In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

🎿 Early Snowfall Blankets Central Oregon Ski Areas

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🔢🪖Bingo 4 Heroes

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 💧Mapping the Future of Water: Aquifer Study Progress in the Upper John Day Valley

 🙋County seeks volunteer to serve on Budget Committee

 🌿Ochoco Preserve: From Farmland to Thriving Habitat in Prineville

🚰 Arnold Irrigation District May End Season Early Amid Unusual Delivery Challenges

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

📰Regional News

🥰Community News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

 🎿 Early Snowfall Blankets Central Oregon Ski Areas

Winter is showing up early in Central Oregon! Both Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo Ski Area received an early-season dusting this week, with reports of 8 to 10 inches of fresh snow across the slopes. The October snowfall has locals buzzing and ski enthusiasts already tuning up their gear in anticipation of opening day.

Both resorts are planning November openings, depending on weather and snowpack conditions. While it’s still early, this first round of snow is a promising sign for a strong start to the 2025–26 ski season—and a reminder that winter adventures are just around the corner in the high Cascades.

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

BINGO4HEREOS

Get ready to mark your calendars and join us for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and heartfelt support at the Bingo4Heroes event! Starting Tonight and then Every other Monday, the Dry Canyon Club at 19th and Hemlock in Redmond transforms into a hub of excitement from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, where you can partake in a lively game of bingo while making a meaningful difference in our community. This isn’t just any game night; it's a chance to rally behind our brave veterans, with all proceeds benefiting the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. Your participation is helping to provide essential support and services to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. You can feel the energy in the room as laughter and cheers fill the air—come share in that joy! So grab your friends, family, or even come solo; every bingo card you play is a step towards uplifting our heroes. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to connect, contribute, and celebrate together—mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable evening! To learn more about the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch and their incredible mission, visit https://www.covranch.org/. Let’s make a difference, one bingo number at a time!

Bend

LaMP (Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger & Ray Paczkowski)
🎶 Live Music – Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr | Mon Oct 13 · 8 PM
Super-group grooves in an intimate jam/funk set. volcanictheatrepub.com/events

Art with a Splash of Science (Grades 1–5)
🎨 Kids Workshop – Tower Theatre Education Program, 835 NW Wall St | Wed Oct 15 · 1 – 4 PM
Hands-on art meets science session for elementary students. towertheatre.org

Movies in the Mountains
🎥 Outdoor Cinema – Mt. Bachelor Parking Area | Fri Oct 17 & Fri Oct 24 · at sunset
Drive-in classics under the stars with snacks and FM sound. centraloregonvacationhomes.com/journal/october-events-in-central-oregon

Scotty Austin’s Rocktober Fest
🎸 Rock Show – Midtown Ballroom, 51 NW Greenwood Ave | Sat Oct 18 · 6 PM
Hard-rock night with the former frontman of Saving Abel. midtownbend.com

Jason D. Williams · Supersuckers · Wayne Hancock
🎶 Rockabilly/Alt-Country Triple Bill – Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave | Sun Oct 19 · 7 PM
Piano-pounding madness plus two cult favorites. midtownbend.com

House Happy Hour @ Crux
🍻 Community Meetup – Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St | Sun Oct 19 · 3 – 4:30 PM
Casual brewery mixer hosted by The House Gyms. thehousegyms.com/upcoming-events/bend-happy-hour-october-19

Skeptoid Science Trivia
🧠 Trivia Night – Worthy Brewing (Hop Mahal), 495 NE Bellevue Dr | Tue Oct 21 · 7 – 9 PM
Brainy science-themed trivia with beer and prizes. worthybrewing.com/events

Nolan Taylor (Live)
🎵 Singer-Songwriter – Domino Room | Tue Oct 21 · 7 PM
Rising Americana artist on tour. midtownbend.com

Spafford
🎶 Jam Band – Volcanic Theatre Pub | Wed Oct 22 · 8 PM (doors 7 PM)
High-energy improvisational rock. volcanictheatrepub.com/events

Leadbetter & Moore
🎸 Acoustic Set – McMenamins Old St. Francis (Father Luke’s Room), 700 NW Bond St | Wed Oct 22 · 7 – 10 PM
Free show from a beloved Bend guitar duo. mcmenamins.com

LAYZ Presents BLACKOUT – NO SIGNAL
🎧 EDM Dance Night – Domino Room | Thu Oct 23 · 8 PM
Bass-driven light show party. midtownbend.com

The Emo Night Tour
🎤 Sing-Along Party – Domino Room | Fri Oct 24 · 8 PM
National touring emo nostalgia night. midtownbend.com

Watkins Glen’s “Flashback to ’75” Halloween Party w/ Yak Attack
🎃 Halloween Jam – Volcanic Theatre Pub | Sat Oct 25 · 8 PM
Annual throwback costume bash with live jam band. volcanictheatrepub.com/events

GWAR · Helmet · Dwarves · Blood Vulture
🤘 Metal Show – Domino Room | Sun Oct 26 · 4:30 PM
Stacked heavy-music lineup closing out Rocktober. midtownbend.com

Redmond

Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo
🤠 Rodeo – Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way | Thu – Sat Oct 16 – 18 · Evenings
Top cowboys and cowgirls compete for regional titles. expo.deschutes.org

Southern Oregon Flea Market (Redmond Edition)
🛍️ Market – Expo Center (High Desert Activity Center) | Sat Oct 18 · 9 AM – 2 PM
140+ tables of antiques and collectibles; $2 admission. visitredmondoregon.com

The ScareGrounds Haunted Attractions
👻 Haunted Houses – 120 SW Glacier Ave | Thu–Sat Oct 16–18 & Thu–Sun Oct 23–26 · Evenings
Two terrifying walk-throughs downtown: Asylum for the Criminally Insane and Demented Toy Factory. redmondscaregrounds.com

