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?

🗳️ Petition Launched to Put Oregon Gas Tax Hike on the Ballot

🗺️ Deschutes County District Map Proposal Heads to Commissioners — But Not Without Controversy

🧗‍♂️ Bend Teen Creates AI Climbing App to Standardize Route Grades

✅ St. Charles and PacificSource Reach Deal to Keep Patients In-Network

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨 Rollover Crash Near Prineville Sends One to Hospital

🚨Crime News

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

🛠️ Oregon State Parks Complete Key Improvement Projects, Delay Others Amid Budget Constraints

💰 Mega Millions Jackpot Nears $1 Billion – Could Oregon See a Holiday Winner?

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘️Real Estate News

🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

 🍂 Stay Safe This Fall: Power & Yard Safety Tips from Pacific Power

💸 Property Tax Deadline Approaches in Deschutes County — Pay by Monday for a Discount

🏙️ Redmond Prepares for Major Growth With Housing, Library, Ice Rink & More

🏗️ Central District Emerges as Focal Point for Bend's Growth

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

🧠 Test your Central Oregon knowledge!

 ✅ Answer: B) By stagecoach over a wagon road from Shaniko
Expanded Answer: Before the Oregon Trunk Railroad reached Redmond in 1911, residents depended on stagecoaches and freight wagons traveling a rugged route from Shaniko, which was then a major rail terminus. The journey brought mail, food, and building supplies to the growing community. This isolation fostered a strong sense of self-reliance and community, traits that still define Redmond today. The arrival of the railroad transformed Redmond into a regional hub almost overnight.

GOOD MORNING

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What’s Up Central Oregon? 

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Local News…

🗳️ Petition Launched to Put Oregon Gas Tax Hike on the Ballot

BEND, Ore. — Oregon voters now have a chance to decide whether a recently passed transportation funding bill — which raises gas taxes and vehicle registration fees — should go to a statewide vote. Petitioners have until Dec. 30 to gather 78,116 valid signatures to qualify the referendum for the ballot. The bill is expected to raise over $4 billion in the next decade to support the Oregon Department of Transportation and prevent widespread job cuts. But some lawmakers say Governor Tina Kotek delayed signing the bill until nearly the end of her 30-business-day window, limiting the amount of time petitioners would have to collect signatures.

Opponents argue the delay was a political move to hinder public response. “I think it's cynical to delay signing the bill to deny the people the right to vote on this legislation,” said Rep. Ed Diehl, who is helping lead the petition effort. Supporters of the bill, including ODOT, say the funding is vital to keep the agency running and avoid layoffs. Still, many voters — even those who support the tax — believe it should be decided at the ballot box. To learn more or sign, visit the “No Tax Oregon” website or attend the statewide “Sign Across Oregon” event on Nov. 22.

🗺️ Deschutes County District Map Proposal Heads to Commissioners — But Not Without Controversy

BEND, Ore. — A divided Deschutes County District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC) has voted 4–3 to recommend a proposed five-district map — known as “Map C” — to county commissioners, but the process has drawn criticism over transparency and public engagement. Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, one of the dissenting committee members, voiced concern that the public was not given a clear opportunity to weigh in before the vote. “When you're going toward something that needs a vote, you need to build public trust,” she said.

Supporters of the map, all appointed by Commissioners Tony DeBone and Patti Adair, argued that Map C meets legal requirements for population balance and district continuity. Opponents, all appointed by Commissioner Phil Chang, argued the process was rushed and the map itself may not fairly represent Deschutes County’s diverse communities. The final meeting was canceled — also by a 4–3 vote — prompting further criticism from Kebler, who said residents weren’t adequately informed a final vote was happening. The proposed map will go before the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners in early December. If approved, it will appear on the May 2026 ballot and take effect in the 2028 election. If voters reject it, the current at-large system will remain in place.

🧗‍♂️ Bend Teen Creates AI Climbing App to Standardize Route Grades

BEND, Ore. — Seventeen-year-old Caldera High School senior Levi Waters is climbing to new heights—both on the wall and in the tech world. Waters has developed ClimbGrade, an innovative AI-powered app that analyzes photos of climbing routes and delivers consistent, personalized difficulty ratings. Unlike traditional subjective grading systems, ClimbGrade factors in the climber’s height, wingspan, and weight to provide more accurate feedback.

What began as a school engineering project has gained real traction: Waters earned a $700 award at the Bend Venture Conference, backed by EDCO and High Desert CTE, to further develop the app. Local climbers who’ve tested ClimbGrade are already praising its consistency and potential to unify grading across gyms. The official launch is set for January 1, 2026, with hopes of integration into climbing gyms throughout Central Oregon and beyond.

