From the Editor

Summer is officially settling into Central Oregon, bringing warmer temperatures, packed event calendars, and unfortunately, an early start to what is shaping up to be a challenging wildfire season. In today's issue, we're taking a closer look at why fire officials say conditions are already weeks ahead of schedule and what that means for residents and visitors heading outdoors this summer.

You'll also find updates on local government, education, real estate, community accomplishments, and a bit of good news out of Culver, where students helped restore a beloved hometown landmark. Plus, a lucky lottery player may be waking up a millionaire after a winning ticket was sold right here in Central Oregon.

As always, thank you for spending part of your day with us. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy everything our incredible region has to offer this weekend.

📰Local News Featured

🔥 Central Oregon's Fire Danger Is Months Ahead of Schedule — Here's What It Means

If it feels like wildfire season arrived early this year, that's because it did.

Fire officials say Central Oregon is already experiencing conditions typically seen around the Fourth of July, with fire danger levels reaching "high" as early as May 1. Outside Bend Fire & Rescue near Pilot Butte, Smokey Bear's familiar fire danger sign has been warning residents for weeks that the region is already primed for wildfire activity. Officials now expect conditions to escalate to "extreme" around the start of July if current weather patterns continue.

The early warning signs are the result of a combination of factors: warm temperatures, low humidity, dry vegetation, and an unusually low snowpack during the winter. Researchers say the lack of snow means less water available to keep forests and grasslands moist through the spring and early summer. As fuels dry out, even small sparks can quickly ignite fires. Bend Fire & Rescue recently responded to a brush fire at Cascade Village Shopping Center that was reportedly started by a discarded cigarette — a reminder that it doesn't take much to start a wildfire under current conditions.

The elevated risk has already prompted statewide action. Governor Tina Kotek recently declared a wildfire emergency, and the Oregon Department of Forestry has now declared fire season across all districts in the state. While these declarations unlock additional resources and preparedness measures, officials stress they don't mean outdoor recreation needs to stop.

Camping, hiking, floating, and other summer activities can continue, but visitors should be prepared for changing restrictions. Campfires may still be allowed in some locations, while others could impose limitations depending on local conditions. Fire officials strongly encourage anyone heading outdoors to check with the managing agency—whether that's a national forest, state forest, or campground—before lighting a fire or using equipment that could create sparks.

Travelers are also being asked to inspect their vehicles before hitting the road. Dragging trailer chains, worn brakes, damaged wheel bearings, and other mechanical issues can throw sparks into dry roadside vegetation. In conditions like those currently being seen across Central Oregon, a single spark can be enough to ignite a fast-moving wildfire.

With months of hot, dry weather still ahead, fire managers say now is the time for residents and visitors alike to start thinking about wildfire prevention. Simple actions—properly extinguishing campfires, disposing of cigarettes responsibly, maintaining vehicles, and staying informed about local restrictions—can make a significant difference in preventing human-caused fires during what is shaping up to be a long and challenging fire season.

🚨Crime News

🚨 Bend Police Seek Additional Possible Victims in Sexual Abuse Investigation

Bend Police are asking the public for information after arresting 19-year-old Alex Roger Stanley on multiple charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Stanley was arrested June 17 following an investigation that began earlier this year when a 15-year-old girl underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) examination at St. Charles Health System.

According to investigators, Stanley is a transient who has spent several years in the Bend area and may have had access to children during that time. Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Bend Police through non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

🚔 Bend Man Arrested in Investigation of Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minor Co-Workers

A 35-year-old Bend man was arrested Thursday following a month-long investigation into allegations that he engaged in sexual acts with underage co-workers. Bend Police arrested Davis Allen Kellar at his home in northeast Bend while serving a search warrant related to the case.

According to investigators, multiple interviews indicate Kellar may have had inappropriate relationships with minors while working at a downtown Bend restaurant. He was arrested on multiple charges, including sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor. Detectives believe Kellar may have had contact with other minors through his employment and are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Bend Police Detective Dallas Wilson.

