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In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

 🎉 Bingo Night at Dry Canyon Club

 🎻🇺🇸 Sunriver Music Festival Announces 49th Season Celebrating America at 250

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🚦📸 Bend to Add Traffic Cameras at Major Intersections

  🥶💙 Record Crowd Takes the Plunge for Special Olympics Oregon

 🎶🏆 Bend Composer Paula Dreyer Earns National Honor

 🐏🌿 Warm Springs Tribe Honored for Bighorn Sheep Comeback

 🎉 Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend Welcomes New COO

 📣 Redmond Cheer Squad Brings Home National Title

 🤠👑 Aubrey DeRoest Crowned 2026 Crooked River Roundup Queen

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

Join us at the Dry Canyon Club in Redmond for Bingo4Heros!! Bingo cards are 6/$10 (please bring cash); half of the proceeds benefit Central Oregon Veterans Ranch, half come back to you in PRIZES!! Come support The Ranch, and enjoy Bingo, Brews and lotsa laughter!

🎉 Bingo Night at Dry Canyon Club

📍 Where: Dry Canyon Club
📅 When: Monday, March 2nd
⏰ Time: Starts at 6:00 PM

🎱 Grab your lucky charm and join the fun for a high-energy night of Bingo! Four games will be played throughout the evening with 💵 cash prizes and 🍻 drink specials to keep the good vibes rolling.

🎟️ Details: 6 cards for $10
❤️ Proceeds benefit Central Oregon Veterans Ranch

Bring your friends, your game face, and let’s see who calls BINGO first!

 🎻🇺🇸 Sunriver Music Festival Announces 49th Season Celebrating America at 250

The Sunriver Music Festival will mark its 49th summer season August 10–20, 2026, with a patriotic celebration of American orchestral music in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Concerts will take place at two iconic Central Oregon venues — the Sunriver Resort Great Hall and the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend — featuring world-class orchestra musicians and acclaimed soloists under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell. The series includes four classical concerts, a pops concert and a family concert, opening August 10 in Sunriver and closing August 20 in Bend.

Maestro Mitchell says each program will include at least one work by an American composer, highlighting classics like Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, alongside pieces by Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts and GRAMMY® winners Edgar Meyer and Joan Tower. Beloved European masters including Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Bach, Mozart and Schumann will also be featured. Member presale begins April 1, with public ticket sales opening June 1. In addition to the summer concerts, the Festival will host spring and summer events, youth recitals, fundraisers and free educational offerings, with many rehearsals open to the public.

Visit sunrivermusic.org

2026 Summer Festival Concert Schedule (August 10–20)
August 10 – Opening Classical Concert: Beethoven, Haydn & Made in America – Sunriver Resort Great Hall
August 12 – Classical Concert II: America Meets Scotland – Sunriver Resort Great Hall
August 14 – Family Concert: Harry Potter & the Instruments of the Orchestra – Sunriver SHARC’s Benham Hall
August 15 – Pops Concert: John Williams & the American Journey – Tower Theatre, Bend
August 18 – Classical Concert III: The Genius of Music – Tower Theatre, Bend
August 20 – Season Finale Classical Concert: Appalachia & Spring – Tower Theatre, Bend

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Local News…

🚦📸 Bend to Add Traffic Cameras at Major Intersections

The City of Bend is rolling out automated traffic enforcement cameras at four busy intersections over the coming weeks in an effort to curb speeding and red-light violations and boost roadway safety. The new system — developed in partnership with Verra Mobility — will place cameras at NE 27th and Neff Road, SE Reed Market and Third Street, and SE Powers Road and Third Street, with construction planned primarily during nighttime hours to reduce traffic disruptions. Warning signs will be posted ahead of each camera in accordance with Oregon law before enforcement begins.

The initiative is designed to be cost-neutral, with revenue from fines covering operating expenses and any additional funds going into a dedicated traffic safety fund for future projects, education, and enforcement. Cameras will use video and radar to detect drivers running red lights or exceeding posted speeds by 11 mph or more, capturing images of the vehicle and occupants for review. Before a citation is mailed, both a technician and a Bend Police officer will verify the incident against Oregon DMV records. Officials note that citations — issued through Bend Municipal Court — could affect insurance rates, and additional camera locations may be considered in the future.