 ✅ St. Charles and PacificSource Reach Deal to Keep Patients In-Network

BEND, Ore. — Thousands of Central Oregonians can breathe a sigh of relief as St. Charles Health System and PacificSource have reached an agreement to keep patients in-network — avoiding a potential split that had many worried. The new contracts will keep Medicare Advantage members covered for one year and commercial plan members in-network for two years at St. Charles hospitals and clinics.

St. Charles CFO Matt Swafford acknowledged the community concern, saying the agreement ensures continued access to local care and stability during a time of growing uncertainty around Medicare Advantage options. The health system has also finalized agreements with Providence Health Plans, Aetna, and Cigna in recent months. For the most up-to-date information on coverage, patients are encouraged to visit the St. Charles website.

Fire & Rescue…

🚨 Rollover Crash Near Prineville Sends One to Hospital

PRINEVILLE, Ore. -- Sheriff's deputies believe speed and inattentiveness contributed to a rollover crash in Crook County Wednesday that sent a passenger to the hospital.

Here are the details in a release from the Crook County Sheriff's Office:

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at approximately 7:42 p.m., Deputies from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash on SE Juniper Canyon Road, near milepost 7.

During the investigation, it was found that a white Oldsmobile was traveling southbound on SE Juniper Canyon Road near milepost 7 when the driver traveled across the northbound lane and skidded back across the southbound lane. The driver of the Oldsmobile then left the roadway, went down an embankment, rolled over, and came to rest on its roof.

Deputies contacted the male driver, who sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene by Crook County Fire and Rescue. A female passenger was transported to St. Charles Prineville with non-life-threatening injuries.

Based on the investigation, speed and inattentiveness are believed to be contributing factors to the crash.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Crook County Fire & Rescue, Oregon State Police, and STAR Towing for their assistance.

No further information.

Crime News…

Community News…

Regional News…

🛠️ Oregon State Parks Complete Key Improvement Projects, Delay Others Amid Budget Constraints

SALEM, Oregon — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has wrapped up several major infrastructure upgrades funded by a $50 million GO Bond package approved in 2021. Completed projects include critical improvements at Beverly Beach and Nehalem Bay campgrounds and restoration work on the historic Guard House at Fort Stevens. Silver Falls also finished part of its upgrades with a new trailhead and accessible trail, helping relieve parking congestion.

Looking ahead, Fort Stevens is set to complete additional campground utility upgrades by May 2026, while new projects at Cape Lookout and Silver Falls are expected to break ground the same year. However, plans for upgrades at Kam Wah Chung, Smith Rock, Champoeg, and campground expansion at Silver Falls are now on hold due to rising costs and a projected $14 million operations budget shortfall. Instead, OPRD will redirect about $15 million in remaining bond funds toward critical maintenance needs such as utility systems and existing infrastructure.

“None of these were easy decisions,” said Deputy Director Matt Rippee. “But we must prioritize preserving what we already have.” OPRD is also reviewing its operations and exploring new partnerships and sponsorships to support long-term funding sustainability.

💰 Mega Millions Jackpot Nears $1 Billion – Could Oregon See a Holiday Winner?

SALEM, Ore. — The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to an estimated $965 million, the largest since Christmas week 2024, when a $1.269 billion prize was claimed. This Friday's drawing marks the 8th largest Mega Millions jackpot in history. Since the current run began on June 28, over 654,000 Oregonians have won prizes totaling more than $4.3 million. A portion of all ticket sales supports state programs including education, state parks, veterans services, and more.

Oregon retailers benefit too—earning commissions and bonuses, like $10,000 for selling a $1 million winning ticket. The state’s biggest Mega Millions win so far was a $4 million ticket sold in King City in July 2024. Tickets are $5 and available until 6:59 p.m. on draw days (Tuesdays and Fridays). The Oregon Lottery encourages players to sign their tickets and seek financial advice if they hit it big.

City of Bend Events

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Friday’s

Real Estate News

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Central Oregon Market Report | November 12, 2025

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

 Mortgage interest rates reached the low point of this cycle just before the last Federal Reserve meeting, and spiked nearly as much as the Fed rate decrease immediately after, where they have stayed since. With another rate decrease this year seemingly off the table, rates should remain stable for the next few months. However, the slight increase in rates (the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, conventional mortgage this morning is 6.34%) hasn't slowed buyers, with solid pending sale numbers this week. Weather plays a factor in activity at this time of year, and the storms so far this season have been mild, followed by stretches of dry days with mild temperatures. Whatever the reason, activity this fall is steady, and with so many great opportunities available, I anticipate the trend continuing.

Single-family homes listed for sale in Deschutes County dropped 41 this week to 1,116. Pending sales were up considerably from last week at 72, with the average list price for these transactions at $921,576. Sixty-one closed transactions are above recent averages, with the average sale price at $926,774. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 93.98%, with 39 of the 61 closed transactions negotiating a lower price.

