In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

⛷🚵‍♀️🛶 2025 SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle

 🎶Redmond Community Choir Presents "Celebrating the Great American Songbook"

📅Save The Date Section

🍻Bend Brews & Beyond

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Free Shred Event, Medication Take-Back, and Flag Disposal This Saturday in La Pine

☀Solar Farm Project Underway in Crook County

🗼✈New air traffic control tower taking shape at Bend Municipal Airport

📦Amazon Picks Redmond for New Delivery Station

🔥⛑Fire & Rescue News

🔥Sandos & Smash Food Truck Destroyed in Early Morning Fire in Tumalo

📰Community News…

📰📅Several volunteer project days are coming to Bend parks and trails; first one is Saturday at Manzanita Trail

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🐶😺Pet of the Week

🐶Meet Ganache - SDH

😍Sponsors

😁 MEME of the Day

Good Morning!

BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon?

Get Ready for the 2025 SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend, Oregon

The SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP), Central Oregon’s iconic multi-sport race, returns on Saturday, May 17, 2025. This beloved event, organized by the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF), draws over 2,000 participants and thousands of spectators each year, making it one of the largest multi-sport events in the Northwest.

🏁 Race Overview

The PPP challenges individuals, pairs, and teams to complete six diverse legs spanning from the snowy slopes of Mt. Bachelor to the scenic Deschutes River in Bend. The race includes:

• Alpine Ski: A sprint uphill followed by a downhill ski on the Leeway trail.

• Nordic Ski: A 6 km cross-country course through Mt. Bachelor’s Nordic trails.

• Bike: A 20-mile ride descending Century Drive into Bend.

• Run: A 5.2-mile trail run along the Deschutes River, starting at the Athletic Club of Bend.

• Paddle: A 1.5-mile kayak leg on the Deschutes River.

• Sprint: A final half-mile dash to the finish line at Riverbend Park.

Participants can compete solo, in pairs, or as part of a team, with various categories accommodating different age groups and abilities, including adaptive and non-binary divisions.

🎉 Community Celebration

The finish line at Riverbend Park transforms into a festive hub, featuring food vendors, sponsor booths, and live entertainment. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on racers and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The awards ceremony will take place from approximately 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

🎨 2025 Official Artwork

This year’s official PPP artwork was designed by Caya Christiansen, a Summit High School graduate. Her vibrant design, showcasing iconic race elements and local landmarks, will be featured on event merchandise, celebrating the creative spirit of the community.

🏆 Supporting Youth Athletics

Proceeds from the PPP support MBSEF’s mission to provide affordable athletic programs to over 800 youth athletes in Central Oregon, fostering sportsmanship, self-discipline, and healthy lifestyles.

For more information, registration details, and course maps, visit the official PPP website: pppbend.com.

Redmond Community Choir Presents "Celebrating the Great American Songbook" 

Mark your calendar for a musical afternoon as the Redmond Community Choir presents their spring concert on Sunday, May 18th at 4 PM. This special performance, "Celebrating the Great American Songbook," will feature the 75-member choir singing timeless classics from legends like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and more.

Adding to the program, the choir will perform Bob Chilcott’s "A Little Jazz Mass," accompanied by a stellar rhythm section of Central Oregon musicians and special guest artist Richard Tuttobene on piano.

The concert will be held at Redmond High School and is free to the public, with donations gladly accepted. The Redmond Community Choir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and part of the COCC Community Education program.

 For more information, visit redmondcommunitychoir.org.

Coming up

Bend Brews & Beyond

The event will feature 50+ Oregon breweries and cideries including—for the first time ever—every locally-owned Central Oregon hopped, appled, and honeyed beverage producer as well as over a dozen non-alcoholic beverage makers, allowing everyone to celebrate together whether they feel like drinking alcohol moderately or not at all.

The festival takes place in downtown Bend’s Drake Park (777 NW Riverside Dr.) on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25 from 12-8 p.m. The event is 21+ only and tickets are required for all attendees.