 🥶💙 Record Crowd Takes the Plunge for Special Olympics Oregon

Bend’s bravest — and boldest — made a splash Saturday at Riverbend Park as a record-breaking crowd dove into icy waters for the annual Polar Plunge, raising more than $78,000 for Special Olympics Oregon. More than 550 participants signed up for the high-energy fundraiser, which kicked off with a 5K run before plungers took the chilly leap. Organizers called it the biggest year yet, with every dollar raised going directly back to support more than 5,000 athletes statewide through free, year-round programming.

Athletes from High Desert Special Olympics joined in on the excitement, calling the day “fun” despite the frosty forecast. Central Oregon law enforcement agencies also added some friendly rivalry to the mix, competing for bragging rights — and the honor of jumping first. Bend Police earned that distinction this year, performing the ceremonial first plunge after raising more than $9,000 themselves.

 🎶🏆 Bend Composer Paula Dreyer Earns National Honor

A Bend-based composer and pianist is making waves nationally — local musician Paula Dreyer has taken third place in the prestigious American Prize for her original piano album inspired by nature, community, and storytelling. The American Prize is a respected series of national awards recognizing the best in classical performance and composition, and Dreyer’s work stood out among entries from across the country.

Dreyer, known for weaving emotional depth and imaginative themes into her music, has built a career blending classical training with contemporary creativity. Her recognition by The American Prize highlights both her artistic voice and the vibrant creative scene right here in Central Oregon.

 🐏🌿 Warm Springs Tribe Honored for Bighorn Sheep Comeback

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs were recently recognized with the Federal Statesman Award at the Wild Sheep Foundation’s annual show for their decades-long leadership in restoring bighorn sheep populations on tribal lands — one of only a few groups honored with this national conservation award in the past 40 years. Funding generated through permit auctions and sales has raised hundreds of thousands for habitat restoration, invasive species removal and watershed work in the Mutton Mountains, benefiting not just sheep but the broader ecosystem, including fish and other wildlife.

Tribal wildlife leaders highlighted their long-term efforts and commitment to returning native fauna and fish to historic levels, and the award underscores Central Oregon’s role in collaborative land stewardship. The continued conservation work positions the Tribes to pursue additional funding and partnerships to further expand restoration across their lands.

 🎉 Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend Welcomes New COO

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend has announced Jennifer Graham as its new Chief Operating Officer, bringing fresh leadership to the local nonprofit that serves thousands of youth across the region. Graham — who has a strong background in organizational operations and community engagement — will oversee program delivery, staff development, and day-to-day club operations as the organization continues to grow and expand its impact in Central Oregon.

Leaders say Graham’s experience and commitment to youth success will help strengthen partnerships, enhance club programs, and support long-term strategic goals. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend serves children and teens with after-school and summer programming focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and leadership development.

📣 Redmond Cheer Squad Brings Home National Title

The Redmond Varsity Game Day cheer team earned big honors at the 2026 JAMZ National Championship in Las Vegas, taking first place in the Level 3 Small Coed division and finishing third in the Friday Night Lights category during the multi-division competition.

The team’s strong performances against squads from across the nation highlighted Redmond’s talent and dedication, with judges scoring routines based on execution, creativity, and game-day style. It was a proud moment for the athletes and their community as they returned home with both a national championship and a top-three finish.

🤠👑 Aubrey DeRoest Crowned 2026 Crooked River Roundup Queen

Powell Butte’s own Aubrey DeRoest, 22, has been named the 2026 Crooked River Roundup Rodeo Queen, kicking off a season of rodeo tradition and community celebration in Prineville. A lifelong horsewoman who’s been riding since age five and a proud graduate of Oregon State University-Cascades, DeRoest brings years of 4-H experience, equestrian team competition, and leadership to her role — and she spent last year traveling across the Northwest as Miss Northwest Professional Rodeo Association.

Her official coronation event — complete with a social hour, auction, dinner and dessert dash — is set for March 14 at Carey Foster Hall, where friends and fans can celebrate the new queen and support her year of representing rodeo and western heritage in Central Oregon and beyond.

Fire & Rescue…

Crime News…

Community News…

 Regional News… 

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

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