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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?

 🏥 St. Charles Bend Nurses Ratify New Contract Through 2029

🎟️ Bend FFA “Run for the Roses” Dinner & Auction Set for March 7

 🚁 Bend Police to Launch Drones from Courthouse Roof

 🐾 Search & Rescue K-9 Hunter Retires After 10 Years of Service

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

  🚨 Three Bend Men Arrested in Separate Child Exploitation Cases

 🚓 Multi-Agency Pursuit Ends with Arrest in Eagle Crest

 🚨 15-Year-Old Escapes Juvenile Detention Center in North Bend

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

💻 Romanian Hacker Pleads Guilty in Oregon State Government Cyber Intrusion

 🌲 Oregon State Parks Adding Parking Fees at 22 More Locations Starting March 30

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

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Local News…

🏥 St. Charles Bend Nurses Ratify New Contract Through 2029

Registered nurses at St. Charles Bend have overwhelmingly approved a new two-and-a-half-year contract, extending their agreement through June 30, 2029. The deal builds on the nurses’ historic 2023 contract, which focused on addressing rising living costs, improving recruitment and retention, and strengthening collaboration between frontline caregivers and hospital leadership. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), which represents more than 1,200 nurses across St. Charles Bend, Prineville, Redmond, and Home Health and Hospice, said the new agreement provides added stability at a critical time for the region’s healthcare system.

Key provisions include wage increases totaling 7.5% over the life of the contract, pay equity adjustments for nurse case managers and transfer center nurses, and a long-term commitment designed to maintain staffing stability at the region’s only Level II trauma center east of the Cascades. Nurse leaders say the agreement ensures continuity of care for patients across Central and Eastern Oregon while continuing collaborative efforts with hospital management to address staffing, safety, and patient care improvements.

🎟️ Bend FFA “Run for the Roses” Dinner & Auction Set for March 7

The Bend FFA Alumni & Supporters are hosting their annual dinner and auction — “Run for the Roses” — on Saturday, March 7, with proceeds helping fund scholarships, student projects, and travel opportunities for local FFA members. The Kentucky Derby-themed evening includes a catered dinner, drinks, games, silent and live auctions, and community fun, all in support of Bend’s future agricultural leaders. Tickets are typically around $55 per person, and the event runs from 5:00–9:30 p.m. at Beaver Coach Sales & Service in Bend.

Organizers say funds raised help provide financial support for supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects, senior scholarships, and travel to state and national FFA events. The night also offers opportunities to connect with supporters, bid on valuable auction items, and celebrate the impact of FFA in the community. (bendffachapter.weebly.com)

 🚁 Bend Police to Launch Drones from Courthouse Roof

The Bend Police Department plans to base its crime-fighting drones on the roof of the old Deschutes County Courthouse in downtown Bend after county commissioners approved a lease for 532 sq ft of rooftop space at 1164 NW Bond Street for just $119 a month. The move provides a stable, long-term location for launching drones, which officers can operate remotely to respond to incidents, assist in investigations, locate missing people, and support public safety responses. The downtown location was chosen because the aircraft must launch from elevated ground and can only fly about two miles from its takeoff point, making central Bend an ideal hub. (The Bulletin)

Bend police have used drones since 2016 and now operate more than 20 of the small aircraft, with the equipment deployed hundreds of times in recent years to assist in everything from missing-person searches to public safety monitoring. While the department says drone use is strictly regulated under state law — requiring warrants unless there’s probable cause or another legal exception — some civil liberties advocates worry about potential impacts on constitutional rights and community trust if drone programs expand. (The Bulletin)

🐾 Search & Rescue K-9 Hunter Retires After 10 Years of Service

After a decade of dedicated service, Search & Rescue K-9 Hunter has officially retired, marking the end of an impressive career helping find lost and vulnerable people across Central Oregon. Hunter served with his handler, Jenny Reindel, from 2015 to 2025, participating in countless missions with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue team. Together, they became a trusted and respected duo in the community, using Hunter’s keen senses to assist in difficult searches and bring comfort to families during emergencies.

Hunter’s retirement also coincides with the retirement of his longtime handler, Jenny, who spent nearly 11 years working alongside him. The Sheriff’s Office and community members celebrated their years of service and the positive impact they’ve had on public safety in the region. Hunter’s contributions have left a lasting legacy, and he’s now enjoying a well-earned rest after years of loyal and heroic search efforts.

Fire & Rescue…

Crime News…

 🚨 Three Bend Men Arrested in Separate Child Exploitation Cases

Over the past two months, Bend Police have arrested three local men in unrelated investigations involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), each case originating from CyberTips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Detectives say these investigations are often lengthy and complex, involving digital forensics and multiple search warrants. Officials emphasized that every CyberTip is thoroughly reviewed and crimes against children remain a top enforcement priority.

