In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🎭 The Prince of Egypt Hits the Stage — A Musical Journey You Won’t Forget!

😂Comedy Chaos: East Side

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🚔 Holiday DUII Crackdown Nets 12 Arrests in Bend

 🛶 New Boating Permit Law Sparks Backlash and Ballot Battle

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚁 Minor Airlifted from Mt. Bachelor on New Year’s Eve

🔥 Propane Heater Sparks Garage Fire in Redmond—No Injuries Reported

🚨Crime News

🕵️‍♂️ Homicide Suspect Arrested in Crooked River Ranch

🚓 High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash and DUII Arrest in Bend

🥰Community News

🍎 Pop-Up Food Distribution Helps 45 Prineville Families

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

🎭 The Prince of Egypt Hits the Stage — A Musical Journey You Won’t Forget!

🎭 The Prince of Egypt Hits the Stage — A Musical Journey You Won’t Forget!
Presented by Ovation Performing Arts | January 2025 | Redmond, OR
Get ready to cross the Red Sea and step into an epic tale of faith, freedom, and destiny — because The Prince of Egypt is coming to life on the Ovation Performing Arts stage this January!

This awe-inspiring musical is packed with breathtaking songs (yes, including “When You Believe” 🎶), stunning choreography, and a powerhouse cast of local youth and adult performers who are pouring their hearts into every moment. You’ll follow Moses from the palace to the desert and beyond, with all the drama, wonder, and spectacle you’d expect from a Broadway-caliber production — right here in Central Oregon.

Ovation is known for bringing big talent to our local stage, and The Prince of Egypt is no exception. Whether you're a theatre buff or just looking for an unforgettable night out, this show will stir your soul and leave you cheering from your seat.

🔥 Seats fill fast, so don’t miss your chance to experience this musical masterpiece.

🎟️ More info & tickets: ovationpa.com

Comedy Chaos: East Side

 🎤 One-Liner Showdown at Hablo Tacos & Abe Capanna's
Where: Hablo Tacos & Abe Capanna’s, 1462 NE Cushing Dr, Ste 140, Bend, OR 97701
When: Doors at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
What: A fast-paced, laugh-packed night of comedy mayhem

Get ready for an unhinged night of comedy as Humore.us Productions brings the chaos to the east side of Bend! Five writing teams go head-to-head in five rounds of secret prompts, each with just five minutes to whip up their best one-liner. After each round, the jokes are judged, terrible prizes are awarded, and the pursuit of comedic glory continues.

While the writers scramble, a rotating lineup of comedians keeps the energy high with five-minute sets—and don’t miss Noah Walden warming up the crowd with hilariously spot-on sitcom theme song impressions from 7:30–8:00 PM.

Hosted on the enclosed and heated patios at Hablo Tacos & Abe Capanna’s. Seating is first come, first served. Enjoy food and drink specials all night (note: you can share food across patios, but not booze—thanks, OLCC!).

Expect creative chaos, quick wit, and a show that’s absolutely not for kids. Emceed by comedian Anthony Poponi.

🎟️ More info & lineup: www.humore.us
🎥 Sample the madness: Watch here

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Local News…

🚔 Holiday DUII Crackdown Nets 12 Arrests in Bend

Bend Police arrested at least 12 individuals for DUII between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, with blood alcohol levels ranging from 0.13% to a staggering 0.23%. One arrest happened midday on Christmas, and another involved an unconscious driver in a fast-food drive-thru on New Year’s Eve. At least three of the arrests involved drug use, including marijuana and inhalants, and two stemmed from crashes—one of which included a hit-and-run.

To deter impaired driving, Bend PD boosted its downtown presence on New Year’s Eve, including setting up a boom light at NW Greenwood & Hill to reduce pedestrian crash risk. School resource officers also engaged the public with a voluntary breathalyzer station, collecting up to 200 samples to raise awareness about alcohol impairment. In 2025 alone, the department logged over 550 DUII arrests.