Advance online tickets for admission, souvenir mug and 7 drink tokens are $40 for alcohol and $30 for non-alcohol passes. Two-day passes will be available. Tickets are truly limited and the event is expected to sell out. If available, tickets will be $55 ALC/$45 N/A at the gates.

Beyond drinking together, attendees can greet—and thank—the people responsible for the bounty of tasty beverages from 3-5 p.m. during the Meet the Makers session. It will be followed by the Brewers Decathlon where teams of brewers will compete for the coveted Bend Brews & Beyond Mashlete Trophy awarded to the team that dominates in ten challenges designed for professional brewers only. Attendees are encouraged to don their funkiest pants to earn the title of the inaugural Bend Drinking Pants Pageant. (“The most fun you’ll have with your pants on.”) Two specialty beers will be available per hour in the Next-Tap section. Music will be provided by a combination of live musicians and a DJ. Ten of Bend’s most beloved food trucks will be on site. Everyone is encouraged to drink responsibly and make plans to arrive and depart safely with transportation options being announced soon.

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Local News…

Free Shred Event, Medication Take-Back, and Flag Disposal This Saturday in La Pine

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Republic Services, is hosting a free community shred event on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the DCSO La Pine substation, located at 51340 Highway 97.

This event is intended for residential use only—no commercial or business shredding will be accepted. Participants may bring up to four boxes of documents for shredding. Paper clips and staples are allowed, but plastic bags and three-ring binders cannot be processed. Those with more than four boxes are encouraged to contact Republic Services at 541-352-2263 for alternative disposal options.

In addition to shredding, the event will offer safe medication disposal. Accepted items include:

• Prescription medications

• Over-the-counter medications

• Patches, ointments, vitamins, and samples

• Pet medications

Please note: Sharps, thermometers, inhalers, and similar items will not be accepted.

Community members are also invited to bring worn or tattered American flags for proper disposal. Food donations will be collected during the event to support a local food bank.

For more information, visit the DCSO website at sheriff.deschutes.org under the Community/Public Notices tab.

Solar Farm Project Underway in Crook County

A new solar farm is under construction between Powell Butte and Prineville, led by Bend-based NewSun Energy. The first phase will generate 40 megawatts of power, with a second phase adding another 20 megawatts. The facility will span up to 320 acres along Highway 126 and include solar panels, an energy storage system, and a new transmission line connecting to the grid via the Ponderosa substation.

Though approved in 2019, construction only began recently due to long interconnection and permitting processes. The project has a power purchase agreement with Seattle City Light and is expected to be online by the end of 2025. Reflectivity concerns near Prineville Airport were addressed, with no objections from airport officials or the FAA.

New air traffic control tower taking shape at Bend Municipal Airport

The Bend Municipal Airport is about to get a much-needed air traffic control tower. Construction is moving forward on the new tower which is expected to be up and running by October 2025.

“One of the benefits will be to enhance aviation safety by providing for safe separation of aircraft and sequencing. Right now, it's seeing a void,” said Tracy Williams, Airport Manager for the City of Bend.

The Bend Municipal Airport is one of the busier regional airports in Oregon with more than 140,000 takeoffs and landings each year, according to the city.

The project, which has been years in the making, is making progress thanks to a partnership between the City of Bend, the Federal Aviation Administration, Deschutes County, and other agencies.

Amazon Picks Redmond for New Delivery Station

Amazon will open a new 83,559-square-foot delivery station in Redmond, Oregon, at East Antler Avenue and NE Ninth Street, set to launch in spring 2026. The facility will support the “last mile” of order delivery and create around 170 local jobs.

The project took over three years to develop, involving major infrastructure changes like moving canals and gas lines to meet Amazon’s needs. Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) and Redmond Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) played key roles in navigating the complex planning and coordination efforts. City leaders say the facility will boost Redmond’s role as a logistics hub while strengthening the local economy.

Fire & Rescue News…

Sandos & Smash Food Truck Destroyed in Early Morning Fire in Tumalo

In the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025, a fire engulfed the popular Sandos & Smash food truck located at The Bite food cart lot on Seventh Avenue in Tumalo, Oregon. Bend Fire & Rescue and the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office responded to the blaze around 1 a.m., finding flames coming through the roof of the truck upon arrival.

