In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🥾 Start 2026 on the Trail: Free First Day Hikes Across Central Oregon State Parks

 🏓CASA Pickleball Classic is Back

 🌱 Restoring the Land After the Fire: Volunteers Help Heal Burned Area Near Sisters

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 🚨 Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down Hwy 97 Near Redmond

💥Fatal Head-On Collision Closes Hwy 97 in Klamath County

⛑️ 🛶Missing Kayaker Rescued from Lake Billy Chinook After Nighttime Search

🚨Crime News

🥰Community News

🎁 Bend Church Delivers Full Christmas to Over 80 Local Families

🥫 Redmond Students Form Human Chain to Donate Over a Ton of Food

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘️💼Real Estate & Business News

🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

🏨 Historic Post Office Reborn: Downtown Bend’s New Boutique Hotel Opens

🌿 How Cannabis Shaped Central Oregon’s Scene — Beyond the Stereotypes

🏗️ Redmond’s New Recreation Hub Set to Open This Summer

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

✅ Answer: C) It springs fully formed from the base of a mountain

💡 Expanded Answer:
The Metolius River is one of Oregon’s most fascinating waterways because it doesn’t start as a trickle or a stream—it bursts forth fully formed from the base of Black Butte. This rare hydrogeological feature is called a spring-fed headwater, and it makes the Metolius remarkably cold, clear, and steady-flowing year-round. The river's source appears almost magically from beneath a lava flow, and the moment it emerges, it’s already a wide, fast-moving river. It's a favorite for fly-fishing, photography, and quiet forest walks along its banks.

For additional information about the Metolius River visit https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/metolius_river/

GOOD MORNING

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What’s Up Central Oregon? 

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Local News…

 🥾 Start 2026 on the Trail: Free First Day Hikes Across Central Oregon State Parks

Ring in the new year with fresh air, stunning scenery, and a free guided hike in one of Central Oregon’s most beautiful state parks. As part of the national First Day Hikes initiative on New Year’s Day, January 1, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is hosting family-friendly guided hikes at Tumalo, Smith Rock, La Pine, and The Cove Palisades State Parks. Whether you're looking for river views, mountain vistas, or a stroll through ancient pines, there's a trail for everyone to kick off 2026 in nature.

🌲 Tumalo State Park (Bend)
Take a 2-mile round-trip hike along the Deschutes River Trail starting at 1 p.m. Enjoy scenic river views, light to moderate terrain, and plenty of photo opportunities. The trail is narrow and not ADA accessible, so sturdy shoes are a must. Pets are welcome on leashes, and participants should come prepared for winter weather with layers, water, snacks, and a camera. Meet at the back of the day-use parking lot at 64125 OB Riley Road. More info: 541‑388‑6055.

🏞 The Cove Palisades State Park (Culver)
This 2-mile ranger-led hike begins at 10 a.m. and winds through the Crooked River Wetlands and up the Rim Trail, with sweeping views of Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters. Learn about the park’s fascinating geology and spot winter wildlife. Meet at the Crooked River Campground overflow parking lot and dress for the elements. Sturdy footwear is encouraged, and refreshments will be served at the overlook. Friendly dogs are welcome. More info: 541‑546‑3412.

🌲 La Pine State Park (La Pine)
Hike through serene forests and along an oxbow lake on this 1.5-mile round-trip hike starting at 1 p.m. You’ll get a chance to see the world’s largest known ponderosa pine! The trail begins at the Cougar Woods Day-Use Parking Area, and may include snow or icy patches—snowshoes might be needed. Strollers are not recommended. Registration is required. More info: 541‑536‑2428.

🧗‍♂️ Smith Rock State Park (Terrebonne)
Explore one of Oregon’s most iconic parks on this easy 1-mile hike beginning at 10 a.m. Learn about the park’s unique geology, flora, and fauna. Meet at the day-use lawn next to the Welcome Center at 10260 NE Crooked River Drive. The gravel trail has no elevation gain, making it a relaxed and informative way to start the year. Registration is required. No drones allowed; dogs on leashes welcome. More info: 541‑548‑7501.