 🛶 New Boating Permit Law Sparks Backlash and Ballot Battle

A recently passed Oregon law expanding Waterway Access Permit requirements for non-motorized boats is facing growing pushback—from a grassroots repeal effort and from lawmakers seeking to scale it back. House Bill 2982, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2026, now requires all users of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other small, human-powered craft to carry a permit, regardless of size. Fees rose modestly to $6 for a week, $20 for a year, or $35 for two years, with revenue funding aquatic invasive species prevention and access improvements.

The most controversial shift removed the 10-foot length minimum, sweeping in small inflatables and paddleboards previously exempt. Critics say the expanded permit unfairly targets casual recreationists with little impact on invasive species. The Oregon State Marine Board has since clarified that pool toys and inner tubes won't require permits—only recognized watercraft will.

In response, a political action group called Let Us Paddle is collecting signatures for a 2026 ballot measure to repeal the permit entirely. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers Rep. Ed Diehl and Rep. Dwayne Yunker plan to introduce a bill to restore the law to its original scope, saying the current version goes beyond what legislators intended.

Marine officials say the law provides essential funding for statewide check stations and boating facility grants—but they'll stay neutral in the ongoing legislative and voter debates.

👉 Read more from KATU 

Fire & Rescue… 

🚁 Minor Airlifted from Mt. Bachelor on New Year’s Eve

Mt. Bachelor ski patrol responded to a medical emergency involving a minor on the afternoon of December 31, providing immediate care before the guest was airlifted to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. The resort confirmed the incident but has not released any details about the nature of the injury or the minor’s condition.

Hospital officials also declined to share information, citing privacy concerns. The circumstances leading to the airlift remain unclear.

🔥 Propane Heater Sparks Garage Fire in Redmond—No Injuries Reported

Redmond Fire & Rescue quickly responded to a structure fire Friday evening at a home on NW Teak Ave, where flames were seen spreading from the garage to the main residence. Thanks to fast action by crews, the fire was contained to the garage, and all residents—along with their pets—escaped safely with no reported injuries.

Investigators determined the cause to be ignition of gasoline vapors near an operating propane heater. Fire officials urge the public to always eliminate ignition sources when working around flammable liquids.

Crime News…

🕵️‍♂️ Homicide Suspect Arrested in Crooked River Ranch

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 51-year-old Don Henry Vandenberg Jr., a person of interest in the December 31 homicide near NE Greenwood Avenue and NE 17th Street in Redmond’s Dirt World area. Vandenberg Jr. was located on January 2 at a property in Crooked River Ranch and taken into custody without incident by Sheriff’s Detectives and the SWAT Team.

He was booked on an active parole warrant, and detectives are working with the District Attorney’s Office to determine additional charges related to the death of 39-year-old Justin Garrett Jiminez, who was found at the scene with a gunshot wound. A firearm was recovered, and the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the arrest.

 🚓 High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash and DUII Arrest in Bend

A 21-year-old Portland man was arrested after a high-speed pursuit and crash in Bend on the morning of January 4. Deputies first spotted the suspect, Jaiden Robert Telford, after a report of an impaired driver swerving on U.S. Highway 97. When stopped near Empire Avenue, Telford suddenly fled the scene in a stolen Ford F-350, prompting a pursuit.

About 30 minutes later, Bend Police and Deschutes County deputies responded to a crash at NE Eighth Street and Bennington Lane, where they found Telford unconscious behind the wheel. Officers administered multiple doses of Narcan, suspecting an overdose, before he was taken to St. Charles for treatment. Telford now faces charges of DUII, Attempt to Elude, and Reckless Driving. Oregon State Police also assisted in the response.

Community News…

🍎 Pop-Up Food Distribution Helps 45 Prineville Families

After a scheduled event was disrupted by the holidays, Eastside Church in Prineville stepped up on short notice to host a pop-up food distribution Friday in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul. A late-night Facebook post alerted the community, and by morning, 45 families had lined up to receive free food.

“With the cost of everything right now, it’s a blessing to love on our community,” said Assistant Pastor Julianna Krebs. Regular food distributions continue weekly at St. Vincent de Paul, and monthly at Eastside Church and First Baptist Church.

Regional News…

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

 😎Just sayin

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