In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🍺➕Bend Brews & Beyond

🐝Native Bee Walk

🎸🕺Grease

🏛️🚶‍➡️ Reflections of History: An Architectural Walking Tour

📅Save The Date Section

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

📰Calls for Sheriff Van der Kamp's resignation mount after recommendation to strip certification

📰Paint Problem Delays Redmond Community Center Opening by Four Months

🧺Sunriver Resort launches first-ever farmers market with summer flair

💖Day of Healing reunites trauma patients with nurses and doctors at St. Charles

 🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚒Chemical spill at Sisters pool facility contained without injuries

🚨Crime News

🚨Redmond Police Arrest Wanted Man After Coordinated Search

🚨Sisters Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run and Knife Incident

🚔Bend Police respond to reports of indecent exposure, make arrest at Box Factory near Old Mill District

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

📢Cascade Lakes Highway opens for summer season

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

🏘Real Estate News

📊🏘Central Oregon Market Report - By Reed Melton

📰New Tenants Announced for Shopping Plaza Near North Bend Costco

🏘️💲 Housing Affordability Challenges Grow in Bend & Redmond

😍Sponsors

😁 MEME of the Day

✅ Correct Answer: D) 1976

Expanded Answer:
The Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP) began in 1976, founded by Jenny and Dave Sheldon as a fundraiser for the Skyliners Ski Club. What started with just 65 participants has grown into one of Bend’s most iconic annual events, featuring six legs that highlight Central Oregon’s outdoor playground—skiing, cycling, running, and paddling. The event now supports the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation and brings thousands of competitors and spectators to Bend each spring.

Good Morning!

 BEND

SISTERS

REDMOND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

Bend Brews & Beyond

Bend Brews & Beyond takes over Drake Park (777 NW Riverside Dr.) on May 24–25 from 12–8 p.m., featuring 50+ Oregon breweries, cideries, and—for the first time—all locally owned Central Oregon producers, plus over a dozen non-alcoholic beverage makers.

The 21+ event includes live music, DJs, food trucks, and special events like Meet the Makers (3–5 p.m.), the Brewers Decathlon, and the Bend Drinking Pants Pageant. Two specialty beers will be tapped each hour.

Advance tickets: $40 (alcohol) or $30 (non-alcohol) and include a souvenir mug and 7 drink tokens. Two-day passes available. Prices increase at the gate if not sold out: $55 ALC / $45 N/A. Tickets are limited!

Attendees are encouraged to plan safe transportation—details coming soon.

Native Bee Walk

By Deschutes Land Trust

🐝 Native Bee Walk at Whychus Canyon Preserve

• Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• Location: Whychus Canyon Preserve, near Sisters, Oregon

• Organizer: Deschutes Land Trust

• Event Description: Join the Deschutes Land Trust for a guided walk to learn about native bees in Central Oregon. Participants will explore the preserve's diverse habitats, observe native bees in action, and learn about their crucial role in the ecosystem. The walk will be led by knowledgeable guides who will share insights into bee identification, behavior, and conservation.

Registration: Advance registration is required. You can register for the event through the Deschutes Land Trust's website or directly via Eventbrite.(Eventbrite)

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Weather-appropriate clothing

• Water and snacks

• Notebook or camera (optional)(Visit Central Oregon, City of Bend)

This event is suitable for individuals interested in nature, pollinators, and conservation. It's a great opportunity to connect with local naturalists and learn more about the native bee species that inhabit Central Oregon.

For more information and to register, please visit the Deschutes Land Trust's official event page or the Eventbrite listing.