🎟 All First Day Hikes are free to attend, but a day-use parking permit is required: $10 for Oregon residents or $12 for non-residents. Annual passes are also available at the parks.

📸 Don’t forget to share your adventure on social media using #ORfirstdayhikes!

First Day Hikes is a nationwide program led by America’s State Parks, designed to encourage outdoor recreation, physical activity, and a deeper connection with nature as we begin the new year. Oregon has proudly participated in this tradition since 2012.

 🏓CASA Pickleball Classic is Back

CASA Pickleball Classic returns February 26-March 1, 2026 at Premier Pickleball Club in Remond, benefitting CASA of Central Oregon. This four-day tournament, presented by Lithia Motors, invites the community to come together for pickleball, purpose, and a chance to support CASA’s work with children in foster care. Register before January 1 for early bird pricing.

Schedule

Thursday, February 26, 2026 – Singles & Social Bracket

Friday, February 27, 2026 – Men’s Doubles

Saturday, February 28, 2026 – Mixed Doubles

Sunday, March 1, 2026 – Women’s Doubles

New this year, we are offering a Thursday Social Bracket designed for newer players and those who just want to learn, play, and support CASA in a relaxed setting.

A tournament registration also makes a fun and meaningful holiday gift for a friend or family member who loves pickleball or wants to try it for the first time.

By joining us on the court, you are helping ensure more children in foster care have a consistent, caring advocate by their side. We hope you will play, share, or gift a spot in this year’s tournament.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please take a moment to check out our sponsorship packet and contact us to discuss how you can get involved.

Sponsorship Details
Give The Gift of a Spot in Our Tournament
Register For Tournament

casaofcentraloregon.org

 🌱 Restoring the Land After the Fire: Volunteers Help Heal Burned Area Near Sisters

Though the Flat Fire has long since been extinguished, the work to restore the landscape continues. On Wednesday, volunteers with the Deschutes Land Trust gathered at Aspen Hollow Preserve near Sisters to help repair damage left behind by firefighting efforts.

Armed with native grass seeds and rakes, the group focused on rehabilitating areas where heavy equipment and fire line construction had scarred the land. “A lot of us who live in Sisters are here because we love the land and the beauty of it,” said volunteer Amy Paul. “It’s nice to have an opportunity to give back.” With a mix of native bunchgrasses in hand, the team worked to ensure the area can begin a natural and healthy recovery. The preserve is managed by the Deschutes Land Trust, which continues to lead efforts to steward and protect local lands impacted by wildfire.

 Fire & Rescue…

🚨 Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down Hwy 97 Near Redmond

A deadly multi-vehicle crash Tuesday evening, December 16, shut down Highway 97 near milepost 127 in Deschutes County for several hours. Oregon State Police say 79-year-old William Longhway Sargent of Bend was driving a Chrysler Pacifica southbound when he unexpectedly crossed into the northbound lanes, sideswiping two vehicles—a Land Rover driven by an 18-year-old from Redmond and a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a Terrebonne resident—before colliding head-on with a Freightliner semi-truck.

Sargent was pronounced dead at the scene. No other drivers were injured in the crash. The highway remained closed for approximately four hours during the investigation. OSP was assisted on scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.

 💥Fatal Head-On Collision Closes Hwy 97 in Klamath County

A tragic two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 255 claimed the life of a Chiloquin man Tuesday evening, December 16. According to Oregon State Police, 26-year-old Triston Charles Morrow was driving a Toyota Hilux northbound when a southbound Chevrolet Silverado 2500, driven by Gordon Travis Gilmer of Sacramento, lost control and crossed into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision. Morrow was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two passengers in the Silverado sustained minor or no injuries. The highway was closed for about an hour during the investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with assistance from Chiloquin Fire and ODOT.