Fortunately, the truck was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters acted swiftly to extinguish the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby food carts and large propane tanks. Despite their efforts, the truck and its contents were deemed a total loss.

Fire Inspector Jason Kamperman stated that the cause of the fire appears to be accidental, though the exact origin remains under investigation.

Sandos & Smash was a well-loved fixture at The Bite, known for its unique sandwiches and vibrant presence in the community. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the owners expressed their devastation: "SANDOS AND SMASH BURNED DOWN, WE ARE HEARTBROKEN AND FIGURING OUT THE NEXT STEPS AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. REST ASSURED WE WILL BE BACK AND STRONGER THAN EVER."

The Bite food cart lot, a family-friendly venue in Tumalo, features a variety of food carts, craft beers, and live events. The loss of Sandos & Smash is felt deeply by the local community, who have come to cherish the diverse culinary offerings at the site.

As the investigation continues, the owners of Sandos & Smash are focusing on recovery and rebuilding, with the support of their loyal patrons and the broader Tumalo community.

Community News…

Several volunteer project days are coming to Bend parks and trails; first one is Saturday at Manzanita Trail

The Bend Park and Recreation District is inviting community members to join its Natural Resources and Trails team and participate in any of a half-dozen upcoming volunteer project days, from May to October.

Volunteers are needed to pull weeds, remove trash, close off unofficial trails, and plant native vegetation at several volunteer projects scheduled throughout the summer.

The first event is this Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon on the Manzanita Trail that connects Discovery Park to Shevlin Park. Activities include litter pick up, raking, weed pulling, moving smaller rocks and sticks.

Tools and materials will be provided by BPRD; however, participants are encouraged to bring work or garden gloves, closed-toe shoes, refillable water bottle, sunscreen and clothes appropriate for the weather that day.

This opportunity is best for adults and children aged 14 and older. Advanced sign up is strongly encouraged.

Other upcoming volunteer events include:

Saturday, June 7 – Trail Improvement Project at Shevlin Park
9:00 am – noon
In honor of National Trails Day. Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to trim back overgrown vegetation along the edge of the trail corridor to improve passage. Projects will be on multiple trails throughout the park on both flat and uneven terrain.

Saturday, June 28– Weed Pull at Drake Park, trail and boardwalk 
8:00 – 11:00 am
In partnership with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and Deschutes River Cleanup event. Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand pull thistles and remove other noxious weeds growing along the new boardwalk and trail area in Drake Park. Adult volunteers with kayaks or canoes may be able to help with removing weeds growing next to the river.

Saturday, July 19 – Weed Pull at Big Sky Park
8:00 – 11:00 am
Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand-pull noxious weeds.

Saturday, August 16 – Weed Pull at Discovery Park West, natural area
8:00 – 11:00 am
Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand-pull noxious weeds.

Saturday, October 18 – Pollinator Planting at Alpenglow Park
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Help plant native vegetation that will support area pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and moths.

Important information about volunteering with these projects is available on the SignUp Genius event webpage.

 City of Bend Events

Meet Ganache

Ganache is wondering why nobody has applied to adopt her yet??

Her foster says she’s super chill, keeps herself entertained with toys, doesn’t destroy anything in the house AND she already knows how to ‘sit’ and ‘shake’! She’s also crate-trained, potty-trained and has those puppy dog eyes on lock

4 month old Ganache came to SDH a few weeks ago from a shelter in Texas and she instantly won everyone over with her sweet little personality.

Her foster, Sarah, also can’t say enough great things about her: “She an absolute sweetheart and has been such a joy to have in our home. She's curious about the world around her and loves being close to her people - whether that’s lounging around the house or tagging along for daily adventures. She gets the zoomies a few times a day (and it’s adorable every time!), and she really enjoys her daily walks”.

Want to meet Ganache in person and see if it’s a perfect match?

Apply to adopt her today at streetdoghero.org!

 😎 Just sayin

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