- Central Oregon Local Buzz
- Posts
- 🔥 Early Morning House Fire in Bend Causes Major Damage,
🔥 Early Morning House Fire in Bend Causes Major Damage,
Issue #460
In partnership with
Feeling off lately? It could be your hormones.
Allara helps women understand the root cause of their hormonal or metabolic symptoms with a comprehensive care team that combines expert medical and nutrition guidance. Whether you're managing PCOS, fertility challenges, perimenopause, thyroid conditions, or unexplained symptoms, you'll get a personalized care plan backed by advanced diagnostic testing and ongoing support. This isn't about quick fixes. It's about getting clarity and feeling like yourself again, with care that's accessible virtually and covered by insurance.
🌟 Get the Central Oregon Local Buzz VIP Wallet Pass!
✅Add it to your Apple or Google Wallet and never miss a thing!
🎉 Instant event alerts📰 breaking local news, 💥 special VIP perks — all sent right to your phone.
Stay connected. Stay local. Stay in the know. Find it HERE
In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…
🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays
🌄Bend, OR Weather
📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?
🎉 Bingo Night Now Every Monday in Redmond!
🎶 Alpenglow Nights Returns with Free Summer Concert Series in Bend
📰Local News - What’s a Happening?
🎶A local opera singer continues to bring music to Central Oregon
🏂 Big Wave Challenge Returns to Mt. Bachelor with Tribute to Local Rider
🦅 Hawk Causes Thousands in Damage at Madras Airport
🐾 Orphaned Bobcats Released Back Into the Wild After Months of Care
🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News
🔥 Early Morning House Fire in Bend Causes Major Damage, No Injuries
🚨Crime News
🚓 La Pine Car Break-In Suspect Identified and Arrested
🥰Community News
💛 Free Grief Camp for Central Oregon Youth Returns This June
🎶 Classic 60s Band The Cowsills to Headline Benefit Concert in Madras
📰Regional News
📆City of Bend Calendar of Events
🚧 Road Closures & Construction
🚧Overnight construction begins March 29 on U.S. 20 in Sisters
💖Sponsors
😆Today’s Meme
What’s Up Central Oregon?
FEATURED EVENT
🎉 Bingo Night Now Every Monday in Redmond!
Monday nights just got a whole lot more fun! Bingo is now happening every Monday in partnership with both the Opportunity Foundation and the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch.
Head over to Dry Canyon Club, with games kicking off at 6:00 PM. It’s the perfect way to start your week—enjoy a great night out while supporting two incredible local organizations.
Bring your friends, test your luck, and make Monday night Bingo your new weekly tradition! 🎱
🎶 Alpenglow Nights Returns with Free Summer Concert Series in Bend
Bend’s popular Alpenglow Nights concert series is back for summer 2026, bringing five weeks of free live music to Alpenglow Park. The Thursday night series runs from May 21 through June 25, featuring a mix of genres—from blues and soul to jazz, funk, and jamgrass—alongside local food vendors and family-friendly activities. Organizers say the goal is to create a laid-back community gathering where people can enjoy music, food, and Central Oregon’s scenic evenings. (Alpenglow Nights)
This year’s lineup includes acts like The Muddy Souls, The Brandon Campbell Trio, Race to the Light, Object Heavy, and The Hank Shreve Band, with performances typically running from 5 to 8 p.m. Each night showcases multiple artists, giving attendees a variety of sounds throughout the evening. The free series has quickly become a staple of Bend’s summer events scene, offering a relaxed, bring-your-own-chair vibe perfect for families and music lovers alike. (Alpenglow Nights)
HAVE an upcoming event you want us to FEATURE?
Event Sources:
Local News…
🏂 Big Wave Challenge Returns to Mt. Bachelor with Tribute to Local Rider
The Big Wave Challenge is back at Mt. Bachelor this weekend, bringing snowboarders of all ages together for a one-of-a-kind event that blends surfing style with snow riding. Now in its 14th year, the competition features a custom-built course designed to mimic ocean waves, with riders judged on speed, power, and flow. But beyond the competition, this year’s event carries a deeper meaning for the Central Oregon community.
Organizers have introduced the Stratton Matteson Legacy Award to honor a local rider who died in an avalanche earlier this year, recognizing not just skill but passion, spirit, and connection to the mountains. In support of that mission, Three Sisters Backcountry is donating an avalanche rescue course for the winner and a friend, helping promote safety and awareness as more people explore backcountry terrain. The award aims to carry forward Matteson’s legacy while encouraging both community and education in the mountains he loved.
🦅 Hawk Causes Thousands in Damage at Madras Airport
An unexpected culprit is behind costly damage at the Madras Airport—a hawk. According to airport officials, the bird had been repeatedly perching on the facility’s Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), eventually causing significant damage that’s expected to cost thousands of dollars to repair. The system plays a critical role in providing real-time weather data for pilots, making the disruption more than just a nuisance. (Madras Pioneer)
Airport staff had noticed the hawk lingering around the equipment for months before the damage was discovered. Officials say the incident highlights the challenges wildlife can pose to aviation infrastructure, especially in more rural areas like Central Oregon. Repairs are now underway to restore the system and prevent similar issues in the future.
🐾 Orphaned Bobcats Released Back Into the Wild After Months of Care
Two young bobcats are back where they belong after nearly a year of rehabilitation in Central Oregon. The siblings—rescued as tiny, orphaned kittens in 2025—were recently released near Dayville following 10 months of care at Think Wild’s Wildlife Hospital. Found alone near Condon and believed to have lost their mother to a vehicle strike, the pair arrived severely underweight and in poor condition. Through careful medical treatment and a structured rehabilitation process, they regained strength while staff worked intentionally to prevent human interaction and preserve their wild instincts.