Crook County active listings dropped eight from last week to 196, the first time inventory has been below 200 since April. Eight pending sales at an average of $1,095,988 occured, with the average sales price helped by three transactions in Powell Butte over $1 million. Two transactions closed this week in Prineville: one at $475,000 (initially listed for $472k) and one at the full listing price of $559,900.

Jefferson County inventory remains stable at 128, down only one from last week. Three pending sales occurred at $289,900, $290,000, and $330,000, with two reducing the list price before securing a buyer by -2.94% and -17.14%. Two transactions closed this week at $304,000 (initially listed for $319,000) and $405,000 initially listed for $469,900. The closed sales represent reductions from the original list price of 3.13% and 14.9% respectively.

The average and median price reductions throughout Central Oregon are compelling, but many properties are taking even deeper double-digit price reductions this fall. With moderate mortgage interest rates, the result is deals that rival or beat many of the monthly payments when rates were half what they are today. This fall is proving to be the best buyer's market in several years and is certainly worth a look for anyone who has been waiting for better conditions. 

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 🍂 Stay Safe This Fall: Power & Yard Safety Tips from Pacific Power

PORTLAND, OR — As the weather cools and leaves begin to fall, Pacific Power is reminding homeowners across Oregon to use autumn as a key time to prep their yards and homes for winter. One of the top priorities? Tree maintenance. “Fall is a great time to check the condition of your trees,” says Jeremy Gee, Pacific Power’s VP of health and safety. Pruning now—before winter storms hit—can help prevent power outages caused by falling branches. However, residents should keep a minimum 10-foot distance from power lines and never attempt to remove branches touching or tangled in them. Instead, call Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070 for safe removal.

Additional fall safety tips include avoiding metal ladders near power lines, planting trees and shrubs away from electrical equipment, and calling 811 before digging to locate underground utilities. Always keep water away from electric tools, and use ground fault circuit interrupters near wet areas. Whether you're installing a satellite dish or cleaning gutters, being aware of overhead lines and staying safe can help prevent serious accidents. For more tips or to order free safety resources, visit PacificPower.net/Safety.

💸 Property Tax Deadline Approaches in Deschutes County — Pay by Monday for a Discount

BEND, Ore. — Deschutes County property owners have until Monday, Nov. 17 to make at least a partial payment on their 2025 property taxes — and those who pay in full by the deadline can earn a 3% discount. A 2% discount is available for those who pay at least two-thirds of their bill, but regardless of discount eligibility, at least one-third must be paid by Monday to avoid penalties. Payments must be postmarked or processed by Nov. 17 to qualify.

Out of 114,000 tax statements sent out by the county, officials expect about 85% will be paid in full by the deadline. Payments can be made by mail, online, by phone, in person, or at designated drop boxes. Note that credit card payments come with a 2.5% processing fee. Deschutes County Tax Collector Robert Tintle noted that over a third of payments are processed through mortgage companies, often arriving at the last minute but still posted on time. For those who prefer installments, follow-up payments are due Feb. 17, 2026 and May 15, 2026 — without discount.

🏙️ Redmond Prepares for Major Growth With Housing, Library, Ice Rink & More

With Redmond’s population expected to soar from 38,000 to 60,000 by 2047, city leaders are working to manage the boom with thoughtful planning and bold investments — from new affordable housing and a revitalized downtown to a year-round ice rink and expanded transportation routes. Projects like The Nova (a converted motel-turned-workforce housing), Redmond Landing, Cinder Hollow, and the new Redmond Library are just a few signs of the city’s proactive approach.

🚦Red-light cameras, 🧊 a flexible-use downtown ice rink, and 🚗 key milestones on the Eastside Arterial Project are also part of the long-range vision.

👉 Click here to read the full breakdown of Redmond’s growth strategy. 

🏗️ Central District Emerges as Focal Point for Bend's Growth

BEND, Ore. — Bend’s Central District is no longer just a pass-through—it’s becoming a hub for growth, innovation, and possibly even a new city hall. As the city looks to consolidate staff currently spread across outdated buildings, officials are eyeing the Central District as a potential location. Councilor Mike Riley says a new city hall could serve not only the city’s expanding staff needs but also help revitalize the urban core. “We’re busting at the seams,” he said, noting the current council chambers are too small to hold larger public meetings.

Momentum is also building around the long-anticipated Hawthorne bridge, which would physically link the Central District with downtown Bend. A new design—praised for both its affordability and visual nod to the Three Sisters—was unveiled this week. Local businesses, like Dogwood at the Pine Shed, say these developments could finally give the neighborhood a distinct identity and stronger connection to the rest of the city. “It’s the start of something cool,” said general manager Sean Lawrence. “That bridge connects us.” Both projects remain in the planning stages but are fueling a sense of transformation in an area long overlooked.

 😎Just sayin

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