Central Oregon News: New Wildfires, Community Support & Local Changes From the Editor Central Oregon heads into a new week with wildfire activity continuing across the region. Federal assistance has been approved for the Rowe Creek Complex West Zone, while crews are also responding to the new Round Butte Fire west of Madras. In Bend, an Oregon Department of Human Services employee was arrested after police said an infant was left alone in a state van.
There is also encouraging community news, including a $2,000 donation supporting Red Cross wildfire relief. This edition also covers the ongoing OSU-Cascades leadership investigation, the upcoming closure of Dump City Dumplings, Haven Bagel and Coffee’s expansion, and the Backcountry Offroad Expo’s Central Oregon debut. ⛑️Fire & Rescue News 🔥 FEMA Approves Federal Aid for Rowe Creek Complex West Zone Federal assistance has been approved to help cover the cost of fighting the Rowe Creek Complex West Zone Fire. FEMA authorized a Fire Management Assistance Grant after determining the wildfire threatened enough destruction to qualify for federal support.
The grant can reimburse up to 75% of eligible firefighting expenses, including field camps, equipment use, mobilization and demobilization. The funding does not provide individual assistance to residents, but it gives state and local agencies additional financial support as crews continue working across the fire area. Read more →
🔥 Crews Respond to New Round Butte Fire West of Madras Firefighters responded Saturday afternoon to the Round Butte Fire, burning about five miles west of Madras in grass, brush and juniper. Afternoon winds pushed the fire east as engines, hotshot crews, dozers and overhead personnel moved into the area.
Air attack, large air tankers, single-engine air tankers and helicopters helped slow the fire’s spread through the afternoon. Cooler temperatures and decreasing winds moderated fire behavior Saturday evening, but residents near the area were urged to continue watching official updates as conditions developed. Read more → 🚨Crime News 🚨 ODHS Employee Arrested After Infant Found Alone in State Van A Bend employee with the Oregon Department of Human Services was arrested after police said an 8-month-old child was left unattended inside a state-owned van. Officers responded after the infant was discovered alone in the vehicle and began investigating how long the child had been there.
The employee was arrested on a second-degree child neglect charge, and ODHS said the worker was placed on leave while the agency reviews the incident. The child was reported to be safe, and the case remains under investigation. Read more → ⛰️Bend ❤️ $2,000 Donation Supports Red Cross Wildfire Relief The American Red Cross received a $2,000 Pay It Forward donation to help support wildfire evacuation efforts across Oregon. Middle Oregon Credit Union, Dutch Bros and KTVZ contributed the first $1,000, while Cheri Helt of Stacks and Steve Helt of Zydeco each added $500.
Since the beginning of summer, the Red Cross has opened 16 shelters across the state, providing about 1,300 meals and 400 overnight stays. Evacuees do not have to stay overnight to receive help; shelters are also available for meals, relief from smoke and a safe place to regroup. Read more →
🏫 Former OSU-Cascades Chancellor No Longer Employed Amid Investigation Former OSU-Cascades Dean and Chancellor Sherman Bloomer is no longer employed by Oregon State University as an investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct involving students continues. The university previously removed Bloomer from his leadership role after new information surfaced during an internal review.
The complaint is being investigated by an outside team through OSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. The allegations have not resulted in a finding of wrongdoing, and university officials have limited public comment to protect the investigation and the privacy of those involved. Former campus leader Becky Johnson is serving as interim dean. Read more →
🥟 Dump City Dumplings to Close After 17 Years in Bend Dump City Dumplings will close at the end of August after 17 years of serving its signature steamed and fried dumplings in Bend. The longtime local business announced that its final day will be August 31, giving customers a few more weeks to stop by before the doors close.
The restaurant grew from a popular food cart into a recognizable part of Bend’s dining scene, earning a loyal following and national attention along the way. Its closure marks the end of a long run for one of the city’s most distinctive locally grown food businesses. Read more →
🥯 Haven Bagel and Coffee Opens Second Bend Location Haven Bagel and Coffee has expanded with a second Bend location, bringing its hand-rolled bagels, sandwiches and coffee to another part of the city. The locally owned shop built a strong following at its original southeast Bend location before moving ahead with the expansion.
The new shop gives customers another option for Haven’s freshly made bagels and house-prepared menu items while allowing the business to serve more of the community. The opening adds another locally owned breakfast and coffee destination to Bend’s growing food scene. Read more → 🌞La Pine/Sunriver 🚙 Backcountry Offroad Expo Makes Central Oregon Debut in La Pine The Backcountry Offroad Expo made its Central Oregon debut August 1–2 at the La Pine Rodeo Grounds. The event was moved from Sisters because of wildfire conditions and brought together off-road vehicles, overland gear, outdoor brands, builders and adventure enthusiasts.
The two-day gathering featured vendor displays, vehicle builds and opportunities for visitors to connect with businesses and others who enjoy backcountry travel. The expo’s arrival highlighted La Pine’s strong connection to outdoor recreation and introduced a new regional event for the off-road community. Read more → Thanks for catching up with Central Oregon Local Buzz. Wildfire conditions can change quickly, so continue following official county and fire-agency alerts for the latest evacuation and safety information. We’ll keep bringing you the local stories, community updates and business news shaping Central Oregon. | 
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