Grease

🎭 Grease at Cascades Theatrical Company

• Dates: May 9–25, 2025

• Location: Cascades Theatrical Company, 148 NW Greenwood Avenue, Bend, OR 97703

• Showtimes:

  • Evening performances at 7:30 PM

  • Matinee performances at 2:00 PM

• Ticket Prices:

  • Adults: $55

  • Students/Seniors: $51

  • Additional ticket service fees apply

• Synopsis: Set in 1959 at Rydell High, Grease follows the story of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski as they navigate teenage love and peer pressure. The musical features iconic songs like "Greased Lightnin’," "Summer Nights," and "You're the One That I Want."(Cascades Theatre, Arts People)

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the official event page: Grease at Cascades Theatrical Company.

Reflections of History: An Architectural Walking Tour

🏛️ Reflections of History: An Architectural Walking Tour

• Dates: Offered on alternating Saturdays from May through August

• Time: Tours typically start at 10:00 AM

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Distance: About 1 mile

• Location: Drake Park Neighborhood Historic District, Bend, Oregon

• Meeting Point: Deschutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend, OR 97703

• Group Size: Up to 12 participants

• Cost: Free for museum members; $15 for non-members

• Registration: Required in advanceWikipedia+2Deschutes Historical Museum and Society+2All Bend Oregon+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Deschutes Historical Museum and Society+2Bend Magazine+2Deschutes Historical Museum and Society+2Deschutes Historical Museum and Society+2

Tour Description:
Stroll through the Drake Park Neighborhood Historic District and take a step back in time when walking was the primary mode of transportation and neighborhoods emphasized proximity. You'll be introduced to various architectural styles represented in the neighborhood and learn how the community reflected a changing nation. Deschutes Historical Museum and Society

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Weather-appropriate clothing

• Water

Accessibility:
The tour is conducted outdoors and is ADA accessible.

For more information and to register, please visit the official event page: Deschutes Historical Museum – Museum Tours.

Coming up

LOCAL EVENTS

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Deschutes Public Library Events

Local News…

Paint Problem Delays Redmond Community Center Opening by Four Months

Redmond’s new community center is facing a four-month delay after a flaw was discovered in the paint coating used on the roof. Officials say it won’t cost taxpayers more but will push back the project’s completion.

Full Story Here

Sunriver Resort launches first-ever farmers market with summer flair

Central Oregon Daily News

SUNRIVER, Ore -- For the first time ever, the Sunriver Resort is hosting a farmers market. It will be open every Thursday throughout the summer with seasonal produce, fresh meats and high-quality sustainable products to buy.

"This is open to everybody. This is a lot of people at times think that the market is really only for, resort guests. It's not the case at all. I'm really hoping to see South County. I would love Bend to come out and hang out with us. So we're going to have music. We're going to have a lawn games. The backyard bar is open. This is a community event for everybody," said Joshua Hendrick, executive chef at Sunriver.

Sunriver Resort's Summer Concert Series is also back. Find the list of dates at this link.

Day of Healing reunites trauma patients with nurses and doctors at St. Charles

Central Oregon Daily News

Survivors of traumatic injuries were brought together for a day of healing at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Tuesday's event was a chance for recovering patients to reunite with nurses and doctors as they go through the recovery process. The trauma survivors reunion honors patients while recognizing the unique challenges of Central Oregon's outdoor lifestyle and location.

“The other sort of unique situation with St. Charles is that we really are the only Level 2 trauma center for a couple hundred miles in any direction. So, we are scooping up patients from as far east as the Idaho border, as far south as the northern parts of California and all through the Cascades," said Annie Onishi, trauma and acute care surgeon at St. Charles.

St. Charles Health treated more than 2,500 trauma patients last year, an increase of 200 patients from the year before.

Fire & Rescue…

Chemical spill at Sisters pool facility contained without injuries

SISTERS, Ore. -- A hazardous materials incident at the Tollgate subdivision pool facility was safely contained Monday evening with no injuries reported, according to the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District.

Crews responded at 4:19 p.m. after muriatic acid was seen fuming from a chemical storage closet at 15004 Saddle. A safety perimeter was established, and Hazmat Team 13 from Salem was called in to assist.