Central Oregon Daily News Video

⛑️ Missing Kayaker Rescued from Lake Billy Chinook After Nighttime Search

A 74-year-old Bend man was rescued late Tuesday night from the frigid waters of Lake Billy Chinook after his kayak overturned near the Lower Deschutes Boat Ramp. Jefferson County deputies responded around 10:40 p.m. and used a combination of patrol boat and thermal drone technology to locate Neil Wesner, who was found clinging to his kayak, suffering from hypothermia and disorientation.

Wesner had managed to call 911 before losing connection, a move that likely saved his life. Deputies pulled him aboard their patrol boat and transferred him to Jefferson County Fire and EMS for immediate care before he was transported to the hospital. Sheriff Jason Pollock credited quick teamwork and technology for the successful rescue and reminded boaters to stay vigilant in cold water conditions where hypothermia can set in rapidly.

The post Missing Bend kayaker, 74, rescued from Lake Billy Chinook appeared first on KTVZ.

Crime News…

Community News…

 🎁 Bend Church Delivers Full Christmas to Over 80 Local Families

With Christmas fast approaching, one Bend church went beyond lights and ornaments to deliver the true spirit of the season. Bend Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship transformed its traditional holiday dinner into an unforgettable Christmas experience for dozens of local families in need.

Partnering with Healthy Families of Central Oregon, the church coordinated a massive community effort to sponsor more than 140 children from 80 families. Donors bought and wrapped personalized gifts for every child, and the fellowship raised enough funds to provide each family with a $100 gift card to help ease holiday expenses. What started as a dinner became a powerful reminder of community, generosity, and the belief that no family should feel alone during the holidays.

 🥫 Redmond Students Form Human Chain to Donate Over a Ton of Food

In a powerful show of community spirit, students from Redmond High School and Hugh Hartman Elementary joined forces Wednesday morning to collect and deliver more than 2,700 pounds of food to families in need this holiday season. Rather than dropping off donations in boxes, the students lined the sidewalks between the two schools to form a human chain, passing every can hand-to-hand and loading them into a school bus bound for St. Vincent de Paul.

The idea started with a collaboration between staff from both schools, who wanted students of all ages to get involved in something meaningful. “We asked every student to bring at least one can, and I think we exceeded that by far,” said Redmond High Principal Audrey Haugan. The winning class, which brought in over 160 items, earned an extended lunch as a bonus. But for many, the real reward was the chance to help others.

“I’m really glad that we’re able to help our community and make things just a little bit easier on people this holiday,” said RHS senior Lu Doty. Students and staff alike hope this inspiring tradition of giving continues for years to come.

Regional News…

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

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Real Estate News

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 Central Oregon Market Report | December 17, 2025

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

 Stability in real estate is positive, if not uninteresting. But planning to buy or sell in a stable market makes it infinitely easier to plan and finance. Looking back to this week in December 2024 shows very similar data across all three counties of Central Oregon, with consistent activity heading into the last two weeks of the year. Mortgage interest rates have also been stable, with the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage at 6.27%, unchanged since early September and unfazed by the Federal Reserve's latest 25-basis-point rate decrease. The outlook for rate decreases in 2026 is uncertain, but data will largely drive it as the new year unfolds. Dropping below 6% is less likely, with 2026 shaping up to be very similar to 2025 in Central Oregon.

This morning in Deschutes County, active listings decreased by 39 to 929. This week in December 2024, there were 877 active listings, a 5.9% increase. Forty-one pending sales occurred at an average price of $736,090, with 24 reducing the asking price before securing a buyer, resulting in an average reduction of 7.62%. Fifty-nine transactions closed, averaging $770,558, with the sold-to-original-list-price ratio at 94.13%.

Crook County inventory decreased by six to 166 active listings, one fewer than this week in December 2024. Activity was robust, with 10 pending sales averaging $742,429, and 6 of those listings decreased the asking price by an average of 6.06% before securing a buyer, twice as many pending sales as this week in December 2024. Six transactions closed this week, averaging $835,558, with a sold-to-original-list-price ratio of 94.72%.

