From the Editor

Welcome to Central Oregon Local Buzz. In this edition, we bring you curated news and events from our region with concise, informative summaries. This week's highlights include local students embarking on an educational trip to Washington, D.C., and updates on community safety efforts. Stay informed about key hearings and public involvement opportunities affecting our area. From exciting local events to innovative city safety trials, we cover it all. Join us as we explore what's happening in Central Oregon.

⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🚨 OSP Seeks Witnesses in Serious Highway 20 Crash

Oregon State Police are asking for the public's help in gathering additional information about a serious three-vehicle crash that occurred Friday, July 10, on Highway 20 near milepost 41 west of Sisters. Investigators are looking for anyone who saw a 2013 black Chevrolet Silverado pulling a single-axle utility trailer before or at the time of the crash.

According to OSP, the Silverado attempted to pass a Dodge 4500 towing a trailer, causing an eastbound Hyundai Elantra to take evasive action. The Hyundai lost control on the gravel shoulder, crossed into the westbound lane, and struck the Dodge's trailer. The Hyundai's driver and passenger suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to a local hospital. The Silverado's driver was cited for careless driving and unsafe passing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OSP Northern Command Center at 800-442-0776 or dial OSP (677) from a mobile phone and reference case #SP26-255130.

📰Deschutes County

🚔 National Night Out Returns to Bend and Redmond Aug. 4

Communities across Central Oregon are invited to celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, with free family-friendly events in both Bend and Redmond designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The annual nationwide event promotes neighborhood connections, crime prevention, and community partnerships through an evening of fun and interactive activities.

In Bend, festivities run from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mountain View High School and include K-9 and drone demonstrations, police and fire vehicles, bounce houses, face painting, lawn games, free food, and community resource booths. The first hour (4–5 p.m.) will be a sensory-friendly experience, featuring lower music, no sirens or flashing lights, and sensory kits available for families. In Redmond, the celebration takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Centennial Park, where attendees can enjoy a live performance by Precious Byrd, K-9 demonstrations, a Dunk-a-Cop tank, bounce houses, face painting, sno-cones, a barbecue, a donut-eating contest, and emergency vehicle displays. The park's splash pad will remain open until 8 p.m., giving kids another way to cool off while enjoying the evening.

📆Featured Events

🌌 Look Up! Star Parties Light Up Central Oregon This Weekend

Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or simply enjoy gazing at the night sky, this weekend offers two great opportunities to experience Central Oregon's famously dark skies. On Friday, July 17, the Sisters Astronomy Club will host a free Star Party beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the south parking lot of Sisters High School. Club members will have telescopes set up and will help visitors spot planets, constellations, star clusters, and other celestial wonders. The event is open to all ages, and attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for the cooler evening temperatures.

Meanwhile, the 39th Annual Oregon Star Party continues through Sunday, July 19, at Indian Trail Spring in the Ochoco National Forest east of Prineville. The nationally recognized gathering draws hundreds of astronomy enthusiasts from around the country for telescope viewing, educational presentations, workshops, and some of the darkest skies in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're attending the organized event or simply stepping outside after sunset, this weekend should offer spectacular conditions for viewing the Milky Way and summer constellations.

⛰️Bend

⚡ Public Hearing Set on Pacific Power Rate Increase

Central Oregon residents will have a chance to weigh in on Pacific Power's proposed 10.8% residential rate increase during a public hearing hosted by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) on July 27 at 6 p.m. While the utility is seeking the increase to help fund investments in grid reliability and wildfire resilience, consumer advocates are encouraging customers to speak up as utility costs continue to climb nationwide.

Pacific Power says scheduled rate decreases would offset much of the proposed increase, with the average residential customer expected to pay about $3.12 more per month by April 2027 if approved. The Oregon PUC recently denied a separate interim rate request from the company, saying it was not necessary at this time, but the general rate case is still under review. Residents can attend the hearing virtually and provide testimony before regulators make a final decision.

🚦 Bend Testing "Black Box" Traffic Sensors to Improve Safety

Drivers may notice new black boxes mounted on traffic signal poles along Olney Avenue as the City of Bend launches a year-long study to better understand how people travel through the corridor. The sensors are designed to collect anonymous traffic data—tracking vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians—to help engineers identify safety concerns and evaluate how the recently completed Olney Avenue improvements are performing. The devices do not capture license plates or identify individual drivers.

