In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🛩️Airshow of the Cascades

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📈Bend-Area Sees Modest Rise in Unemployment as Seasonal Jobs End

⚒️Construction underway to replace Skyliner Lodge's 'dry, brittle' roof

📰 Deschutes County Narrows Landfill Search to Two Options

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

💔Community Mourns Loss of Prineville Man at Lake Billy Chinook

⛑️One Month Later, Search Ongoing at Dillon Falls

🚨Crime News

🚨🌿La Pine Man Cited in Illegal Marijuana Raid

📰Regional News

📰Governor Kotek Declares Drought Emergencies in Coos and Wheeler Counties

🥰Community News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🐾🐾Pet Friendly places to Eat Out - Yes Please!

🫴💖Local Non-Profit Spotlight - Brightside Animal Center

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme - Peanut Butter Burger?…

🧠 Test your Central Oregon knowledge!

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

SISTERS

HOSMER LAKE

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

Featured Events

✈️ Spotlight Event: Airshow of the Cascades Madras, OR

📍 Madras Municipal Airport
🗓️ Friday, Aug 22 | 1 PM – 11 PM
🗓️ Saturday, Aug 23 | 9 AM – 4 PM

🛫 Day 1 – Friday, August 22
Get ready for the roar of engines and the thrill of aerobatics! Day one of the Airshow of the Cascades features an exciting mix of aviation performances, static aircraft displays, a classic car show, food vendors, and live music. As the sun sets, stick around for a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the Madras skies.

• Patriots Jet Team and other aerial acts

• Ground displays, vendors, and family zones

• Live music throughout the day

• Fireworks finale at night

• Food trucks and beer garden

🛩️ Day 2 – Saturday, August 23
The fun continues with a full day of high-flying action and hands-on experiences. Saturday brings more aerobatic performances, flyovers, educational exhibits, and access to vintage warbirds. It’s a great chance to get up close to aviation history and enjoy another round of local music and community fun.

• All-day flying exhibitions and ground attractions

• Access to WWII aircraft and interactive exhibits

• Vendors, local artisans, and food options

• Ideal for families, photographers, and aviation buffs

🎟️ More Info & Tickets: https://cascadeairshow.com/

 📅 Events: Bend

🎶 Travis Ehrenstrom Band
📍 McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Father Luke’s Room
🗓️ Aug 20 | 6–8 PM
Outdoor show with singer-songwriter stylings.
🔗 More Info

🎨 Bend Wine Bar: Sunflower Still Life Painting
📍 Bend Wine Bar
🗓️ Aug 20 | 6–8 PM
Guided painting class paired with local wine.
🔗 More Info

🎶 Lainey Wilson w/ ERNEST & Kaitlin Butts
📍 Hayden Homes Amphitheater
🗓️ Aug 21 | Doors 5 PM, Show 6:30 PM
High-energy country show featuring chart-topper Lainey Wilson and openers.
🔗 Tickets

🎶 Ali & Co – Women’s Songwriter Showcase
📍 Bar Rio Cocktails & Tapas
🗓️ Aug 21 | 6–8 PM
Free night of Americana, jazz, and blues hosted by Ali Renee.
🔗 More Info

🎶 Coyote Rider – Live Music on the Patio
📍 Oregon Spirit Distillers
🗓️ Aug 21 | 6–8 PM
Americana and folk on the patio with craft cocktails.
🔗 More Info

🎭 Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
📍 Tower Theatre
🗓️ Aug 21 | 7:30 PM
Musical retelling of the story of Joseph in dazzling color and sound.
🔗 More Info

🎶 Mt. Joy – 2025 Tour
📍 Hayden Homes Amphitheater
🗓️ Aug 22 | Doors 6 PM, Show 7:30 PM
Indie-folk favorites return with new music and fan-loved tracks.
🔗 Tickets

🍷 Wine Workshop: The French Connection
📍 Flights Wine Bar, Bend
🗓️ Thursday, August 22 | 6-8PM
🍇 Explore Pinot Noir through the lens of the Willamette Valley and Burgundy.
💲 $2–$25
🔗 More Info – Visit Central Oregon

🔥 Bend Burn & Barrel
📍 Tetherow, Bend
🗓️ Thursday–Friday, August 22–23 | 5-9PM
🥃 A cigar-and-spirit tasting experience with live music and curated culinary pairings.
💲 $349
🔗 More Info – Visit Bend