⛰️Bend

🎓 Central Oregon School Districts Trim Millions from Budgets

Several Central Oregon school districts are making significant budget reductions for the 2026-27 school year as they grapple with declining enrollment, rising operating costs, and changes to state funding formulas. Bend-La Pine Schools reduced its budget by approximately $7 million, while Redmond School District cut $3.5 million and Jefferson County School District trimmed $2 million. Despite the reductions, district leaders say they were able to avoid layoffs by relying on staff attrition, retirements, and transfers to open positions.

School officials pointed to changes in state poverty weighting and ongoing challenges with special education funding as major factors behind the shortfalls. While districts worked to protect athletics, music programs, and other student activities, families may notice slightly larger class sizes in some schools next year. Administrators say the goal was to spread reductions across departments while minimizing impacts to classroom learning and student services.

🏞️ River Floaters Face Parking Crunch at Riverbend Park

Bend’s popular summer river float season is underway, but visitors heading to Riverbend Park may find parking harder to come by this year. A large gravel lot across from the park that many floaters relied on has been closed off for a new townhouse development, leaving fewer options for those looking to launch onto the Deschutes River. Remaining nearby lots are free but fill quickly, especially on weekends and during peak tourist season.

To help ease congestion, Cascades East Transit has resumed its Ride the River shuttle service through Labor Day. For $5, riders can park at the Park and Float lot near The Pavilion and catch a shuttle to Riverbend Park before their float. The shuttle also provides return service from Drake Park back to the parking area. Bend Park & Recreation officials encourage floaters to plan ahead, arrive early, or consider alternative transportation options as demand continues to grow throughout the summer.

💔 Oregon Adaptive Sports Mourns Beloved Volunteer Killed in California Cycling Crash

The Central Oregon community is mourning the loss of Kellie Standish, a longtime volunteer and advocate for Oregon Adaptive Sports, who was killed June 11 while cycling along California's Pacific Coast. Standish was riding with two other cyclists near Solimar Beach in Ventura County when authorities say a pickup truck struck the group from behind. Standish died at the scene, while a second cyclist later died from injuries sustained in the crash. A third rider remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

The driver, 24-year-old Gabriel Esquivel, has been charged with murder after investigators determined he was allegedly impaired at the time of the crash. Prosecutors said Esquivel had previously been arrested for DUI in December 2025 and had received formal warnings that a future impaired-driving crash resulting in death could lead to a murder charge. Oregon Adaptive Sports remembered Standish as a beloved volunteer whose positivity, compassion, and dedication touched countless lives. The organization credited her with inspiring its well-known “Best Day Ever” motto and said her impact on the adaptive sports community will be felt for years to come..

✈️Redmond

🗳️ Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch Launches Re-Election Campaign

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch announced Thursday that he will seek another term in the November 2026 election. Fitch, who was elected mayor in 2022, said he wants to continue helping guide Redmond through a period of rapid growth and development.

The mayor's announcement comes as candidate filing remains open for Redmond's upcoming municipal election. In addition to the mayoral race, three City Council seats will also be on the ballot this November, giving voters several opportunities to help shape the city's future leadership.

🌲Sisters

🚚 Log Hauling Project Approved Near Camp Sherman

Residents and visitors in the Camp Sherman area can expect increased log truck traffic this summer after the U.S. Forest Service approved a Warm Springs Timber Company project in the Deschutes National Forest. The work will take place along Forest Service Roads 12 and 1290 in the Sisters Ranger District and is scheduled to continue through November. In addition to hauling logs, crews will also perform road maintenance along the routes.

Officials are urging motorists, recreationists, and other forest users to use extra caution, particularly during morning hours when truck traffic is expected to be heaviest. Drivers should watch for commercial vehicles, reduced speeds, and occasional delays in active work zones. Warm Springs Timber Company, a tribally owned enterprise of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, said it is committed to conducting the project safely while minimizing impacts to the public.

🪶Madras

🏛️ Madras Selects Brenda Fahey as Next City Administrator

The Madras City Council has selected Brenda Fahey as its preferred candidate for city administrator, moving one step closer to filling the city's top administrative position after months of recruitment and interviews. Fahey currently serves as Assistant City Manager and Human Resources Director for the City of The Dalles and brings more than 25 years of public sector leadership experience. An employment agreement is expected to be considered by the council at its June 23 meeting.