City officials say the information will help determine whether additional changes are needed to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes. The study comes after the completion of the Olney Avenue reconstruction project, which added protected bike lanes, upgraded intersections, and replaced aging underground utilities as part of Bend's voter-approved transportation bond program. Data collected over the next year will be used to guide future traffic safety decisions along one of the city's busiest east-west corridors.

✈️Redmond

🐱 BrightSide Helps Metolius Man After Nearly 100 Cats Multiply

A Metolius man who found himself caring for nearly 100 cats is receiving help from BrightSide Animal Center, which has already rescued 61 cats, most of them kittens, from his property. Shelter officials say the man was trying to care for the animals and is not facing abuse charges. Instead, they say the situation highlights how quickly an unaltered cat population can grow when pets aren't spayed or neutered.

Many of the rescued cats are nursing kittens and are being treated for upper respiratory infections and other health issues before becoming available for adoption. BrightSide plans to return to rescue the remaining cats, while also spaying and neutering the man's personal pets to prevent the problem from happening again. The shelter is asking the community to help by fostering kittens, adopting cats, or donating toward veterinary care and supplies as staff work to care for the large influx of animals.

🌿 High Desert Garden Tour Showcases Water-Wise Landscapes

Garden lovers can explore beautiful, drought-tolerant landscapes during the 31st Annual High Desert Garden Tour, which features five unique gardens across Central Oregon showcasing creative ways to garden in the region's dry climate. Stops include the OSU Extension Demonstration Garden and Outdoor Learning Lab, along with private gardens highlighting water conservation, native plants, pollinator habitat, and fire-resistant landscaping.

Hosted by the Central Oregon Master Gardener Association, the self-guided tour offers visitors the chance to learn practical gardening techniques from Master Gardener volunteers stationed at each location. Organizers say the annual event is designed to inspire homeowners with ideas for creating beautiful, resilient landscapes that thrive in the High Desert while using less water.

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/central/events/high-desert-garden-tour

🐎Prineville

🏇 Crooked River Roundup Horse Races Celebrate 60 Years in Prineville

One of Central Oregon's favorite summer traditions is back as the 60th Crooked River Roundup Horse Races continue through Saturday, July 18, at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville. The four-night event features pari-mutuel horse racing, drawing some of the fastest horses and top jockeys from across the Northwest. Gates open each evening at 5:30 p.m., with the first race beginning at 7:15 p.m.

The horse races have been part of the Crooked River Roundup since 1967 and now attract the largest daily attendance of any horse racing track in Oregon. Along with the action on the track, visitors can enjoy food vendors, family-friendly activities, and a festive Western atmosphere celebrating the event's 60th anniversary. General admission is $10 for ages 4 and older, while children 3 and under are admitted free.

🪶Madras

🎈541 Bounce Experience Joins Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo

The Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo has found a creative replacement for its canceled carnival, announcing that 541 Bounce Experience will be featured during this year's fair, July 22–25 in Madras. The Bend-based company will offer waterslides, bounce houses, themed obstacle courses, a Jellyball Battle Arena, carnival games, movies, and other family-friendly attractions after staffing shortages forced the longtime carnival provider to cancel.

The fair remains free to attend and will also feature the NPRA Rodeo, live music, camel rides, axe throwing, the Children's Museum of Central Oregon, Jefferson County's Got Talent, and a variety of food vendors. Organizers say the owner of 541 Bounce, who grew up in Madras, stepped in to help ensure families still have plenty of entertainment to enjoy. Pre-sale passes for the bounce attractions are now available.

🌊Crooked River Ranch

🛻 Jefferson County Seeks Public Input on ATV Road Use

Jefferson County residents have another opportunity to weigh in on a proposed ordinance that could allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on certain county roads. County commissioners are gathering public feedback before deciding whether to move forward with rules that would regulate where and how ATVs could legally operate on designated roads.

The proposal follows growing interest from residents, particularly in areas like Crooked River Ranch, where ATV use has been a frequent topic of discussion. Supporters say legal road access would improve connectivity and recreation, while opponents have raised concerns about safety, noise, and impacts on neighborhoods. Public comments will help shape the commissioners' decision before any ordinance is finalized.

📰More News

Thank you for joining us in keeping up with the vibrant happenings of Central Oregon. Whether you're interested in local events or the latest community updates, we've got you covered. Stay engaged and enjoy the week ahead with all the excitement our region has to offer.