🎤 Matt Rife – Problemattic World Tour
📍 Hayden Homes Amphitheater
🗓️ Aug 23 | Doors 6 PM, Show 7:30 PM
Viral comedian hits Bend; 18+ event, no phones allowed.
🔗 Tickets

🎶 Tanner Cundy
📍 McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Father Luke’s Room
🗓️ Aug 23 | 7 PM
Live performance from multi-instrumentalist; free show.
🔗 More Info

🎶 Left On Tenth
📍 Volcanic Theatre Pub
🗓️ Aug 24 | 5 PM
Boisterous Bend-based funk-rock-reggae band; free show.
🔗 Tickets

🎨 Art in the High Desert
📍 Riverbend Park
🗓️ Aug 22–24
🕔 Fri 5–8 PM | Sat 10–6 PM | Sun 10–4 PM
130+ juried artists showcasing fine art, ceramics, painting, jewelry & more.
🔗 More Info

🎨 Paint & Sip at Austin Mercantile
📍 Austin Mercantile
🗓️ Aug 23 | 2–4 PM
Create your own painting with wine; includes supplies & instruction.
🔗 More Info

🍺 Pursuit of Hoppiness – Hoppy Beer Festival
📍 Bevel Craft Brewing
🗓️ Aug 23 | Noon–5 PM
12 hop-forward beers, tasting tokens, and commemorative glass.
🔗 More Info

🎨 Bend Wine Bar: Paint Your Pet Class
📍 Bend Wine Bar
🗓️ Aug 24 | Time TBA
Bring a photo and paint your furry friend’s portrait.
🔗 More Info

 📅 Events: Redmond & Nearby

 🎶 Music on the Green – 2025 Series
📍 American Legion Park
🗓️ Aug 20 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Family-friendly concert series with food trucks and local vendors.
🔗 More Info

🎭 The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical
📍 High Desert Music Hall
🗓️ Aug 21–24 | Thu–Sat 7 PM, Sun 3 PM
Adventure musical where Greek mythology meets teen angst.
🔗 More Info

 🎶 Niko Moon – Live at Duffy’s
📍 General Duffy’s Waterhole
🗓️ Aug 22 | 5–10 PM
Country-pop star brings the “Good Time” tour to Redmond.
🔗 More Info

🎶 Summer Groove Party Band – Live at the Vineyard
📍 Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, Terrebonne
🗓️ Aug 22 | 6–9 PM
Get your groove on with disco, soul & dance classics.
🔗 More Info

🌄 Events: Sisters

 🎶 Muddy Souls
📍 The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse
🗓️ Aug 21 | 6 PM
Upbeat bluegrass band from Portland plays lakeside.
🔗 More Info

🌲 Events: Sunriver & La Pine

 🎶 Music in the Pines Concert Series
📍 La Pine Parks & Recreation
🗓️ Aug 21 | 5–8 PM
Free community concert under the trees; bring a chair!
🔗 More Info

🎲 La Pine Bingo Night
📍 McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend
🗓️ Aug 22 | 7 PM
Monthly bingo night with fun prizes (and a hotel stay!).
🔗 More Info

🐴 Events: Prineville, OR

 🎪 Celebrate the Outdoors
📍 1377 S Main St.
🗓️ Aug 23 | 8 AM–8 PM
Family festival with BB gun shoot, archery, scavenger hunt & more.
🔗 More Info

🛍️ Events: Madras

 🛫 Airshow of the Cascades – Day 1
📍 Madras Municipal Airport
🗓️ Aug 22 | 1–11 PM
Aviation performances, fireworks, car show & live music.
🔗 More Info

🛫 Airshow of the Cascades – Day 2
📍 Madras Municipal Airport
🗓️ Aug 23 | 9 AM–4 PM
Full day of air acts, food, vendors & family fun.
🔗 More Info

Check back often in the Calendar App below as it is updated regularly 👇

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Other Event Sources:

Local News…

Bend-Area Sees Modest Rise in Unemployment as Seasonal Jobs End

In July 2025, Central Oregon's unemployment rate edged upward to 4.7%—a slight increase from June’s 4.6%—marking a regional trend that mirrors Oregon’s statewide rise to 5%, the highest level in four years. The Bend metropolitan area's total nonfarm employment dropped by 1,600 jobs, primarily due to a seasonal decline in local government education following the end of the school year, though the private sector added 790 jobs, led by gains in leisure and hospitality (especially food services), construction/mining/logging, manufacturing, other services, and information sectors. Year‑over‑year, the region lost 2,180 jobs—a 1.9% decline—most notably in trade, transportation, utilities, and leisure and hospitality; however, employment gains occurred in private education and health services, manufacturing, and government.