William James Kanehl, 42, Bend: Police began investigating Kanehl in February 2025 after receiving a CyberTip that multiple suspected CSAM files had been uploaded. A search warrant was served at his home in southeast Bend in August 2025, where detectives reported finding additional evidence, including explicit communications with a minor and evidence related to other alleged crimes. Kanehl was arrested Jan. 28 and faces numerous felony charges, including multiple counts of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse, using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, luring a minor, and encouraging sexual assault of an animal.

Mitchel Joseph Gregg, 23, Bend: Investigators began looking into Gregg in March 2025 after receiving a CyberTip alleging CSAM activity linked to Snapchat. He was arrested Feb. 10 at his northeast Bend residence on suspicion of one count each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.

Evan Matthew Hiatt, 20, Bend: Hiatt was first investigated in May 2025 after a CyberTip alleged online solicitation of explicit images from a child, though an arrest was not made at that time. A second CyberTip received in January 2026 involved the alleged upload of CSAM images. Detectives served a search warrant at his home in northeast Bend on Jan. 28 and arrested him on suspicion of 10 counts each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.

 🚓 Multi-Agency Pursuit Ends with Arrest in Eagle Crest

A traffic stop attempt Friday morning escalated into a multi-agency pursuit that stretched from Sisters to Bend before ending in Eagle Crest. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy first attempted to stop a vehicle around 8:12 a.m. after observing aggressive driving, including brake-checking a patrol vehicle and driving over a roundabout. The driver failed to yield and continued westbound on Highway 20 past Black Butte. Deputies initially chose not to pursue out of caution.

The vehicle was spotted again returning to Sisters about 40 minutes later, prompting another stop attempt with assistance from Oregon State Police and Black Butte Police. The driver fled eastbound on Highway 20, and although deputies briefly used a PIT maneuver, the suspect regained control and continued at high speed. The pursuit was terminated for public safety as the vehicle headed toward Tumalo and Bend. Later, around 11:07 a.m., a citizen in Eagle Crest reported being followed by a vehicle matching the description. Deputies responded, deployed spike strips, and successfully used a second PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle on Eagle Crest Boulevard. The driver, identified as 54-year-old Doug R. Greaser of Eagle Crest, allegedly resisted arrest and was transported to St. Charles-Bend for evaluation before being lodged on charges including three counts of felony attempt to elude, three counts of reckless driving, multiple counts of reckless endangering, and assault on a police officer.

🚨 15-Year-Old Escapes Juvenile Detention Center in North Bend

A 15-year-old male juvenile escaped from the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Center on Britta Street in north Bend late Sunday night. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the teen fled around 10:45 p.m., prompting an immediate search of the surrounding area and a neighborhood alert to nearby residents.

The juvenile is described as a mixed-race male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall, with dirty blonde curly hair and glasses. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. Law enforcement officers are actively working to locate him. Anyone who sees someone matching this description or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. As required by Oregon law, authorities are not releasing the juvenile’s name or photo.

Community News…

 Regional News…

💻 Romanian Hacker Pleads Guilty in Oregon State Government Cyber Intrusion

A Romanian national has admitted to hacking into the computer network of an Oregon state government office and selling that access on the dark web. Catalin Dragomir, 45, pleaded guilty in federal court to obtaining information from a protected computer and aggravated identity theft after prosecutors said he illegally accessed the system in June 2021 and provided samples of stolen personal data to prove he had control of the network. Authorities say he also sold access to multiple other U.S. victims, resulting in at least $250,000 in losses.

Dragomir was indicted in 2024, arrested in Romania later that year, and extradited to the U.S. in early 2025. He now faces up to five years in prison on the computer intrusion charge, plus a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for identity theft. As part of his plea agreement, he has agreed to fully repay victims and forfeit cryptocurrency connected to the crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for May 26, 2026, in Portland. The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from international partners and the Justice Department’s cybercrime division.

 🌲 Oregon State Parks Adding Parking Fees at 22 More Locations Starting March 30

If you’re planning spring and summer park days, take note: beginning March 30, 2026, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will no longer waive day-use parking fees at 22 additional state parks. A day-use permit is currently $10 for Oregon residents and $12 for out-of-state visitors and is valid for the full day at any Oregon State Park. Walking, biking, and public transit access remain free, and visitors with valid camping hangtags or 12-month parking permits can continue to park without purchasing a daily pass. Officials say the added parks were selected based on amenities that require regular maintenance, including restrooms, trails, boat ramps, paving, and irrigation. Parking revenue makes up roughly 35% of the department’s funding, which does not come from Oregon’s general fund.

March 30 will also bring a new $10 fee at 19 RV dump stations across the system to help offset maintenance and sustainability costs. OPRD leaders say the updates are designed to preserve visitor experiences and keep parks safe, clean, and operational. Annual 12-month parking permits remain available for $60 for Oregon residents (24-month permits are no longer sold but will be honored until expiration). Visitors are encouraged to check individual park webpages before heading out, as seasonal closures and construction may affect access.

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