The scene was cleared by 10:18 p.m. Agencies assisting included the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, local fire districts, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

In the event of an unknown or dangerous spill, officials advise evacuating the area and calling 911.

Crime News…

Redmond Police Arrest Wanted Man After Coordinated Search

Redmond Police arrested 30-year-old Tyler Kane on Thursday afternoon following a multi-agency operation in southwest Redmond. Kane had been sought since Tuesday, May 20, in connection with a domestic violence incident and burglary, as well as a probation violation.

Investigators located Kane around 1:49 p.m., and with support from the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT), took him into custody without incident at approximately 5:11 p.m. The operation involved the use of drones and a K9 unit.

Kane was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on multiple charges, including burglary, coercion, harassment related to domestic violence, theft, criminal mischief, and a probation violation warrant.

Redmond Police thanked the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, and CERT for their assistance. They also reminded the community that help is available for those experiencing intimate partner violence. Anyone in need of support can contact Saving Grace’s 24/7 hotline at 541-389-7021.

Sisters Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run and Knife Incident

A 29-year-old Sisters man was arrested Wednesday following two connected incidents in Sisters, including a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian and a weapons offense at a local business.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded around 10:50 a.m. to a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian near West Hood Avenue and Highway 20. Witnesses said a gold sedan drove up onto the sidewalk in the oncoming lane and struck a 35-year-old man. The pedestrian suffered minor scrapes from the vehicle’s mirror and declined medical treatment.

Just minutes later, deputies received a second 911 call reporting a man with a knife at Mainline Station on West Rail Way. The suspect, later identified as Daniel Virgen-Chavez, was seen fleeing in the same gold sedan.

Deputies located the vehicle near the original crash scene and conducted a high-risk stop. Virgen-Chavez was taken into custody without incident.

Investigators say after the hit-and-run, Virgen-Chavez drove to Mainline Station and got into a separate argument with a 46-year-old man, during which he allegedly brandished a folding knife.

Virgen-Chavez was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on multiple charges, including Assault II, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Injury), Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Reckless Driving, and Disorderly Conduct.

Authorities confirmed that neither victim had any prior connection to the suspect. The Black Butte Ranch Police Department and Sisters-Camp Sherman medics assisted in the response.

 City of Bend Events

Cascade Lakes Highway opens for summer season

The Cascade Lakes Highway opened for the summer season Thursday morning, just in time for Memorial Day Weekend visitors.

Deschutes County warns drivers that snow is still piled high at the higher elevations and there be few places to park on the side of the highway.

Be sure to check with local resorts for current services before driving there.

Don’t forget to check CO Fire Info for all the latest prescribed burns updates 👆

 Friday’s

Real Estate News…

Sponsored By

Central Oregon Market Report | May 21, 2025

by Reed Melton

Reading the news these days feels like an exercise in confirmation bias, with bombastic headlines in all directions. Finding information approximating the middle ground or presenting an unbiased view is increasingly complex. This bias is especially evident in economic news, where recession, stagflation, and inflation take on different meanings and present with a different spin depending on the author's point of view. Since none of us can accurately predict the future, many opinions show the writer's particular bias more than they convey the likelihood of a specific outcome. Neither can the data I present here predict the future. However, the trend this year to date is one of stability. Mortgage rates are steady, with the 30-year fixed-rate conventional national average this morning at 6.99%. Sales activity remains consistent week after week as we begin the busiest time of year. Lastly, the trend of people relocating to Central Oregon continues, keeping a fresh pool of buyers engaged.  

This morning, Deschutes County experienced another increase in the number of available single-family homes for sale, now at 1,373. The peak last year was 1,322 on June 7. The average listed home price is $1,134,306. Seventy-five pending weekly sales, at an average list price of $898,528, and just 16 median days listed indicate a strong market. The sixty-two sales averaged $921,663 and only 19 days listed. There is no question that activity is down from the peak experienced in 2021 and 2022, but steady is more important than volume today. The low days listed are the most critical data points, a trend for several weeks. 