Deschutes County Narrows Landfill Search to Two Options

The Deschutes County Solid Waste Advisory Committee has reduced the list of potential sites to replace Bend’s Knott Landfill (expected to reach capacity by 2031) down to Horse Ridge and Roth East. Negotiations to purchase the Moon Pit site collapsed when the owner decided not to sell, and the controversial Dodds Road site was dropped after the Central Oregon Irrigation District declined to sell. Horse Ridge, near U.S. Highway 20 and the Badlands Wilderness, will undergo a final evaluation over the next four to six months, while Roth East—east of Bend near Pine Mountain Observatory—has already been evaluated but faces costly sage‑grouse mitigation requirements.

 Fire & Rescue…

Community Mourns Loss of Prineville Man at Lake Billy Chinook

What began as a peaceful evening of fishing at Lake Billy Chinook ended in tragedy Monday when 56-year-old Vaughn Alan Waugaman of Prineville lost his life trying to help a friend.

Waugaman had taken a friend with intellectual and developmental disabilities out on a small aluminum boat. After returning to the dock around 6:45 p.m., he stepped away briefly to his vehicle. In that short time, the boat drifted from the dock with his friend still aboard and unable to operate it.

Without hesitation, Waugaman entered the water to bring the boat back. While swimming, he is believed to have suffered a sudden cardiac event. Two nearby paddle boarders rushed to his aid, pulling him to shore and beginning CPR until emergency crews arrived. Despite their heroic efforts, as well as the quick response from Jefferson County Fire & EMS and Airlink, Waugaman could not be revived.

The boat, which had started to take on water, was later secured by a sheriff’s marine deputy.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office extended its deepest condolences to Waugaman’s family and friends. “This is a heartbreaking loss,” the agency said in its release, asking the community to keep his loved ones in their thoughts during this difficult time.

One Month Later, Search Ongoing at Dillon Falls

Nearly a month after six people were swept over Dillon Falls on July 19 while inner-tubing the Deschutes River, recovery teams are still working to locate the body of the final missing victim. While two women's bodies were recovered in the days following the incident and three people survived, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies believe the remaining victim is trapped within the deadly Class 5 rapids at the center of the falls. The turbulent and dangerous waters make diving impossible and pose fatal risks to anyone attempting to enter. Despite the extreme conditions, the sheriff’s office has pledged to continue the recovery effort, drawing on experience from past long-term cases. With water levels expected to drop as fall approaches, officials remain hopeful that lower flows may eventually allow access to previously unreachable areas and lead to the man's recovery. KTVZ 🎦

Crime News…

La Pine Man Cited in Illegal Marijuana Raid

Detectives with the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Team executed a search warrant in the La Pine area on Aug. 14 after a long‑term investigation into resident Aaron Loosli. The search uncovered an unlicensed marijuana grow; investigators said Loosli failed to follow state guidelines on plant limits and distribution. Officers dismantled the grow and cited Loosli for unlawful manufacture and attempted delivery of marijuana, and additional agencies noted violations related to illegal water use and electrical and structural permitting.

Regional News…

Governor Kotek Declares Drought Emergencies in Coos and Wheeler Counties

Governor Tina Kotek issued drought declarations for Coos and Wheeler counties on Aug. 19, bringing the statewide total to seven counties this year. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Coos County has been in moderate drought since mid‑June, while Wheeler County entered moderate drought in late June and severe drought by mid‑July. The declarations direct state agencies to prioritize assistance and unlock emergency tools such as expedited water‑resource reviews; state officials warned that drought could harm agriculture, recreation, and water supplies, and could increase wildfire risk.

Community News…

 City of Bend Events

Nestled in the heart of Redmond, Oregon, BrightSide Animal Center isn’t just a shelter—it’s a sanctuary where every wag, purr, and tail-twitch signals a story of hope and renewal. Here, dedicated volunteers, fosters, and staff work tirelessly to nurse injured, abandoned, or scared animals back to health and happiness. It’s about more than providing a roof over a furry friend’s head—it’s about restoring trust, inspiring second chances, and building lasting bonds. Whether you're a seasoned animal lover or simply someone seeking a meaningful way to give back, BrightSide illuminates how community, compassion, and commitment can transform lives—two-legged and four-legged alike.

Get their full story ⬇️

Have you heard Killer Burger is now open next to Costco, they have some interesting burgers!

 😎 Just sayin

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