Jefferson County's inventory decreased by 2, now at 125 active single-family home listings. The inventory level today is 27 units higher than it was this week in December 2024, a 27.5% increase year-over-year. Three pending sales occurred, averaging $362,300, with one property reducing the asking price by 9.34% before securing a buyer. Three transactions closed this week, averaging $408,516, with the sold-to-original-list-price ratio at 94.96%.

The sold-to-original-list-price ratio shows that many sellers need to lower prices to attract buyers. With days on the market for active listings increasing and prices relatively flat since 2022, market conditions are not conducive to pushing the envelope on price. In the high-end market, two properties that sellers chose to sell at auction prove this point: both sold for less than half their original list price. Increased inventory creates more competition between sellers, and homes priced above the market are sitting. While the price increases that peaked in 2022 are essentially locked in, pricing well above those levels today is working against most sellers. With mortgage rates expected to remain flat for the foreseeable future, sellers should consider these factors for the coming year. 

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Active Listings

 🏨 Historic Post Office Reborn: Downtown Bend’s New Boutique Hotel Opens

Downtown Bend is welcoming a new landmark destination as The Westman Hotel opens its doors inside the beautifully restored historic U.S. Post Office building at 777 NW Wall Street. The nearly 100‑year‑old building — originally constructed in 1932 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — has been meticulously transformed into a 23‑room boutique hotel that blends its storied past with modern luxury and design. Renovation efforts preserved original architectural details like the grand staircase, brass door pulls, historic flooring and even the old post office vault door, with historic photos, blueprints, and artifacts showcased throughout the hallways and rooms to tell the building’s unique story.

Each guestroom and suite pairs the bold lines and character of the 1930s structure with contemporary comforts, from luxurious bedding and spa‑quality bathrooms to fireplaces, private patios with fire pits, and spacious loft suites with dramatic ceilings and original architectural features. Beyond guestrooms, The Westman offers inviting common spaces, including a lobby bar called Minnie’s — named in honor of pioneering mail carrier Minnie Westman — serving small plates and craft cocktails in a setting that celebrates the building’s namesake and spirit. The hotel’s opening not only adds a high‑end lodging option in the heart of downtown but also preserves a beloved piece of Bend’s history while supporting the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy.

Locals can take advantage of a special staycation deal with 10% off rooms and a relaxed 1 p.m. late checkout, making it a perfect excuse to experience this historic gem just steps from Bend’s best restaurants, breweries, boutiques and outdoor access.

https://westmanhotelbend.com/

🌿 How Cannabis Shaped Central Oregon’s Scene — Beyond the Stereotypes

From its counterculture roots to a booming local business ecosystem, cannabis has become a major part of Central Oregon’s economic and cultural landscape. What started with legalization under Oregon’s Measure 91 has grown into a multibillion‑dollar industry that supports local jobs, fundraisers, community partnerships, and innovative brands redefining what cannabis means for people today — far beyond old “stoner” stereotypes. Dive into how Bend and the surrounding region helped spark this transformation and what it’s like now for growers, retailers, and the community at large. (Bend Magazine)

👉 Read more from Bend Magazine: Cannabis in Central Oregon

🏗️ Redmond’s New Recreation Hub Set to Open This Summer

Excitement is building in Redmond as the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District eyes a July opening for its brand-new Hub Aquatic and Recreation Center. The 56,000-square-foot facility will mark a major leap forward for local recreation services, offering far more than the district’s current limited swim and meeting space.

Thanks to a $49 million bond approved by voters in 2022, the Hub will feature indoor pools, a fitness center, gymnasium for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, a childcare area, teaching kitchen, and more. Executive Director Katie Hammer confirmed the target opening and says the state-of-the-art center is designed to meet the growing needs of the Redmond community for years to come.

 😎Just sayin

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