As they grew, the bobcats were gradually introduced to natural behaviors, including hunting live prey and navigating terrain designed to mimic the wild. Before release, they successfully demonstrated the ability to hunt independently. A “soft release” approach gave them time to adjust to their surroundings before venturing off on their own. Wildlife experts say the return of these native predators is an important step in maintaining ecological balance—and a reminder of both the risks wildlife face and the impact of successful rehabilitation efforts.
Fire & Rescue…
🔥 Early Morning House Fire in Bend Causes Major Damage, No Injuries
A Bend resident safely escaped an early morning house fire Saturday after being alerted by a smoke alarm. The fire was reported around 5:07 a.m. near Thomas Drive and Airpark Drive, with Bend Fire & Rescue arriving within eight minutes to find flames already venting through the roof of a single-story home. Crews quickly knocked down the fire, and the occupant—who got out safely—declined assistance from the Red Cross.
Investigators determined the fire started in the attic near the pellet stove’s pipe, where heat ignited nearby insulation and structural materials. The fire spread rapidly through the attic, ultimately causing the roof and ceiling to collapse into much of the home. Damage is estimated at $400,000 to the structure and $80,000 to contents, including a vehicle in the garage. Fire officials are reminding residents that working smoke alarms are critical, noting they played a key role in preventing injuries in this incident.
Crime News…
🚓 La Pine Car Break-In Suspect Identified and Arrested
A La Pine man has been arrested in connection with a string of vehicle break-ins that rattled neighborhoods earlier this week. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says 27-year-old Noah Kirshner was identified through a combination of doorbell and driveway camera footage, along with numerous tips from residents. Deputies reviewed hours of video showing the suspect entering vehicles in the Reserve in the Pines and Crescent Creek areas, stealing items including wallets, purses, medications, and an iPad. Most of the stolen property has since been recovered and returned to its owners.
Kirshner is now facing multiple charges, including unlawful entry into vehicles, attempted entry, and theft. He was booked into the Deschutes County Adult Jail, and investigators say additional charges are possible as they continue reviewing evidence and identifying more victims. Officials credited the community’s quick response and widespread use of home surveillance, noting that the case highlights how difficult it has become for crimes like these to go undetected.
Community News…
💛 Free Grief Camp for Central Oregon Youth Returns This June
A long-running Central Oregon program supporting grieving youth is returning this summer, offering a safe space for kids and teens navigating loss. ClearPath Healthcare—formerly Hospice of Redmond—is bringing back Camp Sunrise, Oregon’s longest-running free grief camp. Now in its 28th year, the program ensures no young person has to face grief alone, with separate offerings for children ages 7–12 and teens 13–17.
This year’s sessions will be held at Cascade View Retreat Center, with Camp Sunrise running June 19–21 as a three-day overnight experience, and a Teen Grief Retreat scheduled for June 20 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The program is free, but space is limited to 30 participants, with applications now open. Organizers say each applicant is carefully screened to ensure the camp is a good fit, helping create a supportive and meaningful experience for everyone involved. There are 30 spots available, and applications are now open at this link: https://www.clearpathhealthcare.org/camp-sunrise/
🎶 Classic 60s Band The Cowsills to Headline Benefit Concert in Madras
A legendary pop-rock group from the 1960s is heading to Madras for a special night of music with a purpose. The Cowsills will take the stage at the Madras Performing Arts Center on April 11 for a benefit concert supporting the Jefferson County Historical Society’s effort to create a long-awaited county museum. The project aims to transform a historic 1908 church into a space dedicated to preserving and sharing local history—something Jefferson County currently lacks.
The concert will feature many of the band’s classic hits, along with stories and a chance for fans to connect with the group after the show. Organizers say the event is about more than fundraising—it’s about bringing the community together around a shared goal of celebrating local heritage. Proceeds from the concert will go toward restoring the building and helping move the museum project closer to reality.
Regional News…
Road Construction
BendRedmond | Deschutes County |
Every headline satisfies an opinion. Except ours.
Remember when the news was about what happened, not how to feel about it? 1440's Daily Digest is bringing that back. Every morning, they sift through 100+ sources to deliver a concise, unbiased briefing — no pundits, no paywalls, no politics. Just the facts, all in five minutes. For free.
Sponsors…
FREE UP YOUR SPACE — ON YOUR TERMS!
🏷️ Special Offer: Get 50% OFF your first 6 months of storage when you sign up now!
Whether you're decluttering, storing business inventory, or just need extra space — Logsden Street Self Storage has you covered:
✅ Modern, kiosk‑operated facility
✅ 24/7 monitored security for peace of mind
✅ Unit sizes from 5×12 to 10×20
✅ Reserve online + daily access (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
📍Located at 710 SE Logsden St., Bend
Get started today — and save big while you do it!
📞 541‑696‑3164 | ✉️ [email protected]
♻️ Can Monkey – Hassle-Free Trash Day!
Tired of hauling your bins to the curb? Can Monkey makes trash day easy by rolling your garbage and recycling cans out—and back—so you don’t have to. Perfect for vacation homes, busy schedules, or just saving yourself the hassle.
Never take the trash out again.
😎Just sayin
How'd we do on this issue? |
We could use your help
Know somebody who lives in the Central Oregon area and would benefit from being kept in the know?
Please share Central Oregon Local BUZZ with them! It’s simple!
Reply