Crook County activity picked up considerably this week, with sixteen pending transactions at an average of $566,810 and a median days listed of thirty-four. Inventory declined by two to 216, with eight closed transactions at an average sale price of $774,862. The average price reduction of actively listed homes is -4.88%, -5.35% for pending sales, and -9.07% for this week's closed transactions. The price reductions for pending and closed transactions fluctuate considerably, depending on the property sold, but have ranged from -3% to -5% over the last several weeks.

Jefferson County inventory increased by just one to 118 single-family listings. Seven pending transactions, at an average of $622,557, and four closed transactions, at $510,688, are within the range of the last several weeks. With the median pending days listed at 52 and closed days at 110, buyers are scouring the relatively small number of available homes to find the right fit. Of the closed listings, one was on the market 249 days, another at 217, the third for just three days, and the last an immediate sale at zero days listed. Think about how you could spin the days listed of those four sales to make whatever case you wanted! The bigger takeaway from this metric is that buyers consider every home on the market and take action for the right property.

There aren't any "deals" in Central Oregon housing due to the high level of buyer activity. However, the increase in inventory helps buyers find suitable homes with a far greater selection than in previous years. At this time of year, it is crucial to recognize excellent properties at a reasonable price before another buyer enters the picture. The only way to make that determination is to stay current and keep an eye on the market segment that suits you. Looking online is a great resource, but there is no substitute for seeing homes in person. You never know a property until you walk the lot and tour the home. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about Central Oregon housing or would like to schedule a property tour. 

Sign Up for the Central Oregon Market Report

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Active Listings

New Tenants Announced for Shopping Plaza Near North Bend Costco

A new shopping plaza is taking shape just off Highway 20 on Bend’s north side, and several well-known businesses are confirmed as incoming tenants. City records show that Starbucks, Chase Bank, Great Clips, Cuppa Yo, and Killer Burger will be among the first to open in the development adjacent to the recently opened Costco.

Locals have already begun sharing their thoughts on the additions—especially the Portland-based Killer Burger, which will be a new option in the area. Many residents expressed enthusiasm for having more dining and service choices nearby.

Cuppa Yo, a popular frozen yogurt spot with a loyal following, is also generating excitement as it returns to a more northern location in Bend.

An official opening date has not yet been announced, as permits indicate the development is still in its early phases.

🏘️ Housing Affordability Challenges Grow in Bend & Redmond

Affordability and supply continue to be top concerns in Central Oregon’s housing market. According to Rocket, Bend's median home list price soared to $899,000 in April 2025—a 14.5% jump from the previous year. In Redmond, the median sits closer to $500,000.

Soaring home prices, paired with mortgage rates between 6% and 7%, are putting homeownership out of reach for many locals. In Bend, demand from high-income cash buyers—many from the Bay Area—is further driving up costs, according to Lynnea Miller, Principal Broker at Bend Premier Real Estate. “With a median home price of $830,000, it's not affordable for the average person,” she said.

Inventory is tight, too. With only four months of housing supply, Bend remains a strong seller’s market.

Another factor pushing up prices: increasing developer fees. Jason Myhre, Chief Communications Officer at Pahlisch Homes, notes that while improvements like roads, landscaping, and tree preservation add to community quality, they also increase time and cost—expenses passed on to buyers. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between cities and developers, rather than blame.

Concerned residents can make their voices heard by contacting their local City Council, which oversees System Development Charges (SDCs) that affect project costs.

There is some hope for working-class residents. Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity provides pathways to homeownership for people earning around $25–$30 an hour. “With affordable mortgages and the stability of locked-in payments, our buyers are building a strong foundation for the future,” said Scott Nordquist, VP of Resource Development.

Take a look at Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity’s Qualifications Guide. 

Full Story Here + Video

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