Tyler & Clarry’s Treasure Hunt Adventure
🧩 Family Event – High Desert Music Hall, 818 SW Forest Ave | Sat Oct 25 · 10 AM – 1 PM
Interactive treasure hunt for kids and families. highdesertmusichall.com/calendar

Sisters

Jeffrey Foucault w/ Sam Weber
🎶 Singer-Songwriter Concert – The Belfry, 302 E Main Ave | Thu Oct 23 · 7 PM
Acclaimed Americana songwriter in an intimate setting. belfryevents.com

Sunriver / Three Rivers

Live Music: Dustin Sciaraffo
🎵 Acoustic Rock – Century Commons Taps & Trucks, 56809 Venture Ln | Sat Oct 25 · 6 – 8 PM
Food-truck lot fun with live music and craft beer. centurycommonstaps.com

La Pine

Sunday Maker’s Market (Indoors)
🛍️ Makers Market – Legend Cider Co., 16481 Bluewood Pl | Sun Oct 26 · 12 – 4 PM
Local artisans, pantry goods and crafts inside the cidery taproom. legendcider.com/lapineevents

Prineville

History of the Timber Industry: “Decline of the Timber Industry”
🎓 Lecture – A.R. Bowman Museum, 246 N Main St | Thu Oct 16 · 6 – 7:30 PM
Free talk with historians Steve Lent and John Shelk of Ochoco Lumber. bowmanmuseum.org

“Gourd-geous Creations” Succulent Gourd Workshop
🎨 Craft Class – Smiley Lavender Farm, 6411 NW Puckett Rd | Sat Oct 18 · 10 AM – 12 PM
Create living succulent arrangements in farm-grown gourds. smileylavenderfarm.com

Terrebonne

Smith Rock Ranch Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch
🎃 Fall Festival – Smith Rock Ranch, 1250 NE Wilcox Ave | Daily Through Sun Oct 26 · Hours Vary
Corn maze, pumpkin patch, market booths and family activities. smithrockranch.com

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Local News…

Mapping the Future of Water: Aquifer Study Progress in the Upper John Day Valley

The Grant Soil and Water Conservation District (GSWCD) is moving forward with its Upper John Day River Aquifer Management Feasibility Study, a project aimed at improving long-term water security for the region. Backed by federal FEMA funding through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, the study recently advanced with the help of the Bureau of Reclamation, which conducted an airborne electromagnetic and LIDAR survey in September. These high-tech tools are being used to pinpoint the best locations for underground water storage wells that can hold water during wet seasons and release it during dry periods.

At a public presentation held at the Grant County Regional Airport, officials shared how this data will help guide test drilling in key areas. These future aquifer storage and recovery wells could become vital for local farms and communities facing increasing drought risk. “Projects like this empower communities to apply science-driven solutions to water management,” said Stephen Richardson, mitigation manager at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. As climate conditions shift, the Upper John Day River Valley may become a model for rural resilience and innovation.

County seeks volunteer to serve on Budget Committee

Deschutes County invites community members to apply for an open position on the Budget Committee. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 27.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in county public services and budget processes to apply for this vacancy on the County’s Budget Committee,” said County Administrator Nick Lelack. “This is a great opportunity to learn about and contribute to County operations and finances.”

The Budget Committee consists of the three-member Board of County Commissioners and three citizen members. They review proposed budgets, approve property tax rates, and make recommendations on how Deschutes County should use its resources to effectively serve the community. Members also serve on the Elected Official Compensation Committee, which reviews the salaries and benefits of county elected officials.

To apply, eligible candidates must be:

• A Deschutes County resident and registered voter

• Able to attend meetings during business hours

• Willing to review budget documents on your own time to prepare for meetings

• Able to serve a three-year term, beginning on Jan. 1, 2026

The Budget Committee typically meets four to five times a year, between December and June, including up to three full days of meetings in mid-May. Additional meetings may be called if necessary.

For more details and to apply for the position, please visit www.deshcutes.org/jobs.

Ochoco Preserve: From Farmland to Thriving Habitat in Prineville

Eight years after the Deschutes Land Trust acquired the 185-acre Ochoco Preserve in Prineville, the once-flat farmland has transformed into a thriving ecosystem. Restoration efforts have reimagined the landscape with new hills, strategically placed snags, and reconnected waterways designed to boost habitat, improve water quality, and support wildlife. Beavers have already returned and are actively building dams—an encouraging sign that the ecosystem is rebounding.

The multi-phase project restored McKay Creek in 2022 and Ochoco Creek in 2023. A third and final phase—set for 2026—will add trails, footbridges, and recreational access, connecting the community more directly to the land. Guided tours offer locals a firsthand look at the changes, which not only benefit wildlife but also provide spaces where people can engage with nature just minutes from home.

 🚰 Arnold Irrigation District May End Season Early Amid Unusual Delivery Challenges

The Arnold Irrigation District, serving around 600 patrons in southeast Bend, is facing an uncommon challenge as many users request early shutoff of their water deliveries. While understandable with colder weather approaching, the reduced demand is disrupting the district's ability to maintain stable water flow for those who still need it. With too many turnouts closed, the system struggles to deliver the proper pressure and volume—risking service disruptions or even flooding in certain areas if flow is increased.

Board President Bob Schuur said this is a situation the district hasn’t faced since before 2020, largely due to recent drought years that didn’t allow for such late-season deliveries. Ironically, thanks to a strong winter snowpack and overall positive water season, the district is now challenged by managing success. While they hope to run through the scheduled end date of October 17, the season may wrap early if balance becomes impossible. Meanwhile, work continues on piping 12 miles of the main canal—a long-term improvement aimed at making the system more efficient and resilient.

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