Still, rates are near their lowest point in this cycle, and housing market activity remains steady. Yesterday in Bend, temperatures were above 60 degrees, another factor helping this winter's housing market activity.

This morning, in Deschutes County, the supply of actively listed single-family homes is 779, 17 fewer than last week. Fifty-six pending sales are the most since November, averaging $856,441, with the average price reduction before securing a buyer at 8.07%. Thirty-nine transactions closed this week, averaging $842,986, with 30 of those sales reducing the asking price by an average of 6.18%. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 92.96%.

The inventory in Crook County this week increased by five to 150. There were five pending sales this week, averaging $705,780, with four of those listings decreasing the asking price an average of 4.77% before securing a buyer. Six transactions closed this week, averaging $562,665, with the average price reduction before securing a sale at 7.11%. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 93.41%.

The supply of single-family listings in Jefferson County this week decreased by 2, to 113. Four pending sales occurred this week, averaging $441,500, with three reducing the list price by an average of 6.25% before securing a buyer. Two transactions closed this week at $378,000 and $500,000, with one decreasing the list price by 11.26% before securing a contract. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio for the $378k sale was 99.5%, while the ratio for the $500k sale was 74.07%. Three manufactured homes on land closed this week, averaging $293,665, with the sold-to-original-list-price ratio at 85.6%.

In 2025, in Jefferson County, 247 single-family homes sold, averaging $433,807, with 69 manufactured homes on land selling at an average of $420,403. The median acreage of the single-family sales was .21 acres, with the median for the manufactured homes on land at 1.82 acres. I focus primarily on single-family homes for all my analytics because it is the largest data pool and provides the most insight into market trends. However, for many buyers focused on lot size and location, especially in Central Oregon's outlying areas, manufactured homes on land are worth considering.

All indications already point to an active 2026 for the Central Oregon housing market. Today, rates are near three-year lows, and sellers are negotiating to close deals. With the stretch of fantastic weather we are experiencing, now is a great time to take a look at what is available, when buyer competition is down from peak season activity. If a property that suits you is available today, the chances of negotiating a lower price than in the summer, with less competition, are high. 

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Active Listings

 🌭 New Food Truck Pod Coming to SW Bend Behind Powder House

BEND, Ore. – A new food truck destination is on the rise in Southwest Bend, just behind longtime local business Powder House. The two-story, 9,000-square-foot building will feature space for 10 food trucks, a commissary kitchen, and an upstairs area for events and games—plus modern upgrades like natural gas hookups and air conditioning to keep things comfortable year-round.

Owner Todd McGee, who’s operated Powder House for 25 years, says he’s been eyeing the narrow lot behind the store for nearly a decade. With high winter traffic from ski and snowboard rentals, the new food truck hub is expected to thrive even in the off-season. The grand opening is planned for May 1, just in time for summer.

🍻 Central Oregon PubTalk Returns Jan. 22 at Worthy Brewing

Kick off 2026 with an evening of conversation, networking and insights at Central Oregon PubTalk on Thursday, January 22 at Worthy Brewing in Bend. The event brings together local leaders who are building and running innovative companies to share what they’re working on and lessons learned along the way. Featured presentations include pitches from SuperSenses, an at‑home sensory health platform, and CarbonBright, an AI‑powered sustainability intelligence tool, along with a keynote from Alisha Hemmingson Runckel, VP of Ecommerce at Blueprint. (Cascade Business News)

Networking begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by the program at 5:30 p.m. — a great chance to connect with entrepreneurs, investors and business enthusiasts in Central Oregon’s growing startup and innovation community. (Cascade Business News)

Register Now

🏗️ 129‑Unit Affordable Housing Project Breaks Ground in SE Bend

Construction is underway on Verde Pines, a new 129‑unit affordable housing development in southeast Bend near Caldera High School. The project recently broke ground and is expected to bring much‑needed housing options to the area, with the first apartment building slated to open in just over a year.

This development marks a significant step in addressing housing affordability in the region and reflects ongoing efforts to expand accessible living options for residents of Central Oregon.

🏙️ Timber Yards Project Scales Back as Bend Housing Debate Continues

A major mixed-use development planned for SW Industrial Way in Bend—Timber Yards—is being scaled back due to rising costs. Originally envisioned as a dense, six-story residential and commercial project, Southern California developer Kennedy Wilson has submitted a text amendment to reduce the scope. The updated plan includes four-story garden-style apartments, fewer total homes (down from 1,600 to 1,000–1,350), and significant cuts to planned office and retail space.

The Timber Yards site, located near the Box Factory and Jackstraw Apartments, was rezoned in 2016 as part of Bend’s urban growth boundary expansion. The project will still include road infrastructure like roundabouts and utilities, but individual building plans will come later. A public hearing will be scheduled before the Bend Planning Commission, followed by a City Council decision on the proposed changes. The developer stated the original plan was financially unfeasible and risked long delays or cancellation if not revised.

Full Story Here

🍻 Shorty’s Taphouse Opens in Culver with Brews, Bites & Community Vibes

Shorty’s Taphouse is now officially open in Culver, offering a welcoming new hangout for locals and visitors alike. Located at 3890 SW Iris Lane, right where Iris Lane meets the Culver Highway, Shorty’s aims to be a family- and dog-friendly gathering space with something for everyone.

With a rotating selection of domestic and craft beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks, Shorty’s is also planning to host up to six food trucks on site, complete with outdoor seating. The owners hope it becomes a go-to spot after a day on Lake Billy Chinook or following school sports at nearby campuses. Cheers to new community connections in Culver!

 😎Just sayin

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