Fahey was chosen following a comprehensive selection process that included community meet-and-greet events, staff and stakeholder interviews, and formal council interviews. City officials say her background in organizational leadership, budgeting, labor relations, communications, and managing growth made her a strong fit for the role. If approved by the council, Fahey is expected to begin serving as Madras' city administrator in July, helping guide the city through its next chapter following several months of leadership transition.

🧑‍🌾Culver

🎓 Culver Students Restore Beloved Hillside Landmark

A group of Culver High School students spent the final month of the school year restoring one of the community's most recognizable landmarks—the giant "C" on Juniper Butte. What began as a classroom project quickly turned into a community effort, with students hiking up the hillside after school to clear brush, remove overgrowth, and repaint the landmark that overlooks the town. The restoration marked the first major refurbishment of the iconic letter in nearly a decade.

The project received support from local businesses, community members, and the newly formed Culver Alumni Association, which helped fund supplies. Students balanced the work alongside sports and other school activities, spending weeks bringing the landmark back to life. Now visible once again from much of Culver, the refreshed "C" stands as a symbol of community pride, and organizers hope the effort will restart a tradition of annual maintenance by future graduating classes.

🐎Prineville

🎉 Prineville Store Sells $3.2 Million Megabucks Winning Ticket

A lucky Oregon Lottery player is holding a ticket worth $3.2 million after matching all six numbers in a recent Megabucks drawing. Lottery officials confirmed the jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Prineville at R&R Grocery, turning the local convenience store into the source of Central Oregon’s newest millionaire. As of this week, the winner had not yet publicly claimed the prize.

The jackpot win serves as a reminder for anyone who purchased a Megabucks ticket in Prineville around the drawing date to double-check their numbers. In addition to celebrating the big winner, the store will also receive a retailer bonus for selling the jackpot ticket. Oregon's Game Megabucks drawings are held three times each week, with jackpots resetting after a winning ticket is sold.

🏘️Real Estate

🏡 Central Oregon Housing Market Remains Steady as Peak Season Continues

Central Oregon's housing market continues to show steady activity as the region moves deeper into the summer selling season. While inventory is still growing across much of the area, it remains slightly below 2025 levels, raising the possibility that the annual shift toward declining supply could arrive earlier than usual. Mortgage rates have also eased somewhat, with the average 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan now sitting at 6.55%, offering some encouragement for buyers heading into the second half of the year.

Deschutes County inventory climbed to 1,401 active single-family listings this week, with 91 pending sales and 78 homes closing. Nearly half of the homes that sold after a price reduction spent a median of just 21 days on the market, highlighting continued demand for well-priced properties. Crook County saw a jump in activity as pending sales rose from six to eleven week-over-week, while Jefferson County inventory dipped slightly to 154 listings. Jefferson County also maintained the strongest pricing performance, with homes selling at an average of 103% of their original asking price.

With the Fourth of July approaching, the market is firmly in its busiest season. Although 2026 has been more measured than some anticipated, sales have remained consistent and many sellers continue to achieve prices at or above the peaks seen in 2022. Lower-priced homes remain especially competitive, while attractive properties across all price points are moving quickly when priced appropriately. If mortgage rates continue to ease and economic uncertainty subsides, local real estate professionals believe the fall market could be stronger than expected.

🏠 What Really Happens After Property Damage Strikes?

A burst pipe, house fire, severe storm, or sewage backup can turn life upside down in an instant. In the chaos that follows, many property owners aren't sure what to do first—or what the restoration process actually involves. While most people think restoration is simply about cleaning up the mess, the reality is far more complex.

From emergency response and damage assessment to water extraction, mold prevention, content recovery, and full reconstruction, professional restoration teams follow a carefully structured process designed to protect your property and prevent further damage. In this guide, we'll walk through each step of the property damage restoration journey so you'll know exactly what to expect if disaster ever strikes your home or business.

Thank you for catching up with the latest happenings in Central Oregon. We strive to keep you informed and engaged with important news and heartwarming stories. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy all that our beautiful region has to offer.